steve roberts

Thanks for the clarification. Prior to the 2003 season I helped Colin on a couple of occasions getting the Cowley circuit ready for the new season after it was left unattended for most of the winter. The track, I remember, was in a right state with bumps all over the place and this showed in the first few meetings of the season.

I thought that Colin Meredith held a similar position some years ago or am I wrong in assuming that?

I know that there was an article in a back edition of "Backtrack" some years ago now.

I recall that "Speedie" and "Joe" Gooddy were mates whilst at Oxford and if one was 'messed around' by an opposition rider the other would sort them out.

Obviously John Boulger was happier riding in fog rather than snow! Recall the time that the whole Cradley team walked out at Cowley when the snows came...and Boulger was forever christened "Snowflake" by the Cowley faithful after that!

That big hole in the ground as the late John Berry used to refer to it as.

Super race and a credit to the lad!

I obviously never saw him ride but from what I read he was well thought of. RIP

Chris mentions the incident in his book and again in "Backtrack" in that he admitted that the only time he deliberately knocked off an opponent was an early skirmish with Birmingham's Alan Grahame - a pre-meditated act that he very much regretted and never repeated. Apparently Grahame had been particularly robust and Chris saw the "red mist."

Remember at Reading during their Tilehurst days he gatecrashed the 'Tug of War' involving riders at the end of season fun and games in 1972 or 1973.

I'm sure I've commented before but Simon Cross was often guilty of 'over riding'.

Andre Compton was always a bit of a "goon" to use an Ice Hockey term. Remember at Reading when Phil Morris was furiuos in the pits after Compton passed him in no uncertain questionable fashion on the track.

Been to both the museum and Wildlife Park...well worth a visit. My brother intends going on Sunday 23rd also.

Great article!

One of my favouries was Mike...anyone who attempted to 'run over' Ian Thomas while he stood on the centre green is okay with me!

Malcolm Ballard was another uncompromising rider...would dearly like to see an interview with him in "Backtrack" and his reasons for retiring far too early.

Remember when Garry Middleton invited him onto the centre green at Cowley so as to continue with a "discussion" that had got rather heated! Didn't he end up winning the lottery or something? Last rider I knew who vented his support was Neil Evitts (?)

I used to enjoy watching the Ice Speedway when Screensport used to cover it.

I often thought that Morten Andersen showed great promise after finishing second to Brian Andersen in the World Under - 21 Championship in 1991. Had a pretty decent year at Cowley in 1992 but was forced to move elsewhere after Oxford dropped down a league. Unfortunately injuries plagued his career after stints at both Cradley and King's Lynn and he disappeared off the radar. Shame, I thought, as he had the potential and a neat riding style.

I recall Rick Timmo giving Reg Wilson a 'thumping' on one occasion!

The old British Lions Tours of the seventies used to bring riders on...one such rider to benefit hugely was Gordon Kennett.

Anders was a constant thorn at Cowley during "The Rebels" era and was a class act. If I recall the first rider to beat him in a team event was, ironically, Dag Lovaas in 1975?

Good luck in your quest. I was at the meeting but unfortunately sold off my programmes (regrettably) when re-locating.

If I recall Tony the R/R regulation during the years under discussion (it only lasted two years?) stipulated that the rider immediately above the missing rider's average could indeed take upto two of his rides as Gordon often did during the early part of the 1977 season. However if another team member's average rose sufficiently to then become the next rider immediately above the missing rider (Marek Cieslak in this case) then the number one (Gordon Kennett) was no longer able to take any rides whilst the Green Averages dictated same...something like that. It was mightingly confusing at the time and I'm sure somebody else may be able to claify the ruling better than me! Over to Rob to investigate further perhaps?

I think that he rode for Birmingham in 1976 and Cradley, his last season, in 1977? Sure that Sid is right...he was injured hand gliding of all things! Again there was an interesting interview with him in "Backtrack" a few years back now.