yesterdaysman

Eric Hockaday was still flying about five years back and Ricky Day, I believe still is.

No never went to Tamworth but did go to Birmingham and Cradley many years later. Yes 'tis sad but Birmingham are back now so never say never!

Hi Knowle, Slightly off topic, I've just got back from Bristol, stayed there the weekend and did Somerset and Cardiff meetings. This morning I bought the book "Bristol Bulldogs 50 Greats," would you believe in Asda ! Anyway, sorry if I misled but I new Buck Whitby was in the '48 team but could not remember his name, and thought it early '49 and he may have been replaced by 'Lammy' later on. Sorry to all if I caused any confusion but I was only nine then and didn't even know where Birmingham was, I was just starting to watch speedway and follow my local third division team

Number 3 seated is Ron Walton and Number 7 seated is Pete Rogers. I think both of these rode for California (berks).

Bit before my time but I'll have a go:- I'll go for Doug Mclachlan, Brian Wilson, Bob Lovell, Graham Warren, Dont know, Les Marshall (promoter) Stan Dell, can't remember this chap's name, Geoff Bennett, Arthur Payne, and I reckon it could be early 1949. Birmingham had a fair old squad in them days so this would not be the same team for long.

Think that's Georgie White (Swindon '50's /'60's). So which one do you reckon is Bob Andrews then Bobbath!! Steady now.

No, Dingle wasn't there, Know most of 'em but won't spoil the fun. Might be able to help out later on if needed

Yeah, Ron Sharp English, Bob (cowboy) Sharp Aussie. Ron Cooper Cradley, English, fairly local boy, Toolmaker by trade,good lad.

I remember meeting Bert in '56 or 7 and that meeting and what he said made a great impression on me which I remember as if it were yesterday. As a teenager I went into the pits at Oxford after a meeting with Ipswich, I think, and Bert was there about to load some bikes onto a trailer. I offered to give him a hand, as I was keen to be involved with anything Speedway. He thanked me for my help and I told him I was contemplating starting riding. He encouraged me to have a go saying it could be very rewarding, but also warned me of the downside. His words were "It's not all beer and skittles" then spent the next twenty minutes or so giving me much valued advice, while all the other riders were long gone to the showers. I regard that meeting as a benchmark in my life and something I have recalled countless times. I believe Bert lived in Middlesex for some time but last year I saw a Bert Edwards listed as living in Watlington Oxon. I had thought of trying to get in touch, to complete the circle so to speak, but like so many things at our time of life, delayed too long.

The late, great, Gordon McGregor: 1947 - 1971.

Oxford '61 ...ish

Remember George in '61, really nice guy. I remember stopping for fuel on the way back from Newcastle and George was in there in his old van, (Hillman I think it was.) The spring hanger had rusted through causing the body and filler pipe to sag, so he carried a brick to run the back wheel up on. Because of the slope of the ground he was still having trouble to get any fuel in so we lifted up the body while he pumped in the fuel!! ahhh happy days!

Ha ha ha You had me worried then! Don't write that down yet Kev H, could cause some confusion in the future! (see most traveled riders.) Don't make a special trip Ast. but pass on my regards to Hec when next you see him.

I always thought he was Australian of Austrian parents ! certainly sounded Australian, perhaps he went there as a boy as he had no sign of an Austrian accent. That'll bother me now, took him to quite a few away meetings with Brum so he could have a kip when he had just come off night shift at the bus garage. I'm wondering why I think that now!! Can you put me out of my misery Frigbo.

Aaah, that explains it then, I'll tell you now then ...I was there and you are spot on, but when I couldn't find a report on it anywhere I thought I had been dreaming again!! ...or my medication wasn't working!! I seem to remember a chap going round with a notepad asking people's names. I wondered if he might be from the thought police so I made one up. Look forward to seeing the photos. Thanks.

Don't think it was a 'Barbie' was it? Did anyone go?

Yes still together and yes Howard was a teacher in Aussie, probably retired now. He came over a couple of years back, I think it was, time goes by so quickly so might be longer! I will see if I can get some up to date news, if there are any more trips planned etc.

In Brian H's defence my lud, he may be getting mixed up with the fact that Jim married Howard's sister, so there is a connection. Up to a couple of years back, Jim was still doing drag racing, I believe on a JAP engined bike. Yes John went to Sheffield with George Major in '66 when George was re-allocated from Cradley on the points limit. George was offered several tracks which he declined, and John explained to the Cradley management that they had set up a workshop and travel facility together and that they should keep George. Instead, amasingly, they let John go as well, the pair going to Sheffield, in a swop for Clive Featherby. All three (Jim, John and George) are still around and apart from a few ailments !! are ok and still meet up from time to time.

That is what always amazed me about Ron, I don't know about his time at Wimbledon but when he was at Oxford, for a man at the top of the game he never appeared to be under any pressure. He could win race after race, seeing off the best and still his boisterous laughter was audible throughout the meeting, as if it was all a bit of fun. I never once saw him down and dejected nor ever angry. He was certainly a gifted rider in more ways than one and someone I am honoured to have known.

Taken from Bert Harkins report on V.S.R.A. Dinner March 2005 :- Our new President Danny Dunton made a terrific effort to walk into the dinner on his "new leg" following that serious motorcycle accident last year, and had a great ovation from the gathered guests.

It's advertised as opening 1st. March, have they had a change of plan?

Yeah thats why I said early '64 Colin and George stayed with ACU. (white) at first, then Norwich asked for a replacement for Jimmy Gooch and Oxford gave them George. Just trawling through some old S. Stars and found articles in '64 about Colin starting at Oxford and then dropping to Provicial league with Sunderland then Wolverhampton, also George going to Cradley at Whitsun, John Bishop and Eddie Reeves came in later. I think also this was the first year the race jacket had the Cheatah's head instead of the yellow sash, changed by the new promoters, two buisnessmen named Rodney Rycroft and Cy Melville ( a Jimmy Squibb lookalike!) Not too sure whether Danny was manager or out injured as he rode later, but could have been just standing in. The picture was taken for the Oxford Mail so probably at the start of season.

Just looking through some old photos and came across one of Oxford team which I reckon is early 1964 (before league matches started.) It shows L to R. Colin McKee, Colin Gooddy, Jack Geran (on bike) George Major, Danny Dunton (manager) Ronnie Genz, Jimmy Gooch, Ron How, Arne Pander. What is pleasing to me is, as far as I am aware, they are all still with us! Something sadly, I find rarely these days of past team photos so it was a great pick me up for the day. .......Now please don't prove me wrong.

Glyn now lives in Alderney (Channel Islands), He flew over a short time ago to attend Maury Mattingley's funeral I believe. He was indeed a teenage wiz kid for Swindon in the late 50's but suddenly announced his retirement after only a couple of seasons, starting again to ride for Neath in '62. In the book 'St Austell Speedway '58- '63. it tells of the friendship struck up at that time, between Glyn and George Major which continues to this day. Ironically Glyn suffered a masive heart attack just five weeks before George's, and was 'brought back to live' by the ambulance crew in Gloucestershire, (he was over visiting friends). They are a tough breed though these old speedway riders, and he is getting about like a 'good 'un' again now.

Andrew, the youngest did a bit of trials riding, sadly died from a HA aged 43 yrs.