BOBBATH

I've got the Stenners Annuals 1950 thru 1954 covering the seasons 1949 thru 1953, one of the things I am most interested in are the World Champion Final qualifiers- it's amazing how many well known riders almost qualified but didn't ever make it Also the standard of literacy in those annuals is far superior to modern publications-maybe speaks to educational standards declining. Also have the 1963 Speedway Digest covering the 1962 season-good obituary on Jack Unstead killed in a track accident in the 62 season. Len Silver was PLRC champ that year (riding for Exeter). I also have the British Speedway Handbooks for the first 2 seasons- plus as I have mentioned before the programmes of every meeting I ever attended (so glad I kept 'em, sometimes I take a look at them and it brings back memories of those times.)

HI Andout the Bonny Good pay sheet is fascinating-where the heck did you find that??

Chum recently passed his 95th birthday- King of Western Australia (Claremont) speedway. I got to see him ride at the very end of his career-in 1965 for Poole and 1966 for CH. Any memories from forumlanders of Chum. His son Glyn Taylor also rode in the 70's I think. Another World Final vet passes a milestone, just after Eric Boothroyd. I hope they both have a few laps still to go!!

I was flipping thru' some old 1960's black and white "Speedway Stars", a frequent correspondent(reader's letters) seemed to be this lady-chairwoman of Wimbledon supporters club.?? her letters struck me as very literate-actually the whole magazine was a lot more literate than today's publication!!Anyone ever meet, know or recall Mrs.C-B-in my imagination she seems like a Mary Whitehouse character-reminded me of the days when clubs had big supporters clubs.Anyone recall her-or know if she is still alive??

Hi John, glad to see your posts again, any memories that you have of the 1956 World Final would be welcome- that's where you correctly predicted the winner (Ove) when the Star asked for predictions from its columnists in the World Final preview edition.

On the link from Split there is a photo of three all time greats -from left to right- Dick Bradley, Chum, Brian Crutcher- three world finalists all still with us Dick Bradley, one of my favourites is now 98-many happy times watching Dick as one of the Newport heat leaders- a real gent who hopefully still has a few laps yet to go!!

I recall Peter Murray-is he still around?

Hi Split, thanks for posting that link, it was a most interesting read. Good to see a photo of the old Cardiff track also!!!!!

I think that may have been 1963 ?

Just to close a loop- Bonnie Boothroyd passed away about two years ago.

All the stuff about New Cross just makes me wish I had got to see a meeting there.

Long before my time, but it looks to me a bit sad that Ron tried a comeback when he was so old. Maybe sometimes it pays to quit when you are ahead and be remembered that way. What say forumlanders??

Eric Boothroyd, of your first meeting Frankie celebrated his 95th birthday the other week-not sure if his wife Bonnie is still with us though!

Good point, although Ray Harris had ridden for Stoke in PL before 1964, but you are right on all counts, I was just referring to the first NL rider I saw in the combined League in 1965, I had seen all the Wasps in 1964 of course-we wouldn't have had a team without the ex Southampton riders

Great post mate, I woz there (as Max Boyce would say) also. A warm evening as I recall The result of the first heat was Boocock, Golden, Younghusband and Erskine- a 4-2 to Halifax. What I really remember though is seeing Brian Elliott- the first NL rider I ever saw. He wasn't one of the top NL riders but he came out in Heat 2 and won the race against the great Dick Bradley, the result was Elliott, Bradley, Hitch, Penniket another 4-2 to Halifax. I can recall thinking that if Brian Elliott was typical of the old NL riders the PL guys stood no chance. It was a great night for Brian, in his second ride he came out and finished second behind Peter Vandenberg-result was Vandenberg, Elliott, Biggs, Hitch . in his third ride he finished first again- Elliott, Penniket, Vic White, Bob Jameson. In his last ride I think he fell. Brian didn't come out for the second half ( how I miss those second halves) So 8 points from 3 completed rides wasn't too shabby I never saw Brian Elliott ride again but he did a great job in that meeting Great to be at the same meeting as you-but sadly unlike your dad I never met Eric Boothroyds' wife!! At the interval me and my mates would go to the Newport County bar and have a couple of pints of Whitbread Trophy!!! Wonderful days.. Do any forumlanders have any memories of Brian???

Just heard the the former Norwich rider is coming up to 100 this month- feeling fine and has just had his driving license renewed-his brother is 106. These speedway guys seem to last a long time-must be something in the smell of Castrol R. Proves there is hope for us all.

I just tell people who say I look OK- that I am decaying from the inside out!!!!!!!

Is Dave Dodd still alive ?- last I heard a few years ago he was living in Sterling, Ontario, Canada.

I reckon some of us posters are posting less-maybe old age (say it ain't so). Here's one-we all recall our first meeting, how many of those riders are still with us? Here's mine- Newport 13.6.1964 versus Long Eaton. Newport riders:- Alby Golden (RIP), Jon Erskine, Dick Bradley, Geoff Penniket, Peter Vandenberg (RIP), Vic White, Ray Harris (RIP). Thus 4 Wasp riders are still with us- the grand-daddy is Dick Bradley at 96 and the second oldest World finalist still with us -a fine gent!! Re the visitors- Ken Adams (RIP), John Mills (RIP), Ray Wilson, Norman Storer, Ron Sharp (RIP), Howard Cole -then known as Kid Bodie, K.Vale (RIP)-thus 3 Archers are still with us. Second Halfers not already mentioned:- Alan Jones, Fred Powell, Bob Hughes Goog Allan. I know Bob Hughes is still with us-not sure about the other three-anyone know (we should never forget the second halfers- I always enjoyed the second halves. Would be interested to see any other comments in this thread-hope you kept your programs.!!!

Blimey John your first meeting was six months before I was born!!

Saturday 13th June 1964, Southern League Newport v. Long Eaton. Heat 1. Alby Golden, Jon Erskine, Ken Adams, John Mills. A 5-1 to Newport and Alby broke the Somerton Park track record at 68.4 seconds. I was sold on the sport. Jon is the only one still with us.

Thanks Chunky, the Chelsea stuff is on wikipaedia as you said. ditto re Palace, about WBA it's not as clear so to me they will remain "The Throstles". My last year in England (1968) they beat Everton in the Cup Final 1-0 on a Jeff Astle goal. First one I ever saw on TV in colour-holy smokes -have I been gone that long.!!!Thanks for the other interesting comments too. , sorry for the digression from speedway!

Speaking of nicknames re football , does anybody know when Chelsea F.C. stopped being nicknamed the "Pensioners" and became "The Lions", while we are at it when did WBA cease to be "The Throstles" and become "The Baggies" and Palace cease to be "the Glaziers" and become the 'Eagles". Anyone remember??? Sorry, this even more off topic.

Yup, Billy is definitely still alive.

Re Belle Vue v. Newport in July- Jon Erskine and john Bishop are alive, not sure re Roger White (I don't recall the latter-may have been a second halfer drafted in is my guess) Hope this helps