steve roberts

As I said get your facts right before quoting misinformation. I developed a rapport with Gresham as he instigated threads on cycle speedway, model riders etc etc which were well within my personal remit and brought in other contributions from other posters. Regards placing people on ignore doesn't that tell you something about yourself and how tiresome you sometimes become with your constant scrutinising? If other people are happy to banter with you...fine. That's their prerogative. ...and before you find me guilty of stalking did you honestly check thru' 134 pages on this thread to see if I had posted anything? You need to check out your own motives before condemning others! As you say, however, continue the thread for those that are interested.

What tommy rot! I haven't passed comment on Robert72 because frankly the thread doesn't particularly interest me. As usual, however, threads do tend to wander from the main theme. Gresham made comments about race jackets (amongst many other things) which I recall but don't remember actually commenting one way or another personally. I developed a good rapport with Gresham over many articles as did many others on this forum. Posting a 'like' doesn't automatically require substantiating with a post. As regards stalking? Give me some credit...as you may or may not recall I actually placed you on my ignore list some time ago because of your attitude to some contributors but foolishly allowed you back in. As regards posting nonsense? That's your view and not necessarily the view of others. Keep to the facts which you always highlight when posting on this particular forum. I am not the only one on this forum who find some of your posts antagonistic and designed to create animosity. You need to lighten up and go with the flow sometimes.

Which was?

...as is my prerogative whatever you mean by your patronising remark... and, no, I'm not interested in you scrutinising, analysing, deconstructing and reconstructing yet another post which you appear to take great delight in doing and so creating yet another long winded thread that just goes on and on and on.

...the emphasis being on the phrase thinks!

Does anyone care anymore?

Yes he was a bit of a head case on track. Remember the occasion when he flew out of the pits at Smallmead and hit the white line and flew up into the air...bike and all!

Interesting having just read a back edition of 'Backtrack' I came across an interview with one-time Ipswich and Reading rider Tim Hunt. 'Although regarded as a handful on track, Tim Hunt has always avoided bad language and commented on John Berry's outburst when he left Ipswich. Memorably in a televised Poole v Reading match at Wimborne Road Tim was excluded by the referee...' To quote Tim "They broadcast all of my discussion with the referee and I didn't swear once - I see no need for it. The rudest I got was to politely tell him that he needed new glasses - or a new pair!"

Just ignore him...I do!

Strewth! Surely this 'debate' has exhausted itself?

Unfortunately, to quote from Nick Robinson's (Political Commentator) most excellent book " comments made on public forums are often opinions and not necessarily factual in content".

Apparently they are painted to order. My Hans Nielsen model is styled on his 1983 image with a 'Brummies' race jacket. Other riders featured are Mauger, Olsen, Collins, Castagna, Muller etc. I managed to locate them by googling model speedway riders. Can't remember the exact details but they are based in Italy.

Know it's not quite answering your query but there is a small company in Italy (Paolo?) who produce very finely detailed already painted riders. I have one of Hans Nielsen...quite superb!

A true promoting icon. Remember him well during his tenure at Hackney and Rye House. He even spent one season as Oxford Team Manager in 1984 when Oxford bought out Hackney's licence. Okay he pulled the occasional fast one but a promoter and character in the true sense.

One of the best posts that I have read on this forum. As Nick Robinson (Political Commentator) in his most excellent book says "public forums are often about people registering opinions and not necessarily facts". I guess that we are all guilty to an extent but a bit of humility wouldn't go amiss occasionally. A lesson for us all.

I haven't been to a speedway for twelve years now due to re-location. I wouldn't consider getting into my car to travel a distance to watch a meeting that didn'tt have at least twenty heats of action. Anything less is not value for money in my opinion. I was spoilt supporting Oxford and White City watching the Eastbourne and Peterborough kids in the second half plying their trade against the team members...or watching an emerging Michael Lee as a fifteen year old competing in demonstration races with Colin Richardson at Cowley...or the local Grass Trackers (including Julian Wigg) taking part in second half races...or the emergence of riders like Kevin Smart who started his career as a junior competing in second halves at Swindon before developing into a useful member of the Oxford team until injuries ultimately took its toll. I could go on! For those who say that many people didn't stay on to watch the second half that's fair enough. That was their prerogative. However some supporters preferred to get their 'fix' and indulge in a more relaxed atmosphere talking to their mates whilst watching the second half.

Agree! Marvyn Cox acknowledges how riding in second halves helped develop him as a rider.

Never looked in on this thread before and judging by the comments won't be bothering again!

Locally based riders who fans were able to identify with.

Johnnie Hoskins.

Obviously missed something there!

Who?

Ah! Wally Loak. I have some of his videos. He always used to use the phrase "Chase, Chase, Chase" Ted Sear was clear and to the point. Have some with our friend Rob Mc commentating (could be biased sometimes) and also John Chaplin. Acquired some Hull tapes recently (less said about the commentary the better). I have loads of tapes and DVDs and they vary considerably with the quality of commentary. I personally prefer my commentary to be constructive and informative. Can't stand over the top commentary which seems to be the norm with televised sports now...which is a major reason that I don't watch them!

Terry Betts used to get a percentage of the gate money when he rode for King's Lynn in a deal struck with Maurice Littlechild (Promoter).

Colin whathismname (I think that he was also a courier on speedway coach tours?)...simply awful! I have many JSD videos and he just rabbits on without stopping for breath. JSD also covered Oxford meetings during the early nineties. I cringe when I have to listen to his mouth babbling away and wishing that he'd just slow down or just simply shut up! Best commentator? Dave Lanning from the ITV days but I did like Chris French who used to commentate on Screensport back in the 1980s.