WOLVERHAMPTON SPORTING HALL OF FAME


ROGER ELLIS INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME

Cycle speedway legend Roger Ellis has been awarded the highest sporting accolode his city can bestow, induction into the Wolverhampton Sporting Hall of Fame.  

After receiving citations and signing the Commemorative Book, Roger was presented with his award by the Right Worshipful Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Surjan Singh Duhra in a glittering ceremony at Aldersley Leisure Village earlier today.

The Hall of Fame, estbalished by Wolverhampton City Council in conjunction with Wolverhampton Sports Advisory Council, recognises the sporting achievements of local people, providing a fitting and lasting tribute to those sportsmen and women who have represented Wolverhampton with distinction.

In a brief and emotional acceptance speech, proud Roger spoke about the many friendships he has made in the sport and described the Hall of Fame Award as being "the icing on the cake".  Family, friends and members of Wednesfield cycle speedway club were on hand to help Roger celebrate his wonderful achievement.

ROGER ELLIS SPORTING LEGEND - posted 26 September 2009

Born in Walsall on 2 April 1947, the son of a Black Country brick burner, Roger started playing with bikes behind the Spread Eagle pub in Wednesfield when he was a boy.  What started as schooboy fun sparked a deep interest in the sport and in 1961 when Roger discovered a local cycle speedway league was being set up, he decided to join.

"It all started at the back of the Spead Eagle in Broad Lane, he told spokesman-online.  "We were just playing about on our bikes when my cousin said that a local league had been set up and that he was going to join."

Roger rode for a season with the wonderfully named Pylon Stars, based in Moathouse Lane before moving to the Wednesfield Aces, then based at the British Legion in Vicarage Road.

It wasn't long before Roger's talent was noticed.  In 1964 he started riding for Wolverhampton Wolves and remained with the club for several seasons before catching the eye of a scout for the Kingstanding Monarchs.  It was while he was racing for the Monarchs in 1967 that Roger clinched the nationally coveted Rider of the Year Award.

Picking up this title was the highlight of his early career but it was three years later when he was back with the Aces that Roger really started to shine.  Wooed back to the club who wanted a top rider, a team was built around Roger and the trophies and medals just kept coming.

"In 1970 I came back to Wolverhampton to ride for the Wednesfield Aces at Ashmore Park - and that's how it all began again" he said.  "They were looking for a top rider, so I moved back to the Aces."

Roger scooped the national individual championship in 1971 and the next year started competing against clubs across the country after going into the English League.  "We won about 14 or 15 league titles" said the 61-year-old from Minton Close, East Park.  But it was in 1983 that Roger had his greatest achievement, winning the Fosters Lager World  Master Championship at the final in Thurrock.

Lifting the World championship trophy remains the highlight of his career, not least because he achieved the accolade at the ripe old age of 36 which, at the time, was relatively old for a cycle speedway rider.

"The World championship was the icing on the cake especially because I was in my mid thirties at the time.  It was just great" he recalled.  Two years later Roger, who was by then captain of the British Lions, travelled to Adelaide to defend his title, finishing a creditable fifth.

Roger also led the mighty Wednesfield Aces to 12 British team finals between 1971 and 1991, six of those finals on the winning team (pictured)

In later years, he cemented his reputation as a fierce competitor by winning the British Veterans championship in 1988 and 1992 and became national Super-Veterans champion in 2007.

In 1990 Roger was appointed as ng;and team manager, a role he held unitl 2003.  He also managed the British Lions touring team on two further visits to Australia.

The married father of three (Tanya, Shaun and Kirsty) started winding down about four or five years ago but still occasionally competes in Vets events, despite suffering back problems, a legacy from his high speed knocks down the years.

"Cycle speedway has given me a great lifestyle.  I have travelled the world and met lots of wonderful people.  But i am winding down now" explained Roger.

Roger met his second wife Cindy through cycle speedway.  The couple had known each other for several years through the sport and love blossomed for the pair after Roger sadly lost his first wife, Christine, to cancer in 1999.

One project Roger is tackling with his usual enthusiasm is to unearth all his cups and medals to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Wednesfield Aces in 2012.  Club members are already putting together a book about the Aces for future generations.  It's bound to have several pages dedicated to Roger Ellis, sporting legend.  




WOLVERHAMPTON HALL OF FAME

The Wolverhampton City Sporting Hall of Fame, which began in 1999, reads like a sporting Who's Who.  Not surprisingly footballers feature prominently in the roll of honour including Jack Taylor OBE, Billy Wright CBE, Bill Slater CBE, Ron Flowers and Stan Cullis.

Other well-known sporting personalities include Rachel Heyhoe Flint MBE (women's cricket), Kathy Cook, Verona Elder, Sonia Lannaman and Tessa Sanderson MBE, OBE, CBE (athletics) and Hugh Porter MBE and Bob Thom (cycling).  Now another and equally deserving name has been added to the honour board, 'Roger Ellis-Cycle Speedway'.

Family and friends from Wednesfield Aces Cycle Speedway Club were on hand to support Roger Ellis at today's glittering Wolverhampton Sporting Hall of Fame presentation.