Gemini

Page two of this thread is very confusing. It's a good job the youngsters don't look in here or it will confirm what they think of the 'over 40's.' So the photo I put on webshots http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2752081620047007148VBPATs is the Bluey who rode for Motherwell and later Ipswich and his real name is Eric. I think I've got it now.

So is he not Eric any more then? Yes...you've got me confused as well now.

Strewth! Is everything dead then? ..

I've got a photo of a bit of the track if that's of any interest. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1246246386047007148Hsaaum

Yuk!! I hope it tastes better than it looks.

Your best bet would be to try the Wolves forum http://wolfcry.proboards14.com/index.cgi or perhaps send Lupus a PM on here as I'm sure she would know. Also this might be better in the Speedway Discussions area because a lot of people don't bother coming in here as they think this section is for the elderly. No, on second thoughts don't bother moving it because Lupus loves it in here and will probably see this post. I'm dead!

Bless! Isn't it nice when a man takes notice of what a woman says. He's done a good clear up job on that post. Well done I like Slant. By the way I used to like Slant as well - if you are talking about Slant Payling. (I might have spelt that wrong.)

Oh dear.

So am I but it's really easy to edit a post by just clicking on the "edit" icon of your post, then you can delete the bit that shouldn't have been there and re-submit. You can even delete the whole of your next post by clicking on the "delete" icon and then no-one will know you made a mistake.

So is that The Pavillion in the photo? If so presumably it is still going strong and will probably do even better business when all the houses have been built. What exactly is a doner kebab and what does it contain? The only one I've seen is in Coronation Street. You'll have to excuse the ignorance but I'm one of those strange veggie persons so don't know.

Best fish and chips I've ever had. The shop was on the opposite side of Station Road to the stadium and was very popular with fans and riders alike.

Alf Hagon is still alive and kicking. He was mentioned in the Speedway Star a couple of weeks ago. I'll give that a miss thanks. It sounds too depressing.

Sorry Kev. I don't know, but you could perhaps try sending arnieg a P.M? He's got a Long Eaton avatar and although I think he lives in London now he may have some old programmes.

Thanks for the details. He doesn't look like an Eric to me. Glad to hear he is well, active & enjoying life. I wonder if he still has that mop of red hair?!

OY!!! I hope you haven't had a sneaky preview of some of the questions for the next quiz night Colin.

Thanks for the details. I probably watched him ride at Long Eaton then because I used to go over there as well. I've found that photo of him. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2752081620047007148VBPATs We were on holiday in Scotland in 1965 and this was taken at Cowdenbeath wherever that is! What a handsome chap! But notice the mode of transport back then when riders used to either carry the bike (just the one) on the back of their car or have a clapped out van. Not like that today. By the way what was Bluey's real name or was that it? Possibly, being as I know someone who called their child Blue.

Did Bluey ever ride for Leicester? I ask because I've got an old black/white photo of him in one of my albums (I'll have to sort it out) which I took en route somewhere so I presumed he was a Leicester rider. But perhaps not because back in my teens/early 20's I probably took a photo of anyone connected to speedway.

I think it was taken pretty recently because it shows what is left of the Long Eaton track. I don't drink but I'll treat you to some of those lovely fish and chips from the shop on Station Road. Mind you that's probably gone as well now.

So if the Pavillion was knocked down 20 years ago what is the building in the photo? It looks like a pub but I don't know what it is/was called.

I thought The Pavillion was still in use whilst Long Eaton were running, but you know what my memory is like so perhaps not. Isn't this The Pavillion? http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2796586440047007148tfOSGJ

Oh dear. It must have cost them a lot of money in the first place to try and get things going in Spain. Shame it's all come to nothing.

Good question. Wasn't it Ole who wanted to change the surface of speedway tracks completely and have them riding on tarmac or something? Perhaps this is all part of the changeover. Can't stand him personally. Sorry Ole - he's probably a nice guy but I never did like him. Perhaps something to do with the fact he rode for the Bees and used to be the main thorn in the side when riding against Leicester. But saying that I've never been very fond of Danish riders; even Brian Andersen when I transferred to supporting Coventry. Hans Nielsen, Hans Andersen, Morten Risager, Nicki Pedersen.

You don't think I go on the rides do you? I'm not that daft. Our visits to Drayton Manor and Alton Towers were just family ones with the grandchildren. I just watch. I think the last ride I ever went on was years ago and was called Squirrel Nutkins, which consisted of a car going round on rails about 12 feet off the ground. I'm scared of heights and even with my eyes shut I think I screamed all the way round; much to the embarrassment of my grand daughter.

Any idea what the price for a child is at Thorpe Park, Alton Towers or Drayton Manor? I've not been to the latter two for a few years now but I know it was quite expensive then. The comparisons may help to put things into perspective.

Well most tracks seem to have an escaped village idiot (in the nicest possible sense.) The sort of fan you hope will not come and stand next to you and there was certainly one at Long Eaton. Young chap about 19/20 who used to get very wound up. Fortunately he didn't seem to stand in one place for very long so he soon moved on somewhere else, if you did have the misfortune to have him yelling in your ears. My biggest memories of Long Eaton - perhaps it's just the bad things that stick in my mind unfortunately - was the lovely Summer evening when Ove Fundin and his wife were in attendance and the track had been over-watered so we never did see any speedway. I drove back to Leicester with the sun shining brightly & was somewhat disgruntled to say the least. Another time was the 65-0 drubbing of ....I think Middlesbrough....when they refused to ride so the Long Eaton riders just went round for 5-0's in every race. Anyone remember why Middlesbrough wouldn't ride as I forget? Of course there were numerous other very enjoyable matches with some brilliant racing. I miss my trips to Long Eaton and it's such a shame they've closed down.