steve roberts

Sad news. Saw him ride at Cowley in 1973. RIP

I agree with much of what you say however you did use the term "Too much like the seventies" which was somewhat different to the gradual decline of the sport during the eighties (which is the era you cite some specific examples) which has continued to this day. During the height of the seventies the sport was in a relatively healthy state (certainly compared to today) where the national press (Mirror, People, Express) sponsored, as well as covered, not only meetings but test matches and/or tournaments and there was generally an abundance of national sponsorships which, again, backed leagues (Gulf Oil for example) specific meetings/test matches/tournaments and obviously riders. The sport was featured regularly on national/local TV (World of Sport in particular...the end of that franchise during the middle eighties certainly had an effect on the sport) and even the BBC showed highlighted meetings occasionally so the sport must have been deemed attractive and/or doing something right to warrant such coverage. Plus the fact that the national team drew plaudits and created interest which the advent of the old British League Division Two helped to fuel before an abundance of foreigners and other factors changed things in subsequent decades. Okay those who were around during the seventies saw the advent of the four valve engine and the gradual parting of the ways of the two leagues which the effects of both became apparent as the sport moved into the eighties and beyond. Yes there were issues during the seventies as there was during the sixties and fifties (when the sport was struggling towards the back end of that particular decade) but personally I feel that the seventies offered much and I'm thankful that I was able to experience both the highs and lows of that particular decade. Whether the actual quality of the racing was any better is always going to cause debate. My dad went during the late forties and early fifties and always said that the racing was better then but the subject is always subjective and often based on personal preferences and bias and fans will always cite that the racing was better during any particular period in which they attended. As regards attracting younger fans? That's the biggest challenge that faces the sport and I have no answers to that particular question although I have some rather contentious views on the subject which I'll keep to myself! As regards the sport having to "re-invent" itself is open to debate and conjecture as fundamentally it's about four riders (with slight variations on occasions) circumnavigating an oval track and how far should the sport deviate from that in an attempt to attract a new audience will always divide opinion.Tweaking rules here and there is not the answer in my view but beyond that what are the possibilities?

...did you attend speedway during the seventies?

...If I recall Alan Cowland was the one involved after an on track incident?

I have that episode on DVD...he was deemed guilty for what was in my opinion a piece of hard riding nothing more. As for Nikki Pedersen agree entirely and there were a few more from that era who wouldn't have stood any nonsense from the likes of him!

...spot on Sid! Fans were able to identify with their chosen favourites unlike today. Riders like Alan were the life blood of the sport and he remained loyal to 'The Aces' like many others towards their own teams during speedway's last golden era.

Saw Alan on a number of occasions as a rider and he was a tough old boy! A great competitor and I know respected throughout the speedway world and , i for one, will never forget his presence during the seventies...especially on the occasion he ripped out the starting tapes at Cowley in 1973 after a disagreement!

Oxford Stadium similar with the Oxford American Football team...went once. They also shared the old Oxford City ground for a while.

I have an audio tape by Wally Loak covering highlights of the 1976 season. I've a few DVDs with him commentating and I have to say his style irritates me with his constant "chase, chase, chase" references!

Sounds an interesting experience! Perhaps more of this type of thing should be considered to give an insight into the running of a speedway event.

I think it's a travesty in what's happening at both stadiums...plus Coventry of course. When I last visited Cowley about six or so years ago it was in a real state. Personally I can't see speedway returning there despite all the good intentions.

Not sure if I was still living in Oxford and a 'Cheetahs' representative team rode at Swindon that I would attend...most likely not.

...picked up my milk today. I'd be lost without my banana milkshake and strawberry jam sandwiches!

...and Oxford!

...an experience in itself! Remember when on holiday down in the west country we used to visit Exeter on the Monday, Weymouth on the Tuesday and Poole on Wednesday. If on holiday in Sussex it was Eastbourne on the Sunday followed by Poole on Wednesdays. Great days!

Them were the days!! Great Britain won the World Team Cup in 1971, 1972 & !973 and as England in 1974 & 1975 (loosing out to the Aussies in 1976), 1977 and 1980...last win during 1989. World Pairs Champs during 1972, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1980. Winners of Test Match series against the Swedes home and away in 1975, World Series Champs during 1972, 1973 (winning the Final at Wembley) and beating the only 'team' able to compete against England in 1977 that being The Rest of the Word...and nether mind the Tests won 'Down Under' during that glorious period! May have missed some success out...or got some facts wrong from the top of my head but no wonder British speedway ruled the waves during the seventies...speedway's last golden period!

...couldn't agree more. Too much waffle, over analysis, repeated action that it becomes tedious! The great Kenneth "They think it's all over..." Wolstensholme was quoted as saying same about football on TV. ...await the usual suspects!

Kevin Pope rode in second halves at Tilehurst (1973) if I remember before moving on to Swindon due to the closure of Reading in 1974.

...some names there Sid! Remember them well. Remember Kevin Pope? Paul Tapp and Kevin Hawkins regularly rode during second halves (sadly missed in my opinion) at Cowley. Recall Gary Spencer turning out at Pete Jarman's Training Schools that were held at Oxford during the winter of 75/76.

No doubt it has to be Kai. I saw his debut for White City (against Wolves) in 1976 and it became quickly obvious he was going to be a classy rider. As a 'Rebel' regular I saw him develop as a rider and continued to watch him when he joined Eastbourne after the closure of White City. Ila Teromaa was another class act (now sadly no longer with us) but his move to Cradley seemed to diminish his 'star' quality.

...Ah! The days of Test Matches between England, Denmark and the USA...even England vs. The Rest of the World! Happy days!

...or even England!

...wouldn't be without my copies! Both great reads when speedway attracted thousands rather than hundreds!

...I'd agree regarding "it isn't always about racing" as I used to enjoy having a good chat with those around me but when those people began to noticeably diminish over a period of a few years (for many reasons) the attraction began to wear a bit thin and it was left to just a few to add some bite to proceedings. In fact the racing sometimes became very much secondary on occasions!

...used to get great atmospheres when the likes of Swindon, Reading, Coventry & Cradley visited Cowley but even in my time following 'The Cheetahs' travelling support was diminishing and local derbies no longer guaranteed a good all round feel as they once did.