Dream Team : Calum Macaulay

The Top Glasgow Team (In my opinion) by Calum Macaulay

Charlie Monk
The big quiet aussie was master of the White City (the first of many Glasgow homes) and could beat all comers. Briggs, Mauger, Boocock etc it did not matter to maxi monk he beat them all. He started a tradition of a long line of Aussie heroes in the red and white stripes. He also won the famous Internationale at Wimbledon from the 'real' stars when it was a 'second' world final. An all time Glasgow great.

Robert Nagy
The first Glasgow tiger to start the winning habit when he won the Riders Championship. The team got the habit and two league and cup doubles followed. A cracking gater and a nice guy. He was master of Shawfield and several other circuits. Like many other former Tigers (including my number one Charlie Monk he has, in my opinion, never quite reached his Glasgow heights again). Remembered for pulsating battles with a young aussie called Jason Crump (Wonder what happened to him?). Another all time Glasgow great.

Jim Macmillan
The man from Glasgow went from a second string to number one in one season. In 1968 (the second year I followed speedway) Glasgow were left 'Monkless' and short of any real quality in their side barring the great Norwegian and former Edinburgh Monarch Oiyvind S Berg. Jimmy Mac stepped in to the breach and saved us from several memorable gubbings. He went on to have a long and meritorius career which hasn't quite finished as he still races in past masters events and mechanics for the 'Bullit'. Reserve at a Wembley world final and raced in front of a bigger crowd than the Bullit ever has!

Steve Lawson
The man from Maryport must feature in the side. He was a fantastic speedway rider who made it look all to easy over a lengthy career mostly spent in the red and white stripes. A great team captain and a nice guy sorely missed.

Kenny McKinna
For the first season at Shawfield when he genuinely was a class above everybody else in the National league. He was later to defect to 'them' but as he found his feet with us and had (in my opinion) his best season with us he's in. A constant source of help to ALL speedway riders in Scotland and this continues with his weekly Glasgow training school this winter.

Mick Powell
100% Glasgow man and yes I'm delighted that he appears to be heading back up the M74 to Ashfield. Stuck together a double championship winning outfit and became our skipper prior to his move to the Comics at Workington. Some memorable Glasgow performances and several more to come....no worries.

Sean Courtney
I hear you all saying what? Well the big quiet Courtney was never a number one nor did he win several individual championships but he anchored a really good team and like his fellow reserve Mick he was a 100% Tiger. Not a speedway millionaire but he enriched our sport with his presence.

Honourable mentions to Berg,Walsh,Crabtree,Les Collins et al.....in short anyone who has worn the stripes is in my opinion worth a place. Pity I had to pick seven.

This article was first published prior to October 2002

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