Farewell Gentleman George
By David Pickles

George (left) with Russ Dent in 2005 Picture by Colin Poole

It is with much sadness that I recently learned of the death of "Gentleman" George Barclay, a much loved rider of the mid to late 60's at the late and lamented West Ham track at Custom House, who I understand passed away earlier this year at the age of 90.

George and his wife Linda had a greengrocers shop in Cumberland Rd Plaistow, around a mile from the stadium which they ran from around 1965 until the early 1970's. This shop (and George's workshop) was on the way to my high school, Plaistow Grammar and I would walk past it every day with my school friends.

It wasn't until around 1969 though that we realised who it was when one Tuesday, hurrying home from school to eat and get ready for the weekly meeting at West Ham that we heard the familiar sound of a speedway bike being warmed up. On further inspection (through a cheeky gap in the back gates) it turned out to be George warming up his bike for that evening's action.

He warmly welcomed us to look and explained about the bikes, how they work and spoke briefly of his love for the sport. I well remember his warmth and genuine passion for speedway and people as well, thinking at the time I wish some of our teachers could be so pleasant!

Over the ensuing years we subsequently became friends, keeping in touch when he retired from riding and had a workshop in New Barn Street, literally 500 yards from his original shop, where there was a chap called Bill Pryke who I think George told me was a tuner at West Ham in the pre and post war era. He got to know my Mother well (the workshop was near the shopping area) and she became interested for the first time in her life in some aspects of the sport which George used to take the time to explain to her (and offer her a cuppa when she popped in to see him).

When she passed away in 2005 he was sad and sympathetic and offered me the services of a medium that he knew personally - another aspect of George's helpful disposition.

We kept in touch right through his fund-raising years for the Speedway Museum, I donated some artefacts and met him again at High Beech in 2007 with one of my daughters who was enthralled to meet him and other famous personalities such as Malcolm Simmons (the Dockland Pearl for those with long memories) and Norman Hunter to name but two.

I may be totally wrong here, and if so apologies and respect to George's family, but the last time we spoke wasn't long before his wife Linda passed away and I'm fairly certain he did mention that she had dementia. We lost touch after that as I understand he moved away, possibly to live with family, but that I can't be 100% certain of.

I have lovely memories of a genuine and warm person in George, spending many happy hours conversing either personally or on the telephone.

George, it was a pleasure to know you - RIP my friend and thank you for all the memories both on and off the track.

This article was first published on 31st May 2026