steve roberts

Hi Trees! I remember corresponding with you years ago on the Oxford forum! Yes, moving to York has diminished my enthusiasm and when I rarely pick up a 'Speedway Star' I don't understand much of what I am reading...points scored, match points etc and all of the other weird changes that have apparently taken place since I last attended. It's a simple sport made very confusing by the daft rules implemented at each AGM. I always recall the late Bernard Crapper stating that he no longer understood the rule book after he withdrew from promoting at Oxford (and he used to know it inside out!) I realise the sport is desperately trying to entice new fans to the sport but in the words of John Berry 'it wasn't the fans who turned its back on speedway but that speedway turned its back on the fans!' My biggest criticism of the sport is that there is no longer any continuity and fans can no longer associate with their teams and its rider make up...a situation that existed in my time but has increased significantly over the years. Eight members of my family used to attend but gave up years ago which, I guess, is a sad reflection on where the sport is going?

I'd like to add something positive regarding modern day speedway but can't I'm afraid! Having followed the sport for thirty plus years but being out of the loop for the last twelve I have no enthusiasm in attending a meeting. It's not the sport I remember and with the AGM fast looming it will be another exercise whereby the promoters appear to be obsessed in just 'moving deck chairs around on the ill fated Titanic!' As I have previously stated that until an independent body takes control of the sport it will continue to spin forever downwards. John Berry spoke a lot of sense and how the sport could do with someone like him now!

I last called in at Cowley in 2011 and the stadium was in a disgraceful mess! I did send an email to the then owners stating my disappointment 'suggesting' that their remit was to run the facility down to such an extent that the only viable alternate was to sell the site to interested developers? The representative strongly refuted that suggestion however history since then has proved correct in my opinion! I only hope that a saviour is found who is prepared to take the project on and make Cowley Stadium a viable concern again.

I work within the tourism industry and recently spoke to a group of Danish visitors who knew about speedway in their homeland although admitting never having attended. They were very aware of the influence of Nielsen, Gundersen, Olsen etc and their successes and one visitor even talked at length about Daisy Nielsen's golfing exploits knowing that she was the daughter of Hans!. I got the impression that speedway received more publicity in Denmark than it does here in Britain generally. Also I am constantly made aware of British visitors who used to go to speedway but no longer do very various reasons.

Some years ago, whilst still living in Oxford, I did some 'promotional' talks at various schools (Primary level) on behalf of the promoter who was then installed at Cowley. However It wasn't particular well thought thru' as I had very little to show the children (a bike would have been useful!) and I took in some videos but it wasn't particularly successful in my opinion. Not very professional in approach and an opportunity lost. I have my own views why speedway has 'lost its way' but they've been well documented time and again on various forums. What the sport desperately needs is an Independent body to shake it up and the sport lost an ideal opportunity when John Berry offered his services (late eighties) but immediately stood aside as he soon realised he wouldn't have got the necessary support from within...and the sport has stumbled along since!

Many thanks for the comments. I did have my doubts whilst talking to him as when last at Oxford (2003) the crowds were very noticeably down on previous years and I can't imagine that things have improved generally over the last decade.

I followed speedway for thirty plus years (Oxford) but due to relocating to York some twelve years ago I haven't been since. At my place of work recently I had a conversation with a Birmingham fan who gave me the impression that match attendances are very much up nationally. Historically promoters have never quoted official figures and I would be interested to know if this is in fact the case as it appears to be the contrary when one reads comments generally?

I wish Zenon all the very best. I recall the spectacular crash (captured by Mike Patrick) during the Australia vs. Poland Daily Mirror Tournament encounter at Cowley. My personal favourite, however, was Marek Cieslak during his first year spent at White City. Some of his passes from the back on the notoriously flat track were something to behold!

I remember Svein Kaasa when he rode briefly for the Oxford 'Rebels'. A sad loss as I believe he was starting to show some form when he joined Glasgow. RIP

Speedway missed a golden opportunity in the late eighties when John Berry put his name forward to administer the sport. He would have been an ideal choice put he soon pulled out as he felt that he wouldn't have got the necessary backing.

Very sorry to read of David Ashby's recent death from cancer. I remember watching David ride for Swindon during the seventies with his brother, Martin, as well as for Milton Keynes. RIP