cyclone

Correct and in the twilight of his career, he briefly turned out for Ashfield (51 or 52) and second halved at Edinburgh in 1960 and made a single team appearance. Like Dick Fisher, Peter Craven also appeared for Fleetwood in 1951.

Dick Fisher started at Fleetwood 1951, Ron Johnston rode for Sheffield in 1950.

Personally I prefer to have a representative from the Tigers invited as I feel the other Scottish club should always be iincluded to Scotland's premier individual meeting. The Lavybrush is going through a purple patch at the moment and might put on a good show.

Certainly that's all that those miserable, torn face Weegies, provide in the way of condiments, in their Chippies, unlike their generous counterparts in the Capital city who offer the choice of sauce or vinegar to their patrons. Anyway the Capital's establishments offer superior suppers

Sure there was another one from Channel Islands called Terry Le Main(e?). around the 60's/70's.

Started his career at Motherwell in 1958 and I believe did 2nd halves @ B.V. (not sure if he got any team rides) before becoming a Monarch in 1960.

Did no one tell them he was a Manxman

Rode for Edinburgh 1948 - 54, then Belle Vue briefly. Nickname was "The Candy Kid" because he was a confectioner.

Remember seeing Kerry Gray ride against Monarchs at Rye House and was impressed by his performance. However was even more impressed by his after race wheelie when he clapped his hands together at the apex and still stayed in control. !

There's a Wisbech prog cover in Old Prog Gallery of www.speedwayswapshop.co.uk which has the following caption:- Wisbech vs The Rest (chal) 18/7/1948 : First ever meeting held in a Sports Stadium (since 1937, various grass & dust tracks in fields around Wisbech), Team name "Wizards", colours red & blue, acknowledges assistance of Fleetwood, Middlesbrough, Norwich, & Yarmouth in providing riders

Hyde Road was the best away venue for racing and atmosphere. Another venue I enjoyed going to was East Boldon during the Jack Millen era as the racing was so unpredictable.

Re Niemi & Shirra at Eastbourne, maybe it was a different meeting, but I was at an Eastbourne vs Coventry match where they had a run in. However Shirra never completed the meeting and the word was that Bob Dugard "intervened" in the pits and flattened Shirra who was out stone cold. Also recall an epic stramash at Coatbridge during the Tigers reign, when Canterbury came a visiting and after Derek Richardson had beaten Steve Koppe after a tousy encounter, Richardson went to shake hands and Koppe pulled Richardson off his bike as he passed by. All hell then erupted at the pits gate and Terry Casserly pinned some guy up against the fence with his front wheel and was promptly dragged off his bike and given a good kicking. Ah we do have fun !

Ron Johnston was a Kiwi who rode for Belle Vue, Ron Johnson was a Scotsman who rode for Australia, Crystal Palace, New Cross, Glasgow Ashfield and made his final team appearance in 1960 riding one match for Edinburgh.

It's been drawn to my attention that the 2nd mtg @ High Beech was on Sat 7th April, whereas on 9th April two meetings were held, one in morning & another in evening !. So which of these meetings do you consider to be the real thing ?

Re Stoney I suspect it was some form of mechanical failure (chain or collapsed front wheel spindle ?) which caused him to fall so awkwardly before entering 3rd bend whilst last, and rotate several times on the track before coming to a halt next to the fence. He had done ok in his first two rides, displaying his liking for the Armadale track. Some ruthless riding out there as well as some excellent passing. Dan was the one who made it count in the final, but imo the star of the show was young Tai, whose trackcraft was excellent and more amazing, considering it was his 1st ever meeting at the Dale. He also came over as a modest individual when interviewed, so I assume he must take this from his Mother . The home challenge was muted, with George apparently blowing an engine & Matty also appearing to have engine trouble. Young Kalle showed further improvement and was hot on the heels of Grievesey in one race. Not surprisingly Daniele appeared tentative after his long lay off from his ligament damage.

For what reason do you also rule out the Audenshaw meeting held on 3rd March, 1928, which was advertised as "Dirt Track Race Meeting", as pukka Speedway ?

Here is some more info. :- Holiday Cup @ Crystal Palace 13/5/1940, 6 pm. 12 hts + 2 semis + final Prog dets as follows 12ht Scores:- Langley (pencilled in as replacing R C Appley) (was this Bill Longley ?) 7pts Ken Brett 4pts Geo Craig 4 Alex Gray 1 P M Hart 9 Keith Harvey 0 Bob Hall 2 Ron Howes 3 Ron Johnson 6 Garrar (pencilled as replacing Jeffrey Lloyd) 2 Page (pencilled as replacing Wally Lloyd) 5 Mick Mitchell 5 Leslie Trim 1 Fred Tuck 5 Vic Weir 2 A A Windmill 8 The Final was Johnson ( r ) Windmill ( b ) Hart (w) Tuck (y) but result not entered ( either never run or spectator left before end). Re replacements assuming Langley was Bill Longley, was Page, Cyril Page ?, and who was Garrar ? .

Well here is a later meeting (Courtesy of speedwayswapshop.co.uk) - Speedway Swap Shop Old Prog Gallery

You would probably make more by advertising on eBay, but agree this would be time consuming if you advertised single items. Some folk advertise a whole season or 10/15 etc., instead. Alternatively try Nick Barber & Peter Holtom who advertise in Speedway Star Classified to buy collections.

Never ever seen a picture of Thrum Hall - believe it was a rugby stadium ?

Are you sure he's not English ??

My hunch was either Fleetwood or Wigan Poolstock .

Yup Neil Webb was an Aussie who rode a few matches for Monarchs right at the start of the Powderhall era. Surprisingly when I went to USA for 82 World Final he was racing in the minor card at San Bernadino. !!

Another South African who does not appear on the list was James Hayhow, a somewhat pedestrian second halfer at Powderhall, who rode for the Edinburgh team in the 90's when they were struggling to raise a team. I'm also 90% certain that Dave Collins who rode for Sunderland Saints in 1964, was also a South African - perhaps someone else can confirm or refute my presumption ?

Bill Landels was born in Scotland and rode for the Monarchs until 1967. He then emigrated to Australia and never raced in the UK again. Therefore I would not classify him as an Aussie who rode in the UK. However to compensate for this loss, add Ray Taaffe, an Aussie who had few outings for Edinburgh in the 90's.