Dream Team : Christian Oldcorn

My name is Christian Oldcorn. I am 24 years old. I started watching speedway at the shay in the early 80's, and then continued at Odsal until the mid 1990's. I am just getting back into speedway due to the excellent coverage given by sky TV. here is my dream team, selected for entertainment, style and the ability to win. My apologies for dragging up some fairly obscure names, and for leaving out some great ones. My team mainly consists of Bradford riders, with one exception.

Shawn Moran
Was the best rider around Odsal bar none. In his pomp, he was outstanding around Odsal, and the best race I have ever seen was won by him. Heat 16, 1990 world final.

Simon Wigg
Came to Bradford after suffering a bad injury, and at one point dropped to reserve. he regained his confidence, and then was absolutely fantastic. Consistently fast, and a really nice guy. He is sadly missed.

Kenny Carter
The undisputed champion in his own mind. He talked the talk, and walked the walk, like no one else. Unbeatable around the shay, and should have been World champ in 82, but for Penhall and the race officials. He was arrogant to the point of being rude, but when your that good, you are entitled to be. we can only wonder what might have been.

Gary Havelock
Was the number one rider of the Dukes best teams of the nineties. The last British world champ at a one off world final was capable of producing the goods at Odsal, and the Bradford public loved him. Athough from Middlesbrough, an honorary Bradfordian. Never been the same since his back injury. Still my favourite!

Jimmy Nilsen
Often flattered to decieve whilst riding for Bradford, but he was a classy rider who was able to ride any type of track. a really nice guy who wore his heart on his sleeve, and was a proven success at the top level.

Glenn Doyle
Is a surprise inclusion in this top team, but he was a very important member of the Dukes team in 1990/1991. Up until the 90's Bradford had been rubbish, and apart from Havelock ( When not banned) and Evitts they offered very little else(see definitely not considered).

Andy Smith
The final spot goes to Andy Smith, who got his career back online at Bradford. At his peak was outstanding at odsal, even if he could not gate. A real yorkshire terrier!

Notable mentions must go to the following who should have got a place in the team, and make up the hypothetical opposition for my top seven: Marvyn Cox, Joe Screen, Paul Thorp, Sean Wilson, Kelvin Tatum, Mark Loram, Per Jonsson. Neil Evitts

Hope this makes you laugh Cry, or simply recollect how good and bad Bradford have been.

This article was first published prior to October 2002

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