salty

Kevin A good idea, but the difference between riders commuting to Sweden, Poland etc is as far as I know they generally have bikes and equipment in the country and then fly over. Apart from an imported squad of home riders, the away team would have to ferry man and machine over for one off matches. Quickest journey time to the north is approx an hour but that is from Stranraer(not the easiest place to get to in the first place). From Liverpool the crossing takes about 8 hours! Bearing in mind the risk of not getting support over here, I can't see anyone taking such a risk.

As a Heathen living in Belfast the prospect of Speedway over here would be extremely exciting, however I would be amazed if it were to happen. The Belfast Giants Ice Hockey team have attracted good crowds as do the Ulster Rugby Union team, this shows that there is a market for spectator sports over here, but there really isn't a suitable venue. The dog track which services Belfast is at Ballyskeagh, which is nearer Lisburn than Belfast. I seem to remember it did hold a meeting once(someone with a copy of Homes of British Speedway may confirm) and there were meetings at other defunct venues in Belfast, but there has been no Speedway since early 1980's when Cradley rode a challenge match at Ballymena in front of a crowd of 5,000. There is a great deal of interest in motorcycle racing, but it revolves mainly around the road racing tradition. If someone was brave enough to have a go at introducing the sport I think they would probably get good crowds, but don't know if it would be enough to offset the transport costs of getting men and machines over the Irish Sea. Don't know so much about the Dublin area, but again I suspect a GP round would be a risky but possible venture, but unlikely on a regular basis.

Rode at the Shay in 69 and 70, then missed the next 2 years before returning in 73. Average in 69 was 5.32, in 73 it was 5.20. Seem to remember he had a bad arm injury, so maybe that was why he was missing for a couple of years? He might also have riden some other seasons but memory fails. On his visits to Cradley he was a potent reserve, who was a match winner on at least 1 occasion. Regards

I remember Charlie Monk in the late 60's when he rode for Glasgow. Reputation of being very quiet I think, I also remember reading that he had a profound dislike of having his picture taken. Finished his career in the late 70's riding for the Monarchs at Powderhall.Also spent time in the 70's at Halifax. Regards

Hurri-Ken rode in the 2nd meeting I ever saw in '69. A sad loss. RIP