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Sunderland Reunion 2005
By Bob Ferry
The Sunderland reunion held on Saturday the 19th November was a great success, and many guests said that it was the best yet. The proceeds which are being donated to the proposed Speedway museum at Paradise Park look like being in the region of £400 plus. I think you will agree that it's not bad for a track that has been closed for over thirty years!
Ex Sunderland riders who attended were Russ Dent, George Barclay, Brian Havelock, Peter Wrathall, Andy Meldrum, John Robson and Lloyd Dobson. Guest riders included Chris Morton, Dave Morton, Pete Wigley, Rob Grant snr and Jnr, Dai Evans, Scott Robson, Alan Butterfield, Norman Redmond, and Russ Hodgson. Also from the 1964 Saints team Ray Day.
As the disco played "Simply the best" and "We're going to make this a night to remember", we are left to reflect "it certainly was"
Pictures courtesy of Colin Poole
Russ Dent and George Barclay
Brian Havelock and Andy Meldrum
Ray Day - A Sunderland Star in 1964
All the former Sunderland riders
Russ Dent and Brian Havelock
Ray Day and former Newcastle & Bradford rider Norman Redmond
A group shot of all the riders in attendance
This article was first published on 25th November 2005
"Wish I could have been there, always have fond memories of Sunderland and how Bill Thomas used to let me sneak in - I earned it by collecting the helmet colours off the riders. Do my bit now by donating to John Robson's son (Stuart).
"A great set of photos. I remember a lot of the riders over the years. I started watching speedway in 1950 at Bradford's Odsal stadium in the days of Arthur Forrest, Oliver Hart and Eddie Rigg just to name a few. I was on the track staff at Halifax in the seventies and we still have the occasional reunions with the former riders. Great days."