SpeedwayPlus | Dream Team : Bob Cole

Christer Lofqvist
My all time favourite rider. This guy was just fabulous to watch. Inside or out, he never gave up. His Golden Helmet match race with Jimmy Mac, was as good as anything you can see today. He stalked Jimmy for 3 and a quarter laps, inside and out, before blasting round the outside by the pits gate. My throat has never been the same since, and that was 1972! (Always looking for more photos of him).

Ken Middleditch
Mr Poole himself. Ultimate TEAM man. Never went out for his own glory. He would always have a smile and a kind word. Still the same today. A really genuine person. He was my first ever hero! When you see him today, he's rarely without a smile.

Tony Lewis
You cannot mention Ken and then ignore Tony! His white line riding is legendary. Tremendous pairing those two. In the Provincial League days he became almost unbeatable round Poole. Maximum after maximum, with seemingly no effort.

Odd Fossengen
The flying Norwegian pops over to say hello every year. Still as popular today as he was then. Always had 3 good rides, before fluffing his 4th! A real gent, who mentioned a few weeks ago that, when he retires, he plans to move to Poole.

Geoff Mudge
An inspiration as captain. Equipment always immaculate. Great team rider.

Bill Andrew
A diminutive New Zealander with a swashbuckling style. Did he ride the bike, or did the bike ride him? Guaranteed 100% effort. He once broke the track record at Poole in the 2nd half and still complained to Mr Knott that he didnt like the track! Mind you, he was riding an ESO for the first time!!

Gote Nordin
Extremely elegant rider. Immaculate equipment. Shame he only stayed for a season. Looked every inch as stylish when the Briggo Golden Greats came to Poole a couple of years ago. Well thought of in these parts.

This sort of thing will always be 'in the eye of the beholder'. I have simply listed SOME of my favourites. Thank you guys for the pleasure you have given over the years. Long may it continue..........

RIP Jimmy Squibb.

This article was first published on 9th October 2004

Len Firth:

"As a young lad watching Southampton speedway, I seem to recall Charlie Knott the promoter enticing the great riders of the day to ride in second half events, I am sure Jack and Norman Parker, Vic Duggan and other great riders from the then first division were amongst them."

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