steve roberts

He was signed on a six week contract but it was decided to release him after only four weeks and was replaced by Todd Wiltshire. Apparently sources 'suggest' that he wasn't wholly commited to the Oxford cause during his short time spent there? Personally I never really rated him as a 'team player' in the same way as Mauger, Olsen, Moore & Nielsen to name a few. However the Oxford Promoter at the the time didn't exactly enamour himself with Todd Wiltshire in an interview with Todd some years ago!

...another 'crap' player from the seventies! Recall the goal that he scored in the 1971 FA Cup Final and celebrating by laying down with his arms out stretched! Another great player.

Another good head scratcher!

Just listening to the John Davis interview...again great stuff and John certainly doesn't hold back! I'd recommend these interviews by Lee Ashby (there's a few others).

Len Silver (although not a member of the BSPA committee to be fair?) did a similar thing just prior to a meeting starting in 1977 when White City were the visitors. The rider in question (Mick Hines) even had his name printed in the programme but was ineligible to ride due to the seven day ruling if I recall....however White City still went on to win the meeting with, if I remember, Roger Abel taking his place?

I did the official Wembley Tour a couple of years before it was developed. Very interseting and full of history and iconic moments but was looking very depressed all the same.

Yes that's my point. The rules shoud be decided by those who have a financial input in the sport but then an independant authority administers same. The point I was making with Bamforth's action was that there was a blatant 'conflict of interest' and 'wearing of hats'. I agree that Crapper as promoter should have known the rules but the point wasn't made known to him until the day of the meeting. Bamforth as Chairman presumeably was aware of the anomaly but with his Belle Vue 'hat' waited until just before the meeting before declaring his hand therefore attempting to gain an advantage...however all was made good. The "Cheetahs" beat the "Aces" thus progressing to the next round of the cup!

I seem to recall an Elvis film entitled "Speedway" whereby he raced cars on an oval circuit?

I remember back in 1985 that the then elected Chairman of the BSPA was Stuart Bamforth who as promoter of Belle Vue came to Cowley waving a bit of paper saying that Oxford could only use a junior in place of the German Klaus Lausch as the relevant paperwork hadn't been registered. He would have known of this days prior to the meeting taking place but allowed a conflict of interest get in the way which left a very sour taste. If I recall the Oxford co-promoter Bernard Crapper was very scaving of his actions after the meetng on the centre green mike. I fully understand that those with money issues should have a major say in matters but when a conflict of interest clouds their judgenment I feel that an independant body and/or person should take on those decisions allowing the promoters to do what they should be doing and that's promote their business.

That's an interesting insight and highlights the problems trying to alter things in the UK.

Always enjoyed my visits to Cowley and Swindon and Eastbourne on a warm Sunday afternoon. White City and Wimbledon were different again but personally what was happening on track was my priority in those days.

Football attracts/receives grants and/or loans (in response to the Taylor Report?) to the best of my knowledge but I'm happy to be put right?

Yes and has often been said that speedway more often than not takes place in stadiums that are not owned by the relevant promotion whereas as in football the scenario is very different.

I seem to recall that he suffered a heart attack a couple or so years back and was in hospital?

Always enjoy reading articles about an era that I know very little about but keen to be educated on same. Keep it coming!

Great stuff!

Just caught up with this one. Keith was the photographer during the season 1974/75 & 76 and, yes has published three books with many of his photos included. Some of his photos appeared in the track shop at Oxford during that time but I think that Mike soon took over? He drifted away from the sport and moved to Weymouth and then Poole many years ago but has become pro-active again on various facebook sites and was at Cowley last year when Dag Lovaas returned to Oxford on a short visit.

I know that I'm being very simplistic with my view but it may present an opportunity for speedway to get back to some sort of basics?

Fabulous image...I was there. He was withdrawn form the rest of the meeting so only saw him complete one race where I think he finished second?

That strikes a devastating chord...so sad.

Very sad news...always an entertainer and will be sorely missed. Remember watching him for the first time at Cowley in 1973 on a hot Sunday afternoon. RIP

Yes he didn't do himself any favours by turning out for Oxford.

Yes it's a fair distance across the road where Sandy Lane meets the Watlington Road.

I seem to remember reading that the 'new' Wembley stadium was re-positioned as previuosly half the pitch was often in shadow causing problems on occasions?

I've checked my copy of "Homes of British Speedway" and unfortunately can only find a reference to the early seventies.