david_s

I have re-read the article and it mentions that Cyril J Hart was a sports reporter who first saw Brian 'Nipper' Crutcher riding a practice track just outside Bournemouth in 1949. Apparently Messrs Crutcher, Hart and Dave Lanning were meeting up last night to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wembley final.

Did anyone see yesterday's daily mail, there was a letter from a speedway fan, C J Hart, recalling the story of Brian Crutcher (50 years ago) narrowly missing out on the World title to Ronnie Moore in front of an estimated 90,000 crowd at Wembley Stadium. There are a couple of pictures of Brian Crutcher in action for the Wembley Lions and also in a Poole Pirates race jacket. He must have been quite a speedway rider !

May I suggest Lord Kelvin, knowledgeable, loved and respected by all

My father introduced me to Speedway racing at Brooklands Stadium in 1971. Oh what great memories of those Romford Bombers and in particular my favourite riders who were Kevin Holden, Brian Foote and Charlie Benham. There always seemed to be plenty of exciting racing with riders frequently falling off. I seem to remember an Australian rider, Bruce Edgar, who had great difficulty in negotiating the first bend let alone completing four laps ! I also remember a very controversial match against Hull when Tony Childs was excluded for clashing with Brian Foote, I think Foote broke his collarbone as a result. How the crowd booed Mr Childs for the rest of the meeting. Halcyon days