steve roberts

Thanks for the confirmation Sid regarding Rafal...I had relocated by then and ceased going to Cowley. Oxford used the R/R/R for Has during 1975...he rode in one official match against Hull plus a couple of challenge matches...one of my favourites! The Lomas/Kilby was a complexed issue. Garry Middleton no longer wanted to ride for Oxford (more's the pity in my view) and a swap was agreed with Coventry although Tony Lomas wasn't keen on a move to Cowley. When Ivan Mauger turned up at Exeter that unsettled Bob Kilby so a swap was involved between Oxford and Exeter. That wasn't the end of the affair, however, and it still gripes with me. Oxford paid a transfer fee for Middleton and when Kilby affectively replaced him he was seen as an Oxford asset but when Bob went back to Swindon in 1975 they refused to pay a fee claiming him to be one of theirs...which he technically was...but, as usual, speedway being speedway Oxford got a bum deal!

I know that Gene Woods rode for Birmingham and, I think, Wimbledon for a short while. Sid just beat me to it as I was typing this! Oxford tried to tempt Jeff Sexton to ride (whether it was just talk of not) during 1974 (?) but nothing came of it. Did he not ride for Oxford or am I thinking of someone else? I seem to recall that Wimbledon were discussing the possibility of Mike Bast riding for them in 1975 but, again, nothing came of it.

I think that Arena Essex (as they were then known) tried this on one occasion whereby admission was free for the one meeting. Apparently at the next meeting the attendance was back to it's usual level...which I guess suggests that potential punters didn't see the appeal in returning when it meant paying for the privilege.

Jerzy Sczakiel

Disliked those race card thingies...I think that Swindon ran with one one season?

I used to collect programmes from all over the UK and abroad and had quite an impressive selection...and than I sold them when I re-located and have regretted it ever since! I have a very small selection now that I have purchased either thru' ebay or visiting antique centres of all places! Haven't a clue what today's programmes offer in the way of content and/or quality. During my years following the sport they varied considerably and no doubt many wouldn't be acceptable today due to poor paper/editorial/content quality. However some my favourites (from memory!) would have included the following (seventies and eighties) 1. Ipswich...if only for John Berry's column which was often near the knuckle. 2. Birmingham...was a quality production during the middle seventies. 3. Eastbourne...Dave Lanning's editorial. 4. Wimbledon...quality paper. 5. King's Lynn. Plus many others if I really put my mind to it.

There was a Rod Fox (Oxford) who would write in the Oxford Programme...never found out who he really was?

...Johnson.

Brilliant post! However can't agree with Reg Trott...as an ex-rider he was totally off the ball in my view. I seem to recall he was barred at Eastbourne (despite being an ex-rider there) by Bob Dugard! Arthur Humphrey was of the old school but other than that, and without really giving the old brain cells a scratch, I'm struggling to come up with a name that I would put head of the list. Frank Ebdon an interesting choice...although I think that Hans would disagree with!

I missed the 1978 World Final at Wembley (I was in Jersey) but Ila beat one of my favourites Gordon Kennett when they met during the meeting and that point dropped by Gordon denied him the chance of a run-off for the title!

Forgotten about him...didn't he die in mysterious circumstances?

Remember Ila's younger brother, Pepe, if I recall gave up following a career in speedway after an injury (broken leg?) and went back to studying.

Eric Linden & John Chaplin.

Remember Walter when he rode for Exeter in one of their many national declared line-ups...of which there were a few!

Adi Funk who rode for King's Lynn and Leicester...and although a multiple (?) National Champion failed at both teams and I, personally, was surprised at his lack of expertise negotiating Wood Lane on a number of visits.

Sandor Levai. A great character!

I would base my assessment on those who competed within the BL with some success and Henny would come out top easily. First rider to register a 21 point maximum in the British League. Saw him ride during the 1987 World Final (Amsterdam) but was well past his best by then and was well out of place with his foot forward style. Ruddy showed promise at Wimbledon before, I believe, an injury curtailed his career. Theo rode a number of years at Edinburgh (?) but I never saw him (I think). Was aware of Henk Steman Jnr who rode for Oxford (my team) and later Bristol but was generally disappointing.

Great post! Thankfully I saw Ronnie in his last full year (1972) and even then could see the talent that was Ronnie. Great rider!

That is very sad news. Remember first watching him at Cowley when Leicester visited. RIP

I couldn't even begin to come up with a top ever five...the sport has changed dramatically since it's inception and nigh difficult to compare different eras. If based opon World Championship wins...not the best basis in my view...I suppose it has to be... 1. Ivan Mauger 2. Tony Rickardsson 3. Ove Fundin 4. Barru Briggs 5. Hans Nielsen but then again...

Blimey forgotten Howard Cole!

Yes Ulf rode for Cradley and Oxford...could have achieved more in Britain but army/family commitments dictated otherwise.

...married a friend of my mum's!

I'm guessing that Dai Evans (One time Crewe skipper) was Welsh?

1. Freddie Williams 2. Eric Williams 3. Ian Willimas 4. Owen Owen aka 'Taffy' 5. Bryan Woodward