Brian Hamilton

This rumour has gone around for several years now, but what is amazing is that not a single person on this very large forum knows where he is, or what happened to him. Dave Lanning should know, as he was with him for most of gary's British career and I find it hard to believe that they lost complete contact. Just hope the rumours were not true!

Thats when he moved to Leicester then!

I dont recall Bob Dugard riding for Oxford, but I remember his first ever ride at Oxford as No' 8 for New Cross. He came out of the 4th bend horizontal on his bike and nearly cleared the track marshalls on the centre green. I also remember seeing him after the match in an immaculat pin-striped suit. God that was nearly 50 years ago!!!

I didn't know Alf Hagon rode for the Dons!

John, Its funny that you say the Crown Inn because I always thought that and I feel sure that I have a Speedway Star & News of about 1960 that shows a picture of Ron and some other riders around a piano in the Crown.

I agree, he was a class act!!

HarryA, i know Brighouse, it used to have a great nightclub. You mentioning Ian Hoskins reminds me of some more useless information. Ian used to be a TV Extra and appeared in several TV shows!!!

Was it about 1956? My prgrammes are in the loft and a terrible effort to get at them.

Another peice of useless information for you all. If I recall correctly, Danny came to the Cheetahs by chance! Oxford were expecting Charlie New (or was it Dennis Newton) to come back from Australia to ride for the Cheetahs, but they never arrived and Danny was the only rider available and so he was signed.

And I really do appreciate it.

I know, with Norbold, Bobbath & Star Ghost, I feel that 3 Policemen are looking over my shoulder!!

Gemini, Please don't drop out, its great that you show the interest.

Hi Gemini, Ron Howe was English through and through unless I have 'lost it'. Beast wishes Brian

Danny had actually finished riding a couple of years earlier. Rycroft & Melville were revolutionary, they were 'flash' but they did the business at Oxford and unfortunately left (I think after just 1 year). Dead right about the racejacket.

Colin McKee came to Oxford for just the one season if I recall correctly. Eddie Reeves was in the Championship winning team (with John Bishop)

Jack was a very good quality reserve for Southampton in the early 60s and was reserve with Brian Brett. Quite a big guy if I recall correctly

Hi Bobbath, I mentioned him on here a few months ago. I remember when he first signed for Oxford, he always came with his Mum & Dad in a big posh car WITH 2 BRAND NEW BIKES ON A TRAILER! He was quite an exciting prospect and a member of the Championship winning team, but never really moved to the higher level that was expected of him.

Bit of useless info for you Star Ghost but Geof Pymar was Tony Jacklin's Golf Caddy, but I bet you already knew that.

BobC, Do you remember who was selling the portraits?

Glyn Chandler, thats another good name to come up with. I think he rode occasionally for Swindon if my memory serves me right. Wonder if he is still around?

Bobbath, Was it not Ron Taylor (who rode for Swindon previously). Jon Erskine, now he was quite a promising lad if I remember correctly>

Forgive me if I have overlooked it, but I cannot recall anyone mentioning Neath from the 1960's. If my memory serves me right, the great Trevor redmond started it up and it only ran for a couple of seasons. I still have some programmes but never actually had a chance to visit the track.

David, Excellent post. Apologies for getting confused with Bert # Name Removed # and Brian Crutcher, but when the subject of Brian Hanham came up, my brain was running away with me, but of course I recollect correctly now! It was jsut my 'heart engaging before brain' as it were. Best wishes Brian

Yes I remember him in the side with Barry Briggs, Geoff Mardon, Chum Taylor, Brian Brett and Jack Scott. I know Bobbath, Norbold & Starghost will pick me up on this, but I have a sneaky feeling Brian Crutcher rode his last season with these guys before he retired and became Team Manager. R.I.P. Brian

Anyone remember another Oxford Local lad, John Belcher? John started second halves at Oxford around the time Brian Leonard did and had a few rised as an Oxford No'7. He then went and got himself a team place at Cradley Heath, but I am not sure where he ended up. He still lives around Oxford I believe.