steve roberts

Fabulous article in the latest 'Backtrack' magazine regarding the 40th Anniversary of 'The Rebels' British League win in 1977. Puts into perspective the background as to why the 'The Rebels' were granted the R/R facility for the season...and not the only team which is often overlooked! The title was achieved because 'The Rebels' had the resources and the riders to do the job expected. Nice to see Mike Sampson (how about an interview with Mike?) on the front cover who was often a match winner and the win at Hull (of which he was very instrumental) must have got right up the nose of Ian Thomas! Great memories from a great team!

That's the one! Signed up Tony Rickardsson who left after only a few meetings...think that it was the year he retired? Todd Wiltshire was signed as his replacement and things became bitter the following season between Todd, Lanney and Horton...something over bikes I recall.

...thankfully I'd left by then. The demise of a once great and proud club.

Memory plays tricks but I think (?) Gordon passed Tommy to win both heat 13 and the final...but I may be wrong! Great memories of Wood Lane! PS I regret getting rid of all my programmes!!!

...always his achilles heel! Happened again during the 1981 World Final. Simmo has been quoted as saying that Jessup cut corners on his bike preparation and paid the cost.

It was the other way round. Steve and Vanessa sold the promoting rights to Waggy however I'm not sure if anybody went under although I may be wrong. All I known is that Steve became very disillusioned with the sport and Vanessa more or less took over the day to day running of the club. After Waggy came that Poole supporter whose name totally escapes me!

I'm sure that he still gets a Christmas card from Hans!

Yes I recall now when Oxford re-joined the upper league it operated with six rider teams. Another example of speedway adopting different rules within the different leagues. If I remember the National League had a different race formula to the British League during the early eighties.

...thereby lies the dilemma.

Wasn't 1997 the year that the away team adopted the numbers 7 - 12?

...as long as the rules remain constant and not tinkered with as has often been the case in the past. Recall John Louis commenting in an interview when Promoter/Team Manager on speedway's ever-changing rulebook.

I'm guessing that it was introduced to save costs but only lasted the one (?) season if I recall.

...that's one I never get right! Like chose and choose.

Who knows...left school at seventeen and straight into work and I am more than happy with what I have achieved during my working life and a variety of interesting jobs and meeting many interesting people. The thought of going to University never crossed my mind.

...I'm in my fifties and don't regret for one minute not going to University. Having worked in a University Department for 17 years I saw the process first hand.

Just read a recent poll taken (2,000 students) that apparently one in four people regret having gone to University landing them with huge debts. Others said that University was a waste of time and had wished that they had chosen their degree more carefully. Two-thirds said their degrees were pointless and had not helped them land a job after graduating. One in three said prospective employers did not even ask about their degree in interviews. Fashion, drama and media studies were voted most pointless degrees. Just under 50 per cent of those who were working said they could have got the job without a university education by starting as a trainee or apprentice.

...I think that Simon Cross's sister took part in one of the Telford Meetings?

Remember the American Team declaring a rider's mechanic in their starting line up once...can't recall whether he was called to race or what his known ability was on a speedway bike.

...far better learning a trade than going to University picking up a degree on the bleeding obvious...or the dreaded media studies. I work with many who have degrees but barely earning more than the minimum wage...never mind living wage but as Steve Shovlar states on another thread they could always clean toilets (something I've done incidentally) as apparently there are plenty of those jobs available!

...yes but I get great satisfaction in talking, discussing, debating the sport with people and will meet up again with my uncle (who was track photographer at Cowley for a while) when he visits next week for a holiday.

..the dreaded average again!

Saint and Greavsie...thems were the days!

John Louis was a master of slowing down races and making room for his partner and he wasn't my favourite Brit at the time personally but you can't deny his team ethic.

Yes I saw Tommy ride at White City's opening meeting and he was involved in two classic races with Gordon Kennett.

I was also at that meeting and remember the Golden Helmet match race...may have been the last time I saw Tommy race?