steve roberts

I seem to recall that there was also a plaque dedicated to Alan Wells who used to train there prior to winning his 100m Gold Medal in 1980?

The winter tours to Australia used to be beneficial in bringing riders on...Gordon Kennett came on a bundle when he was chosen to tour during the winter of 1975/76.

That was awful Chunky!

I was born in 1960 therefore have no memories of the fifties but grew up hearing about mum and dad growing up during that time and I have to say it evoked many images in my mind. They appeared to be very happy and so much was going on in their lives what with music, fashion and of course meeting each other and eventually marrying. They both enjoyed their speedway and would talk of having to queue up at 6pm to get into Oxford to get a decent view...it was that packed. They would go up to London to watch the likes of Stan Kenton and overall appeared to have such a wonderfull time before we three came along and their lives were changed forever!

The ROW reserve combination looked to be quite potent on paper...twelve months earlier second and fourth in the world on the same track! I recall the hoo-ha when John Louis was dropped after a poor showing in the proceeding match.

I visited the stadium a few years back (after the speedway had long gone) and got to view the plaque dedicated to Peter Craven.

What a great little film!

There was Matti Olin at Coventry (1974) followed by Ila and Pepe Teromaa at Leicester and Kai Niemi at White City (later Eastbourne). Pajari rode in the UK in 1959...not sure if he was the first but I would hazzard a guess and say that he was?

...I do sometimes wonder?

Not looking good if true.

I was also brought up on a council estate (and proud of it) and having many jobs mixed with all sorts of people from differing backgrounds where the language used was often, shall we say, near the knuckle. I have been known to use a few words in given circumstances but age and experienced has mellowed me (although they can slip out occasionally) but I'd like to think that I'm a rather nice well spoken good mannered individual to be around...although I'm sure there are many who would disagree!!

I had to look it up...never come across the phrase before.

Never a fan of Shirra but a briilliant tactical ride! Out foxed Ermolenko.

Mick Handley was another rider one didn't mess around with on or off the track. Recall my brother saying that once after a meeting in the clubhouse at Oxford he 'ejected' a trouble maker and those present swore that they didn't see anything untoward when the police apparently got involved.

I recall that Steve Koppe (another rider who retired far too early) had been a renowned boxer but was not aware if he ever got involved in any shenanigans on or off the track whereas his fellow country man Billy Sanders wasn't slow in coming foward as another who studied boxing during his youth.

I s'pose it's the company that I keep?

Had to look it up...well you learn something new everyday!

I was brought up in Oxford and attended a Grammar School therefore League was never going to be an option. It was Rugby and cricket...never football until it went comprehensive!

I recall the trip back along the North Circular, A40 and the M40 at 20 mph and the engine screaming (especiallly down Stokenchurch)...it took a long, long time! You don't forget things like that in a hurry! We were actually reported for acting suspiciously as it was during the time of the IRA bombing spree in London.

...remember dad having to drive all the way back from Hackney to Oxford in a car that had lost third and fourth gear and that was after being reported to the police for looking suspicious awaithing a phone call from a public phone box in the East End during the middle of the night. What memories!

I was forced to play Rugby Union at school...never League...and I bloody well hated it getting pulped by all the fat and/or bully types!

I was being flippant in my observation as my endeavors did attract a certain amount of unwanted attention.

You haven't seen me fishing...entertaining in itself as I swear under my breath attempting to reel in the "Big One" and having it just at landing net distance the blighter breaks the line and scarpers off with hook and float!

"Mad" Malcolm Ballard had a temper on him...remember he and the Kennetts not getting on particularly well. A rider who retired far too early.

I wonder how angling would measure up? I guess ut would be based on the number of rod licences issued?