arnieg

One I remember: The [1973 Reading v] Sheffield fixture is also remembered for the night's off track events. Since the start of the season announcer David Hamilton had brought a stream of famous faces to Tilehurst as his guest. Many of them would no longer be recognised but that night's guest remains famous, albeit for entirely the wrong reasons. With two number one and two number two hit singles in 1973 Gary Glitter had star written all over him. His presence encouraged many teenage girls with no interest in the racing to attend the meeting and drew a backlash from hardcore supporters who regarded Glitter as a distraction. Their behaviour towards Glitter attracted stern words in the following week's programme! The Evening Post gave the visit front page coverage: “Fever as Glitter hits Reading”, ran the front page headline. Page 4 carried further pictures of the Glitter visit next to a story giving the latest developments in the Watergate scandal.

He hadn't t been out for ANY seasons. He has ridden every season, just not in the UK. So no 8% deductions applicable.

Bulldogs is another one with university associations (the uni police) ... ah but on second thoughts didn't somebody else nearby try that one.

So if the Prem play-off is rained off an already scheduled Champ plaY off final must be postponed. If true one of the most ludicrous suggestions ever.

Correct

Ah the iconic skyline of Reading, no wonder it looks awful on the shirt

Dan and Joe were specifically asked this at the Speedway Show and seemed open to returning

One more season at under 21s. Given riders like Ablitt, Killeen, Jack Smith, Hagon have been appearing in the Polish under 24 league I wouldn't rule it out.

From 'Tears & Glory' : ..... on April 20 [2007] Reading thrashed Ipswich 60-32 at Smallmead in a fairly routine match. At the time comment focused on Kolodziej's first maximum and the pre-meeting withdrawal of McGowan after he aggravated a back injury in the pits. However, UK Sports Council Doping Control Officers were taking samples from three randomly selected riders. [On May 9 it was announced that] One of them – Danny Bird – tested positive. Bird was suspended pending testing of the 'B' sample. Once this also proved positive, a hearing was arranged. Bird's samples revealed traces of benzoylecgonine, an indicator of cocaine. He did not attend the tribunal held in July and received a two-year ban and was ordered to pay £1150 costs.

If it was Theale you could give the team a name appropriate to its location and cultural identity, such as ... Reading Racers

"Traditional" A tradition dating back to 2022?

And what precisely would we be rebelling against?

Arran Butcher's Coming back?

It was only after Reading (!) fell through they alighted on West Ham

Although during the winter of 63/64 between the closure of Sotton and the surprise re-opening of West Ham (anounced just a few weeks before the season start) there were only six.

But the third division will be a British Junior Leabue run as a second half event so only need meetings for two divisions.

He got to that landmark about 5 years ago.

And his average went up in Poland, hardly evidence of a downward decline.

Refund arrived in my bank account yesterday

Classic dead cat on the table tactic. Got us all talking about Tenerife rather than the much larger failings of the BSPL.

Belle Vue 1968 (and 1937)

I agree with you up to a point. But: A] it is a tone deaf action in a time when many are coping with tighter budgets due to the 'cost of living crisis' B] what choice do promoters who don't fancy a piss up in the sun have? To waste £1000 or miss out on input into the big decisions. C] how do you bring in 'experts' for specific sessions? (zoom may be adequate, but hardly ideal)

Well I'm sure getting a ban for cocaine use will be a big boost to his case for access.

Absolutely ridiculous notion when you consider that he is 22 and racing in an era when many riders peak over 30 (Freddie Lindgren 38 this year for example), and has markedly improved his average every year including the current one.