salty

As far as I remember the Cradley announcer always pronounced him as Strawn as well, so that's what he's always been in my head. Norman rode for Newport in the very first meeting I saw back in 1968, but my main memory of him was getting his autograph a couple of years later when he was a Cheetah (I think). Beautifully written, taking his time, with the full name, making a stark contrast to most riders autographs that I managed to acquire. RIP

Lebedevs 400 more please

He was poor last year as well. One point on Friday, six on Saturday.

You were doing so well until you said that...

Doyle 300 more please

Fricke £100 more MJJ £100 more Ta

Kubera £100 more

Saw Bob ride in my first meeting in 1968 and was one of my favourite Heathens for the next few years, apart from his one year sojourn at Hackney. A lovely man. RIP

Duh! My bad - as they say. I'd forgotten the change in format from last season. Should have known the bookie is always right. However, surely my point about 18th position - see above - is correct?

Holder £50 less Madsen £50 more Thank you ps - maybe I’m losing it but is there not a few mistakes in the scoring in the OP? You’ve got riders finishing 2nd in the Semi’s finishing 5th and 6th which is then extrapolated into all the other finishing positions meaning you eventually get 18 finishers?

The First Division licence moved to Eastville along with riders such as Crump and Gresham, but Newport continued in the National League. Similar to the Oxford/White City and Newcastle/Reading moves. For interest, the cost of the licence when Ipswich bought the one from the West Ham promotion prior to the 1972 season was £4,000 according to John Berry.

Sad news. Saw him ride at the end of the 1968 season for the Hammers. First rider’s autograph I ever got! RIP George

Very fondly remembered by Cradley fans as well. Spent his final British season at Dudley Wood in 1977 and was a very popular and successful cog in the first Dan McCormick team. RIP

Following the budget yesterday, BetGoodwin have announced that they are going to cut all their horse racing sponsorship as they look to absorb the effect of the increase in online betting duty. No mention of anything else, but possibly could impact on their sponsorship of Speedway.

Just got round to reading the October edition. As ever an entertaining read. I actually attended 3 of the meetings mentioned in the opening feature on big swings in second leg Cup ties. The 2 involving Cradley, the second of which is sadly most remembered for a bad injury suffered by Peter Collins, and the Wimbledon v Berwick tie in 1988. Another "comeback" worthy of mention was Kings Lynn's recovery in 1984 from a 57-21 drubbing at Eastbourne by winning by the identical score in the second leg. The Stars won the replay as I recall. Though the second leg recovery didn't win the tie, pulling back a 36 point deficit is well worthy of mention. Thanks to Doug for all his hard work over the past few years keeping the memories alive.