tigerowl

I have got the 1937 World Championship heat results. They will be on the Speedway Researcher web site in the next few days.

Keep looking at the Speedway Researcher. I hope to have these results at some point and will post them as soon as I do. Matt

I reckon the oldest surviving World Finalist field would look like this: 1. Cyril Roger 89 - born 27.12.1921 2. Split Waterman 88 - born 27.7.1923 3. Danny Dunton 87 - born 13.5.1924 4. Arthur Payne 87 - born 30.8.1924 5. Dick Bradley 86 - born 28.11.1924 6. Fred Brand 86 - born 3.2.1925 7. Freddie Williams 85 - born 12.3.1926 8. Chum Taylor 84 - born 4.4.1927 9. Eric Boothroyd 84 - born 26.4.1927 10. Derick Close 84 - born 13.5.1927 11. Geoff Mardon 83 - born 24.11.1927 12. Billy Bales 82 - born 6.6.1929 13. Olle Nygren 81 - born 11.11.1929 14. Rune Sormander 81 - born 29.11.1929 15. Jack Geran 81 - born 10.12.1929 16. Ron Johnston 80 - born 31.12.1930 17. George White 80 - born 24.5.1931 18. Ian Williams 80 - born 4.8.1931 Unless I have missed someone or unless Bryan Elliott (12.4.1930) is still with us. Arthur Wright is a 'mere' 78 by my reckoning - born 14.10.1933

Hi Ian, Thanks for the kind words. I am working hard on the 1960s disc but I have been delayed a bit by taking over the Speedway Researcher web site from Ron McNeil. It needed a bit of a revamp but I am getting there and will press on with the disc as soon as possible. Matt

Keith Heuwen really getting on my nerves for some reason. He might be a pro but I find him so annoying with some of his comments.

It is Reg Hawken. He was sometimes programmed as Hawkins but this was incorrect.

This could be Reg Hawken who rode for St. Austell in the 1960s. If he rode in the St. Austell round of the Championship it would be Hawken and not Hawkins.

Keith Craighead was the son of former Wembley rider Roy Craighead I believe.

March 3, 1970, Kendal, Cumbria.

I would like to add though, that I do recognise Scunthorpe's record in bringing on young riders in recent years.

Can anyone enlighten me and explain what the advantages were in using the rider replacement system in the double header at Sheffield tonight. Match 1 - a powerhouse National League Scrowlers side including home man Ashley Birks, the very impressive Gary Irving and Richie Worrall, the vastly experienced Lee Smethills and two handy reserves in Wrathall and Nielsen but missing the equally talented Steve Worrall against a struggling Isle of Wight side with hardly any Sheffield experience between them apart from Simmons and Chessell who has been doing a few second halves recently. The Scrowlers were obviously going to win by a huge margin but chose to use rider replacement for Steve Worrall. They named a number eight in Jordan Tyrer who was given one ride in a tough heat 10 when everyone else had had a couple of rides at least and clocked up over 60 points. Match 2 - eventually abandoned after heat 3 but both teams using rider replacement - the home side for Worrall again and the visitors for Garrity. Ashley Birks took the replacement ride in heat 1 and there would have been little chance for young Tyrer no doubt. The potential was there for most of the Scunthorpe / Sheffield riders to have chalked up two massive wins with 10, 11 or 12 rides each. But would the likes of Irving, Worrall and Birks have learned much from the experience. Of course they might have built up some confidence and a few extra pounds but I bet the possibility of a blown engine screaming it round Sheffield for up to 48 laps would have negated some of that profit. Are we really so short of riders that both teams have to resort to using rider replacement in a National League match or has the need to win become such that teams are scared to introduce young riders. By my reckoning only six British riders have made their league debuts in official National League racing this year. (Blackbird, Blacklock, Greenwood, Nielsen, Portwood and Saunders). This is nowhere near enough and it really is shameful that young riders are being denied the chance of racing in league action through this odd desire to plug any gaps with rider replacement. Rant over.

Looking brighter at 4:30 than the last update - sky half blue and half grey. Still showers forecast for later.

Well, another youngster then instead of rider replacement. That was my point. Weather check - overcast at the moment in Sheffield. We have had no rain all day although there are some showers forecast for later. Don't hang about in Nottingham too long - Sheffield is a much nicer place.

I think it will be a real shame if the Scrowlers use r/r for Steve Worrall. The league should be about bringing on young riders and, whilst Scunthorpe have done more than most, the sport would be better served with a youngster at number 7 (and not an ageing team manager with all due respect). The are likely to massacre the Islanders as they are and should beat Belle Vue pretty easily as well.

I'm a bit closer but it is hard going. The 1940s and 1950s took about ten years altogether but this one wont take anywhere near that time. I've just taken over the Speedway Researcher web site as well which has slowed be down a bit. I've done about 150 pages of the third disc and am doing a bit more every day.

I'm sure he was a good looking chap but he wasn't really my type. However, he was born in Salford on July 12, 1947.

The Speedway Researcher is currently being reorganised and brought up to date. I have taken over the site and will be rebuilding it over the next few weeks. Please keep using the site and if anyone would want to contribute to the magazine, it helps to fund the site and keep it running. Thanks Matt

I was thinking earlier about the top two in the GP and how much they are putting the younger end of the field to shame. It got me pondering on who would be around in the GP in five years time and who of the current crop of youngsters will force their way in. Of the current line-up I think that Hancock, Gollob, Crump, Holta and Pedersen will be too old and will have gone, whilst I can't see a long term future in the competition for Jonsson, Harris or Lindback. Kolodziej and Laguta, I am not sure about. I can still see Holder, Bjerre, Sayfutdinov, Hampel and Lindgren in the GP in five years and that would leave room for ten new faces. Darcy Ward seems a nailed on certainty as does Pawlicki. I can see Lasse Bjerre joining Kenneth in 2016 and possibly a couple more of the young Danes like Michael and/or Mikkel Jensen. Tai seems the best British hope and the Poles will no doubt continue their production line. My 2016 line up would look something like this - Chris Holder Emil Sayfutdinov Jarek Hampel Freddie Lindgren Kenneth Bjerre Artem Laguta Darcy Ward Przemyslaw Pawlicki Lasse Bjerre Tai Woffinden Michael Jepsen Jensen Maciej Janowski Tomas Jonasson Kenni Larsen Linus Sundstom Anyone else suggest a line-up?

Alan Michael Kite born 21 January 1947, Maidstone, Kent

Barnsley - Arthur Moore, Charlie Ward, Tommy Thompson, Billy Halstead, Tom Lindley, Joe Chance, Geoff Kilburn, Tommy Allott, Bill O'Neill, Jim Quarmby, Charlie Kirby, W. Hodnett Belle Vue - Arthur Franklyn, Frank Varey, Eric Langton, Bob Harrison, Percy Dunn, Dusty Haigh, Oliver Langton, Bruce McCullum, Clem Cort, Acorn Dobson, Reg Pointer, Dick Fletcher, Len Woods, Ernie Evans, Len Blunt, George Corney, Frank Burgess, Smoke Robinson, Ernest Young, Sid Hicks, Sid Hipworth, Lionel Davey, Ray Higson, A.E. Simons, Cracker Simpson, Ivor Creek, Len Myerscough, Chun Moore, Norman Hartley Edinburgh - Len Stewart, George MacKenzie, Drew McQueen, Sid Parsons, Gordon Spalding, Bob McGregor, Bill Barclay, Bob Dawson Glasgow - Billy Galloway, Andy Nicholl, Col Stewart, Arthur Mann, Bill Llewellyn, Jack White, Arthur Moser, Bill Naismith, Norrie Isbister, Sam Aitkinhead, Alfie Williams, Hugh Adamson Leicester Super - Bert Spencer, Fred Wilkinson, Hal Herbert, Arthur Sherlock, Harold Stevens, Freddy Hore, Nev Wheeler, George Marsh, Mark Sheldon, Alec Bowerman, Billy Hadfield, Bill Russell, Jack Martin, Bill Styring, Ken Hamilton Liverpool - Ginger Lees, Les Wooton, Tommy Price (not the World Champion), Larry Boulton, Eric Blain, Tony Golding, Frank Chiswell, Skid Plevin, Chris Hughes, Eddie Myerscough Manchester White City - Frank Charles, Max Grosskreutz, Wally Hull, Cliff Watson, Arthur Jervis, Fred Strecker, Arthur Wilcock, Hubert Jervis, Cyril Wilcock, Stewie St. George, Sid Newiss, Fred Davenport, A.J. Ward, Eric Worswick, Ivor Creek, Norman Hartley Newcastle - Tommy Storey, Tiger Sanderson, Tommy Harrison, Harry Huntley, Arnie Cattell, Buzz Hibberd, Alec Hill, Gordon Byers, Frank Parker Preston - Ham Burrill, Joe Abbott, George Reynard, Jack Chiswell, Frank Smith, Jack Tye, Claude Rye, Tommy Price (not the World Champion), Ivor Creek, Chris Tattersall, Fred Williams, Jim Carnie Rochdale - Austin Humphries, Jack Atkinson, Scott Michie, Geoff Wilson, Buster Breaks, Skid Nock, Bill Sticpewich, Tom Proctor, Ernie Ingham, Fred Ibbotson, Harry Robinson, Harold Leach Sheffield - Clem Beckett, Jack Chapman, Chun Moore, Norman Hartley, Broncho Dixon, Dick Wise, Jack Barber, Gus Platts, Arthur Moore, Laurie Packer Warrington - Norman Dawson, Charlie Hornby, George Milton, Tommy Hatch, Speed Formby, Harry Solomon, Oliver Langton, Alec McLachlan, Len Myerscough, Stan Collins Wombwell - Fred Ledger, Billy Burrows, Tommy Gamble, Geoff Kilburn, Jack Dudding, Rowland Crowe

Saturday 2 October 1971 Hackney, London 1. Malcolm Shakespeare (Long Eaton) 2 3 3 3 2 - 13 (2nd) 2. John Louis (Ipswich) 3 3 2 3 3 - 14 (1st) 3. Phil Crump (Crewe) 1 1 3 3 3 - 11 (5th) 4. Kevin Holden (Romford) 0 2 F 0 0 - 2 (15th) 5. Dave Baugh (Bradford) 2 0 1 1 1 - 5 (12th) 6. Bruce Forrester (Teesside) 1 0 0 1 1 - 3 (14th) 7. Ross Gilbertson (Canterbury) 3 R 1 1 0 - 5 (11th) 8. Doug Wyer (Berwick) 0 3 2 0 0 - 5 (10th) 9. Reg Wilson (Hull) R 2 F 2 2 - 6 (8th) 10. George Major (Birmingham) 2 1 2 2 1 - 8 (7th) 11. Hugh Saunders (Rayleigh) 3 3 2 2 2 - 12 (3rd) 12. Malcolm Ballard (Eastbourne) R 1 R N N - 1 (17th) 13. Russ Dent (Sunderland) 1 1 3 1 0 - 6 (9th) 14. Arthur Price (Boston) 3 2 X 2 3 - 10 (6th) 15. Peter Collins (Rochdale) X 2 3 3 3 - 11 (4th) 16. Malcolm Mackay (Workington) 2 F 1 0 1 - 4 (13th) 17. Richard Greer (Peterborough) 0 - 0 (18th) 18. Roger Mills (Long Eaton) 2 - 2 (16th)

I'm not sure if any of the above clubs actually had nicknames. The nickname idea seemed to come in a couple of years later with Wimbledon, Wembley, Belle Vue etc. leading the way. I've tried to get back on your web site and it asks me for a password. Any ideas?

1930 SOUTHERN LEAGUE TABLE Team Matches Won Drawn Lost For Against Points Wembley 24 20 1 3 768 496 41 Southampton 24 17 1 6 716 560 35 Stamford Bridge 24 16 1 7 728½ 551½ 33 Wimbledon 24 16 1 7 695 578 33 Hall Green 24 13 1 10 647 632 27 Coventry 24 13 1 10 629 634 27 Crystal Palace 24 11 1 12 667 613 23 Lea Bridge 24 10 1 13 602½ 672½ 21 West Ham 24 10 0 14 627 647 20 Leicester 24 8 1 15 586½ 689½ 17 High Beech 24 8 0 16 555 720 16 Harringay 24 7 0 17 572½ 707½ 14 Nottingham 24 2 1 21 489 782 5 Birm’ham (Expunged) 4 1 0 3 81 135 2

I can't guarantee 100% accuracy but... Birmingham - withdrew after 4 matches Wally Lloyd, Clem Mitchell, Arthur Johnson, Joe Dallison, Bill Ashcroft, Joe Hassall, Geoff Siddaway, Gordon Baxter Coventry Jack Parker, Tom Farndon, Norman Parker, Arthur Tims, John Deeley, Wilmot Evans, Bill Stanley, George Allbrook, Lew Lancaster, Cecil Walker, Stan Greatrex Crystal Palace Roger Frogley, Ron Johnson, Triss Sharp, Jack Barrett, Joe Francis, Bryan Donkin, Buster Buckland, Wally Lloyd, Clem Mitchell, Harry Shepherd, George Lovick, Arthur Willmott, Bert Gerrish, George MacKenzie, Jim Cowie, Jack Luke, Will Nicholas Hall Green Harry Taft, Jimmy Gent, Billy Dallison, Bunny Wilcox, Les Patrick, Cyril Taft, Reg Hutchings, Tommy McDonald, Cyril Locke, Stan Baines Harringay Vic Huxley, Colin Watson, Stan Spencer, Will Dennis, Howard Traynor, Alf Sawford, Jack Kidwell, Ron Thompson, Bill Clibbett, Percy Bryant, Wally Hicklin, Ivor Hill, Eric Spencer, George Preston High Beech Syd Edmonds, Phil Bishop, Fred Law, Jack Barnett, George Bishop, Stan Baines, Champ Upham, Jack Sharp, Charlie King, Rory O'Connor, George Lovell, Stan Taylor, Norman Humphrey Lea Bridge Harold Hastings, Reg Stanley, Jimmy Stevens, Howie Osment, Alf Foulds, Stiffy Aston, Ned Kelly, Charlie Spinks, Stew Fairbairn, Harry Mangham, Alec Peel, Alec Slow, Fred Hawken, George Heard, Charlie Jackson Leicester Syd Jackson, Squib Burton, Nobby Kendrick, Bill Pitcher, Bill Crouch, Cyclone Smith, Arthur Johnson, Jack Rowley, Slider Shuttleworth, George Clow, Tommy Deadman, Tom Taylor, Ned Woodoff, Al Wilkinson, Tim Reid Nottingham George Wigfield, Rocky Burnham, Wally Humphrey, Buster Brown, Spencer Stratton, Joe Gooding, Reg Lucas, Nobby Key, A.E. Lester, Billy Ellmore, Ian Ritchings, Bill Henstock, Les Otter, Fred Townsend Southampton Frank Goulden, Jimmy Hayes, Geoff Taylor, Vic Collins, Dave Kemp, Eric Lister, Ken Purser, Sprouts Elder, Arnie Hansen, Dick Sulway, Frank Bond, Clarrie Eldridge, Tommy Cullis, Ernie Rickman, Albert Wakerley, Winks Rice Stamford Bridge Frank Arthur, Gus Kuhn, Colin Ford, Arthur Warwick, Les Blakebrough, Nick Nichol, Wal Phillips, Bill White, Don Boswell, Fred Ralph, Bert Bolt, Ernie Mayne, Les Ralph, Len Stuart Wembley Arthur Atkinson, Jack Ormston, George Greenwood, Harry Whitfield, Stan Catlett, Wally Kilmister, Bert Fairweather, Buster Frogley, Colin Watson, Norman Evans, Charlie Shelton, Charlie Barrett, Cliff Parkinson, Jack Jackson, Art Warren, Terry White, Tom Pidock, Gus Mordue, Ron Hieatt, Tiger Sanderson West Ham Tiger Stevenson, Bluey Wilkinson, Don Taylor, Les Maguire, Arthur Westwood, Don Durant, Allen Kilfoyle, Tommy Croombs, Roy Dook, Bert Jones, Reg Bounds, Cecil Bounds, Wally Trumble, Will Maguire, Tommy York, Maurice Bradshaw, Ron Stokes, Reg Kavagnah, Con Cantwell, Stan Clark Wimbledon Jim Kempster, Mart Seiffert, Ray Tauser, Len Parker, Billy Lamont, Dick Case, Del Forster, Harold Crook, Dudley Cox, Les Dearth, Vic Deale, Nick Carter, Jack Kelly, Ivor Hill

He is potentially brilliant if he can avoid injury and keep his head together. He has so much raw talent it is unreal.