steve roberts

...what the same Dick Bracher who initially refused both Per Jonsson and Jimmy Nilsen racing permits until pressure was exerted in the way of a local MP amongst others? To quote Bob Radford "...his judgement on Per and Jimmy stands as testimony to his lack of knowledge and understanding of speedway racing and the riders"

...I personally felt that the middle order riders were the ones who often gave loyal service in the past and get easly passed over when talking of the 'greats'. Oxford had a great servant in Rick Timmo and riders like him were the life blood of the sport.

...plus the fact that one could associate with the riders who often rode for the same team before the points limit dictated team make-ups which was not always based upon ability but rather on a convenient workable average especially within the middle order and reserve department. The one junior per team (although admirable in conception) was a classic example. I was fortunate at Oxford and White City as I saw the development of riders thru' the old second halves and our association with sister clubs Eastbourne and Peterborough. Riders who progressed into the main body included Gordon Kennett, Malcolm Ballard (whatever happened to him?), John Davis, Richard Greer, Trevor Geer, Paul Gachet and Steve Weatherley to name a few plus many others who turned out for various other teams (Bobby McNeil and Roger Johns for example)

...another track I would have liked to have visited. Before my time unfortunately.

...same sort of thing happened during Bill Barker's reign at King's Lynn when 'apparently' the takings were stolen from his home...alegedly.

...I played darts often in a pub league (together with Aunt Sally...now there's another TV opportunity?) but would I watch a televised tournament full of drunken louts (and that's just the women) I don't think so but as I said each to their own.

...whatever turns people on. Perhaps there's hope for other pub games such as shove ha'penny or bar billiards or even dominoes? Could attract the public's imagination if marketed correctly. Let's face it if Wrestling can be branded as a sport and featured on a Sports Channel then there's an opportunity for all sorts of activities being televised in the name of sport with the right backing and/or marketing and/or incentive.

...that's, of course, if darts can be regarded as a sport?

...or anywhere come to that!

...some 8 years ago I was in correspondence with the then owners of the stadium citing my concerns that the stadium was being left to deteriorate so that it would no longer be a viable facility with a view of selling it off for re-development. She refuted that in strong terms but I have since been found correct...a disgraceful state of affairs.

It's disgraceful that the continual decline of the site continues. I called in last month and it made for depressing viewing. I wish all those involved with saving the venue good luck but as time goes on it's becoming more and more difficult.

...yes and in the sam article he goes on to say "...Then take into account just how the media brainwashes people about football. Wherever you look it is your face.The media wants football to be successful because it sells newspapers and/or Pay TV subscriptions (let alone the advertising revenue it generates), so it is in the Media's interest to constantly ram it down people's throats" He also goes on about cricket coverage (a sport he admired) but that's another story... I admired John Berry and he was a great lose to the sport in my opinion.

...I think that John Berry's article intimated that there wasn't/isn't a level playing field when it came to facilities and/or amenities and that football, in particular, gained far more favourable incentives to unable the sport to upgrade. Speedway, generally, has had to rely on self funding and initiatives in which to develop facilities without little help, financially, from governments local or national. I'm not familiar regarding the background of the new Belle Vue facility and where the finances were obtained but any information would be appreciated. I would agree wholeheartedly that speedway needs an independent body/person to run the sport...John Berry was once nominated but soon resigned when he realised that he wouldn't get the necessary support from members of the BSPA.

...just reading an article in 'Backtrack' whereby the late John Berry made a reference to this very topic and football in particular. "...consider the standard of comfort and amenity now provided since Hillsborough and other disasters. And before you start asking why speedway doesn't do the same thing, ask yourself if the various levels of government are prepared to throw the same amount of money at other professional sports as they have done to football in the form of grants, subsidies, peppercorn rents, free or subsidised crowd control and the like"

...my point wasn't so much the stadiums that used to hold speedway in the capital but the fact that speedway no longer features in London which has to be a factor in the lack of media interest in the sport (a point raised when reading articles in the 'Backtrack' magazine as to the decline of the sport). Obviously there are many problems associated with the sport and it's continual slide but would a GP held at Wembley (highly unlikely I know) help raise the profile?

...the fact that speedway no longer exists in London is a major killer blow in my opinion.

...remember reading an interview with Mitch Shirra whereby he admitted that Coventry were throwing race points so as to lower the overall team average for the following season. As journalist John Chaplin was quoted as saying in one of his books if you don't want your illusions spoilt then keep your side of the fence and don't enter the sometimes murky world of what goes on behind the scenes. I guess it's been going on since speedway first hit these shores hence why I took no notice of those daft 'Sunday People' allegations.

...after 'The Cheetahs' all conquering 1986 season they were the only team to release a star rider to the newly elected team Hackney prior to the 1987 season...and paid the price.

...Cowley Stadium is lying dormant and when it's future is eventually decided (although personally I do feel that it will be re-developed for housing) I can't envisage anyone wishing to promote speedway there with the current level of apathy towards the sport nowadays.

...or brain washed!

...you maybe right. It was so long ago now. Just remember watching Nicky Horne (?) presenting a well edited highlights programme of the previous Sunday's matches.

When Channel 4 first broadcasted (1982?) they were looking for a flagship sport to cover and hit upon the idea of American Football. I used to enjoy the highlights programme that was shown on Sunday evenings and really got into the game. I actually went to Wembley to watch the pre-season friendly but personally I found it tiresome with all the stop/starts, breaks for adverts which were being shown back in the States...the off pitch entertainment and the dreaded Mexican wave which was all the rage back then. It struck me that the game itself was very much secondary to all the razzmatazz but it left me bored with all the over-hype nonsense.

...does that suggest that ticket prices reflect whoever the opponents may be? Seems rather arbitrary to me if that's the case. Gave up on football years ago with the over inflated salaries and transfer fees but if that's one's poison who am I to argue otherwise.

Sad news indeed. Remember Kelvin first riding for Weymouth (1974) in a set of Oxford 'Rebels' team leathers. A real character on and off the track. May he RIP

...wish that I hadn't got rid of all my programmes. Constant source of reference and jogging the memory cells.