Bee 1 Posted June 21, 2009 (edited) OK, So as a Coventry fan I often think back of the 'meaningless' second half scratch races and juniors coming through the scene. Usually local lads. Some made it. Some were cut short by injury. Some faded away and one or two slipped through the net maybe, and ended up making it elsewhere. Can you remember some of these names. I wonder where some of them went, and if they are still around. I started following Speedway around 1961 so I'm only looking at riders around the time I have been following the sport. Early sixties I recall Les Owen coming up through the ranks of the second half. Usually making appearences in the team as well at reserve on many occasions. Eric Hokaday, Nick Nicholls, Arthur Wright, Bob Mark, Jim Tolley, Maurie Mattingly, Brian Meredth, Peter Brough, Col Smith, Colin Cottrell, Howie Booton, Fred Hodder, Gil Farmer, Pete Gay, Hasty Humphries, Tom Ridley, Roger Hill, Dave Callington, Chris Harrison, Tony Lomas, John Harrhy, Frank Smith, Roy Carter, Pete Bailey, Jeff Shirley, Tony Gillias, Kevin Hawkins, & Andy Hackett all spring to mind. Few I have mssed as well I'm sure. Of those : Hockaday in and out at reserve early sixties, went to Cradley if I remeber right. Nicholls retired Col Smith, Brian Meredth were invloved with veteran bike races many years after there stints in the 60's Booton made the odd team appearence. Farmer, Gay, tried out the BL 2nd division at Ipswich and Long Eaton Cottrell made it and died of Luekemia in the end. He rode at Brandon for many years under Booey as coach before being allocated to Oxford where he lasted a year before retiring. Hill came through after Cottrell, and Booey took him under his wings. Roger was still around Brandon in the 80's and 90's as a spectator on occasions, used to always stop by us and say hello. Friegthening crash on Rugby bend which result in him landing in terraces twice cut his career short. Harrison made reserve before joining BL 2nd division was with Doncaster and Brummies at one time Ridley - known as Tom Thumb was breaking into the team and looked a hot prospect. But then broke his thigh and disappeared completely. Would love to know what became of him. Callington likewise, fractured skull, and retired. After Hill a certain Tony Lomas shot through the ranks with ease, with his electric starting and made heat leader, before eventually moving to Exeter where he finished his career. Harrhy came through, and went out to Division Two with Ipswich and Peterborough before returning to Brandon and making heat leader. Career ended in Owen Crash against Cradley Utd n '73. Bailey went through with Harry to Ipswich, just making break through in Bees, and died in car accident outside Brandon Stadium. Roy Carter lived down the road from me, and he made some progress before joining Panthers and finishing hs career at Div 2 level. Kevin Hawkins a Peterborough lad that started in Bees 2nd halves and then rode for Panthers before moving up wth Bees. Frank Smith a white line ride from Coventry who also went through connections with the Panthers Andy Hackett of course, a pocket rocket, who like Olly Allen alas was injury prone, forcng him to retire One that got away... Programmed in the second half in August 1963 was a certain Ron Wilson Jnr.!! Ray Wilson will go down as a NAME that escaped us....there you go Gem! Edited June 21, 2009 by Bee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,116 Posted June 21, 2009 Back in the early to mid 60s I can remember the likes of Roy Trigg (at New Cross) and Dave Jessup and Barry Thomas (at West Ham) coming up through the ranks. In the case of Jessup and Thomas I saw their first-ever ride in public and I remember thinking at the time that they were going to be good. Conversely, if it hadn't been for the second half at New Cross, I would never have had the privilege of seeing Ron Johnson ride. He was, of course, well past it by 1960, but, nevertheless, it gave me my one chance of seeing Mr New Cross at the end of his long and very distinguished career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedyguy 20 Posted June 21, 2009 (edited) Back in the early to mid 60s I can remember the likes of Roy Trigg (at New Cross) and Dave Jessup and Barry Thomas (at West Ham) coming up through the ranks. In the case of Jessup and Thomas I saw their first-ever ride in public and I remember thinking at the time that they were going to be good. Conversely, if it hadn't been for the second half at New Cross, I would never have had the privilege of seeing Ron Johnson ride. He was, of course, well past it by 1960, but, nevertheless, it gave me my one chance of seeing Mr New Cross at the end of his long and very distinguished career. Were you there the night we sadly saw Johnno fall off when Jim Chalkley came inside him on the pits bend? Not the sort of thing that would have happened to Johnno in his prime - he would have just moved over on 'Tiger Tim' and closed down his drive. Edited June 23, 2009 by speedyguy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tracy Bird 66 Posted June 23, 2009 OK, So as a Coventry fan I often think back of the 'meaningless' second half scratch races and juniors coming through the scene. Usually local lads. Some made it. Some were cut short by injury. Some faded away and one or two slipped through the net maybe, and ended up making it elsewhere. Can you remember some of these names. I wonder where some of them went, and if they are still around. I started following Speedway around 1961 so I'm only looking at riders around the time I have been following the sport. Early sixties I recall Les Owen coming up through the ranks of the second half. Usually making appearences in the team as well at reserve on many occasions. Eric Hokaday, Nick Nicholls, Arthur Wright, Bob Mark, Jim Tolley, Maurie Mattingly, Brian Meredth, Peter Brough, Col Smith, Colin Cottrell, Howie Booton, Fred Hodder, Gil Farmer, Pete Gay, Hasty Humphries, Tom Ridley, Roger Hill, Dave Callington, Chris Harrison, Tony Lomas, John Harrhy, Frank Smith, Roy Carter, Pete Bailey, Jeff Shirley, Tony Gillias, Kevin Hawkins, & Andy Hackett all spring to mind. Few I have mssed as well I'm sure. Of those : Hockaday in and out at reserve early sixties, went to Cradley if I remeber right. Nicholls retired Col Smith, Brian Meredth were invloved with veteran bike races many years after there stints in the 60's Booton made the odd team appearence. Farmer, Gay, tried out the BL 2nd division at Ipswich and Long Eaton Cottrell made it and died of Luekemia in the end. He rode at Brandon for many years under Booey as coach before being allocated to Oxford where he lasted a year before retiring. Hill came through after Cottrell, and Booey took him under his wings. Roger was still around Brandon in the 80's and 90's as a spectator on occasions, used to always stop by us and say hello. Friegthening crash on Rugby bend which result in him landing in terraces twice cut his career short. Harrison made reserve before joining BL 2nd division was with Doncaster and Brummies at one time Ridley - known as Tom Thumb was breaking into the team and looked a hot prospect. But then broke his thigh and disappeared completely. Would love to know what became of him. Callington likewise, fractured skull, and retired. After Hill a certain Tony Lomas shot through the ranks with ease, with his electric starting and made heat leader, before eventually moving to Exeter where he finished his career. Harrhy came through, and went out to Division Two with Ipswich and Peterborough before returning to Brandon and making heat leader. Career ended in Owen Crash against Cradley Utd n '73. Bailey went through with Harry to Ipswich, just making break through in Bees, and died in car accident outside Brandon Stadium. Roy Carter lived down the road from me, and he made some progress before joining Panthers and finishing hs career at Div 2 level. Kevin Hawkins a Peterborough lad that started in Bees 2nd halves and then rode for Panthers before moving up wth Bees. Frank Smith a white line ride from Coventry who also went through connections with the Panthers Andy Hackett of course, a pocket rocket, who like Olly Allen alas was injury prone, forcng him to retire One that got away... Programmed in the second half in August 1963 was a certain Ron Wilson Jnr.!! Ray Wilson will go down as a NAME that escaped us....there you go Gem! you forgot tony peasland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Custom House Kid 45 Posted June 23, 2009 Were you there the night we sadly saw Johnno fall off when Jim Chalkley came inside him on the pits bend? Not the sort of thing that would have happened to Johnno in his prime - he would have just moved over on 'Tiger Tim' and closed down his drive. An explanation please! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star ghost 7 Posted June 24, 2009 Actually Ron Johnson in his prime would probably have been half a lap in front of Jim C so there would have been no need for him to move anywhere Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star ghost 7 Posted June 24, 2009 Peter Bailey's death occured just outside Brandon's gates on a night when Kings Lynn were the visitors Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 467 Posted June 24, 2009 Excellent post Bee-Peter Brough now there is a name from the past. I knew Alf Elliott's son who lived in Vancouver and he used to tell me how Peter Brough who was stationes at St. Athan airforce base in Wales would give him a lift to Coventry meeting(Alf was a former rider at Wombwell and manager at Cardiff I think.)Anyone know how Peter is doing these days?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TigerTom 0 Posted June 25, 2009 Excellent post Bee-Peter Brough now there is a name from the past. I knew Alf Elliott's son who lived in Vancouver and he used to tell me how Peter Brough who was stationes at St. Athan airforce base in Wales would give him a lift to Coventry meeting(Alf was a former rider at Wombwell and manager at Cardiff I think.)Anyone know how Peter is doing these days?? Wasn't there a second halfer by the name of Bob Bath triding back in the 60's,,,,, Any relation Bob??? LOL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broadside6 2 Posted June 25, 2009 Excellent post Bee-Peter Brough now there is a name from the past. I knew Alf Elliott's son who lived in Vancouver and he used to tell me how Peter Brough who was stationes at St. Athan airforce base in Wales would give him a lift to Coventry meeting(Alf was a former rider at Wombwell and manager at Cardiff I think.)Anyone know how Peter is doing these days?? Peter appears to be fit and well still very dapper and straight backed! and a regular in the pits on a Friday night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Blanchard 19 Posted June 25, 2009 Conversely, if it hadn't been for the second half at New Cross, I would never have had the privilege of seeing Ron Johnson ride. He was, of course, well past it by 1960, but, nevertheless, it gave me my one chance of seeing Mr New Cross at the end of his long and very distinguished career. Yes Norman. Just found a programme New Cross v. Wimbledon - Wednesday May the 18th 1960. Event 2 'New Cross Trophy'. (First in heat to Final) Split Waterman replaced by G. Goldfinch in Red. Bob Andrews Blue. Leo McAuliffe White. Ron Johnson Yellow. Result: Blue, Red, White. Yellow it says 'off'. Event 3. Junior Handicap. Jimmy Chalkley Red 10yrds. Keith Vale Blue 10yrds. Ron Johnson White Scratch.. Bill Wainwright Yellow Scratch. Result: Blue, Yellow, Red. Time: 62secs. How Sad.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,116 Posted June 25, 2009 Yes Norman. Just found a programme New Cross v. Wimbledon - Wednesday May the 18th 1960. Event 2 'New Cross Trophy'. (First in heat to Final) Split Waterman replaced by G. Goldfinch in Red. Bob Andrews Blue. Leo McAuliffe White. Ron Johnson Yellow. Result: Blue, Red, White. Yellow it says 'off'. Event 3. Junior Handicap. Jimmy Chalkley Red 10yrds. Keith Vale Blue 10yrds. Ron Johnson White Scratch.. Bill Wainwright Yellow Scratch. Result: Blue, Yellow, Red. Time: 62secs. How Sad.... Yes, that's the meeting I saw him in. As you say, very sad. Can you imagine Ron Johnson giving 10 yards to Jimmy Chalkley in his prime!? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star ghost 7 Posted June 26, 2009 Quite right Norman. Ron would have to give much more than 10 to make it worth watching. And I am not putting you down Jim if you read this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liverpool chad 2 Posted November 30, 2009 Does anybody remember a rider from the second halfs at Belle Vue in the 1970's called Phil Whitaker? The announcer used to call him fearless Phil Whitaker and ask that anyone with a nervous disposition to look away for the next four laps Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frigbo 518 Posted November 30, 2009 Does anybody remember a rider from the second halfs at Belle Vue in the 1970's called Phil Whitaker? The announcer used to call him fearless Phil Whitaker and ask that anyone with a nervous disposition to look away for the next four laps http://wwosbackup.proboards.com/index.cgi?...amp;thread=3110 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
