norbold

Yes, sorry, I meant to mention those three as well. You're quite right about Bob Lovell and Jack Hunt, Jim. I agree it's more likely to be Jack Hunt as Jack Hughes was later - don't think he was around in 47/48 period. Also drawn a blank with Zilinger. Also, on your main list I don't recognise the name Ron Pearson. All the others were top class riders. Pearson anyone?

Thanks Gem! I didn't recognise any of the names on your "other autographs" list, woolongong, so I looked them up in my 1949 "Who's Who in Speedway". Not one of them is mentioned. Maybe they were supporters, track staff, referees, announcers, time keepers, management....They don't seem to have been riders. Incidentally, England won the Test match at Bradford on 5 July 1947, 65-43. Scorers: England: Jack Parker 9, Norman Parker 13, Bill Kitchen 16, Tommy Price 7, Alec Statham 16, Ron Clarke 4, Malcolm Craven (res) 0, Les Wotton (res) 0 Australia: Vic Duggan 16, Max Grosskreutz 10, Lionel Van Praag 3, Bill Longley 6, Frank Dolan 3, Ron Johnson 5, Aub Lawson (res) 0, Ray Duggan (res) 0. There's quite a few different names there to the ones you have.

Well said, Grachan. The most sensible comment on the whole sorry saga so far.

Two Taurus's what? Sorry, Gem!

I'm with Summit....

No, but the highest paid sportsman in Poland will be there.

Yes. Well done Poland. I'm glad they proved me wrong. Fantastic meeting. And you are so right about the joker. It would have been a travesty if Australia had got through because they could use the joker.

I believe there are Forum members who do that sort of thing. Perhaps one will offer...I was at the 1972 Internationale. I might be on your film! Ronnie Moore scored 13 points but lost to Ivan Mauger in the run-off for first place. Banger came third with 12.

Yes! I'm sure it would be of interest, but, as you suggest, maybe needs transferring to video or DVD.

It was a great season wasn't it CHK? The highlights for me were beating Wimbledon in the KO Cup on the afternoon that Malcolm Simmons became a star and the final victory at Cradley Heath that gave us the League. Oh, yes, happy memories.

Agreed, although it might have been worthwhile had the USA been in the competition. Which is why I said, "Come back USA all is forgiven."

Even this current format is a tad meaningless. The final will be between GB, Denmark, Sweden and Australia. We've known that since the start. The first two in each of the first two rounds might just as well have gone straight to the final without having a play off. Come back USA all is forgiven. Or put up a good show Poland and prove me wrong.

1965 always brings back good memories to me, being a West Ham supporter at the time. Thanks for the memories, Bee (and for Hurri-Ken!).

Sorry, I'm not Sean, but yes, Canterbury did.

I recognised him one night in the pub in 1965. It was just after we'd lost at Hackney. He wasn't too bouncy that night...

Hastings, Romford, Isle of Wight

Fortunately the parrot's flown off now.

Don't be so cheeky!

Yes, Grachan, there was a connection! Charlie Dugard moved his Eastbourne team to Hastings because he thought he would get better crowds. There were better facilties at Hastings and it was also much nearer the centre of population than Arlington. Unfortunately it was too near the centre of population as local residents complained about the noise and Hastings was closed down, so back to Eastbourne for Charlie... Never went either. Far too young!

I believe this also included the C F Wallace archive as well. Do you know if that's right, Jim?

Oh well, seeing as no-one else put in a bid, I bought it myself. The programme says the Speedway XI was formed in 1958 and the players for that afternoon's match (22/3/64) would be chosen from the regular players: Gerald Jackson, Ron How, Reg Trott, Barry Briggs, Cyril Maidment, Ove Fundin, Ernie Baker, Viv Harwood, Jim Heard, Roy Trigg, Jim Tebby, Danny Dunton, Pat Flanaghan, Bob Andrews and D. Boulter.

In the early 60s when the sport was dominated by the 'Big 5' of Fundin, Craven, Briggs, Moore and Knutson, they were put on a 20 yard handicap to give the other riders a chance. In 1964, there was a proposal that Gote Nordin should also be put on a 20 yard handicap as he was now their equal (well, the three that were left by then - Fundin, Briggs & Knutson). It never came to anything in the end because the 'Big 3' refused to go on with the handicapping system and it was abolished. However, it shows the stature of Nordin at the time that he was reckoned the equal of the likes of Fundin and Briggs. He was a great rider. I remember him well, and, like everyone says, so classy and stylish with it.

This is where we came in!

With New Cross and West Ham trailing well behind. Must do something about that. P.S. Just done something about West Ham, but still not up to Hackney and Wimbledon!

For all you Hackney afficianados out there, I have just added a Hackney Album to my Webshots page. 37 photos in all ranging from the 30s to the 80s. Something for everyone! Even Uncle Ted for Shazzy... http://community.webshots.com/user/norbold