"I have always been a massive Cradley fan. I went to all the home matches at Dudley Wood. Eric was one of the very very best we had, he was for sure the very best gater that I have ever seen. We probably had the best team in the league, no disrespect to any other club, we had the team of the century. In my mind he was the heart of it."
"Oh how I miss those halcyon days at Hyde Road so many years ago. So many happy memories! We proud supporters had fan rattles - they made a clacking sound. I had a large handbell which my sister painted in the Aces rider colours. We even had a Belle Vue Aces song which we sang with great gusto. Those were the days, my friends - we thought they'd never end. What have we now - just a pale imitation of a once great sport! "
"J ust to answer John Stock's query, I believe I was the only British promoter to attend the 1982 World Final in LA. My feeling was it was a hugely significant occasion not to be missed, the involvement of my Leicester skipper Les Collins notwithstanding. Malmo 1961 - the first World Final away from Wembley - was historic too, but a final in the US did signal the possibility of the sport going global. And the Coliseum was the first real one-off purpose-built track, in and out in a few days. The Ivan/Briggo/Harry Oxley team did a great jobwith that, incidentally. Sadly and surprisingly other British promoters displayed a remarkable lack of curiosity. As regards who did and didn't go, I did hear a suggestion the late Bill Dore of Reading went, but I didn't come across him. Jan Andersson might know."
"This is always a difficult one, isn't it? I don't subscribe to the view that "comparisons are a waste of time", it interests people & creates debate. The truth is, it is very difficult to compare riders of a different era, or even the same era as so many factors play a part. There are so many "ifs, buts & maybes", it's impossible to be certain of ones assertion, after all, it can only ever be an opinion. You could argue a case for virtually any top line rider to be the greatest, based on any given category or attribute.
That said, one must measure a sportsman's greatness by his success, surely? There are clearly other considerations than world titles, but that has to play the biggest part. For example, PC in his prime (74-78) would have been untouchable & could easily have won 4 titles straight had he been dealt some good luck instead of bad, but how many riders could you say that about? Several, including those we tragically lost, such as Tom Farndon & say, Tommy Jansson, to name two.
You could probably find a hundred people who would argue they would have achieved true greatness but for fate intervening, but the truth is, you cannot know that about any rider who lost their life or had a career cut short through serious injury - the list is endless. No, you can only consider those who had a career long enough to accrue some sustained success.
If greatness is measured by success, I think you would hard pressed to argue any case against Ivan Mauger. Six world titles is pretty fabulous in itself, but Ivan's carer was about so much more than just amassing those six world championships. He also won world long track titles, pairs, & a WTC title for New Zealand, who had no real right to win it & wouldn't have but for Mauger. He also turned Belle Vue from also rans into multi title winners & then turned Exeter from chumps into champs with a mediocre team & almost did the same to unfashionable Hull. he was a legend as a leader of men, a man who turned team riding into an art form, he also brought the best out of those around him & turned average riders into title winners by instilling belief into them. He thought of everything, it is well documented that when he joined Exeter in 1973, of all his talks over his oining, less than 10% of those discussions centered around money. he left nothing to chance, machinery, management, team mates, travel, fitness, mental strength, the list is endless.
As a complete rider, it is almost impossible to look past him as the best there has ever been. His drive, commitment & ambition to win & to turn those around him into winners drove him & the trappings of his success are obvious. There has never been & will never be another like him in the sport. He was light years ahead of his time in terms of his approach & professionalism, no one has or will come close.
He was never one of my favourites, even though I watched him every week in my formative speedway years, but even so, no one can convince me there has ever been anyone better, all the more remarkable when you consider he tried & failed once & had to return home & that, in truth, when compared to many, many others before & since, he wasn't blessed with huge talent, but made up for that in hard work, dedication & drive. If you have any doubts about the greatness of thee man, read his book, it will leave you in no doubt as to where he stands in the speedway hall of fame."
"I supported Haringay Racers from 1949 till1954 when I was called up for National Service. Vic Duggan and Split Waterman were my favourites of course and I remember the leg trailer Lloyd Goffe. I collected all the blue and yellow programmes and would sing loudly "2 4 6 8 who do you appreciate? Who? The Haringay Racers". The cinder dust and the smell of the fuel are unforgettable! Sadly missed. "
"Not sure how this will help speedway fans. We could not get enough supporters to pay the stadium before. What makes you think this will not happen again. New or old stadium if there are not enough through the gates to pay wages there is no speedway. FACT"
"Just to briefly add to the information I have posted here before, here is official confirmation posted a couple of days ago that the London Mayor, Boris Johnson, is to call in the application by AFC Wimbledon for the redevelopment of Wimbledon Stadium, Plough Lane. It appears that a final decision will be made within the next 4-6 weeks."
Latest news - Mayor of London calls in stadium planning application On 22 March 2016 the Mayor of London considered a report by GLA (Greater London Authority) officers on the Wimbledon Stadium planning application. The Mayor decided to call in the application. A final decision from the Mayor is likely to take place after the Mayoral Election on 5 May 2016.
"Thankfully, I wasn't one of those that travelled from London to Manchester to witness what must only be described as a complete circus farce at the opening of the National Speedway Stadium, and the Peter Craven Memorial Meeting. With a sell-out crowd and the world's press there, on top of the Lord Mayor of Manchester opening what should have been a prestigious night for the sport, by all accounts it descended into total farce and anarchy. After 52 years of watching my beloved sport, and a part of that involved in at least saving the Wimbledon Dons from extinction, am I ready to turn my back on it? I am very near to say the least, and unless the promoters can come up with something concrete to save speedway's bacon, then thousands will be shaved off attendances this year and the sport will continue it's gentle decline into total oblivion. If I were one of those who were there that evening, I would NEVER come back."
"Yes Bruce was a matinee idol, but also a fabulous rider. And to top it all he was a great guy to work with. His time was too short but he was fabulous for speedway."
"I'm with GED, I'll not give up on speedway til the day one of us is dead, its always been my passion and always will be (even if I sometimes get fed up defending the indefensible or the downright stupid!!) As for Bruce, he remains the best rider I've seen in 52 years watching our magnificent sport, and, if proof of his greatness were ever needed it was proven in 1989 at Landshut on World Final Eve when He broke the existing track record on a bog standard 4 valve in the Golden Greats meeting! Needless to say they then stopped announcing times as it was "unfair to compare!" SEVEN years after retiring BP broke their track record - WOW!!! I will forever be grateful speedway had BP but even more grateful he was a Cradley Heathen."
"Thank you to everyone who has taken time to comment on my article about Bruce Penhall and the decline of speedway. I must first start by making it very clear that I never ever penned it as an article. It was written as a comment to an article first submitted by the very knowledgeable Tracy Holmes, at least a couple of years ago. This was due to the fact that I did not really find and start reading this wonderful website, in any depth, until last year. So much of what Tracy wrote echoed my sentiments about the man and the hugely significant roll that he played within the last halcyon era of the sport.
The decision to publish it, as a stand-alone article, was made by Allan the webmaster/editor/proprietor of the site. I was nervous about the decision as I am, of course, aware of how passionate lovers of speedway can be and I have no wish to upset anyone.
Dave's comments particularly saddened me and I would never contest any of them. I remain more than aware of how easily highly accurate and confidential information can, within the world of speedway, fall into the hands of a bystander. I can also imagine how emotional the Cradley faithful must have felt upon receiving the news of Bruce's retirement. Dave's reference to 1982 is of course paramount. It was a watershed year for the world of speedway and Bruce's retirement was a very pivotal part of that.
The infamous L.A. World Final was perhaps more significant than it appeared. As tribute to and in endorsement of Penhall's contribution to the sport, up until that moment, perhaps it is worth considering how many British Speedway Promoters, of that time, actually attended? I am sure that Bruce will know. And secondly, although hurt and jilted by his departure, surely the loyal Cradely fans must acknowledge that it was Bruce's legacy that sent them "Billy The bullet" and "The Grin"; and in doing so perpetuating the World Champion production line of the famous old club?
It was heartwarming to read a note of thanks from Bruce himself, but I think that the bigger statement here is the fact that the guy still has the sport within his soul. Thank you Bruce.
And finally Stephen like you if it is on the telly I do try and watch it. But I do miss Thomas Gollob. Interestingly did you see that BT Sport have signed Suzy Perry? Amongst one or two things they said that they wanted her for her previous speedway experience. Could this mean that we may see speedway on BT Sport this year? "
With new Belle Vue track opening any day now, how about a nostalgic look back at the legendary stadium it has been built to replace? We have had 15 of these pictures on the site for many years, but here's another 19 and they can all now be viewed at full size for the first time. The pictures were taken by Kathy Hitchen in late 1987.
"There is a cottage industry devoted to questioning and undermining the way certain greats of the sport are remembered but Ivan had a point and all world champions under whatever arrangement and in whatever era could do no more than win titles according to the requirements of the day. Arguably individual event wins are just one other yardstick to be applied to this debate but then so too is a record of consistent supremacy in league racing - which in the Mauger/Olsen years means the British League. Some of those stats are worth revisiting. Incidentally, I think there is a long list of 'old-time' world champions convinced they would have won more titles during the contemporary Grand Prix era!! Clearly, they couldn't all be right about that ..."
"If I was able to go into a time machine and choose to watch riders of the past, "Wee Georgie" would be in my top 3. His exploits as part of the pre-war New Cross side were nothing short of dazzling. In spite of losing the peak years of his career to injury (he didn't ride between 1939 & 1947) George courageously returned to the saddle and entertained a new generation of fans. How I wish we had the like of him now!"
With new Belle Vue track opening any day now, how about a nostalgic look back at the legendary stadium it has been built to replace? We have had 15 of these pictures on the site for many years, but here's another 19 and they can all now be viewed at full size for the first time. The pictures were taken by Kathy Hitchen in late 1987.
"There is a cottage industry devoted to questioning and undermining the way certain greats of the sport are remembered but Ivan had a point and all world champions under whatever arrangement and in whatever era could do no more than win titles according to the requirements of the day. Arguably individual event wins are just one other yardstick to be applied to this debate but then so too is a record of consistent supremacy in league racing - which in the Mauger/Olsen years means the British League. Some of those stats are worth revisiting. Incidentally, I think there is a long list of 'old-time' world champions convinced they would have won more titles during the contemporary Grand Prix era!! Clearly, they couldn't all be right about that ..."
"If I was able to go into a time machine and choose to watch riders of the past, "Wee Georgie" would be in my top 3. His exploits as part of the pre-war New Cross side were nothing short of dazzling. In spite of losing the peak years of his career to injury (he didn't ride between 1939 & 1947) George courageously returned to the saddle and entertained a new generation of fans. How I wish we had the like of him now!"
