steve roberts

You know that on all the visits I made to Dudley Wood...and there were many during the rivalry that existed between Oxford and Cradley and Nielsen and Gundersen...I don't recall partaking in such a delicacy? I know thay were for sale but I guess it just past me by. I preferred the fish 'n' chips we used to buy at Shipston-on-Stour on the way back home!

Another favourite year was 1984 (yes! I'm allowed more than one!). A new era was about to commence at Cowley. The buzz of excitement and anticipation was immense. Having spent eight mostly enjoyable years in the National League Northern Sports thought it was the right thing to re-join the British League. Hackney's licence was purchased and a great looking team full of potential and experience was gathered. Hans Nielsen, Simon Wigg, Jens Rasmussen, Marvyn Cox, Melvyn Taylor with both Nigel Sparshott (some years later to be tragically kileed in a car accident) and Ian Clark were retained from the 1983 side. The team started the season like dynamite with away wins at King's Lynn, Ipswich, Wimbledon, Exeter and Reading and continued on their merry way despite Wimbledon upsetting the party at Cowley with a side inspired by one-time "Rebel" Gordon Kennett. Unfortunately injuries began to take their toll and the stuffing was knocked out of the team and the rest of season tailed off but what memories...and, of course, things got even better in 1985 and 1986! What memories!

I read recently that Alan Wilkinson wished to take him in hand having recognised his great talent but unfortunately Alan's awful crash and subsequent paralysis put paid to that. Perhaps a different Kelly may have emerged?

Absolutely. Jackie Stewart made similar comparisons in his most excellent autobiography.

...and of course there were the occasions at Wembley in 1973 when he out-gated that master from the tapes Anders Michanek one, of which, resulted in an exclusion for Michanek which was debatable in my view.

...and if the one off Final had still been in operation would Mark Loram have become World Champion in 2000? All pure conjecture, of course. and personally I always find it difficult comparing eras (whatever the sport) as the world was a different place back then with many differing criteria especailly when attempting to analyse sporting achievements and/or events and/or circumstances.

...if it had been introduced during the eighties Nielsen would have dominated the scene of which I have no doubt.

...and by that I mean during in its formative years when it was introduced to nurture and develop British talent for the upper league and internationally before it became a different animal and broke away from tradition. Peter Collins - World Champion and many other FIM medals, British Champion and BLRC Champion (when it meant something) and many domestic honours individually and team. John Louis - Bronze Medal in the Individual World Final as well as many other FIM medals, British and BLRC Champion and many domestic honours especailly when skipper of the "Witches" MIchael Lee - World Chanpion and many other FIM Medals including Longtrack Champion and British Champion. Dave Jessup - World runner-up and many othe FIM Medals and British Champion and domestic honours. Gordon Kennett - World runner - up and World Pairs Champion and domestic honours. Chris Morton - British and BLRC Champion and many FIM medals and domestic honours. John Davis - FIM Medals and domestic honours. Later came Simon Wigg (after the League had somewhat changed direction and was no longer regarded as a 'training ground' for developing British talent necessarily) - British Champion and FIM Medals plus five Longtrack wins and many domestic honours. Plus the likes of Steve Bastable and Andy Grahame who both won British Championships and domestic honours plus Les Collins (World runner - up and BLRC Champion) My order would be Collins, Louis, Lee, Jessup, Morton, Kennett and Davis ignoring the claims of others outside the remit of the old Division Two.

Getting back on topic 1977 was another memorable year for me. White City winning the Championship and so many memorable meetings/moments at Wood Lane. It was my last year at school and therefore starting work and my weekly trips to London were my highlights as well as occasional trips elsewhere around the country supporting "The Rebels". Watching Gordon Kennett develop into a top class rider was a highlight but the whole "Rebels" team were a joy to watch. Cieslak, Weatherley, Geer, Niemi, Gachet, Sampson and Dave Kennett.

Yes we at Oxford used to have some 'fun' with their fans...mostly good banter but occasionally it would get out of hand.

Just a shame that neither Oxford or Reading are involved now...cracking local derbies down the years. Now only "The Budgies" exist.

Enjoyed reading the Marek Cieslak article especially.

?

I'm guessing that both (Martin Ashby & Mike Lohmann) of these articles originally appeared in "Backtrack"?

Sadly I think that you're right.

I remember reading John Berry's comparison between Peter Collins and Chris Morton. He always thought that both could give opponents a head start at Hyde Road and overcome their lack of gating prowess but he did think that Peter could gate if he put his mind to it at tracks that were less complimentary whereas he felt Chris lacked that ability having to rely more than Peter on his ability to pass opponents. Apparently that was one reason when England boss he went with the inexperienced Kelvin Tatum rather than Chris during the World Pairs in 1985.

He also appeared a handful of times for "The Rebels" in 1975 due to our promotional tie-up (great days) and, of course, he was very involved with the construction of the White City track. He ran a training school at Cowley during the winter of 1975/76 and I recall Pip Lamb being a regular and Gary Spencer (whatever happpened to him?) Pete was also Team Manager of "The Cheetahs" in 1978...great team with the likes of George Hunter, David Shields, John Hack, Carl Askew etc.

New Zealand were originally due to meet Poland at Cowley in 1973 but the fixture was altered and they were replaced by Australia. At least that gave me the opportunity to see Jim Airey but "Rebels" skipper from the previous season Garry Middleton was programmed to ride he was conspicuous by his absence!

I have it as 9.26 factionally behind teammate Steve Bastable who was on 9.51.

...and one of my favourites, Gordon Kennett, achieved 9 plus averages for 7 seasons (1976 - 82)

Apparently! You couldn't make it up really.

'Speedy Pete' and 'Joe' Gooddy used to look out for each other when they rode for "The Cheetahs". Woe betide anyone who messed about with one because they then had the other to contend wit!

I saw Ronnie ride at Poole for Wimbledon in 1972 and he was a class above scoring, if I remember, 14 points.

...perhaps then one-time King's Lynn co-promoter Bill Barker wouldn't have been 'robbed' of the days takings some years ago when he took the money home with him and left it in his house overnight the story being told in Malcom Simmons' (co-promoter at the time) in his most excellent book?

I'm sure that Ronnie would have added at least a couple of further championship wins if he hadn't retired in 1963 Sid.