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RETRO AND VETS
Introducing Retro - the new page for old news. We'll be dipping back in our extensive archive to re-present the stories that were making the news in years gone by.
WALWORTH MEMORIES - posted 21 January 2012 Reader Roy Abbott has sent us this wonderfully evocative picture from the late Forties or early Fifties. It is thought the track is the Cook's Road circuit in Walworth, London.
Earlier this week we posed the question "Who is Cycle Speedway's Most Famous Rider?" Our interest was prompted by a press cutting (see below) which revealed that Pete Waterman, Jack (The Hat) McVitie and Ivan Mauger were probably the best known former riders. Some ex-riders are better forgotten, none more so that of Roy Whiting whose photos in his Crawley Tigers cycle speedway gear dominated the national press after he was convicted of the murder of eight-year old Sarah Payne. Following his conviction, Whiting was imprisoned for life and is currently being held in the maximum security Wakefield prison, West Yorkshire. But perhaps the most famous ex cycle speedway racer of all hasn't even warranted a mention. Not a lot of people know this but world famous golfer Nick Faldo was crazy about cycle speedway long before he picked up a golf club. According to Faldo's autobiography, Driven, the golf ace had a real passion about cycle speedway - quote:
So there you have it! Nick Faldo, cycle speedway star - surely the most famous rider of all-time. That is unless you know different! If you know any famous personailities who used to race, drop us a line at editor@spokesman-online.co.uk and we'll share it with fellow readers.
In developing his excellent Cycle Speedway Teams Down The Ages, historian Dave Hunting has uncovered a wealth of information about the sport as well as listing every cycle speedway team known to man! During the winter, we'll be dipping into Dave's archive to share some of the more interesting snippets and forgotten facts with Spokesman readers. In the meantime, in the next couple of days, we'll be unveiling who we think is cycle speedway's most famous rider ever - that is unless you know better! If you haven't looked at Teams recently, the website now lists over 2,500 teams down the ages, so have another look at http://www.cyclespeedwayhistory.org.uk/
Blackley held their annual get-together at the Oyster Bar in As ever much discussion and a few photos were reviewed, the main topic being how many more gate ones Messrs Watchman and Greenhalgh had than Whiting. As ever a very good night was had by all. The Steward shall stand in front of the tapes in the middle of the track. After lining up the riders, he will give them “Under Starter's Orders". This must be given before the Steward starts to walk off the track. He then walks off the track with the tapes going up any time after the Steward is clear of the track. The riders must not take it for granted that as the Steward crosses the white line the tapes are going to go up. When the Steward is in line with the starting posts, the Starter will release the tapes at his (the starter's) discretion. On no account must a rider move after receiving “Under Starters Orders”. The Veteran Cycle Speedway Riders Association (VCSRA) was formed in 1996, with its objectives being to encourage ex-rider over 40 years of age to join the Association, with a view to keeping in touch with each other through social reunions and enjoying the pleasures of reliving old times in convivial company. At the VCSRA committee meeting held at the Rye House pub in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire on Tuesday (2nd November 2011), a discussion took place regarding the future development of the Association and how to increase its membership. With 217 paid up members, 15 honorary members, and 12 members who have yet to renew their membership, it is felt that membership levls need to increase to guarantee the survival of the VCSRA. Proposals put forward were having a greater presence at all major cycle speedway meetings in 2012, with the purchase of a VCSRA marquee, where membership applications could be filled in, and a display of veteran photographs could be observed, not unlike the presentation at the national finals at Norwich this year, where at least 18 new members were encouraged to join. Another proposal was for the VCSRA to sponsor either an individual or a series of veteran meetings around the country, with the blessing of British Cycling. A further proposal was the setting up of four regional committees, these again having the responsibility of encouraging new membership, plus the responsibility of arranging social reunions within their regional area. It was felt that the current memebrship fee of £7 per annum would need to be raised, with a provisional figure of £8 per annum suggested. This to be decided at the AGM. With all memberships expiring at the end of March each year, it was also a suggested that anyone joining after six months that a reduced fee of £5 would be charged, this subject to confirmation of the AGM. With many of the current committee having served since its inauguration in 1996, many of them feel that after 15 years it is time for them to step aside, and encourage younger blood onto the committee for 2012. One of these is Colin Booth, who is stepping down from his duties as the Association Secretary to allow him more time to concentrate on the Association's web-site. Dave Hunting was proposed as Secretary Elect, a proposal that will be hopefully ratified at the VCSRA AGM to take place at the Roydon Marina Village, Roydon, Essex, CM19 5EJ on Sunday 11th March 2012, starting at 12 midday. The next Committee meeting takes place on Wednesday 25th January at the Rye House pub, Hoddesdon, Herts EN11 0EH, starting at 12 midday. For futher information about the Association, please contact Dave Hunting on 07850-028224 or email david.hunting@btinternet.com Editor's Note - Having been a VCSRA member for many years, membership of the VCSRA is the best £8 you could ever spend. Not only will you be able to attend one of the many social functions the Association organisers during the year, including guided walks, luncheons, golf days and so on, but you wil receive a copy of the Association's excellent quarterly magazine Cycle Speedway Record. If you are an ex-rider and over-40, contact Dave Hunting without delay. A condensed clip from the best, and possibily only, full length film about cycle speedway has been pubished on YouTube. The U certificate black and white film was originally released in 1953 and ran for 65 minutes. It was also known under another title, "Bobby Rings the Bell." The film was cut to 49 minutes and re-released in 1972. A video copy of the full length film is held in the National Cycle Speedway Archive. Dave Hunting's Teams Down the Ages continues to provide a fascinating insight into the history of the sport over the past 60 years or more. One interesting development is that Dave has recently received a 26 page copy of the 1949 Cycle Speedway Souvenir which contains an interesting article. Dave picks up the story. "A Ken Taylor, who rode for the Wimbledon Wildcats back in 1949, began his cycle speedway career riding for the Headington Hammers (Oxfordshire) in 1938. This is the first confirmed and proven report that the sport was indeed active prior to the second World War. "I have also come across many more cycle speedway teams, and the current number now stands at two thousand four hundred and sixty six teams, which is slowly creeping towards the 2,500 mark." If you haven't seen Teams Down the Ages or haven't visited the website recently, its certainly worth a look. Click on http://www.cyclespeedwayhistory.org.uk/ Members of Blackley's 1970 National Team Championship winning side less John Watchman who was working, Kev Brennan substituting, gathered Astley & Tyldesely yesterday afternoon to reflect on that great day over 40 years ago when they beat Offerton Devils by 54 points to 42 at Leicester. The line up is
TATNAM TIGERS' CELEBRATE GOLDEN JUBILEE - posted 14 July 2011 Present day Poole members honoured the successes of their forebears by holdiing a special reunion at Harbourside Park for the great Poole Tatnam Tigers team of 50 years ago. The idea of a golden jubilee reunion was the brainchild of Robbie Frampton who rang the club from his base in Geneva, Switzerland to ask if there was any possibility of holding a get together of the riders from half a century ago. Weeks of planning came to fruition yesterday when the Class of '61 were presented to the crowd. In 1961 the Tigers secured runners up position in the highly competitive British National League and also reached the final of the Gold Cup event staged at Edmonton in North London.
Among the special guests also invoited was Jim Gale who was the captain of Poole's Gem Pirates, the first winners of the British team champions at Empress Hall, London in 1950.
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