Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

Sidney the robin

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    8,532

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    24

Posts posted by Sidney the robin

  1. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    2 hours ago, auntie doris said:

    Just drove past the Shabbey..couple of big machines in car park, but no sign of sections of new lego stadium?!

    I don’t even want a new stadium i just want the speedway to  be back come next April.The new shape track took time to bed in but fair play to the management it ended up  creating some great racing Doyley/ Rasmus being terrific from the back.Hand on heart we have all been skanked here cannot see speedway coming back hope i am wrong.Of course all speedway fans want us to survive but the two I feel sorry for are Alun/Lee they are just like us in the dark.I  just feel a bit of honesty is owed to us the Swindon fans in reality the situation now is seriously taking the p….         out of us.

    • Like 4

  2. Posted

    8 minutes ago, old bob at herne bay said:

    Newcastle Diamonds = 45
    1. Ben Barker - 2, 2, 2', 1, 0 =7+1
    2. Connor Mountain - 1', 1', 2, 3 = 7+2
    3. James Wright - 2', 1', 1, 3 = 7+2
    4. Max Clegg - 3, 2, 3, 3, 1 = 12
    5. Ricky Wells (G) - 2, 2, 1, R = 5
    6. Alfie Bowtell (G) - 2', F, 0, 0 = 2
    7. Adam Roynon - 3, R, 1', 1 = 5+1

    Kent Kings = 45
    1. Troy Batchelor - 3, 3, 3, 2', 3 = 14+1 PAID MAXIMUM
    2. Ben Morley - 0, 0, 0 = 0
    3. Paul Starke - 1, 1, 1, 0 = 3
    4. Cameron Heeps - 0, 3, 0, 2 = 5
    5. Scott Nicholls - 3, 3, 2, 2', 3, 2' = 15+2
    6. Tom Woolley (G) - 0, 0, 0 = 0
    7. Jack Thomas (G) - 1, 1, 3, 2, 1' = 8+1

    Great to see Batch get a paid max, hope he can carry it through to his Sheffield performances.Really surprised Bowtell only scored 2 from four rides and great to see Thomas score well for Kent.

    • Like 1

  3. Posted

    1 hour ago, Daniel Smith said:

    All about opinion but he's the best of the crop right now for me. The only one to refuse a 'Rising Star' spot prefering to go into the main team. Achieving nearly a 5.50 ave in a crap Ipswich side. 

    I appreciate his attitude to try a tougher route than take the easy option. 

    Nothing is an easy option  Daniel, there is a bigger picture MONEY  it all about individual circumstances. Rowe i watched him do his mini track rides and  was chuffed to bits when he made his full debut for the Robins he has made real progress others  as Phillwhitewasmad said have also done well 

  4. Posted

    3 hours ago, Split said:

    I was also at both meetings. Jack Young had actually already won the Tom Farndon Memorial Trophy in 1951 and it's remarkable that he won it again ten years later!

     

    How many times did you see Jack ride Split? ( at a guess) and how bigger shock then ? that a div 2 rider won the World Championship.

  7. Posted

    5 minutes ago, Moranboys said:

    Got to agree....spot on.

    Being a Saddo Moranboys been watching alot of Kelly/Shawn recently on my old DVDs and you tube.Great stuff both legends and there relationship as brothers was terrific like having a best mate.Just watched a Swindon v Sheffield encounter 1983 ( Shawn fell in one race can’t remember him falling much? great riders both of em.

    • Like 1

  8. Posted

    15 hours ago, chunky said:

    I don't... Then again, it's a little difficult when I live 4000 miles away.

    However, if I could, I certainly would. When I was making regular trips back to the UK, I was taking in as much speedway as I could. Even though I haven't been in a few years (I haven't been back in a few years), I still follow the sport. I watch it live whenever I can, and I spend a lot of time watching stuff on YouTube.

    Despite having a lengthy career in another sport, speedway always was - and still is - my favourite sport. While I was still in the UK, I would drive all over the country to take in meetings.

    No, speedway is not what it was - nothing is - and particularly in the UK, we have ALWAYS had a tendency to shoot ourselves in the foot. Having said that, a lot of our major problems aren't actually speedway-related. Not owning our own stadia has obviously been an issue, and unfortunately, what was very much a city-centre sport (visible to everyone) has now been forced out into into the sticks. Plus (and we have discussed this on here before), speedway is no longer "cool".

    I have always been a very tolerant person (idiots excepted), and can overlook the niggling things that apparently seem to drive fans away, like tac doubles, helmet colours, kevlars, gardening etc. I still view it as four blokes racing, and just because it isn't always fantastic (it never was ALWAYS fantastic, a fact borne out by watching YouTube vids), it is still worth it.

    Great post Chunky we have not always agreed on stuff but this post is spot on.

    • Like 1

  9. Posted

    2 minutes ago, Daniel Smith said:

    I'm glad @phillwhitewasmad & @GWC find it funny our youngsters don't have a future at the top of the sport.

     

    Let's just enjoy our kids rattle around UK Speedway, sod trying to be the best you can be

     

    tenor.gif

     

    I don’t particularly  care about international events Daniel , my take on things is that i want our leagues to survive.Meaning the likes of Brennan, Palin, Flint ( ect) are  our future number 1s for our league clubs. In years gone by if you were good anough you will get on but as an example even if you had a chance of doing well in Poland you need the overall package.( ie) good aquipment, a great team which costs money. I don’t care who becomes world class not bothered about the GPS at all , and any youngster who gets there will have to be good anough and the cream always comes through.For these young lads our leagues are a great stepping stone but only push on and commit if you have the right backing and financial clout behind you to give you every chance.How many young lads of ours know they can compete ? but in the back of there mind know they maybe have not got the full package in place yet.

     

     

     

     

  10. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    38 minutes ago, Gambo said:

    You mean similar to how Coventry legally had Pawlicki at reserve in 2010 Play Off Final? Look how much you (and Matt Ford) complained about that! :D

     

     

    56 minutes ago, Steve Shovlar said:

    If we could get Ben Basso to reserve for the playoffs that would be a major plus. Danny Hume has showed he is capable of holding his own against other reserves and some second strings. 

    I don’t see that to be honest,Basso  has  not seen any of the tracks and his job is to get between 3/6 points from the very hard no 2 position.Basso has not even had a home match yet Cook had a blip at Redcar but he is coming back from a nasty injury. Cook has done  nicely  and he will be fine and for me Cook/Hume to score over 10 points as a partnership is vital.Those three named / Nielsen  don’t worry me the three heat leaders all need to eradicate the odd bad ride and score more.

  11. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    18 minutes ago, Grachan said:

    I always liked Bobby. I remember he really struggled at reserve in his first year at Swindon and then top scored with 14 in the final match of the season. He then went on to be a heatleader from there. Was never the same after his coccxyx injury though.

    I read somewhere he decided to retire after Vic Harding's crash.

    He did have two really good years at Swindon, put well over 3 points on his average in 1976 a really good year in 77 to.At Hackney he was not quite the same and Vic being killed must of affected him.Bobby along with Ian Cartwright, John Cook ( averaged 4.17 at Hull over 8.5 the next year .Not to many riders put over 2.5 to  3 points on there average there must be a few  over the years  but those three named come to mind.

    • Like 2

  12. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    50 minutes ago, Pob said:

    Kemp going for a 3rd title , Rowe been brilliant at times this season , Brennan and Palin having great season so far it's a tough call but even thou I'm a Witches fan I think Flint will take some stopping.

    Gets better every time I see him race , if I betting my money would be on Leon. 

     

    Flint has crammed quite alot of experience in a minimum amount of time also has gained some valuable experience abroad.Rode at Belle Vue, Birmingham, Berwick and has made great strides he has also really picked up for Wolves.He also has been unlucky at times with some mechanical issues  this year which has cost him for me i will stick with Brennan. Saying that i  don’t mind who wins it should be a cracker of a meeting.

  14. Posted

    2 hours ago, steve roberts said:

    Sorry to go on about Bob Radford Sid but mentioning Bobby McNeil I'm sure that Radford was instrumental in him going to Swindon rather than the "Rebels" when he finally moved up full-time in 1975 after doubling up with the "Rebels" during 1974 on occasions?

    Yes was never really a fan of Bobby, Geoff Bouchard, Jan Andersson yes they give there all for Swindon but as yourself you have your favourites over the years . Mine were  Briggs, Ashby/ Kilb, Hitch, Crumpy ((snr) Holloway, Mastrup, Gramstad .As for Oxford it has to be Lovass, Middleton, Timmo, and later on 84 onwards Hans.

    • Like 1

  15. Posted

    13 minutes ago, steve roberts said:

    If I recall that was Henk's debut match? Yes I remember the return tie...an all round team performance from the "Rebels". We also spoilt Swindon's 25th Anniversary Meeting when we were, again, the victors! Happy days!

    I remember 1974 pretty well can remember the Rebels beating us 46-32 at the Abbey Ashby only scored 7 points from five rides unheard then. And in a challenge at Cowley i went beating us god 50-28 battered us to be precise.A couple of other moments that stick in mind at Cowley in 1974. are Kennett/ Dews getting a 5-1 over Mauger in the Exeter encounter and in some other meeting Bobby McNeil beating the late great Jack Millen  2-0 in the Silver Helmet.

    • Like 1

  16. Posted

    10 hours ago, steve roberts said:

    ...not a name that revered at Cowley after he walked out during 1974 and the last straw being when he took a call from Gordon Kennett who was enquiring whether that day's match was still on and was told by Radford that it had been called off but then went ahead and we were beaten by Swindon with a depleted team with Alan Johns replacing the missing Gordon who didn't travel from his Kent home.

    Radford later tried to claim that he had laid the foundations for White City's title win in 1977 which was a total nonsense. The only two rider's who rode under Radford's era was the aforementioned Gordon and Trevor Geer (who occasionally put in an appearance for the "Rebels")

    Sorry Sid...not a fan of Bob Radford based on his Oxford exploits.

    I got on with him personally but he did have certain issues with people over the years.When you look back at that White City team you would never think of it being good anough to win a league fair play they did it.Steve the POLE you had ( AJ) can’t be bothered spelling it looked very useful felt he could of along with Piotr Pyszny had good careers in Britain  if the opportunity had arisen.

  17. Posted

    10 hours ago, salty said:

     

    Was great for Cradley in '81, Sid. Got better and better as the season went on, providing crucial backing to the big 4 of Penhall, Gundersen, Collins and Grahame. Pretty sure he averaged over 6 in the BL taking plenty of extra rides as McNeil and Rasmussen struggled as the season went on. Was gutted when he never returned and the 1982 team struggled all year long from reserve.

    Actually had forgotten Salty that Dave started his career in 1974, remember him getting a paid or maximum.? at Milton Keynes 1978.? 

  18. Posted

    22 hours ago, Toto said:

    https://www.eastbourne-speedway.com/a-message-from-lee-kilby/  Not sure who this guy is but he looks like he's got a nervous disposition  Cant keep his hands still.

    You are a TROLL the biggest one on this forum , do you know Lee Kilby ?  have you ever met him.? Lee  is like his old chap two of the nicest people  you would  ever wish  to meet involving speedway.  Myself and i am sure others will agree you ent quite there upstairs are you!!! a tool of highest order nasty with it.

    • Like 2

  20. Posted

    7 minutes ago, salty said:

    Lars Hultberg rode in 1973 on Bernie's recommendation. As I recall he had a really tough start to the season, not helped by the team being very weak and injury hit. 

    I think he'd just started to show a bit of form, scoring 9 at the Shay, when he got injured and was out for a couple of months. When he returned the struggle continued and I think he got released and replaced, eventually, by Mal Corradine. Maybe with a bit more time and not getting injured at the height of the summer, he would have made it? We'll never know.....

    Klinge was introduced for a few meetings at the end of 1980 I think. Danish junior champion as I recall. Don't know why he never came over more permanantly, I think he had a decent career in Denmark.

    I think Klinge was  like  Hans Nielsen’s brother Henry ( he came over to Swindon on a working holiday) both decent had good jobs outside of speedway.

    • Like 1

  21. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    5 minutes ago, salty said:

    Lars Hultberg rode in 1973 on Bernie's recommendation. As I recall he had a really tough start to the season, not helped by the team being very weak and injury hit. 

    I think he'd just started to show a bit of form, scoring 9 at the Shay, when he got injured and was out for a couple of months. When he returned the struggle continued and I think he got released and replaced, eventually, by Mal Corradine. Maybe with a bit more time and not getting injured at the height of the summer, he would have made it? We'll never know.....

    What about Shields Salty ? so wanted him to continue in Britain. For me  he was like Mick Mckeon  Coatbridge/ Halifax ( king of Claremont)  both was never going to be here long term both class riders.

  22. Posted

    Just now, steve roberts said:

    I'm surprised someone didn't take a chance with Samuelsson unless it was his own decision not to race again in the UK? Recall Klingberg at Eastborne as well as Ring and Hammerberg. Eastbourne lost their way when they joined the British League giving outings to many average foreign riders which was a great shame considering their history developing British talent.

    Yes the riders you named Steve, plus   Puk, Lucero, Johansson, Slabon ( really Arlington?) Righetto, Ericksson, ( who i liked at Wimbledon).

    • Like 1

  23. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    1 hour ago, steve roberts said:

    Yes Mike was one of my favourites also. I recall Albert Klinge and a Lars Inge Hultberg (1973?)

    Hultberg was very highly rated he really struggled , he reminded me of Bjorj  Klingberg  the swede at Eastbourne .He certainly was a good rider never adapted to racing in Britain  like Samuelsson, at your beloved Oxford the talent was there in both cases.

  24. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    1 hour ago, steve roberts said:

    ....remember the open to the elements toilets!

    No not really Steve ,,, i remember going when one of your favourite’s  Mike Sampson and mine i  really liked him  along with John Jackson , Joey Owen rode .He rode with Penhall and rode really well he certainly was a division 1 rider.Another Cradley visit v Swindon Cradley introduced a young Dane i think his name was Henry   Albert Klinge.? 

  25. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    5 hours ago, steve roberts said:

    Went to Cradley many times during the Nielsen era and more often that not we turned the "Cabbage Patch Kids" over! Not one of my favourite tracks I have to admit but it was always nice coming away with a win!

    I always felt it was a very difficult track to master the Grahame/Collins partnership had it down to a tea really.Erik, Cross, King, Schwartz, all got dialled into it always enjoyed my trips to Dudley.Remember in 1983 i went and the Heathens smashed Belle Vue/ The Budgies in a double header a massacre also if i remember rightly they did a lovely pork hog roast roll.

    • Like 1
×

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy

  I accept