GENERAL NEWS

British Cycling has agreed a new training structure for cycle race officials including cycle speedway.  Based on National Occupational Level Two, cycle speedway referees and event officials will be offered a one day training course covering child protection, communication, administration, technical and competition modules. All candidates will be required to have a Criminal Record Bureau check, do a pre-course test with questions about cycle speedway rules and carry out at least 18 hours of officiating before qualifying as a level two (regional) official.  Qualified level two officials would then be eligible for level three (national) in the appropriate discipline.

BUSINESSMAN SUBMITS PLANS FOR NEW TRACK - posted 01 October 2008

At the recent Gold Cup finals staged at Exeter, a more than interested spectator was Ashley Taylor, a successful Plymouth businessman and lifelong supporter of the motorised version of our sport.

Taylor revealed that he had submitted plans to Bodmin Council for permission to construct speedway
and cycle speedway tracks as a town community project.  He was more than hopeful that the project would be agreed and both curcuits could be in operation by early summer 2009.

WEATHER HITS HALLAMSHIRE LEAGUE - posted 26 September 2008

With four Hallamshire Go-Ride League matches completed out of a schedule of six, the weather has played a key role in postponing rounds on the two grass circuits at Stannington and Bolsover and forcing re-arranged dates at the two Sheffield permanent venues at Cookson Park and the Graves.
 
Indeed, the round at Bolsover's Castle Leisure Park was called off about an hour before the scheduled start following incessant rain but this didn't stop a dozen or more adults and families turning up from the host Bolsover and District Club accompanied by several members of the local Council Leisure Department and a large podium truck!
 
However, the poor summer hasn't dampened enthusiasm as over forty riders have competed so far and the demand is likely to see an extension of the season into the autumn and winter.
 
The HGRL is self-funding although a generous donation from one of the Sheffield coaches, Mick Knowles, should ensure that all costs will be met in the league's inaugural season. Bear in mind also that none of the Stars first, second and even third team regulars are participating in a competition aimed at new riders and
novices and the potential of such a parochial competition can be readily seen.
 
Cookson Park Rockets lead the seven team table with the Stars Academy side in close pursuit. Westbourne have a useful side, too, and they are ready to mount a late challenge on the leaders.
 
Plans are already in hand to extend the competition to schools and other youth groups next season. The Stars have hosted exclusive club nights for Scout troups, Cub packs and after-school clubs in 2008 and it is hoped that other cycling clubs in the area will see a benefit in recruiting their own under-10's to engage in a safe, off-road activity.
 
CLUBROOM AND KITCHEN OUT OF ACTION FOR REST OF YEAR - posted 12 September 2008

The Hospath club called off their Premier League match against the Monarchs in the late morning, a decision that gave the Leicester club the chance to organise a working party to make a start on the clean up operation on their fire damaged club house.

The good news is that the toilets and changing rooms will be available for the next home match against Great Blakenham, however the kitchen and clubroom will be out of action for the rest of the year.

"The kitchen infrastructure looks like it will have to be replaced, the fridges and freezers together with their contents are also beyond help and the clubhouse is just a soot filled shell, but with enough man power we can sort it out and be back functioning fully by the start of next season" said club secretary Tim Jarvis optimistically.

LEICESTER OFFICIALS TAKE STOCK AFTER DEVASTATING FIRE - posted 6 September 2008

Officials from Leicester cycle speedway club are spending the weekend assessing the damaged caused by Thursday's devastating fire at Glover Park.

Club manager Wil Burns, who returned from this holiday in Hunstanton to take charge of the massive clear-up, was heartbroken when he arrived at the circuit today.  The fire has totally guttered the clubroom and kitchen.  Both areas are severely smoke damaged.  The building is still structurally sound but the blaze has burnt out the electrical system as well as melting freezers and extractor fans in the kitchen.  The changing rooms and showers at the rear of the building are relatively intact.

To make matters worse, the £280,000 building was not insured.  It is expected the club now face a £9,000 bill for repairs.

"It looks as if vandals got in by smashing through the fire door" Wil Burns told spokesman-online.  "They smeared the walls with tomato sauce, then dragged the lawnmower into the clubroom and set alight to the petrol tank.  The heat has completely melted polyproplyne stacking chairs, light fittings and ceiling tiles.  The whole area is pitch black.  It will take weeks to sort it out" said Burns dejectedly.

The vandals also tried to break into the announcers box.  So severe is the damage, the club officials have still not been able to get into the building to establish if valuable public address equipment has been destroyed.

But defiant Burns is determined that the Premier League match with Great Blakenham in two weeks time will go ahead as planned.

"They (the vandals) will not beat us" said Burns angrily.  "The clubroom and kitchen will be out of action until next season but we will complete our fixtures" he promised defiantly.

Sadly the club's collection of memorabilia, including pennants, photographs, commendations and press cuttings have been totally destroyed.  Among the items believed lost is a News Chronicle framed certificate presented to club Kirby Kings for winning the 1952 county championship.  The 'priceless' artifact' was only given to the club two weeks ago, so it could be put on public display.

LEICESTER CLUBROOM DESTROYED BY FIRE - posted 4 September 2008

The Midlands cycle speedway centre at Glover Park, Leicester has been severely damaged following a fire earlier today.  The canteen and clubroom have been totally guttered.  It is believed vandals broke into the clubhouse and set fire to the building causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.  To make matters worse, the club's irreplaceable collection of memorabilia, including certificates, pennants and photos, including those of club stalwarts Harry Glover and Bruce Ward, have been lost for ever.  Although the roof and walls are intact, the canteen and clubroom have been totally destroyed.

Club secretary Wil Burns was close to tears as he broke the news earlier this evening.

"I can't believe it" he told spokesman-online.  "All the effort, gone up in smoke in a matter of minutes.  I am devasted."

A member of the public called out the Fire Brigade after seeing flames coming from the building.  Engineers are expected to examine the building structure but thankfully the toilets and changing rooms at the rear of the building are relatively in tact.

CYCLE SPEEDWAY RETURNS TO GLASGOW - posted 18 August 2008

Cycle speedway returned to Glasgow on Sunday with the running of the Glasgow Olympique Individual event at Cathkin Park.  This event was run to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first ever individual cycle speedway tournament to be held in Glasgow.
 
A field of 16 Scottish based riders competed for the Olympique Trophy kindly donated by former cycle speedway and motorcycle speedway rider Jack “Red” Monteith.  After several days of heavy rain preceding the event the track turned out to be extremely tricky which leveled the playing field.
 
With five rides scheduled for each rider over the 20 heats, racing was close throughout with pre-tournament favourites Alan Smith, Mikey Hewitson, and Craig Newsome all near the top of the leader board as the field all completed three rides.
 
However, an eventful heat 16 saw Mikey Hewitson’s challenge disappear as he fell whilst challenging Alan Smith on the last bend.  Referee Alan Hewitson, whilst initially excluding Alan Smith as the cause of the accident, relented and let the heat win for Alan stand.
 
A further win for Alan Smith in heat 20 saw him take the title from Craig Newsome with young Jake Slight taking advantage to pick up third place.
 
A good day was had by all and thanks go to the Glasgow Cycle Speedway History Society.  Let’s hope this is the start of a revival in Glasgow.
 
Photos can be found here – http://www.flickr.com/photos/57243403@N00/

NEW LEAGUE OFF TO A FLYING START - posted 14 August 2008

After just three matches, thirty-four riders have so far competed in the new Hallamshire Go Ride League. The majority of these are new riders having their first taste of low-level competition with most of the Stars' first, second and third team riders are not involved. The competition is run on similar lines to the British Youth & Junior League but is a parochial activity run on midweek evenings in and around Sheffield.

The club has taken the opportunity to include the fledgling Bolsover & District Club although heavy rain prevented the event going ahead on the temporary grass circuit at the Castle Leisure Park, in the shadow of the Bolsover Castle. Despite this, around a dozen local adults turned up to help out and the local Council supported the event with one of their podium trucks! Needless to say, both clubs are scrambling around for an alternative date and mid-September, under the Bolsover floodlights, looks favourite.

Run as a pilot event this season, the success so far is proof that local activities are paramount to the future of the sport. A Stars' spokesman said: 'We have incredible difficulty in taking kids to away matches. The club invariably has to foot the bill. Not only that, it falls upon the same few members to act as free taxi services, spending long hours on the road.  Yet we have to provide a wide variety of activities for all of our members so the local scene is vital to our programme.'

The Stars use both their facilities at Cookson Park and the Graves Tennis & Leisure Centre for the HGRL but are also trying to arrange an additional fixture at a new venue in Stannington to the North-west of the City. Bolsover, a completely separate club, will make four venues. 

BACKLINE SINGLE RELEASED - posted 24 July 2008

Readers wil recall that we have reported regularly on the progress of Declan Crouch's band, Backline.

Well there's some exciting news to report on that front.  The band have just been in the recording studios and recorded two tracks, one of which will be released as a single on the 16 October, probably on itunes. Both tracks have been posted on the band's website - so click on the link and see what you think.

The single is called 'Once Again'. The second track 'Try to Fall' will be up for free download soon. Check it out at   @ www.myspace.com/backlineuk

It's been a year this month since Dec joined Backline. They are really working hard in a bid to 'make it'.  Their last EP sold very well, so if anybody is interested in buying a copy, please contact for further details.

Backline are having a launch night for the single on  the 16 October 2008 at the Shed in Leicester, so if anyone is in the area please come down and see one of the best up and coming young bands.

In the meantime, Dec, who turns 17 in August, is continuing his media studies at Leicester College.

Dec would like to say hello to all of the cycle speedway crowd. He still keeps an eye on Leicester's results and is a regular visitor to spokesman-online.

MONARCHS CAMPAIGN TO MAKE TRACK BEST IN THE WORLD - posted 23 July 2008

A cycle speedway club has launched a campaign to raise £50,000 and create one of the best tracks in the world.

Glover Park, home of the Leicester Monarchs, is now more than 50 years old and in need of repairs and upgrading.  A lot of improvements have been made in recent months but now the ambitious club want to accelerate the upgrade.

These include repairing terracing on the first bend, fitting a roof to spectator seating, building terracing for the back straight and re-laying the track surface.  The club recently completed work on roofing the spectator gallery overlooking the home straight.

Leicester City Council has already pledged £5,000 toward the refurbishment programme.  Councillor Andy Connelly, cabinet lead for culture, visited the club to celebrate the funding award.

He said: "I am delighted that we are able to help the club with this investment.  The club has really taken off in recent years and attracts lots of interest from the city's Polish community.

"We want to make sure this popularity continues.  People of all ages can enjoy this sport and we want to encourage the growth to continue."

Club secretary Tim Jarvis said "The stadium is showing its age a little but is basically a wonderful facility.  With the improvements we have in mind, the city could be the number one facility in the world and attract the events we deserve."

A number of local clubs joined together when the Slater Street stadium was built in 1950.  In recent times the arena has been hit by vandalism with the number of break-ins costing the club thousand of pounds.  It costs about £8,000 a year to run the stadium.  The costs are met by the riders and through some fund-raising.

For more information about Leicester Monarchs Cycle Speedway telephone 0798 057 3995.

CYCLE SPEEDWAY RETURNS TO COVENTRY - posted 23 July 2008

Cycle speedway returned to Coventry for the first time in nearly a year last Saturday night when the Devlins Newsagents drew with Birmingham in a classic match.

After trailing for most of the match, Coventry mounted a fantastic late recovery to lead by two points going into the final heat and a shock victory looked on the cards. However, Birmingham hit back to take a 6-4 heat advantage in the final heat to tie the match in a thrilling climax.

The real winner on the night was the sport. With a horror weekend of black news for the sport as a backdrop, with Eaton folding, Swindon withdrawing from league racing and Heckmondwike cancelling their match due to a rider shortage, the return to action of the Coventry club was welcome news indeed.

And, what a return it was! The Hearsall Common track looked serenely immaculate, returned to pristine condition by tremendous toil over the past six weeks. The transformation from just a month ago was astonishing. The race surface offered brilliant racing on the pacy confines, the centre green resembled Lords on the first day of a test match and the white lines dazzled as only Daz could!

An emotional Coventry club chairman Dave Foster announced as the two teams fought out a titanic battle “News of our demise has been a little premature”.

The match was given full support by two Commission members, Bob Prince and Tim Metcalfe, who both rode in the match. Both were keen to offer words of encouragement and advice to set the Hearsall Common club on the road to a lasting recovery.

Foster counselled against hopes of an immediate return to league racing. He said “Tonight’s been a great night but we have still so much to do after the damage inflicted in April 2007. We must walk before we run. However, there are several people supporting me and they have the determination and administrative ability not to let this club fail”.

Dominik Rycharski scored 19 to head the Coventry scores, whilst Marcus Wadhams netted 19 for the visitors as the two teams battled out a 88-88 draw.

After the match, further good news emerged from Hearsall Common. Former top juniors Ashley Pointer, Matthew Lawrence and Lee Webb, now aged 22, 20 and 16 respectfully, who were all not involved last Saturday, all announced their support for the Coventry club, although this may not be in all cases on the track.

And ex Warwick Royals ace Rob Warnes is set to attend the regular Thursday night sessions at Hearsall Common to bolster the ranks even further.

Follow spokesman-online for further exclusive news of the Coventry revival.

RACING AGAIN AT GARRATT PARK - posted 2 July 2008

It was once the best track in the country.  In the halcyon days of the Sixties is was the showpiece track of the old English League and regularly hosted national and international matches including the prestigious English league Riders Championship.

Sadly South London Rangers' track at Garratt Park, SW19 has lain dormant for close on two decades but the shout of "under starters orders" again echoed across the park recently when a group of youngsters held an impromtu cycle speedway match.

British Cycling Go Ride coach Alistair Findlay told spokesman-online "During a recent visit to Garratt Park, London with a group of year five and year six students, for a bit of fun racing for their final session we came across this track and ended up having an impromtu speedway meet. The kids loved it."

Editor's Note - Do you have any good quality pictures of racing from Garratt Park in the Sixties and Seventies.  If so we would love to see them and share them with our readers.  Or perhaps you know when this famous old track was built, who opened it and when it last staged racing.  Let us know and We'll put it on our Retro page.

SPONSOR DEVASTATED BY FIRE - posted 26 June 2008

One of cycle speedway's leading sponsors has been left devasted following a fire at his business premises.

Long serving Astley & Tyldesley rider and club sponsor  Roy Heslop, suffered a serious fire at his CTA Direct computer premises on Elliott Street, Tyldesley last Saturday night.

The workshop area at the back of the premises were burnt out, whilst the shop suffered from smoke damage. Arson is suspected as the cause of the blaze.

GOOCH BACK IN THE SADDLE - AFTER 30 YEARS - posted 13 June 2008

Former British champion Chris Gooch made a surprise appearance on a cycle speedway track last weekend.  After a break of more than 35 years, Gooch was persuaded to make a 'guest' appearance for Kesgrave Panthers in the South-east regional league match against East London.

And Gooch, who was 61 on Monday,showed that he had lost none of his old flair, notching 11 points from four starts.  But any suggestion that Gooch's comeback would be long term, was quickly quashed by the rider.

Gooch was 1966 British cycle speedway champion before going on to represent Great Britain at cyclo cross, winning the national over50s championship.  He retired from cycle speedway in the early Seventies but did turn out for a one-off match, the Geoff Pryke Memorial at Kesgrave, in 1982.

Chris is one of the country's top cyclo cross commissaires and serves on British Cycling's Cyclo Cross Commission.

NEW LEAGUE LAUNCHES NEXT MONTH - posted 12 June 2008

Wondering how to get more youngsters involved in cycling?  Wondering why there aren’t any events or competitions for your younger club members?  Then here’s a great way of encouraging your kids to get on a bike in a controlled, 100% traffic-free environment.
 
The new Hallamshire Go-Ride League gets underway next month and is open to cyclists of any age. Competition is provided in several age categories for boys and girls – under-8; under-10; under-12; under-14 and novice (to include all other new riders over 14 years of age).
 
Venues around Sheffield and in Bolsover, North Derbyshire, will be used to host the activity – two purpose-built cycle speedway tracks in Sheffield at the Graves Tennis & Leisure Centre, Bochum Parkway, and Halliwell Crescent, off Wordsworth Avenue will be used alongside temporary facilities in Bolsover’s Castle Leisure Park and Stannington in Sheffield, to show how safe cycling activities can be taken anywhere!
 
The first event gets underway at 7.30pm (signing-on from 7pm) on Wednesday 2nd July.  Cost is only £1 per rider per match – simply turn up on the day and pay to play!
 
Full details from (telephone 01246 824220).

WEDNESFIELD ROCKED BY ANOTHER WAVE OF VANDALISM - posted 11 June 2008

Wednesfield have been rocked by mindless vandals breaking in the clubhouse and stealing stock - but worse than that is the damage that has been caused to the building structure.  The local council called in structural engineers and deemed the building not safe.  The council has fenced the area off to make it safe for the public.

Wednesfield are now left with the task of making the building safe at their own expense with no help coming forward from the local council.

"The Police forensic team are taking finger and foot print evidence, but really our main concern is getting the building structure safe again" said club spokesman Dave Jewkes.

EAST NEWPORT HIT BY VANDALS - posted 6 June 2008

On the eve of East Newport's very first British Team Cup match against favourites Leicester, the club has suffered the mindless actions of vandals. 

On Thursday night, with 23 riders turning up for training, they were greeted with the sight of the entire pits wall demolished and the panels smashed to bits. The  pits have only recently been finished with a covered area and a raised platform  for riders to watch the racing and this set back has hurt the Welsh club.

With  the riders training on the track Gilbert Davis and Rich Hughes carried out the mammoth task of removing the carnage and tidying the area.  The club will bounce back though. Already plans are underway to build a new vandal proof fence and install a marquee for match days keeping the riders out of rain and sun or whatever else the elements decide to chuck at them.

The riders will complete a sponsored event in coming weeks to raise the money to rebuild all the necessary work and make the track safe once more.

Sunday's match against Leicester Monarchs is still going ahead as planned  and will not be affected. Local Police have visited the scene, ironically on a mountain bike. Club secretary, Rob Absalom, was quick to hand him a club leaflet and a BCF form to fill in.

Rob said "I doubt if he will turn out on  a bike with no brakes but so long as he keeps an eye on our circuit and between us we catch the mindless thugs who have done this I really don't mind. We have  told the Police that we intend to prosecute whoever we find carrying out anymore  attacks on our facilities" warned Absalom.

COMMISSIONER METCALFE MARRIES - posted 4 June 2008

Cycle Speedway Commission member Tim Metcalfe married long time girlfriend Lisa Sellwood at the idyllic English Countryside setting of Ditcham, Hampshire, last Sunday.

The popular administrator, one of the people behind moves to keep Coventry afloat, cut a dashing figure in a dark navy suit as 1963 Berkshire cycle speedway champion Roy Sellwood gave away his daughter Lisa, wearing a fairy-tale white dress, complete with a four foot train.

The 80 plus guests, including one couple from cycle speedway, were treated to a sumptuous meal and fine wines in the lavish surroundings of a beautifully restored `tithe` barn, which dates back to 1273.

Metcalfe, a Systems Change Manager at Vodafone headquarters in the UK, met the lovely Lisa at Vodafone HQ in Newbury, Berkshire.

After a 14 day honeymoon in Mauritius, in the West Indies, the happy couple will continue to live in Newbury.

TRACK MANAGER IN DEEP WATER - posted 2 June 2008

Track manager Andy Coles has really over done it with the water this time!

With the final round of the Wosskow Brown British Youth & Junior League to be held at Exeter next Saturday, all hands will be on deck to get the track back to its former glory.

On a positive note trout have been seen jumping and the club can now offer day tickets for any fisherman who wants to come an try!!! 

SPORT SET FOR REVIVAL IN SURREY - posted 26 May 2008

Plans to re-introduce cycle speedway in Godalming, Surrey have taken a giant leap withe the following news:-

http://www.godalming-tc.gov.uk/news.htm?n=97

DISCIPLINARY BANS FOR HORSPATH DUO - posted 7 May 2008

British Cycling have taken disciplinary action against Horspath duo Mark Boaler and Robyn Carter following incidents at the Horspath v Sheffield Premier League match on 13th April.   Both pleaded guilty to the charges.

The panel, headed by Board member Bob Howden, Jim Courts, Bob Barber, Mike Hack and John Whiting, suspended Mark Boaler from competing or officiating for a period of 12 months, commencing on 22 April 2008, which was the date on which the suspension pending enquiry came into force, until 21 April 2009 inclusive.   However in recognition of his evident contrition and frank admission, the committee determined that he will physically serve the suspension from 22 April 2008 to 21 August 2008 inclusive.   The remainder of the term will be suspended pending no further breach of British Cycling’s Bye-Laws, Technical Regulations or Code of Conduct.   The timing wil allow Boaler to compete in the 2008 British individual championship at Poole over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

In the case of Robyn Carter, the panel invoked the terms of a previous disciplinary hearing held on 28 April 2007, which had imposed a suspension of six months, suspended for 12 months pending no further breach of British Cycling’s Bye-Laws, Technical Regulations or Code of Conduct.   The panel adjudged that the admitted offence on 13 April was in breach of this ruling, and therefore a six months ban from officiating will now apply from 22 April 2008.

SANDWELL AGAIN HIT BY VANDALISM   - posted 6 May 2008

Sandwell cycle speedway club has again been rocked once by a mindless spate of vandalism at Tividale sports centre.  

The roller shutter, which cost nearly £600, was totally destroyed,   the inner door ripped off its hinges of the newly refurbished refreshment kiosk and the water pipe was damaged, the external alarm was smashed off the club room building and all the roofing felt was ripped off.

"We now have to not only do all the repairs but finding the time and money is our biggest problem" said club chairman Pete Dalley.   "Club members were in tears when they saw the extent of the damage and now moral is really low. It is so hard to find the enthusiasm to continue" added Dalley dejectedly.

HOPES FOR NEW TRACK IN SURREY - posted 22 April 2008

There is growing speculation that cycle speedway could make a re-appearance in Surrey.   A group of veterans riders have teamed up with the Police and local Rotary Club and will be staging a demonstration at Godalming Fete on Saturday 7 June.   The enthusiasts, spearheaded by experienced administrators Derek Cattle, Ron Johnson and Len Kitching, will be laying out a temporary track on grass.   If they find there is sufficient interest, there is a strong possibility of a new track being built.

SPORTS MINISTER VIEWS CYCLE SPEEDWAY - posted 17 April 2008

The Sports Minister, Andy Burnham, recently attended a Go-Ride session in his constituency. The cycle speedway taster session took place at Lowton High School, which is in Mr. Burnham's Leigh constituency. Mike Hack and North West Go-Ride Coach Matt Winston took the sessions, which saw 29 pupils taking part.

Astley & Tyldesley already have links with the school, having ran Talent Team testing sessions beforehand, as part of their Sports Challenge week. An excellent day all round saw the club strengthen its links in the local community, with Andy Burnham declaring a desire to attend a match at Gin Pit later in the year. Astley and Tyldesley will become part of Mr. Burnham's Leigh constituency, when the
boundary changes take effect after the next General Election.

FINDON GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY BOOK PUBLISHED - posted 13 April 2008

After two years of painstaking work, dedicated research and informed writing, Findon cycle speedway club have launched their souvenir 50th anniversary book - and what a great read it is!

The idea was the brain-child of the late Milton Anderson who spent over 12 months researching Findon’s result books and records so that all the riders names, life members, captains' names and so on could be listed in the book.   Milton also went through all of the Findon club minutes to jot down notes on what he thought was important.

Fellow editor Mick Harley started writing the actual history just before Milton passed away in 2006 because, according to Mick "Milton was on my back all the time to ‘get it done’."

Mick continues the story.   "From his passing to two weeks before the club's birthday I was typing up the club's history from the notes that he recorded from the minutes. These notes would jog my memory and I would expand on them plus they would ‘open up my memory banks’ to other things that happened.   You know, one thing leads to another.

"From his passing to Christmas last year I found it extremely hard to get motivated and would spend a few hours here and there each month on the book. I had two weeks leave from 1 to 13 January this year and most days I would start on the book at 9am and finish around 11pm.

"Daughter Tammy and a past member Shane Julian had a great deal to do with the book during the final two weeks as they proof read the book and had a great input on the layout.

"There were 300 books printed and we have approx 50 left for sale.   If anyone who is coming over next year wants a book they can email me and I will put a copy away for them.   Each book costs A$15, to post it to the UK would be a further A$15 making a total of A$30."

If you haven't got your copy yet, order it straight away!   The 84 page book, crammed pack with a brillaint array of photographs including a full colour centre fold and the most amazing fire jump photo you ever will see, is already a collectors' item.

Judging from feedback, all the hard work was well worthwhile and will prove an everlasting memorial to Milton.

BBC TEAM FILM BUCK DOCUMENTARY - posted 5 March 2008

Last year Brian Buck won the Midlands Unsung Hero Award and went on to represent the region in the Sports Personality of the Year Awards.   So impressed were BBC TV Midlands by Brian's love of his sport and commitment to his club, that they returned to Tividale Sports Centre on Monday evening to film a 30 minute documentary about Brian and his love affair with Sandwell cycle speedway club.

Brian picks up the story in his own words.

BBC Television’s visit to the Sandwell track on November 13th of last year in order to record film for the Midland’s Today Sports Personality of the Year programme seems to have created an awareness of the existence of cycle speedway and following discussions between club officials and a BBC production team led by Archana Kalyana suggested a follow-up programme to be broadcast sometime during the summer.   Naturally, the club were keen to co-operate in every way.

Archana and her team which consisted of interviewer Ed Barlow and two camera operators, visited my house on Monday afternoon of this week (March 3rd) to film an interview with myself which provided them with an extensive background of the origins of cycle speedway and how the sport has developed and changed since the old bomb-site days and from when I first became involved with the club from 1953.   They also took away an old photograph of me in action racing at Harrison Park Edinburgh in 1964 and one of the founder of the club Mr F.L.Goode, both of   which they hope to be able to use when   the programme is screened, in addition to some old Pathe News film taken at New Cross London in 1948 and at Edmonton in 1955, although they were doubtful about being allowed to use these without having to pay an excessive fee to Pathe for the privilege!

After the interview, the team moved on to the Sandwell track where the circuit and surrounds were being prepared as though for a normal match-day.   They took extensive shots of the track being graded, white lines painted, starting gate erected, and the PA system being set up. The BBC team were highly impressed with the facilities at the track and with the enthusiasm and work rate of club members and parents.   Archana made a point of telling me of how she produced this same programme for the BBC every year and how each time she has been lumbered with putting together a programme about football which she and her team found boring and repetitive. None of them had every seen cycle speedway before, and found it invigorating and entertaining and although it was a cold night, they were enjoying the opportunity of doing something different.

When all was ready we staged a mini-individual event and the BBC crew filmed eight races in which we made a point of featuring club members from every age group.   To the great credit of all of the riders involved, they provided the cameramen with plenty of eventful and highly entertaining racing.

To round off the evening at our suggestion, the crew them made a recording of the oldest and youngest members of the club 50-year old Phil Hemming and 8-year old James Chattin together to try to emphasise the fact that cycle speedway is a sport for all age groups, and finished off with Archana’s own idea for an introduction to the programme which was for me to stand still with my arms folded in the middle of the track whilst all the 20-odd riders present rode past me, half on the inside and the other half outside. Her plan is to speed up the film so that all the riders rode past me at breakneck speed, and to use this trick film as an opening to the programme.

I cannot speak too highly of our club members and parents who all worked with a will to ensure the success of the evening. They were a credit to the club and to the sport and we should also be grateful to Archana Kalyana who was an amazing personality and the BBC team who all joined in the spirit of the occasion and who seemed to genuinely enjoy the night.

On arrival, the four BBC personnel all seemed keen to get on a bike and have a try on the track themselves but seeing the riders in action and noting that the machines had no brakes, there was a rapid change of heart!

The programme will be shown on the BBC Community Channel, probably sometime towards the end of May, but we will be advised of the exact date as soon as it is known and will also be supplied with a DVD recording of the film which was shot.

POOLE SIGN TOP JUNIOR - posted 24 February 2008

Poole have signed one of the country's most promising youngsters.   Outstanding junior star Thomas Reed is set to race in the Premier League in 2008.

With a string of titles already to his credit, Reed was Britain's top performer in the World Junior Championship last season, finishing just short of a rostrum place.

Read more about Poole's latest signing at http://www.poolecsc.com

Tom (right), pictured with father Mark Reed

TRIBUTES FOR CYCLE SPEEDWAY VOLUNTEERS - posted 17 February 2008

The best of cycle speedway attended British Cycling's gala presentation dinner at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton last evening.

Not only were the sport's champions such as Lee Aris honoured but British Cycling also made special awards to a host of volunteers who selflessly give up their time in a wide range of roles to ensure that the sport happens.   These included awards for Commissions, event officials,club officials, young people and coaches.

Cycle speedway personnel who received awards were:-   Andy Schofield (Hull) who received two awards - one for his work developing cycle speedway in Hull and also as club coach, Gary Nuttall (Astley & Tyldesley), Paul Bodley (Wednesfield Aces), Derek Hilton (Hull)   and Chris Jewkes (Wednesfield Aces)

spokesman-online extends it congratulations to all the winners.

Full citations and accompanying photographs can be viewed on British Cycling's website.

CASH BOOST FOR GB INTERNATIONALS - posted 7 February 2008

The news that the Cycle speedway Commission is willing to contribute £250 toward the travel costs of every rider selected to represent Great Britain in Australia will come as a welcome boost for every aspiring international - of all ages.

British Cycling plans to send two ten rider squads   (ie senior and junior) to Adelaide in 2009 to contest the test match series against Australia.   It is believed this is the first time since 1988, that the GB squad has attracted 'external' funding.     The tour, expected to take place between 11 February and 1 March 2009, is likely to cost in the region of £1,500 per person.   Junior riders have to be born in 1991 or later.

Riders wishing to be considered for team selection should apply to the Cycle Speedway Co-ordinator at British Cycling headquarters by letter or email or by contacting either team manager, Dave Murphy (senior) or Ivan Pike (junior) - but you'll have to be quick - applications close on Friday 29 February.

COMMISSION TO PRODUCE NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENT - posted 7 February 2008

British Cycling is to produce a document setting out the "parameters of eligibility to avoid any future queries in this area."   The statement follows an enquiry by spokesman-online, asking the governing body to set out the rules for national eligibility.

In the meantime, the Commission has agreed two over-riding principles namely

• that a senior rider who qualifies for more than one home nation may opt to change from one to the other, however he/she may only do this once and the change would be permanent
• that a rider can only change allegiance at the end of a season/year and cannot compete for more than one home nation in the same season/year.

The statement, contained in cycle speedway circular number one, remains silent on the basic question of national eligibilty (country of birth or parentage) or residency qualification.

NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY   - COMMISSION RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST - posted 4 February 2008

British Cycling's decision to allow a Scottish international to switch allegiance to England has generated a lively debate on the Yahoo group and has left many people asking what are the rules for national eligibility.

Historically the guidance simply used to be that a rider, his/her parents or grand-parents had to be born in the country.     Competitors were required to produce documentary evidence of birth or parentage.   There were no residency qualifications.   Having represented their choosen country, riders with "dual nationality" were only allowed to apply for a 'nationality review' in the most exceptional circumstances.   It is believed that in the past 20 years or so, this "privilege" has been extended to only two riders, both of whom had Irish desecendency.   At the time, the sport's governing body, the Cycle Speedway Council, was keen to develop an Irish team to compete in the four-nations Home International championships - and this was the rationale behind their decision.

With the passage of time, incorporation of the sport's administration under the British Cycling banner, the complex matter of immigrants seeking British passports - and, yes, the Commission's surprise decision to allow the first "transfer" in years, has somewhat muddied the waters.

So spokesman-online thought we would try to find some answers.   We asked the Cycle Speedway Commission to email us a copy of the current rules on international eligibility so we could post it on line for all to see.

We have now received a reply.   "Brian Furness has put the rule out in Circular no 1 dated 1/2/08 to all clubs."

GREAT BRITAIN MANAGER'S MOST IMPORTANT SIGNING - posted 30 January 2008

Newly appointed Great Britain team manager, Dave Murphy, has made his first signing - and tied the knot with attractive Polish girlfriend Eva.     The wedding took place in Dave's home town, Exeter, at the Register Office.   Guest of honour was legendary Australian referee Trevor Cryer who had flown from Adelaide especially for the wedding.

The marriage in Devon was followed, six days later, with a full Polish wedding celebration at the Hotel Maria in Rawicz, where 70 guests celebrated from 6pm Friday evening until 6am Saturday morning.

Guests included Trevor Cryer (who continued his 10-day visit to Europe to the surprise and delight of Polish cyce speedway locals) along with a party from the UK which included Norman Venson, Lee Galley, Colin Wheeler, Toby Millen and Keith Snelling as well a host of Polish riders headed by Rawicz supremo Andrzej Wlodarczyk.

More photos of the celebration in Rawicz will be available soon - including a unique team-photo of all the riders surrounding the bride   and groom mounted on a cycle speedway bike!

We are certain all spokesman-online readers will join us in wishing Dave and Eva a long and happy life together.

HACK RUNNER-UP   - posted 29 January 2008

Mike Hack took second place in the Unsung Sports Hero category at the eighth annual Wigan Sports Awards Dinner at the JJB Stadium on Friday evening. There were 17 nominations for that particular category, as the event attracted a record 114 nominations for the six categories on offer. Awards were presented by Marc Woods, who won a Paralympics gold medal in swimming at Sydney in 2000.

This is only the second time that Astley & Tyldesley have been recognised at these prestigious awards, so it's valuable publicity for the club and sport, in what is still very much a strong rugby league area.

Editors note - I am sure all spokesman-online readers will join   in congratulating Mike on this   fine achievement - well done Mike - you do cycle speedway proud.

ANOTHER CLUB REFORMS IN BRISTOL   - posted 25 January 2008

Another cycle speedway club has been reborn in the Bristol area, much to the delight of the South-West Region.

The City of Bristol and South Gloucestershire County has been a hotbed of cycle speedway excellence through the 70's, 80's and early 90's but due to a collapse in the mid 90's, the sport has lain dormant. With the Filton club coming into existence in 2006, the publicity brought forward an old name from the Western League and Avon League days. Paul Holloway helped the Filton lads get going but kept a thought that perhaps there was life still left in the old Southmead track at Doncaster Road.

The track was still there, albeit under a decade of undergrowth, but armed with no more than a few shovels and help from some lads from a local youth group, slowly the oval shape returned. Some of the local residents had often wondered what this strange shape was for and once the new shale surface had been put down and the local lads using the new racing bikes kindly donated by local businesses and grants obtained from the Council started to put down a few laps interest grew once more.

Riders from the area will now race in Southmead colours in the South West Conference League which is aimed at under-18's and the talent is definitely there to do well. Ben Dicks, Ben Thomas, Ryan Waters, Ryan Holloway, Martin Durnell form the backbone the team and along with some under-12's who have shown an interest the future is looking good for the small club.

Even some mindless vandalism from a motorcycle cutting up the newly laid shale surface has not shaken the determination of Paul Holloway to get this project going.

"Entering the Conference League and the South-West Junior Grand Prix will help us a lot" Paul enthused. "In the past it was almost impossible to set up a new club but now thanks to the Junior Grand Prix we can enter at the junior level and build on it. May be soon we could have our own senior team in the South-West Division One."
 
In their first full year the Southmead club look forward to competing against junior teams from well established clubs such as Poole, Newport and Exeter.

We will keep you updated on the progress during the year.   Their website along with some old photos can be found on by following the following link http://www.southmeadpride.co.uk/club1.htm