steve roberts

Bobby McNeil was one rider who escaped the clutches of Oxford! He found the transiton difficult riding full-time in the British League but was developing well after his first full season. He moved to Hackney because I believe his business was being compromised by riding at a Saturday night track. Unfortunately he suffered a couple of injuries and he was badly affected by the death of Vic Harding and retired soon after.

I think that Gordon joining Swindon would have been the ideal move for him personally. It's a track he relished and I think that he would have develpoed even further at Swindon.

Absolutely agree with Dag Lovaas. A great Number One at Oxford in 1975 but sadly went wrong for him at Wood Lane. I always thought that Peter Ravn was somewhat erratic and remember an incident with Neil Evitts (another candidate?) during an important World Championship meeting.

I saw quite a bit of Ron at Arlington in 1982 and he was superb round there and made a formidable heat leader trio with Gordon Kennett and Kelly Moran.

I'd also go with Martin Ashby plus Gordon Kennett, Bob Kilby (certainly at Exeter), Trevor Hedge and Terry Betts.

I first saw Joe (or Joseph as I think he was programmed?) ride at Coventry's Golden Greats in 1988 (Can't remember who he was paired against? Paul Dugard?) and he looked impressive. Personally I felt that Martin made a mistake going back to Eastbourne (bit like Gordon Kennett in 1979)...he should have moved to a bigger track and a trip "Down Under" would have done wonders for him.

Smith and Screen were amongst that rare breed who forsook the route of competing in the lower league...Carl Stonehewer another...although the latter two did compete in the Junior league and later in their careers dropped down a league.

Boyce obviously asleep not reading how the track was riding.

That was a bit tight!

The Belle Vue/Rochdale tally is on the up! I think that it's very much between the aforementioned and Eastbourne...with Eastbourne just taking the edge.

...and a jubilee clip apparently.

I think that Tom Leadbitter was laying people out...handy with his fists apparently!

I'm not sure...was it Shorespeed Spares or some such name? Used to have a van at some southern tracks.

...and Paul Thorp and Peter Carr.

Used to happen too often to Jessup in important meetings. Malcolm Simmons once suggested that Dave used to cut corners in his machinery preparation!

Remember when he lost his temper at Cowley in 1973 and Alan Wilkinson ripped the tapes from the sockets after an exclusion when "The Rebels" sneaked a narrow win in the KOC...we got stuffed in the return leg however!

Agree entirely but I'm not sure what point John is trying to make?

Over to you Rob!

Yes it's open to interpretation and whether a rider was actually on the books of any particular track...for example was Mitch Graham competing in second halves at Rochdale before making an appearance in the team? I obviously have no idea... There's many grey areas beyond the remit of this particular thread. Paul Dugard's name was mentioned. He rode for "The Cheetahs" in 1989 but I'm guessing that he rode in Eastbourne's second halves during the back end of 1988 (?). I seem to remember that he rode for Cradley Juniors when he came of age (?). Therefore I guess he was strictly an Eastbourne product but it's very muddy and as I say beyond what I foresaw when initiating this thread. Good fun however!

If I recall Peter York picked up on that when Hans rode for Oxford also.

Yes I missed that one unfortunately.

I was present at Briggo's first bash at Coventry in 1988 and another at a later date again at Coventry but can't recall exactly when that was?

I've got that meeting on DVD...some great riders there!

I've just ordered the Oxford equivalent.

Sometimes it pays to be as explicit as possible when starting a thread as there is often some 'smart arse' out there only too willing to question what has been initiated and/or intended. Slap wrist for Tony Mac initiating a long titled thread when listing the latest editorials in "Backtrack"...not sure how he could improve upon it?