Ron Butler

Define, please, a bend, a corner, a turn. Seriously what is the difference. Hyde Road Stadium had two bends. The first bend was a few yards from the starting gate [i.e on the home straight]. The second bend - aka the pits bend - was at the end of the back straight. As a first-aider I had regular contact with the riders, the officials and the staff and never heard any reference to corners or turns.

I wonder if it's just coincidence that when there is a major meeting, and often in the case of league meetings etc, there are people on this forum who take delight in denigrating the labours of the track curators and their workers. Maybe it's sometimes because the meeting was so good that these Grumbleweeds have to find someone - anyone will suffice - to target with their scorn. We British have long had an international reputation for being a nation of complainers; now it seems to be becoming increasingly popular in major speedway contests. It's quite a few years since I've been to an international type meeting but I remember them as thrilling, exciting and joyous occasions. Do they hand out grumblesheets with the programmes now?

Silver, I got back from my holiday about three hours ago and have just logged on to the forum. Assuming this really happened I am totally amazed. Did it really take place as you recount? I don't mean to cast doubt on what you say but I do find it really difficult to believe that this could happen in speedway. Speedway - the sport that one prided itself on being THE family sport. The sport you could take your kids or your granny to without fear of harm or unpleasentness. Can it really be true. I hope this doesn't become the norm in the sport or I shall make a very rapid exit from it. Am I still proud to be British?. I wonder. Ron.

Podster, Try the History section of the official Belle Vue site. Here's the link: http://www.bellevuespeedway.co.uk/home.htm There are plenty of old Aces on there from various years. Click on the thumbprints at the top of the page for a larger image. Hope you find what you want. Ron.

As Mr Eriksson desperately phones the Premier League clubs to find himself a job, there is a song being written to be sung on the terraces next month. It's really an updated version of an old song. The new one is entitled 'Sven! Will we see you again?' It's important that the question mark is sung and the word 'again' is sung wih great fervour and emphasis.

Fair comment, Paul.

A close thing but I think John Perrin has a slight edge

Andy, perhaps I did not express my meaning particularly well. Whatever the general gist of this discussion - which of course is directed by the various posters - the originator of the topic compares Middleditch to Eriksson. I feel this is invidious and totally unjustified. Any criticism of the national speedway manager could surely be made without comparison being made to the erstwhile national football manager. Ron.

This is the second thread crucifying the hapless national manager. Why the sudden emregence from beneath safety fence of an anti-Middleditch faction? Perhaps a backlash to the regrettable exit of England from the football competition and the far-sighted jump-before-push exit of that manager?

BelleVue [Hyde Road] had a solid wooden fence painted in a white that would have been a credit to the D***X dog. How ell I remember, as a young kid of 14+, leaning on it and ducking down at the last moment. How well I remember leaning over the high pits wall and watching the riders working on their bikes [except for the legendary Jack Parker who never did]. How well I remember getting into trouble when I got home for having a cinderdust face. Grown-ups just didn't understand the finer points of sport. Thank you, Steve, for reving those memories of my speedway infancy. Ron.

Hi Speedy, A mate in San Diego told me last season that there's a guy who competes regularly in California at the age of 73. Can't remember his name. My Anglo-American friend said it was not too late for me to change my career but I haven't stoked up me courage enough to approach Ian Thomas - yet! Ron.

I fear Joe may be past his best at International level, though I hope he gets chance to prove me wrong. David Norris should be OK if the referee lets him dress for the weather. I hear he bought a complete wetsuit yesterday - including wee windscreen wipers!

Kenneth Bjerre's form seems a little mercurial at present. I hope he recovers his full form before the tournament.

I'm left wondering, Fast, why they have been brought into the public domain. Is there a creditable reason for so doing?

Could be that we had them at Hyde Road at that time. As I was involved with SJAB duties around then I would be busy until we were stood down at about 11pm by which time the stadium and carpark were deserted.

I was considering buying this book until I got a flyer [with order form] from Retro-Speedway. Far from encouraging me, the flyer put off. Made a tasty snack for my shredder though!

These were quite common in early post-war years when I first became a Belle Vue supporter. They are actually car pennants which could be attached to the bonnet of a vehicle in similar manner to the monarch's royal pennant on her Rolls [i don't recall ever seeeing one on a Rolls at Hyde Road ] They were quite common on motorbikes and some of us even proudly displayed them on our pushbikes. I imagine they had similar ones at Coventry. Ron.

Hi Adele, I've sent you a PM about this. Hope it doesn't come through funky - or funny! Ron.

No flaming, Adam. Just a comment to the effect that I really do feel it's well time that the question of Andersens' conduct in the World Cup Final 2004 was consigned to the annals of speedway history - whatever views we hold on the matter. In speedway terms it happened a fair time ago and the rider has proved to be a 'fair, honest rider' many times since then.

I feel you were not off-topic. The opening words of Hazzman's original post were 'In a revision break today' I'd say you were right on the topic - but not the heading.

I wonder what you were [supposedly] revising?

Regrettably, Schumi, some alleged speedway supporters seem to take an inordinate pleasure in emphasing what is wrong, in their opinion. Such sad folk are not happy unless they can find [again in their opinion] fault.

I would appreciate your views on the racing in the British Grand Prix rather than your asinine comments regarding the printing errors in the programme.

Steve is a top man on here as far as I'm concerned, Schumi, and I agree with your comment about the Noble Duke of Dorsetshire. Now, me dear, how I possibly take exception to your remark I just meant that it takes a humourist to fully appreciate a fellow humorist. There are some speedway forums where a excursion into the art is actively discouraged!. I like your signature, Schumi, it's a pity they have to be in such small type!

Schumi, Reading through this thread earlier, Schumi, I was a bit worried. I thought push had come to shovlar. I'm glad it hasn't I'd miss the old reprobate. Love him or hate him, in fairness we have to admit that Steve is a great contributor. Just remembered we had a similar thread to this last year when the great man was on holiday. Purely as a joke one of our fat controllers supended him in absentia but reinstated him when his nose renewed its aquaintance with the grindstone. Caused quite a fuss at the time - maybe you remember it? Thanks for your kind comment on another thread - perhaps a case of it takes one to know one'. Joy to you, Ron.