steve roberts

Dag and Ulf Lovaas at Oxford were two favourites of mine. Dag got his wish and eventually moved to Cowley in a complicated move which saw John Davis go to Reading after the 'allocated' Ole Olsen refused a move to Oxford in 1975. His outside sweeps riding the adverse camber on the pits bend were a joy to watch. Shame that he only spent the one year at Cowley and moved to White City with the rest of the team in 1976 and his career took a massive back step due to various circumstances. Ulf took a while to settle at Cowley (1974) after seeing out the end of the previous year at Cradley. I'm sure he would have built upon his success if he had returned the following year but family commitments kept him at home and he never appeared in Britain again. Saw briefly the tragic Svein Kaasa before being replaced by the Dane Preben Rosenkilde at Oxford and during my first season (1972) admired Oyvind S Berg who gave many solid performances supporting Garry Middleton during the first year of 'The Rebels'.

Easy one...Armando Castagna. Enjoyed watching him during his one season at Cowley (1995)

...although he failed to qualify from White City in 1977!

I'm intrigued...how come Horspath? Anything to do with the Horspath 'Hammers'?

Very sad news. Remember Cliff as a second halfer at Cowley before moving on to Milton Keynes and Swindon. He was once Ole Olsen's mechanic I recall. RIP

...I know that John Berry has been quoted as saying that British fans often never saw the best of Kai in that his exploits on the continent often excelled. I did raise this issue with John many years ago having not totally agreed with his assessment which I thought a tad unfair but in hindsight I now know where John was coming from.

Very apt!

...there was always one living in Sandy Lane who was always very anti despite moving there knowing that the stadium was there!

A rider with a great style was Einar Kyllingstad. Never really excelled in Britain but I was at Swindon the afternoon he rode to an immaculate 15 point maximum!

Yes they were both awesome that day. Personally I feel Gordon should have moved to Swindon when White City closed rather than returning to Eastbourne. Ari Kopenen (Kai's bother-in-law) was an enigma throughout his career. Recall him starting at Birmingham and finishing at Swindon if I remember. Could beat the best on his day but could be inconsistent. Veijo Touriniemi was simply awful when he signed for 'The Budgies' but he showed tremendous promise down at Eastbourne.

Good news as it's a travesty the way Cowley Stadium has been allowed to fall into disrepair.

...remember that being played at both Oxford and Cradley when Laurence Rogers was the announcer...got on my nerves too! Recall with fondness when the riders approached the tapes at White City and Ipswich 'William Tell' being played when John Earrey was the presenter at both.

Remember Kai Niemi scoring 19 points at the Abbey whilst riding for Eastbourne. Gordon Kennett scored 21 but Eastbourne still lost!

There was talk that he considered joining 'The Rebels' in 1972 but personally I felt it was a Dave Lanning inspired story!

Remember Matti Olin who rode for 'The Bees' in 1974 and Veijo Touriniemi who appeared to have something when he turned out for 'The Eagles' but lost his way eventually.

Has to be Kai Niemi. Saw his debut meeting at White City (1976) against Wolves and instantly thought he was going to make it. Ila Teromaa must also be considered...first Finn to make a World Final (1978) when despite putting in an average performance he did spoil Gordon Kennett's chance of possibly becoming World Champion by beating him when they met.

...remember it being played at Cowley during the Wagstaff years.

...Kai Niemi.

Ivan Mauger was quoted as saying that any one of the Poles could have won the 1970 World Final in which he claimed his triple crown. They were certainly a different proposition on the East European circuits...often regarded a grave yard for the Brits back then.

The British Final was always a difficult stepping stone back then...especially when the Anzacs took part. Terry Betts was another who only made the one appearance.

...he was one rider I never saw ride.

I remember during Nigel Wagstaff's tenure at Cowley each rider had a tune/song allocated to them and was played prior to the meeting...never really caught on.

...I was fortunate and saw the likes of Reidar Eide, Dag & Ulf Lovass. the late Svein Kaasa, Edgar Stangeland etc etc. ...I guess it's the way public forums develop and conversations drift along. You only need to view some of the EU and/or political stuff to see how the discussion takes some very strange twists!

My thread my rules!

...remember Gary Glitter's 'Rock 'n' Roll' was often played during American Football matches...one team in particular (can't remember who) but was dropped after allegations were made against him.