Gemini

Was he the one who was dead droll and used to also make comments about people in the crowd? I think this would be about the time we used to drag the children round different speedway tracks when they were too young to protest. If so - yes - I thought he was very good as I have always remembered him, but wasn't sure of his name. David Hammond never seems to get a mention when there are topics about announcers, but I reckon he is pretty good at Coventry and Oxford.

Does that mean you have changed your mind now Shazzy and will be going to Cardiff not Sittingbourne? You know it makes sense.

Welcome to the forum Lionheart, particularly as I might just have lost the title of being the oldest person on here. I started going to Blackbird Road in 1949, but I can't remember seeing Phil Bishop ride. We're not talking pre-war are we at the Leicester Super? Even I don't go back that far.

Keep fishing Steve. No one has contradicted you yet.

Do you mean to say you aren't going upstairs yet and standing there wondering what you went up for? Don't worry it will come. It's all downhill from 50. To keep on topic I can't wait for Alan Jones new book to come out in June, covering Leicester Speedway - The Lions era. It will be interesting to see just how many of the matches against Coventry that Leicester won.

In my case I don't need years. Just a matter of days is enough to cloud my mind.

Thanks. I will do that. The email address was the one given in your profile on the Ipswich forum - pete_mumford77@btopenworld.com

Many thanks for that Pete. Have downloaded and printed tonight's programme off and it is so much better than trying to mark the one in the Speedway Star. Great stuff! Thanks. Edit.....I sent you an email via the Ipswich forum but it has bounced back. Could you let me have your current address please as I would like a spreadsheet if possible please?

Might not please some people but I like it. There is another ABBA tribute band called Smackee who we go to see in Leicester every year. http://www.smackee.com/ They also do a show featuring songs from musicals but both of their shows are brilliant. Must admit I've never seen Bjorn Again so I'm looking forward to it. Everyone likes ABBA don't they?

No chance of me ever battling through the traffic on the M6 every week. I don't like going to Monmore at the best of times. I can't take the dog with me and everyone is squashed in on the home straight. Not my favourite place unfortunately.

Now you know why a lot of ex-Leicester fans wouldn't ever go to Brandon. It wasn't so much the closure of the track but the manner in which it was done, as Martin has said in his book and which he repeated at the recent Leicester reunion. It's no good being bitter though, if you love Speedway you transfer to the nearest track, which in my case was Coventry. Don't think we will ever get to know that now Mr O. isn't around any more. I reckon it was because Leicester used to beat Coventry so many times he was getting rid of a rival track.

I take it you are of a certain age then.

Tony McDonald, editor of The Backtrack magazine. 45? Gosh that's a mere youngster. Happy Birthday Tony.

Does the Midland Riders Championship count?

Coming out in June. Speedway in Leicester - The Lions Era by Alan Jones. I can't wait as there must surely be some honours listed in this one.

Damn you! I have just scoured through the two Leicester Speedway books I have and can't find any honours. Perhaps when the next one comes out in June.......

My son had a ride out to Donnington Park yesterday and he reckons there is a speedway bike on show there in the bar area. Anyone know anything about this? It certainly doesn't sound like Ivan Mauger's gold plated one as he said it was a bit scruffy to say the least.

We had the first - and I think the only - rider to shove the referee in the bath. I bet there are a few riders who would love to do that, but nowadays I suppose they would end up in court.

You should be able to buy it at Brandon on Friday.

Nothing is at Coventry any more.

I don't know if you would be interested in looking at my photos of Leicester? http://community.webshots.com/album/243463008ubFuHQ As you will see houses were built on the site about five years after closure. There are also a couple from Birmingham Wheels Project, Bordesley Green and others from Perry Barr....here..... http://community.webshots.com/album/246145659btqrKB

Thanks Grassergirl. I thought it was near the park (Sophia Gardens) but it's strange it isn't in the camp-site book or on the internet.

Just make sure you buy the next issue of the Backtrack magazine and you'll be able to read everything you need to know about Rick. And I'm not on commission.

I suppose Charles Ochiltree should be classed as one of the sports greatest promoters, but I find it very hard to be so charitable in view of the fact he shut Leicester down and sold the land for housing.

Ross...You are beginning to sound like a stalker. Leave him alone.