Gentleman George R.I.P.

[norbold]

Sad news. George Barclay has died at the age of 90. He began his speedway career quite late in life at the age of 31 in 1967, making his debut for my team, West Ham.

I got to know him very well after he had retired when I worked with him in the early days of the Speedway Museum in Paradise Wildlife Park. He put a tremendous amount of work into it and it was due to him and his wife Linda, along with Pete Sampson, that it happened at all, going on to become the success it has undoubtedly become today. In addition, as his nickname said, he was a true gentleman.

R.I.P. George and thank you.

[steve roberts]

Sad news indeed...such a good servant to the sport. 

RIP

[bigdave]

Taken from the Speedway Riders Index 1929-2022:

George A. BARCLAY

Born: 1 April 1935, Elephant & Castle, London, England.

Career record: (1967-68) West Ham; (1969) West Ham, King's Lynn II; (1970) Exeter, Rayleigh, Wembley; (1971) Hackney, Sunderland; (1972-73) Sunderland; (1974) Sunderland, Canterbury, Rye House; (1975) Crayford.

[E I Addio]

On 1/17/2026 at 11:09 PM, norbold said:

Sad news. George Barclay has died at the age of 90. He began his speedway career quite late in life at the age of 31 in 1967, making his debut for my team, West Ham.

I got to know him very well after he had retired when I worked with him in the early days of the Speedway Museum in Paradise Wildlife Park. He put a tremendous amount of work into it and it was due to him and his wife Linda, along with Pete Sampson, that it happened at all, going on to become the success it has undoubtedly become today. In addition, as his nickname said, he was a true gentleman.

R.I.P. George and thank you.

That really is sad news . George was a lovely man and as you say an unsung hero both on and off the track.Always cheerful and always asked how I was. He and Linda ran a training school at Lakeside, not to make money but for the love of the sport, and was shabbily treated by Jon Cook. I think he suffered from ill health and dementia in recent years. 

Len Silvers book describes how he got his nickname. I can’t remember all the details but it was something like Len Silver had offered him a better deal than West Ham but he had already given his word to West Ham and wouldn’t break it. That’s the sort of person George was, although in later years he rode for Len and Len held him in high regard . He was by any standard though, one of natures gentlemen.

I endorse your words Norbold - thank you George.

[salty]

Sad news. Saw him ride at the end of the 1968 season for the Hammers. 
First rider’s autograph I ever got!

RIP George 

[FAST GATER]

RIP George good solid rider always happy to have a word with you .

[LesR]

RIP George, such a nice guy and a true gentleman of speedway and always greeted you with a smile.