BOBBATH 467 Posted August 30, 2007 After the thread on Jack Kitchen are these two folks still around-someone told me Bob had committed suicide years ago-what of John Dews. What happened to both after they finished at Sheffield-did they ride for other teams. I recall both of them as real gentlemen tho I remember Bob used to look awful doleful at times. I'm thinking of the mid -sixties here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spin king 1,923 Posted August 30, 2007 After the thread on Jack Kitchen are these two folks still around-someone told me Bob had committed suicide years ago-what of John Dews. What happened to both after they finished at Sheffield-did they ride for other teams. I recall both of them as real gentlemen tho I remember Bob used to look awful doleful at times. I'm thinking of the mid -sixties here. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Bob Paulson, retire after the season of either 1974 or 1975, an died around about 1980, he did not ride speedway for any other team, and yes you are correct Bob did commit sucide. Sad to say that John Dews is no longer with us, I think he died of a brain tumour, he went on to ride for Oxford and White City, and I believe that he retire in 1976, he came back to Team Manage Sheffield in 1977, and he did that until 1980. He later went onto Promote at Stoke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Third Man 2,217 Posted August 30, 2007 Yes bob was a very rare rider, one that only rode for one team. one of the best captains sheffield ever had, remember him standing down from a few rides to let an in form reserve have another ride. Captained us to only ever british league trophy in 1974. Joh dews only left us because of rider control, we were never allocated another rider in his place though, his place in the team being shared by reg wilson and doug wyer who were riding in division 2 at the time, a fortaste of doubling up? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star ghost 7 Posted August 30, 2007 I thought John Dews rode for Wimbledon at some time On the subjerct of one-team riders - Phil Clarke (13 years) Norwich Stars was a prime example of this type of rider Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Third Man 2,217 Posted August 30, 2007 thought he went to wimbledon then oxford, but could be other way round Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedyguy 20 Posted August 30, 2007 thought he went to wimbledon then oxford, but could be other way round <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Without checking, I am certain that as mentioned John Dews did have a spell with Wimbledon. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 467 Posted August 30, 2007 thanx folks tho sad to hear-was interested in Starghost post re one team riders e.g. Phil Clarke-anybody think of any more from that era-was thinking Billy Bales but he started with Yarmouth-I guess Vic Duggan always rode for Harringay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedyguy 20 Posted August 30, 2007 thanx folks tho sad to hear-was interested in Starghost post re one team riders e.g. Phil Clarke-anybody think of any more from that era-was thinking Billy Bales but he started with Yarmouth-I guess Vic Duggan always rode for Harringay <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In the immediate pre-war season Vic Duggan was with Wimbledon. Before that, it was with Hackney. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/oldtimespeedway Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star ghost 7 Posted August 31, 2007 (edited) Billy Bales has a special place in my memories. He started as a Norwich second half (?whats that?) rider and was sent to Yarmouth when they opened as Norwichs Dick Wise ran both tracks. The Bloaters started as Stars Nursery track you might say. After Service (R A F) Billy went into the Stars team for 1952 and rode for us till closure of the Firs in 1964. This like Phil Clarke gives 13 years service to the team. He rode for Sheffield till retirement (around 1969) Bearing in mind the run of injuries he suffered he did not do too bad did he I could add Bert Spencer (Norwich 1937 till 1949) but that would be cheating - The War years cannot count can they Edited August 31, 2007 by star ghost Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,116 Posted August 31, 2007 Ronnie Moore spoiled probably the best one team record by riding in just two matches for Coventry. Apart from that he rode for Wimbledon from 1950 - 1972. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star ghost 7 Posted August 31, 2007 I thought R M missed out some years during that time. How about Cyril "Salty" Brine at Wimbledon for a number of years Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,116 Posted August 31, 2007 (edited) Yes, he did miss out some years altogether - 1957 and 1964 - 68 - but for the other 17 years he only rode for Wimbledon (apart from the two matches for Coventry in 1972), which must be the record. There was, of course, Tommy Price. Wembley 1935 - 1956, a total of 22 years, but, as with Bert Spencer, there were 7 years lost because of the War. Edited August 31, 2007 by norbold Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,995 Posted August 31, 2007 (edited) I remember Bob as a bit wacky.Probably only saw him the once(at least i only remember the one time)must have been 73/74.I was waiting in the pits outside the changing room with a mate getting autographs when he came out.Wasn't sure who he was(our plan was ,if they had wet hair,get an autograph )when he,for no apparent reason started calling me "the wizard".He even signed my book "To the wizard",which i still have.One of the riders and one of the incidents that will stay with me. Edited August 31, 2007 by iris123 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tigerblade 221 Posted August 31, 2007 Sad to say that John Dews is no longer with us, I think he died of a brain tumour, he went on to ride for Oxford and White City, and I believe that he retire in 1976, he came back to Team Manage Sheffield in 1977, and he did that until 1980. He later went onto Promote at Stoke. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think it was the mid 90's, I remember we had a minutes' silence for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frigbo 518 Posted September 1, 2007 I think it was the mid 90's, I remember we had a minutes' silence for him. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> August 1995 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites