salty

60 years on and still bitter! Remind me not to upset you on here. Seriously, fair play to you. I’m still angry about what happened to Dudley Wood, particularly the last planning decision which seemed to fly against all previous decisions, not to mention the majority of the evidence. Don’t get me started on Dudley Council either. Parker was a hard nosed businessman who didn’t hang about closing tracks if they weren’t performing to expectations. Tough and hard to take if you lost your track, but his influence on the sport as a whole in the 60’s must have been beneficial?

No worries. As I said a really enjoyable read.

Another enjoyable read, thank you! Have to agree that 1981 was my favourite Cradley year. 1983's team was no doubt stronger - in fact arguably the best BL team ever - but the season didn't have the same feel to it as the one two years previous when Cradley finally landed the title for the first time. For those of us who had supported them through the lean years of the early 70's the 1981 season was particularly sweet. Couple of points. Ulf Lovaas was originally signed by Cradley in 1973 riding a few matches at the end of the season, before being snapped up be Oxford the following campaign. Jan Simensen was signed by Cradley in 1970 which was not when Coatbridge were operating. Originally snapped up by Cradley to bolster a weak team, unfortunately he only had been at Dudley Wood a matter of weeks when Cradley lost Colin Pratt following the Lokeren disaster. After completing an impressive first term in the Green and White the Heathens were desperate to retain him for 1971, but were denied a work permit for Jan as he would have been a second "foreigner" - I'm sure that was not unknown in 1971. Subsequently he ended up at Coventry.

A fair few years ago "Classic Speedway" magazine did a top 20 of the 60's. Compiled by a "respected author".... Obviously is the whole of the decade rather than the period in the OP..... 1. Nigel Boocock 2. Ken McKinley 3. Peter Craven 4. Mike Broadbank 5.Eric Boocock 6. Ron How 7. Martin Ashby 8. Ray Wilson 9. Terry Betts 10. Dave Younghusband Focusing on the BL era, would see Craven and How removed from the list and probably higher positions for Eric B and Ray Wilson.

Always an interesting read. Thank You. I remember the name change to Cradley United well, I believe it was the brainchild of Harry Bastable who had taken over as Team Manager prior to the 1973 season. I still stuck with my CH programme board though! Four seasons as United with improving fortunes - we had a pretty attractive side in 1976. The United moniker might have been swept away when Dan McCormick took over, but the red remained part of the Heathens colours for a lot longer.

Good read as usual. Thanks!

Given that the OP asked for those who could have been greats if they had committed to ride in Britain, I'll throw in Chris Watson who confined himself more to other motor cycle disciplines back in Aussie. In more recent times Rune Holta reached 4th in the World afaik, but could he have took it a stage further with UK experience?

Good to see the Tigers land the title. Reward for all that their owners have pumped into the sport over the past few years. Also pleased for those fans who have followed them through the ups and downs, especially Paulco! Poole have had more than their share of the trophies so good to see them shared about.

Rayleigh? Final guess, but pretty confident

The Firs?

Yarmouth?

Hackney?

He had a brother, Jimmy, who died in a track crash in Aussie I think. Solid second string with the Dukes and part of the furniture at The Shay. RIP.

No Steve. The Crooked House that has been in the news is in Himley some miles away from Dudley Wood. From my memory there was an old crooked house opposite the stadium, but it wasn't a pub. Edit: sorry didn't read your question properly. I think the one opposite the stadium is long demolished

Can't think of an Aussie at the moment.... Stefan Salomonsson - Wimbledon

After 3 underwhelming meetings earlier in the week the World Cup delivered tonight. Cracking meeting, with 4 closely matched teams. Great ride by Janowski in the final heat to clinch it - delighted for him.

You forgot the plastic palm trees that we were so proud of in 2004.

No. However, they have joined forces to promote Premier Greyhound Racing. Arc own a number of racecourses and Entain own dog tracks through their Ladbroke and Coral organisations.

ARC PLAN FOR GREYHOUNDS AT WOLVERHAMPTON - Greyhound Star | News from the Greyhound Industry Here's a link to the story in the Greyhound Star. No mention of Monmore, but more on Perry Barr.

Crazy decision to exclude Thomsen. Lindgren was the primary cause of the crash, if not him then Thorsell, but no way should it have been Thomsen.

I could remember that Derek Dougan, in his guise as Kettering Chairman, had something to do with trying to introduce it. A quick Google confirms it. A brief history of football shirt sponsorship - Football Pink I think there was also a fuss when Jimmy Hill tried to get round the ban by incorporating the logo of sponsors Talbot into the design of the Coventry City shirts, but that was possibly the 80's?

Birmingham had the BRMB logo at some point in the late 70's possibly 1978?

You would think someone at Eurosport would be looking at the quality of the camera work and, sadly, the awkwardness of Kelvin and kicking some backsides.

Missed a couple of races, but what I've seen so far has been entertaining.

Really enjoyable read. The Crossroads story was a first for me - fascinating! Not so sure I agree with the sentiment of the badge though! Thank You!