steve roberts

Spent many a happy Sunday afternoon at Arlington.

If I recall, Sid, Mike in an interview in "Backtrack" stated that he preferred being a big fish in a small pond having caught a cold riding for Exeter in 1974 before eventually moving to Arlington. As a posrscript I do feel that some of the Division Two/New National League 'stars' get somewhat overlooked when discussing riders of the past.

Apparently he was asked if he would like to move up with Eastbourne prior to the 1979 season but declined and was subsequently placed on the transfer list and Cradley came in for him and he was loaned out to Nottingham.

This one needs some deep thought...wish that I'd hung on to all my programmes now!

Yes absolutely...Hans Nielsen was another who after some frustrating years at Wolves (as Olsen before him) and later Birmingham on riding at Cowley he managed to secure three League Championships and numerous cup honours. The 1985 & 1986 teams didn't look particularly strong on paper but a great team ethic produced the goods with much influence based upon Nielsen's input and guidance.

It's really great that Svein is remembered. I only saw him a couple of times in early 1972 when he rode for Oxford before moving on and being replaced by Preben Rosenkilde.

...but I admired Mauger and his ability to get the best out of his team mates. Exeter were never favourites on paper to win the League in 1974 but with Ivan's influence on and off the track they managed to do so.

I was never a fan of Rickardsson if I'm honest. Mauger would always top my list although beneath him the list would vary depending on the day of the week!

One of my favourites was Mike!

I was just a wee bit surprised Sid that he didn't mention his Eastbourne mis-adventure in his book (unless I missed it?)

I would certainly agree with your choices except I would place Ivan at number one. Only saw Ove ride at one of Briggo's "Golden Greats" meetings but his record speaks for itself.

That's a very enlightening post...never knew the background details of Michael's non-appearance at Arlington.

What about Hans? Four wins, six seconds and two thirds by my reckoning?

There was an interesting interview with Bernie in edition Number 14 of "Backtrack". His best mate in speedway was Dave Perks and he had nothing good to say about in-coming Promoter Dan McCormack "...That Scotsman came to Cradley with a big mouth and I felt bad about him from the the beginning. I couldn't forge a working relationship with him, not even from the start. After arguments over my bikes, we split up. But I tell you, I was not the only one in the team who didn't like him..."

Hasse was declared in the Oxford line up at the commencement of the season but personal issues delayed his return until June where he turned out against Hull I recall. He rode in a couple of more matches (one was a challenge at Reading which the "Rebels" won...the first team to beat Reading at Smallmead) before he was unable to continue to commit to riding in the UK. Oxford used the facility on and off that season but were by means the only team to adopt that mandate...Ian Thomas at Newcastle was re-nowned for manipulating the rule book to suit and the Wolves team of 1976 was always short of a full house using very much a "horses for courses" policy winning at White City with a team consisting of guests who were Wood Lane track specialists and pulling off a win much to the home promoters annoyance. Eric Boocock very nearly signed for Oxford in 1975 but decided to carry out his threat of retirement and Dag Lovaas eventually joined the team of his choice...and what a season he had!

Another great read...interesting interview with Ron Henderson who had shown much potential at Newcastle but decided he had had enough and returned home to Australia. Unfortunately he was involved in the race that ultimately cost the life of Christer Sjosten when Christer ran into the back of him.

Yes R/R during 1975 and the bizarre thing that he was then allocated to Wolves for the 1976 season and they operated the facility also! Going back to Tommy things may have worked out differently for him had he ridden for King's Lynn in 1975 as was planned but the "Stars" management were gazumped by Thomas/Mawdsley and he ended up at Hull! He did indeed win the 1973 Swedish Final but that was after Michanek took Persson out in one race and Bernie either broke an arm or leg...can't remember which...an act that Anders regretted although they did eventually make up although Bernie's wife never forgave him!

Recall that storming ride in the 1974 World Final when he passed Ivan as if he was stood still!

Sweden had some great talent during that period Sid...what with the likes of Hasse, Tommy Johannson (who never really got going In the UK due to illness but a good rider) but they all seemed to disappear about the same time due to various reasons and Sweden remained in the doldrums until the likes of Andersson, Nilsen and Jonsson came on the scene.

Nice to see you back Sid! I never sae much of Bernie 'live' but was no doubt one of the big Swedes from that era. Recall he and Anders having a massive fall-out during the 1973 Swedish Championsip Final much to Michanek's regret but thankfully they made up.

I remember when SKY was covering League matches and a friend of mine would prefer to stay at home rather than watch the televised meeting from Cowley (just down the road from where he lived) whereas I would always go to the meeting much preferring the live atmosphere generated and meeting colleagues on the terraces having a good natter.

A Cradley legend. RIP

Sad news indeed! RIP Bernie.

Does anyone have any memories of Conny Samuelsson? He rode for Oxford in 1969 (before my time) and although looked upon as a failure around Cowley he put in some useful performances at Swindon and Coventry. Shame he was never given another opportunity to shine in Britain but perhaps he felt that his talent was better suited on the ice where, if I remember, he achieved two podium places in World Finals. My brother remembers him at the local Blackbird Leys Fair when he proved a crack shot at the rifle range picking up many prizes...apparently he had just served his Swediish National Service! He would be a good subject in the "Backtrack" or "Classic" magazines.

He was a real enigma. He achieved double figure scores around Coventry (may have claimed the track record albeit momentarily?) and Swindon but really struggled around Cowley. Continued to ride for many years in Sweden but it's shame that he wasn't given another chance in Britain but as I hinted it may well have been his personal choice?