steve roberts

Great thread this Sid...beats all that pontificating on the Covid-19 thread!

If I remember he suffered continual bike problems in 1977 (?) and 'retired' for a short while before returning?

Yes I'm not sure why Malc never returned to Cowley in 1978? Perhaps with Milton Keynes coming on board it was felt that they needed some encouragement? We lost both Phil Bass and Harry MacLean to the "Knights" that year. Perhaps it was Oxford being 'taken over' by Cradley being a factor?

I thought that Pete Smith was vastly underrated...always a class act around Cowley. Remember Briggo saying that at Poole there was always a bump going into the third bend and somehow Pete was able to ride thru'/over it without any problems. A well deserved testimonial in 1977 (?)

Swindon always had decent second halves (as did Oxford) in those days with an abundant of talent on show. Personally I used to enjoy the old second halves and thought it a good system bringing on riders and enabling them to 'mix it' with established team members.

Remember that Robert rode a number of times during Swindon second halves? Kym Mauger was another who struggled in Britain (apparently he had a trial at Oxford behind closed doors) but went on to win the NZ Longtrack title if I recall?

Yes, Sid, the 1972 Final was full of drama and incident. I remember watching Dennis on numerous occasions...showed some promise, I thought, but drifted away from the British scene all too soon.

I always remember that he was possibly one ride away from winning the 1972 World Final at Wembley when he scored 11 points from four rides but failed to score a point in one of his heats and eventually finishing equal fourth overal with fellow debutant John Louis.

I didn't get to see much of Christer Lofqvist however I did witness him put in probably his best display during his short stay at Hackney (1975) against Oxford at Waterden Road when he scored 13 points.

Brian Woodward rode for Newport I recall.

I thought that Graeme Stapleton may well have made that jump but, if I recall, didn't compete in Britain in 1975 & 76 helping to establish Ronnie Moore's Motor Cycle Business in NZ (after Ronnie's serious injury) He returned in 1977 but was a pale shadow before departing to Newcastle and doubling up with Hull on a couple of occasions including the all important 1979 Championship decider at Coventry...the title that Hull lost themselves due to non appearances of riders at certain tracks earlier in the season!

One of my favourites was John Dews. He had difficulty adjusting to Cowley in 1973 (I believe Bob Dugard gave John and Tony Lomas special on track tuition and promptly broke an ankel?) but he became a dependable team member but never got on with White City when the "Rebels" moved in 1976 and retired.

He did his National Service towards the back end of the season I recall...I think that in Sweden you were able to stagger your service?

Tony Clarke started in the !973 line up but only appeared in a handful of matches...think that was the year he was convicted for his involvement in the Russian stolen bikes at Wembley in 1972?

I would imagine that the clear winner would be Chris Julian - Cornwall to Glasgow. However other worthy entries would include:- Mike Sampson & Bob Coles - Devon to Barrow Michael Coles - Devon to Edinburgh Bert Harkins - Herts to Edinburgh Robert Hollingworth - Lincs to Edinburgh Graham Jones - Suffolk to Berwick George Hunter - Midlands to Edinburgh

Well recommended!

Alan Jay - Oxford. Bobby McNeil - Canterbury

Not on the same plate I hope?

I read recently that Terry Betts may well have been in that party but an injury picked up at West Ham whilst representing Great Britain meant him withdrawing from the trip.

Seem to recall Sid that his career was ended by a very serious injury?

Very nice unassuming person as well. Haven't seen him for a while but whenever I'm over at Kilburn I pop into the "Mouseman Visitor Centre" hoping to catch a chat with him. Remember the story about Maido when he was Team Manager of the "Dons" and after a meeting when he met up with some fans on the way back home from a meeting they were criticising him for a missed T/C sub move and he dropped his trousers in response and they all had a good laugh!

Thanks for all your comments!

Thanks for that Sid! Welcome back by the way.

Graham would also qualify as one of those who travelled a great distance to attend home meetings travelling from Lowestoft.

I find it heart breaking that two glorious teams with lots of pedigree, Oxford and Coventry, are no longer operative despite stadiums remaining dormant but rapidly decaying.