Speedway Needs the Cities
by Robert J.Rogers....15/07/2005

Arena Essex - Not exactly London

It would be a help for speedway if it could have at least one 1st division team in each major city.

London which could boast of many major teams over the years, now have only Wimbledon, which is in what amounts to Div 3 (well done to the Dons for trying to keep the Speedway flag flying in our capital).

With all the developments in East London with the International Airport, and the major International railway station (under construction) both only a stones (or is it shale) throw from both the old West Ham and Hackney Tracks, and the Olympics in the Lea Valley, what a prime site for a person with both money and vision to bring back the sport. Arena Essex is great, but not exactly in London.

Plus what about Birmingham, England's second city, three major teams, now nothing. Liverpool, the Chads, now long gone. Leeds, the first English Champions, now nothing.

Belle Vue and Sheffield are doing a great job for England, Edinburgh and Glasgow for Scotland. (Sorry to any cities with teams I have missed).

I know the major complaint is noise, this is what makes the sport for us, and upsets the rest of the world, but with all modern developments, could there not be a form of sound barrier that could be used to dampen the noise found.

One person wrote to this site saying a lot of people say `they used to go`, I am one, I was a speedway mad kid in the 1960`s, and still follow it via the web, Arena is the nearest to me, but still too far to reach on a working day, and not every club can race on a Saturday.

West Ham I could reach, Hackney I could reach, Romford at a push I could reach, and I am sure there are a lot like me, Speedway fans who would love to return to the sport, if we had more local clubs.

Well, I`ve had me moan! Thanks Speedway Plus!

This article was first published on 15th July 2005