M.D 463 Posted September 12, 2023 22 minutes ago, fatface said: A further thought...when he dropped into the National League in 1985, that coincided with the NL actually becoming a more entertaining league than the BL. Much more teams, less predictable, it's own stars and their own big occasions like the NLRC, Fours and Pairs packing them in. Gordon Kennett was probably the biggest NL star of that era. Bob Dugard took Eastbourne down a league that season, Martin was due to be 16 mid season. GK came down with us and it transformed the club again, we won the KOC in 1985,86 and 87 also won the league in 86 & 87. GK came in and averaged 10.41, Martin averaged 5.69 in half a season then 9.69 in his first full season. Happy days.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M.D 463 Posted September 12, 2023 https://saveeastbournespeedway.co.uk/gordon-kennett-1953-2023/ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatface 2,554 Posted September 12, 2023 42 minutes ago, M.D said: Bob Dugard took Eastbourne down a league that season, Martin was due to be 16 mid season. GK came down with us and it transformed the club again, we won the KOC in 1985,86 and 87 also won the league in 86 & 87. GK came in and averaged 10.41, Martin averaged 5.69 in half a season then 9.69 in his first full season. Happy days.. Yep, definitely the late 80s were a great era for the National League and Gordon Kennett at the absolute forefront of that. Not just Eastbourne, but clubs like Mildenhall, Middlesbrough, Hackney, Wimbledon, Poole all in the mix too. A great mix of gnarly vets like Kennett, Les Collins, Simmo, Jessup, Wyer and rising stars like Dugard, Silver, Havelock, Loram. Scottish tours, Southern tours, lots of local derbies. It would be easy to say that Gordon Kennett was easing down in his career, but couldn't be further from the truth. He was always fully committed on any track on any given day. Also one of the great inside line riders.. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeneralMelchett 482 Posted September 12, 2023 10 hours ago, Ray Stadia said: It gives me no pleasure to be the first to post that Gordon Kennett has passed away. What a great rider and ambassador for the sport. RIP Gordon So sad - he was a top rider at NL level and regularly scored far too many points for Eastbourne at Arena! Thanks Gordon for the entertainment all those years ago 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
847084 99 Posted September 12, 2023 Sad news. A rarity in sport, a competitor that did not divide opinion. He was respected and admired by all. I was lucky to see him throughout his long and illustrious career. One of the great guys. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Normski 1,315 Posted September 12, 2023 Such sad news to hear. Was only a few weeks ago he was at Berwick spectating. RIP 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted September 12, 2023 54 minutes ago, fatface said: Yep, definitely the late 80s were a great era for the National League and Gordon Kennett at the absolute forefront of that. Not just Eastbourne, but clubs like Mildenhall, Middlesbrough, Hackney, Wimbledon, Poole all in the mix too. A great mix of gnarly vets like Kennett, Les Collins, Simmo, Jessup, Wyer and rising stars like Dugard, Silver, Havelock, Loram. Scottish tours, Southern tours, lots of local derbies. It would be easy to say that Gordon Kennett was easing down in his career, but couldn't be further from the truth. He was always fully committed on any track on any given day. Also one of the great inside line riders.. Yes some great names there...I witnessed Gordon during his early days at Eastbourne and rising thru' the ranks at Oxford, White City (special years) and back at Eastbourne. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LesR 139 Posted September 12, 2023 Sad news for someone still relatively young, great rider and a pleasure to watch. RIP Gordon, and condolences to all the family and friends. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeneralMelchett 482 Posted September 12, 2023 3 hours ago, steve roberts said: Yes some great names there...I witnessed Gordon during his early days at Eastbourne and rising thru' the ranks at Oxford, White City (special years) and back at Eastbourne. Happy days for me 87-90 in the old NL 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martinmauger 584 Posted September 12, 2023 Big shame, I recall Gordon riding for White City then Eastbourne at Hull 1977-81, and he didn't give Ole Olsen a fright in the 1978 World Final at Wembley. RIP Gordon.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,986 Posted September 12, 2023 7 hours ago, fatface said: A further thought...when he dropped into the National League in 1985, that coincided with the NL actually becoming a more entertaining league than the BL. Much more teams, less predictable, it's own stars and their own big occasions like the NLRC, Fours and Pairs packing them in. Gordon Kennett was probably the biggest NL star of that era. Was the years that really got me back into the sport after a few away. Great days, lots of young and old talent combined. Wasn't really a big Kennett fan, but I did respect him and especially his Oxford, White City days and he was great to watch at Eastbourne RIP 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
screm 8,057 Posted September 12, 2023 Very sad news, Gordon was at Berwick a few weeks ago as spectator and was a welcome guest. RIP. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadster 221 Posted September 12, 2023 I saw a lot of Gordon at White City, where he was a real star. Someone earlier mentioned seeing him riding long-track style at Belle Vue and he cetainly did that at Wood Lane. One of the main men in the league, but I felt rather under-rated at the time. He was formidable again whenhe dropped down at Eastbourne and there were some great battles between the Dons and the Eagles. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fromafar 10,363 Posted September 12, 2023 Sad news, class act.RIP 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted September 12, 2023 1980 at the Abbey sticks in my mind Gordon scoring a. 21 point max and Kai Niemi scoring 19 pts out of a 46 Eastbourne total. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
