steve roberts

I went to the championship decider at Brandon between Coventy and Hull (Leicester followed on if I recall) in 1979 and the attendance at that meeting was pretty enormous I remember.

Yes crippling injuries suffered by riders down the years have always begged the question how good a particular rider could have been. Would Per Jonsson have won more titles? Would Arne Pander have been a major force if injuries hadn't held him back? are two that instantly come to mind and there are many other examples down the years.

...of which probably his best score that year was registering 13 points against Oxford which I witnessed in 1975.

I was at Norden also and he looked very ordinary that afternoon but, then again, Egon Muller made many look 'ordinary' that afternoon! Only Nielsen had the beating of him until a broken chain, if I recall, caused him to pull up otherwise he would have claimed third place (?) that afternoon in the German wilderness that was Norden.

I never saw Pander ride but I remember mum saying that he was a regular at the local Health Centre where she worked during his time at Oxford. He was very unlucky with injuries and many feel that he could have gone on to greater achievements if things had been different. I was never a fan of Pedersen...and he departed Oxford under controversial circumstances. In Ice Hockey terms he was a bit of a 'goon' in my opinion.

Difficult one...I have to base it on riders I saw riding for Oxford (British League eras) during my time following the sport. In no particular order...Nielsen, Middleton, Wigg, D.Lovaas, Kennett, Holmqvuist, Kilby. Tomorrow I'd probably come up with a different list!!

He took out a Dutch License and I remember Marvyn Cox riding under German license. I think Andy Smith had a Polish one at one time?

Ole Olsen who was manager of Denmark due to a 'confict of interests'. Erik Gundersen after he was forced to retire admitted that there were problems and it wasn't right that Olsen was Erik's personal advisor/manager and also team manager of the national side thereby causing diversions. The incident that readily comes to mind was the occasion that Hans and Erik were chosen as Pairs partners for Denmark but Olsen decread that he and Erik were in a different hotel to Hans.

Nielsen would definately have won more titles as he was the rider to beat during the middle/late eighties. A view shared by the late John Berry.

I remember that there was some contention attached to Bob's returning to Swindon. Although he was originally allocated to Exeter thru' the old 'Rider Control' measues he joined Oxford in a three way swap involving Garry Middleton (who Oxford paid a fee for) and Tony Lomas who came to Oxford as Garry's replacement but went to Exeter in exchange for Bob. Personally I felt that Oxford justifiably requested a fee but ended up with little in the way of compensation. Such was the politics in speedway with Rider Control and it's ambiguities and/or irregularities.

I was there watching Bob who, of course, was a 'Rebel' that year!

Cowley was packed to the rafters during the !973 Australia vs. Poland Daily Mirror Tourmament. It was estimated at 10,000 but I had my doubts but it was by far the biggest crowd that I had witnessed in my thirty plus years attending Oxford.

Wasn't always the case during its formative conception.

Must have been the same 'jobs worth' who once shouted at Swindon legend, Bob Kilby, that he was trespassing behind the main stand!

Yes it was on BBC's 'Sportsnight' if I remember?

The run-off between Martin Ashby and Ray Wilson for the last qualifying place for the World Final during the 1975 British Final at Coventry. Martin could have been more ruthless but being the gentleman that he was/is he raced Ray hard but fair missing out by a tyre at the chequered flag. Two great Britons during the time that England ruled the speedway world.

Yes I even recall that there was a magazine that incorporated both sports.

There was a strong connection with 'Cheetahs' fans and the Oxford City 'Stars' Ice Hockey Team back during the eighties. Many fans followed both sports and it generated enthusiasm for both sports. Speedway fans would meet at the rink during the off speedway season and chew the fat whilst enjoying the antics on the ice!

Remember him riding for 'The Cheetahs' in 1996 and he showed some promise before he was injured (I think he suffered a broken leg?) It was Paul Hurry who realised his potential during, I think, a trip to South Africa?

I remember a classic second half race featuring George Hunter and Mike Sampson at Cowley where they passed each other on numerous occasions...could have been set up but I'd like to belive that it was genuine!

Strewth! Last time I went to Blunsdon it was so very rural...didn't realise that the housing was that close!

...Recall Glucklich getting on the wrong side of Billy Sanders at Smallmead on one occasion which led to Billy administering his own form of justice after an on track altercation!

...and apparently his son used to go the speedway at Romford!

Trouble is that Clark Osborne has given fans the runaround and hasn't been totally honest as regards his intentions...we suffered with his business dealings at Cowley back in the middle seventies when Bristol Stadiums Ltd(?) owned the stadium.

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