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tigerowl

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Everything posted by tigerowl

  1. DUNTON, Denis Clifford (Danny) Born: May 13, 1924, Cholesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. Danny burst onto the speedway scene in 1949, showing astounding early potential despite being plunged straight into Division One speedway with the Harringay ‘Racers’. He had originally been earmarked to join Third Division new boys Oxford but, taking advice from such stars as Vic Duggan, Geoff Pymar and Lloyd Goffe, Danny scored in each of Harringay’s 44 official fixtures that season and was talked about as being one of the brightest prospects in Britain for years. He did not disappoint in 1950, scoring his first maximum before the end of May, claiming the third heat leader spot at the Green Lanes track behind Vic Duggan and Split Waterman and reaching the World Final at Wembley in only his second full season in the sport – an astonishing achievement for a rider of so little experience. After scoring a respectable five points at the Empire Stadium in front of 93,000 fans, the stage was set for Danny to become one of the world’s leading riders but he was never to reach the same heights again and his scoring tailed off dramatically, particularly after leaving Harringay. He was to become something of a journeyman rider, representing many different clubs over the next decade and having his most successful spells with Ipswich in the mid 1950s and at Long Eaton in 1963. After the end of his racing days, Danny became one of the sport’s most well known promoters, notably with Oxford and Peterborough Career Record: Harringay 1949-52, 1953 Birmingham, 1953 Yarmouth, 1954 Harringay, 1955 Weymouth, 1955 Bristol, 1955 Birmingham, 1955-58 Ipswich, 1959 Belle Vue, 1960-61, 1963 Oxford, 1963 Long Eaton, 1964 Swindon, 1964 Belle Vue, 1964-65 Oxford, Individual Honours: World finalist 1950 (13th). Team Honours: National Trophy winner 1952. RIP Danny
  2. If anyone is thinking twice about going to the meeting, then watching this video should make your mind up how important it is to do so. Ricky was a true 100% speedway rider and was an absolute pleasure to watch in action. Although the video is heartbreaking, it is great to see him still with us and making progress, however slow. Let's give Ricky and his fantastic family the support he deserves.
  3. I'm really looking forward to seeing Arthur ride for us and it's a congratulations to the promotion for putting together what looks like a good, exciting side. The key for me is that Steady and Ash are Sheffield lads, Josh is from Barnsley, Arthur is going to be based in Barnsley and if Proctor signs as well, that will be five South Yorkshire based riders. Hopefully good for team spirit.
  4. Phew, Wells to Workington. Thank the lord for that.
  5. I like the yellow and black helmet colour and I am buying a season ticket on the strength of that news.
  6. Has it been confirmed that Devon are not competing next season?
  7. As well as home wins, fans want to feel that they belong to something and the riders play a big part in this. I have just posted on another thread the team line ups for the PL in 1999 and I was struck by how many riders were British and local to their tracks. Sheffield won the league that year with a team which consisted of all English riders with Simon Stead, Scott Smith, and James Birkinshaw being from the city, Sean Wilson, Andre Compton and Simon Cartwright from Yorkshire and Paul Lee, Adam Allott, Andrew Moore and Peter Boast all from the north of England. There was no doubling up and it felt like the riders were Sheffield riders and wanted to be so. In the last few years we have had less local lads, and some of the doubling up riders clearly did not want to be there. The crowds have dropped accordingly.
  8. Thanks for the kind comments about the site on behalf of all the contributors. There are some brilliant files submitted and I have the easy job of putting it all together. Would love to hear why you love it and hate it SCB!! Matt 1999 riders league and cup matches only: Arena-Essex: Leigh Lanham, Troy Pratt, Colin White, John Wainwright, Roger Lobb, Gary Corbett, Matt Read Berwick: Alan Mogridge, Scott Lamb, Mick Powell, Jan Pedersen, Dean Felton, David Meldrum, Gary Phelps, Phil Pickering, Freddie Stephenson, Jittendra Duffil, Wesley Waite, Gary Flint, Darren Groves, Claus Kristensen, Tom P. Madsen Edinburgh: Peter Carr, Kevin Little, Justin Elkins, Stuart Coleman, James Grieves, Jonathan Swales, Stewart McDonald, Brian Turner, David McAllan, Gary Phelps, Blair Scott, Ross Brady Exeter: Michael Coles, Wayne Barrett, Peter Jefferey, Mark Simmonds, Graeme Gordon, Lee Dicken, Kevin Phillips, Gary Lobb, Chris Courage, Chris Harris Glasgow: Les Collins, Sean Courtney, Paul Bentley, Mick Powell, Stuart Coleman, Will Beveridge, Dean Felton, Brian Turner, Darren Smith, Jittendra Duffil, Janie Smith, Scott Courtney, Emilliano Sanchez Isle of Wight: Neville Tatum, Wayne Carter, Scott Swain, Tommy Palmer, Phillippe Berge, Gary Phelps, Chris Courage, Nick Simmons, Danny Bird, Jeremy Barraud, Glen Phillips Newcastle: David Walsh, Derrol Keats, Jesper Olsen, Jonathan Swales, Stuart Swales, Anthony Barlow, Paul Gould, Peter Johnson, Robert Eriksson, Mark Blackwell, Neil Painter, Gary Phelps, Darren Smith, Jittendra Duffil, Danny Fairburn, Steve Jones, Lee Smethills Newport: Scott Pegler, Frank Smart, Bobby Eldridge, Andrew Appleton, Anders Henriksson, Craig Watson, Graig Gough, Chris Neath, Bjorn Gustafsson, Emil Lindqvist Reading: Dave Mullett, Justin Elkins, Phil Morris, Petri Kokko, Paul Clews, Jarno Kosonen, Shane Colvin, Peter Collyer, Marc Norris, Per Wester Sheffield: Adam Allott, Sean Wilson, Scott Smith, Andre Compton, Peter Boast, James Birkinshaw, Simon Cartwright, Paul Lee, Simon Stead, Andrew Moore Stoke: Rene Aas, Paul Thorp, Mark Burrows, Paul Fry, Tony Atkin, Wayne Broadhurst, Jon Armstrong, Paul Pickering, James Birkinshaw, Richard Moss, Rob Clarence, Nick Simmons, Joachim Kugellmann Swindon: Oliver Allen, Neil Collins, Steve Bishop, Steve Masters, Glenn Cunningham, David Mason, Krister Marsh, Seemond Stephens Workington: Carl Stonehewer, Geoff Powell, Wayne Broadhurst, Peter Scully, Barry Campbell, Brent Werner, James Birkinshaw, Mark Blackwell, Grant MacDonald, Gary Phelps, Darren Groves, Danny Hughes, Peter I. Karlsson, Lee Smethills.
  9. Good signing. Should prove a solid middle order scorer next season. Welcome home Ash.
  10. I suppose it's all about what you want from the sport. If you are happy checking the results on the speedway updates pages, looking at various forums for gossip which often turns out to be inaccurate and listening to people with some odd views, then the Star is probably not for you. If you want a magazine that you can read, save and look back on in years to come as a pretty comprehensive record of the sport then it is the best money you will spend all week. I have every Star since its inception and many other magazines dating back to 1928 and it is better that it has ever been. People are too concerned with living in the Twitter era where they want instant news at the expense of accuracy, rather than considered reporting in print form. Call me old fashioned, but if the day came when the Star closed, then there would be many people around the world who would miss it.
  11. Paid my first visit to Buxton for quite a while today. It was a cracking meeting and just what National League racing should be about. Two teams largely made up of young riders, 100% commitment, some cracking racing and a pleasure to watch. Really impressed with Ellis Perks today and the young lads must have learnt a lot riding against Tony Atkin who was superb.
  12. If you want speedway to continue and hopefully see better times, then yes, turn up on a Thursday and pay your £15. If you're not bothered and others aren't bothered it will probably go to the wall and then you'll be moaning.
  13. Some excellent stuff tonight. All the Rockets impressed at some point and made it a good meeting. Kennett was always in the mix and I was shocked he only got 5 Bowen - one very impressive outing Treasrrieu - very impressed with him - would love to see him as a Tiger at some point Garrity - nice and solid, rode pretty well Boxall - a bit like Bowen - one good outing but not so good for the rest Bunyan - a sensational blast to beat Steady but cocked up his tactical ride Nielsen - unlucky not to score, big crash when second to Josh Bates Thanks for a good meeting (and the points!!)
  14. Your reply is also reasoned. My point is not that Matej or the Bandits are doing anything wrong by any means and if he is not fit, then so be it. I agree that he would be a threat at reserve as well. The point I was trying to make is that while ever these rules are in place, people get sick and tired of the sport and vote with their feet. I can't think of any other team sport that benefits from team members being ill or injured and it is stuff likes this that means the tracks are struggling to pull in the crowds.
  15. This is not a pop at Berwick by any means as all teams seem to be at it, pushing the rules to the limit to gain an advantage. If Matej Kus was fit enough to ride in Czecho last night (and I haven't had confirmation that he did) then Berwick should not be allowed a guest facility. Many track are complaining about the numbers on the terraces going down and down, but is it any wonder when the sport treats itself as a circus with some riders riding for three different teams in the UK every week before stuff like this happens. Jorgensen for Kus makes the outcome of the aggregate score pretty much a formality if Jorgensen rides like he did a couple of weeks ago. I am sure some people will think its not worth bothering attending and once again another nail is hammered into the coffin of British speedway by the person croaking for life inside the box.
  16. I think that has got to be the end of the road at Sheffield for Leigh. I had high hopes of a seven to eight point average for him, but he'll be lucky to average five at this rate.
  17. Lanham has been awful. Poole looks promising in patches but his bikes seem too unreliable and its frustrating to see Josh top scoring for Leicester and picking up only the odd point for us. As for Proctor, a total disaster so far but I think he'll come good.
  18. He was a non-riding reserve I believe, so haven't included him in the list.
  19. I've just seen what looks like a comprehensive review of Henry Long's career on a South African speedway website and it gives Henry's date of birth as July 1927. Taking that to be correct, I think the current list looks like this: 1. Cyril Roger - 92 - born 27.12.1921 2. Split Waterman - 90 (27.7.1923) 3. Danny Dunton - 90 (13.5.1924) 4. Arthur Payne - 89 (30.8.1924) 5. Dick Bradley - 89 (28.11.1924) 6. Fred Brand - 89 (3.2.1925) 7. Chum Taylor - 87 (4.4.1927) 8. Eric Boothroyd - 87 (26.4.1927) 9. Derick Close - 87 - (13.5.1927) 10. Henry Long - 86 (?.7.27) 11. Geoff Mardon - 86 (24.11.1927) 12. Billy Bales - 85 (6.6.1929) 13. Olle Nygren - 84 (11.11.1929) 14. Rune Sormander - 84 (29.11.1929) 15. Jack Geran - 84 (10.12.1929) 16. Bryan Elliott - 84 (12.4.1930) 17. Ron Johnston - 83 (31.12.1930) 18. George White - 83 (24.5.1931) 19. Ian Williams - 82 (4..8.1931)
  20. I was debating whether or not to go tonight - six home matches and the third visit of Scunthorpe. I did go in the end, but came out after heat 13. There was nothing wrong with the racing and no complaints about the result but, yet again, on a perfect night with only one fall which didn't delay the racing, it was 9:35 p.m. as I got back into the car. 110 minutes after the meeting began I has seen 13 minutes or so of racing and had therefore spent 97 minutes watching the tractor going round, watching the riders gardening at the start line and watching some woman trying to open a box with a key that didn't fit and watching nothing much in particular. When I was a kid and there were 13 heats, my mum and dad wouldn't let me stay for the second half on a school night and, living 12 miles from the track, I was generally in bed for half past nine. Now, if I stay for the 15 heats, living three miles from the track, I am rarely in before 10:15. Looking around the crowd tonight there was hardly any kids there. I wouldn't take kids on a school night with the presentation as it is. Looking round the stadiums and seeing the ever dwindling crowds is it any wonder that people aren't coming. The presentation is awful and its too expensive to be on every week. Please, just get on with it and let us get home at a reasonable hour. It's boring.
  21. It was a decent meeting to be honest. Not a classic but some decent racing and it was just nice to see speedway again. Simon Stead was superb and the rest of the side were solid rather than spectacular. Josh Bates was probably the pick of the rest and Taylor Poole was unlucky with his engine failure and a tapes exclusion. Glasgow fought back well but had 11 last places which killed them a bit. Three of the four last places Sheffield had were when Taylor had engine failure when second, Josh pulled out at the first bend with his back injury and Ty was off 15 metres and couldn't make up the ground. Kevin Wolbert was great value - one astonishing first lap when I thought he was in the fence but kept it on and blasted around everyone. Christian Henry started off poorly but came good Anders Thomsen I was very impressed with - looked fast and smooth with a lovely style Rusty Harrison was disappointing - kept missing the gate and when it looked like he might win heat 14 he was passed by Andre around the boards Theo Pijper was OK - rode better then his score suggests Kasper Lykke wasn't as good as I expected but looked quicker as the meeting went on Rafal Konopka did OK and had an engine failure when third in one heat
  22. Are we going to ride again this season? It doesn't feel like it with all this bloody rain. Looks like four home rain offs out of five if the forecast is right.
  23. I've got really mixed feelings about this. I think the team is stronger with Ty Proctor in the side but Adam didn't deserve to be dropped at this stage of the season. The other thing is that Adam was riding for Sheffield and was committed to that but Ty is riding for Wolves as well and, as happened with another Wolves loanee last season and the season before, there seemed to be a drop in commitment when riding in the Premier League. I'll still be there on Thursday though and wish Adam all the best.
  24. He does still do the track. I saw his face last night so many times I think he turned up in my dreams somewhere, spinning round and round like something off the Exorcist.
  25. Full credit to Scunthorpe, they wanted it more than Sheffield and fully deserved their win. Ryan Douglas was fantastic to watch and Josh Auty was superb. Tigers were a shambles and the presentation was awful. Blading the track after a week of just about perfect weather after just two heats was awful. Two hours to run 15 heats of racing equals over 100 minutes of standing about doing nothing and it's is not good enough. It was the same last week, messing about with the air fence. The crowd was much better but people aren't going to put up with it week after week. I was sick of seeing the tractor going round and round and am sick of the riders gardening at the start, walking to the tapes and digging the track up like its a bloody Grand Prix final. GET ON WITH IT!!!!
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