tigerowl

Stenner's was the bible of speedway in the immediate post war period. I think the Stenner's were brothers (Tom and Jim) and the books ran annually from 1946 to 1954. In 1948 there were also three smaller editions for summer, autumn and winter.

www.speedwayatoz.co.uk YATES, John Canning Born: January 28, 1925, London, England.* A war time paratrooper, John was the younger brother of Fred Yates and joined Fred at the Belle Vue Training School in 1947. He actually started that season in the ‘Aces’ team but made way after just three appearances to accommodate new signing Brian Wilson before moving on to have short spells with Wombwell and Birmingham. Like so many juniors from the Hyde Road track, John ended up at Coventry when the Third Division was introduced to Brandon in 1948 and he was to spend the majority of the rest of his career with the ‘Bees’. He made 136 official appearances for the club, although he never rose above a second string role, and also had two spells at St. Austell where he proved to be a popular and occasionally useful performer in Division Three.

The meeting in question was Sheffield v St. Austell in the Provincial League on July 18, 1963. Sheffield won 44-34 with Clive Featherby and Tommy Roper scoring 11, Ron Bagley 8, John Dews 5, Alan Jay 4, Ken Handscombe 3 and Tony Robinson 2. For St. Austell Chris Julian had 10, George Major 9, Ray Cresp 6, Glyn Chandler 5, Trevor Redmond 4, Ray Wickett 0 and the unfortunate Lew 0. Lew spent many weeks in hospital in Sheffield and tried again at Weymouth in 1964 but quickly retired again. Lew passed away in 1995 or thereabouts.

Hi Tom, He was born Christopher Blewett in Toronto on June 18 1929. He died in June 2002. Career Record - Plymouth 1961-62, Neath 1962, St. Austell 1963, Glasgow 1964, Exeter 1964-69 Matt

I spoke to Chris before he passed away and he told me that he was born in Toronto, Canada. I'm a bit sad I never saw him ride as he retired before I started going to the speedway but would have loved to have seen him in full flight around the Country Ground.

Glasgow (White City) v Plymouth National League Division Two - 30 August 1950 Glasgow 61 Junior Bainbridge 12, Tommy Miller 12, Gordon McGregor 9+2, Norman Lindsay 8+2, Jack Hodgson 7+1, Frank Hodgson 6+2, Joe Crowther 5+1, Peter Dykes 2+1 Plymouth 23 Pete Lansdale 7, Len Read 6, Peter Robinson 4, Alan Smith 3, George Wall 2, Johnny Bradford 1, Bill Thatcher 0, Wally Mawdsley 0

I'm working hard on the CD - it's coming together nicely but I don't want to rush it and be disappointed with it. I spoke to Neville Slee whilst doing the research for the current CD - a very nice chap. Born at Booleroo, South Australia, 14 November 1940

Gary Riddell, 20 February 1962, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear

Robin Archer - born Newcastle 28/8/63 Ian Gibson - born Halifax 25/7/62 Terry Mussett - born Carshalton 12/6/65 Andy Nightingale - born Ipswich 4/1/65 Chris Pailor - born Hartlepool 18/7/61 Jay Pleece - born Epsom 6/4/62 Billy Pinder - born Weymouth 2/6/65

Roland had nine outings for Wimbledon in 1973, averaging 2.09.

In the Speedway Star and News Parade Annual of 1969, Dave Lanning wrote an article about the development of the sport in Europe. He refers to the Dutch League of 1949 and states that 11 teams took part that year. He lists them as: Rijswijk Nijmegen Hilversum Deventer Geleen Hengelo Rotterdam Bergen Op Zoom Amsterdam Lisse Eindhoven Hope this helps Matt

I think so. On the other thread that was running earlier this year, Reg Fearman had confirmed Arthur was still alive.

I think the list would now read: 1. Cyril Roger - born 27.12.21 2. Split Waterman - 27.7.23 3. Danny Dunton - 13.5.24 4. Athur Payne - 30.8.24 5. Dick Bradley - 28.11.24 6. Fred Brand - 3.2.25 7. Freddie Williams - 3.2.26 8. Chum Taylor - 4.4.27 9. Eric Boothroyd - 26.4.27 10. Derick Close - 13.5.27 11. Geoff Mardon - 24.11.27 12. Jimmy Gooch - 16.11.28 13. Billy Bales - 6.6.29 14. Olle Nygren - 11.11.29 15. Rune Sormander - 29.11.29 16. Jack Geran - 10.12.29 17. Ron How - 23.12.29 18. Ron Johnston - 31.12.30

Totally agree. Chris has proved a lot of doubters wrong this year. He has proved he is there on merit and not because the organisers need a Brit in there and he has put some pride back into British speedway. Sixth in the world is a fine effort and better than any rider from Sweden or Denmark could produce.

I think the whole thread can be summed up in the two words used by Exiled Cuda - 'rough diamond'. I just hope for Jason's sake and the sake of British speedway that someone can hone the talent that is clear for all to see and not to let him fall by the wayside like so many before him. I would love to see him at number 7 for Sheffield next year. I think Squall might agree?

I saw Jason Garrity ride at Sheffield earlier in the season. He wiped out a rider (Greg Blair if my memory serves me correctly) on the third bend. However, the lap before, he made the most incredible turn around bends one and two - hugging the white line after charging into the turn at a ridiculous speed and on the most narrow line. I felt sure he would go through the fence but he rode it like someone who had been riding for years. Yes, he is wild. But in these days of endless Aussies and Poles seemingly off a convyor belt, shouldn't we be celebrating the fact we have an outstanding new teenage talent who can pass riders, is fearless and a potential crowd puller? The previous posters who commented about Barry Briggs are 100% spot on. There was talk of riders wanting him banned due to his ruthless 'out of control' tactics and he went on to be one of the best riders the world has ever seen.

Just about the perfect Grand Prix for me tonight. Tomasz secures a totally well deserved and overdue World Championship and Chris Harris puts some pride into British Speedway with a breathtaking effort, alomost securing a top eight spot for next year. A fantastic night for speedway in general and British speedway as well.

Working hard on it. Not sure when it will be ready though as it's quite a big section of riders. Done a revamp on the web site though. Matt www.speedwayatoz.co.uk

A British teenager who has upped his average significantly is dropped to make way for a Dane and to accomodate two riders with a combined age of 80+. You really couldn't make it up and, if it is true, those responsible should be thoroughly ashamed.

Joe was called Joseph Patrick Abbott and was born in Burnley on April 12, 1902. He rode for Preston and Burnley before joining Belle Vue in the early 1930s and stayed with them until the war. In 1947 he made a comeback with Harringay but soon moved to Bradford where he was killed in a track crash on July 1 1950. He reached the World Final in 1947. I have seen a copy of his death record and it confirms he was 48 when he died.

did it match to your race jacket?

Olle Nygren rode at number 7 in 1965 Olle at 15 in 1966 Olle at 12 in 1967 Olle at 10 in 1968 Trevor Hedge at 9 in 1969 Ronnie Moore at 4 in 1970

Steve Davies was a Londoner who rode for Canterbury in 1972. Stephen Davies was an Australian (father of current Newport rider Alex) He rode for King's Lynn (1986-90) and Peterborough (1991-92)

Just reading some Speedway Star & News issues from 1965-66 and there was a rider competing at Adelaide called Morrie Caldwell. His nickname was 'The Saint' (reason unexplained) and he was a serving traffic policeman in South Australia.

Andy was what I would call 'a proper speedway rider'. He always gave 100% and when he was in a meeting, you knew he was there. I enjoyed watching him race and it's such a shame how things have turned out for him. Whilst I cannot condone what Andy has done, I must agree that it is a really sad story. It is typical of the big players in the drugs scene to use people who are down on their luck and a bit desperate to do the dirty work for them and it seems that Andy fell into that trap. I presume he'll only do a half of the sentence if he keeps his head down and the time he spent on remand will be knocked off as well. So, hopefully, he'll be back out in society only a little bit older but a lot wiser. No one knows the circumstances that led up to Andy taking this foolish decision so I don't think its fair to judge him ourselves, he's been punished and that should be the end of it. I hope Andy is OK and all the best to his family in this difficult time.