chunky

Ain't that the truth? The sad, sad, truth... Think back to the quality of the riders who couldn't even make it to the British Final? Sure, there were only a small handful of real "superstars", but the strength in depth was incredible. Steve

Makes for interesting chants and war cries, though... "GIVE US A THREE..." Steve

Of course we care, poor Bob. There, there... Just tell me though, who would you leave out of your original 7 for Jack? Then again, I suppose there would be a strong case for two of your greatest servants, Jon Erskine and Norman Strachan. Or Phil Herne, and the great Tormod Langli! Steve

This is where we can get a little confused... Is this thread designed to be a "Top Seven", or a "Favourite Seven"? Yes, there is a helluva difference. I was a huge fan of "Mad Wellie", but sadly, there is no way he would even be close to being in a "Top" seven for Swindon, and of course, the same could be said for Peter Glanz at Reading. With regard to the Robins, other strong contenders for a "Top" seven would be Simmo, Jimmy Nilsen, Tadeusz Teodorowicz, Ian Williams, George White, Brian Brett, and of course, Jason Crump. Oh, and Jan Andersson, For a "Favourite" team, you could have Andrew Silver, Rosco, Mad Wellie, Erik Stenlund, Mike Keen, Norman Hunter, Rolf Gramstad. Steve

Surprised that nobody has mentioned Leicester, and their wonderful team leathers from 1969/70. Let's not forget the Rye House leathers of the 70's sponsored by Infradex! Eastbourne wore a team jersey (light blue with yellow sleeves) in 1970, and two years later, Halifax wore red and white leathers (with a blue stripe on the leg). Of course, King's Lynn wore yellow jerseys with green stripes on the arms in the late 70's, and of all the jersey-wearers, I think they looked the best. However, all of the above were predated by Newport 1964 (where were you, Bobbath???), with black and yellow hoops... Finally, in reply to Tony's comment, "Today, all the riders in a team basically look the same", is it just me, or have the riding styles evolved into a largely generic style? Look at a pic of four riders on the bend, and they generally look identical. Where did the individual styles go? After all, when they all wore black leathers, it was no different to wearing a team suit!!! Steve

Even if there had been a Commonwealth Final back then - with the qualifiers coming from a separate series of meetings - whose responsibility would it have been to run those events? There were no governing bodies in Aussie and NZ back then, so it would have still been down to the British authorities. If they were going to go to all that trouble, then it was just as easy to lump them all into a single qualifying series of events, which they did. Also, consider that there were an enormous number of Commonwealth riders in action in the UK back then. Of course people didn't complain about it being a joke in those days. Firstly, people weren't so intolerant and resentful in those days, and secondly, it was all they knew! It wasn't just a case of being in the World Championship, either; they represented us in team events too. It's just the way it was then, and few - if any - had any real problem with it... Look at all the things that were acceptable in the old days, that would be unthinkable now. That's not necessarily because they were "wrong", but it's all the idiots, activists, and the perpetually offended that want everyting THEIR way today. Just the way that society has gone. Steve Steve

As an independent championship, that would have been fine, but where would that have fitted in with the World Championship? The British Final was just one step on the stairway to the World Final. What about the South African riders? How many South Africans were active outside of their own country during the period, or even before then? Of course, both Henry Long (1952) and Doug Davies (1955) qualified via the British rounds. As a sporting nation, South Africa was totally isolated from the rest of the world from 1960 onwards. Steve

Don't forget Cyril 'Squib' Burton! Steve

I first got to know Dave back in early 70's when ITV started covering the darts, although I obviously recall him from his speedway involvement during the 60's. With our common interest in the two sports, Dave - and his sons Russell and Phil - became great family friends. Of course, when Dave and Russell became involved with Wimbledon in the late 80's, it was wonderful, and we had some great times at Plough Lane. Then, spending those years competing in the PDC, we became even closer. At the tournaments, breakfast with my dad and Dave was usual. Before everything became computerised, I used to supply Dave, John Gwynne, and Sid Waddell with all the PDC stats for their commentary. It had been a while since we had talked, and in fact, I think the last time I spoke to Dave was when I called him to tell him that my dad had passed. However, let that not take away from the fact that Dave was a true giant in the world of journalism, a lovely, lovely man, and a great friend. The fact that he was heavily involved my two favourite sports was a bonus. R.I.P. Dave Lanning. Steve

A lot of people watch speedway for the racing... Steve

Not that he was dirty - or even wild - but Ron Mountford was known to race his team-mates! Getting back to the subject, Efkins has already been mentioned, although whether that could be considered as "luckless", I'm not quite sure... Steve

I'd already checked Stan's history, but there a few too many gaps for me to post anything accurate - I had a total of 56. However, I agree with your take on Rochdale. Steve

Of course, that same set includes Vic Huxley, pictured in plain red, and he retired at the end of the 1936 season. Steve

I have read elsewhere that 1937 was the first year, and certainly, there is clear evidence that the star was in use in 1937, In the famous set of John Player cigarette cards from that year, Eric Collins is pictured with the now familiar body-colour. Steve

So... Surprised to see a couple of names omitted from the list; the Templetons! What I have so far - and I'm missing some info - is this : Doug Templeton - 61 Barrow Holker St, Belfast Dunmore, Belle Vue Hyde Rd, Berwick Shielfield Park, Birmingham Perry Barr, Boston, Bradford Greenfield, Bradford Odsal, Bristol Knowle, Canterbury, Coatbridge, Coventry, Cowdenbeath, Cradley Heath, Crewe, Eastbourne, Edinburgh Old Meadowbank, Ellesmere Port, Exeter, Glasgow Ashfield, Glasgow Hampden Park, Glasgow White City, Hackney, Halifax, Hamilton Palace Rec Grounds (that's a new one to me!), Hull Boulevard, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Leicester, Liverpool, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough, Motherwell, Neath, New Cross, Newcastle, Newport Somerton Park, Newtongrange, Norwich, Oxford, Paisley, Peterborough, Plymouth, Poole, Rayleigh, Reading Tilehurst, Scunthorpe Quibell Park, Sheffield, Southampton, St. Austell, Stoke Loomer Rd, Stoke Sun Street, Sunderland, Swindon, Wembley, West Ham, Weymouth Radipole Lane (original), Wimbledon, Wolverhampton, Workington, Yarmouth. Anyone know if he appeared at Crayford, Mildenhall, or Rye House? Also, not sure what oddments might be found from 1955-1959. Willie Templeton - 61 Barrow Holker St, Barrow Park Road, Belle Vue Hyde Rd, Berwick Shielfield Park, Birmingham Perry Barr, Boston, Bradford Greenfield, Bradford Odsal, Bristol Knowle, Canterbury, Coatbridge, Coventry, Cowdenbeath, Cradley Heath, Crayford, Crewe, Eastbourne, Edinburgh Old Meadowbank, Edinburgh Powderhall, Ellesmere Port, Exeter, Glasgow Blantyre, Glasgow Hampden park, Glasgow White City, Hackney, Halifax, Hull Boulevard, King's Lynn, Leicester, Liverpool, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough, Mildenhall, Milton Keynes Groveway, Motherwell, Neath, New Cross, Newcastle, Newport Somerton Park, Newtongrange, Oxford, Paisley, Peterborough, Plymouth, Poole, Rayleigh, Reading Tilehurst, Rye House, Scunthorpe Quibell Park, Sheffield, St. Austell, Stoke Loomer Rd, Stoke Sun Street, Sunderland, Swindon, Wembley, West Ham, Weymouth Radipole Lane (original), Wimbledon, Wolverhampton, Workington. Not sure if he also rode at Reading Smallmead or White City. Steve Edited to include updates, thanks to compost and BL65.

Of course, there have been many bad - and very awkward-looking - crashes over the years, but I think there are two types of crash that stand out as far as appearing horrific : 1) When a rider clips the back of the man in front, straightens, and goes into/through the fence at full tilt. There have already been a few videos of this posted here, but here's another with some of the best camera work I have seen! He didn't "walk away", but obviously, there was little damage! It's that man Gollob... https://youtu.be/wCbZdDVWPJg 2) When a rider hits the fence on the straight, and comes to a complete and sudden stop. The worst I have seen were Tony Briggs doing that (and catapulting through the air) on the back straight at Wimbledon, Todd Wiltshire (almost the exact same thing at the exact same spot), and Martin Scarisbrick doing a similar thing at Reading. Steve

Without actually stating specifics, you brought up the point I was going to make. It's not so much about being an "experience motocrosser", but more the fact that such an exponent would - back in the day - have been in AT LEAST his early-to-mid-20's. While there were SOME special cases (from Ronnie Moore to Michael Lee), a good starting age for speedway was considered 25 or 26! At that age, a person is more mature, and probably a lot stronger than a 15-year-old schoolboy. Therefore, it was probably quite a bit easier to achieve a level of competitive mediocrity with relatively little effort. Again, I think a lot of that can be attributed to the machinery used, track surfaces, and the general style of riding back then, and is less of a indication of an inferior standard of rider as suggested by some. Steve

Thanks. Actually, after I made that post, I found yours! As as said, I'm just surprised that I had never known of the stadium,seeing it was that local. I know the stadium was demolished in 1955, but still... Steve

I believe he was actually a reserve at the Pride of the East... Sadly, Harry lost his after a crash at at Adelaide's Rowley Park in November 1967. Steve

This is new to me! I'm from Carshalton, my grandparents were from Wimbledon, and I worked in Mitcham - and I have never heard of this stadium! I just searched and found a pic of the stadium, and the footy ground. The site is now bordered by Sandy Lane, Priestley Rd, Eastfields Rd, and Fernlea Rd. Yup, I had no idea... http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw055289 Steve

I would even miss my beloved Dons if it meant I could take in two or three meetings in a day! I think I managed three twice; one was Lynn, Ipswich, and then Hackney. I did two several times, including one venture outside the usual south-east circuit, taking in Wolves and Cradley. There was another time - I don't think it was a Bank Holiday - where I did Canterbury and Milton Keynes. The great thing i those days was that you would see a bunch of the same people at each meeting, as we all had the same idea! Those were the days... Steve

Thank you so much for all this! One thing I never really understood is why speedway has ALWAYS been popular in Argentina, but it never caught on elsewhere in South America... Steve

It's so great looking at a thread like this, and seeing how many didn't just follow our local team, but went wherever we could! I could always be found at Plough Lane, but was a regular visitor to Hackney (poxy journey on Friday night, but coming home, I could judge the traffic lights, and could get from the Green Man to London Bridge without stopping), Crayford (another miserable drive!), Oxford, Reading, Eastbourne, Rye, Arena, Canterbury, MK, Mildenhall, Lynn etc Used to love tha bank hols, taking in three in one day! Great memories... Steve

I know that Google translation isn't the greatest, but here is some additional information : http://skturbinabalakovo.blogspot.com/2013/06/25.html Steve

We just need someone with an account at ancestry.com! Steve