steve roberts

I visited his grave some years ago when pasing by and I have to say when standing over it I felt nothing but contempt for him.

...and then achieved an average of 9 plus in his debut year in Division One and qualified for that year's World Final.

I seem to recall that Dean Barker was one such example when Eastbourne first tried to introduce him to their line-up...ended up at Cradley that year I remember.

I recall when the "Rebels" re-located to White City John Dews was unable to drop down into the National League with Oxford because his average was deemed too high at 6.50!

I saw a lot of Eastbourne during the seventies (when they were Oxford's 'sister' team) and early eighties and the English talent that came thru' Arlington was second to none in my opinion. It must have irked Bob Dugard when foreigners began to prolificate the scene and hence the situation that now exists.

Speaking personally when I re-located I had no close association with a track unless I was willing to travel 30-40 miles which I was disinclined to do. When living in Oxford I was within walking distance of Cowley Stadium which suited me. Never having subscribed to SKY or any equivilant service I lost touch of current affairs but the sport still holds dear and the thirty plus years I spent following my team gives me great memories...wouldn't have changed it for the world.

If I recall the three Aussies were all allocated very low assessed averages when they started their British careers?

If I recall he had a few mediocre seasons prior to 1979. He was a Kiwi who eventually moved to Sheffield in the British League but was tragically killed in an industrial accident. Steve Boxall (Rye House) another potential candidate?

Wayne Brown averaged 3.94 in 1978 increasing his average to 9.00 in 1979 although Steve McDermott pipped him at Number One with an average of 9.12 however injury cut McDermott's season short and he rode in only a handful of matches.

Sad news. He was also the author of some interesting articles in some of the earlier "Backtrack" issues telling often humorous anecdotes. RIP

I attended one of Olle Nygren's Training Schools just to say I gave it a try and gain respect for those who go out and entertain us not that I needed confirmation of that.

How I miss my visits to White City!

Trouble is that the promoter of any particular team often doesn't own the stadium and are therefore often compromised by their landlord's whims. We experienced it often enough at Cowley and remember when Bristol Stadiums Ltd owned Oxford Stadium and put the venture at risk (!975) until the SOS Committee stepped in at the last minute. Oxford enjoyed great stability during the Northern Sports era but after their collapse the stadium's future was always under threat although Steve Purchase did offer continuity but only leased the stadium.

Never been a fan of Rossiter...always remember when he came onto the third bend terracing at Cowley once to talk to some Poole fans and in earshot of "Cheetahs" fans condemned them. Perhaps their dislike of him carried over from the incident that ultimately ended Andy Hackett's career? I didn't witness it personally but was informed about it by those that did.

Usual scumbags!

Alan Robertson has produced a fabulous in depth document covering those years entitled "British Speedway Leagues 1991 -2014".

Sad news...a very great lady who devoted her life into caring for Alan after his crippling accident. RIP

I think that it was during the parade and they were being pushed off and he passed the camera momentarily...approx. 2 minutes plus into the film?

Geoff used to live not far from me during his time at Reading at the home of the chap who used to drive the tractor at Cowley and he confirmed the story many years later to me...infact Rickard Hellsen stayed with him when he joined Oxford. Recall Rickard driving round in his black wagon that resembled a hearse!

Hi there! Terrific rider...was strongly rumoured to be joining Oxford before tragically killed at the Sidney Showground.

I recognised Laurie Etheridge and, I think, Geoff Curtis?

I've just read Kelly Moran's book 'Hell of a Life' and just to put the record straight after he had left the UK for good he decided to resurrect his career back in the States. He initially found the laydowns difficult to handle but managed to overcome them and got to enjoy riding them...fellow Statesman Mike Faria, however, hated them stating that they were somewhat unpredictable.

Just finished the book...a fascinaing read if somewhat sad. I saw quite a bit of Kelly during his Eastbourne days. A very talented individual but I have to admit away from the track he would have both irritated and annoyed me with his many antics but I guess I would have been in the minority?

I remember talking to Peter Collins at Oxford when he was supporting his son Chris and asking him what had changed most during his time since having left the sport. He told me that in his opinion the bikes had got too fast but the tracks had basically remained the same.

May have been the case...I recall Andy Smith having issues with them and some riders were quoted as saying that they were sometimes unpredictable with the low centre of gravity causing the bike to lift.