steve roberts

There was Matti Olin at Coventry (1974) followed by Ila and Pepe Teromaa at Leicester and Kai Niemi at White City (later Eastbourne). Pajari rode in the UK in 1959...not sure if he was the first but I would hazzard a guess and say that he was?

...I do sometimes wonder?

Not looking good if true.

I was also brought up on a council estate (and proud of it) and having many jobs mixed with all sorts of people from differing backgrounds where the language used was often, shall we say, near the knuckle. I have been known to use a few words in given circumstances but age and experienced has mellowed me (although they can slip out occasionally) but I'd like to think that I'm a rather nice well spoken good mannered individual to be around...although I'm sure there are many who would disagree!!

I had to look it up...never come across the phrase before.

Never a fan of Shirra but a briilliant tactical ride! Out foxed Ermolenko.

Mick Handley was another rider one didn't mess around with on or off the track. Recall my brother saying that once after a meeting in the clubhouse at Oxford he 'ejected' a trouble maker and those present swore that they didn't see anything untoward when the police apparently got involved.

I recall that Steve Koppe (another rider who retired far too early) had been a renowned boxer but was not aware if he ever got involved in any shenanigans on or off the track whereas his fellow country man Billy Sanders wasn't slow in coming foward as another who studied boxing during his youth.

I s'pose it's the company that I keep?

Had to look it up...well you learn something new everyday!

I was brought up in Oxford and attended a Grammar School therefore League was never going to be an option. It was Rugby and cricket...never football until it went comprehensive!

I recall the trip back along the North Circular, A40 and the M40 at 20 mph and the engine screaming (especiallly down Stokenchurch)...it took a long, long time! You don't forget things like that in a hurry! We were actually reported for acting suspiciously as it was during the time of the IRA bombing spree in London.

...remember dad having to drive all the way back from Hackney to Oxford in a car that had lost third and fourth gear and that was after being reported to the police for looking suspicious awaithing a phone call from a public phone box in the East End during the middle of the night. What memories!

I was forced to play Rugby Union at school...never League...and I bloody well hated it getting pulped by all the fat and/or bully types!

I was being flippant in my observation as my endeavors did attract a certain amount of unwanted attention.

You haven't seen me fishing...entertaining in itself as I swear under my breath attempting to reel in the "Big One" and having it just at landing net distance the blighter breaks the line and scarpers off with hook and float!

"Mad" Malcolm Ballard had a temper on him...remember he and the Kennetts not getting on particularly well. A rider who retired far too early.

I wonder how angling would measure up? I guess ut would be based on the number of rod licences issued?

I get your point but when Pedersen rode for the "Cheetahs" in his very first match he needlessly rode thru' Lee Richardson sending him sprawling. I have no problems riders holding their ground and putting their elbows about so to speak when in close proximation but when some riders go purposely looking for trouble I draw the line.

Barney Kennett was a tough old character!

...as did Vaclav Verner!

...at least it wasn't with a rake! Apparently Eric once went looking for John Louis with a track rake after an incident at Foxhall Heath and John Berry defused the potentially nasty coming together by rugby tackling him!

A Norway/Denmark combined team so that Ole Olsen could take part when Norway was by far the more dominate team...how times have changed!

Who could ever forget the run-off between Peter Collins (England) and Anders Michanek (Sweden) after the final finished in a draw at Wembley and Anders was excluded after Peter slid off? An incident that divided opinion then and still does for those who were around to remember it.

Sunderland Stadium looked to be in a decent state when I passed it a few years back now. Was never really a success as a speedway and having Nwcastle running a team I guess finding sufficient interest would be difficult but, then again, think of the rivalry it may well educe?