|
Post by christreg on May 4, 2011 2:17:18 GMT
What a set-up that Cray Tigers' track was. It had good surface, simple stands, fence, stating gate, lights, public address system, ardent supporters and organization. The Tigers equipment was also most impressive. Boots, helmets even uniform clothing I think. This was all topped off by polo bikes with, to me, ridiculously low gearing. No wonder that they were such a successful outfit. On the pdf no mention was made of any Wembley team visiting. There was one of which I was part. We won and the ardent supporters mentioned were not favourably impressed. In fact there was an altercation at the end of the meeting between some of our followers and theirs. No riders were involved as far as I recall. The local paper, Orpington Times? produced some very good pictures of the racing, sadly those prints I had have disappeared.
|
|
|
Post by robinbrichardson on May 7, 2011 9:56:15 GMT
I hope that members will excuse the inclusion of St Mary Cray Tigers in this reply.
Mr R Pacey of Plantation Drive Orpington,wrote to the Ealing times in 2003 that the Orpington Eagles started on a track by the multi-storey car park by the War Memorial, then moved to the Dinkey Cafe at Ruxley Corner, Footscray. He says that they joined the Southern League.
"Race meetings were hled and many clubs from as far away as Hastings, Eastbourne, and many London clubs raced here and it attracted large crowds".
Riders from the Orpington Eagles competed in the South East London league's individual championship in April 1950 (information from Ron Holvey's article in the VCSRA's February 2011 magazine).They may have competed in that league in 1949 but are not in the 1950 table.
Roger Rance of the Eagles won the Senior section of the Kent Individual Championship in 1951.
Cray Tigers were racing in 1949, Jim Henderson won the Senior Section of the Kent Championship in 1949 and 1950. Alan Fleet of the Tigers won in 1952. The Tigers won the Kent League in 1950, 1951 and 1952, Welling Wings were the champions in 1949. The Tigers were Senior county team champions in 1950, 1951 and 1952. The Kent League was revived in 1959 and the Tigers were the winners and Junior county team champions in 1959.
The Tigers ' track was at Cockmannings Farm, Chelsfield Road, St Mary Cray,as already noted.
Where it all gets confusing, is that entrants for the 1953 East London league were "Cray Valley Eagles"whose track was at the Dinkie Cafe. Perhaps just a change of name.
Any more information would be appreciated.
|
|
stutowner
Junior Member
This is not a practise - do it while you can!
Posts: 70
|
Post by stutowner on May 8, 2011 11:03:04 GMT
Thanks for the replies so far; I suppose the 'Eagles' could have become the Cray Tigers? My first house was in Cockmannings Lane dead opposite the farm! Looks like I was too late again! I'll certaily try the Orpington papers but not living there now and one thing and another may be a bit difficult. Thanks again - keep it coming! Stu
|
|
|
Post by haflinger121 on May 8, 2011 20:02:09 GMT
Pardon me for going a bit OT here, but what intrigues me about this thread is why anyone should be writing to the Ealing Times in such detail about cycle speedway in Orpington!
|
|
danny
New Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by danny on May 26, 2011 22:23:49 GMT
the photos orp 1 --5--- 10 are of an individal championship held at peckham stars track at east surrey grove, peckham, i recognise some of the riders, but a larger photo would be helpful. photo 4 shows ray braddon being chaired by henry brand after winning the south east london championship the year about 1950. Regarding the Beckenham Team, the Pirates were formed in 1952 and raced in the car park of the essoldo cinema, penge, a new council track was opened in churchfields recreation ground, beckenham in1954, in 1957 the team changed its name to beckenham monarchs, the team folded in the 1980s but many of the old riders still get together
|
|
stutowner
Junior Member
This is not a practise - do it while you can!
Posts: 70
|
Post by stutowner on Jun 11, 2011 13:01:29 GMT
I lived opposite the farm in Cockmannings Lane in 1967 and there was no indication of a track being there then. The farmer even grubbed out the hedgerows and made it one big field. Please keep the info coming folks. Stu There's a mention of Orpington Eagles on this link. Where were the Cray Tigers based - and shouldn't the site also recognise the Beckenham teams? www.craywands.co.uk/tigers.pdfI cannot see your problem regarding where Cray Tigers raced because it's clearly indicated in the pdf you sent over! Cockmannings Farm Track, Chelsfield Road, St Mary Cray.
|
|
danny
New Member
Posts: 15
|
Post by danny on Jun 17, 2011 15:12:54 GMT
photo ORP 1 East Surrey Grove SE15 individual event circa 1950 L toR back row Jackie Lunan new cross--two unknown Orpington Eagles--Horry Moore & Cyril Buckenham both Peckham Stars--unknown---Tommy Jarrett Peckham stars Front Row L to R unknown new cross--2 unknown Sydenham Stars---Henry Brand Peckham stars---Alec owen manager--Jimmy King Albany aces---unknown Albany aces
ORP 4 South East London individual championships East Surrey Grove SE15 circa 1949 Ray Braddon winner being chaired by Henry Brand on right runner up, Jackie Lunan 3rd ?
ORP5 G Luck Orpington Eagles on the outside of Terry Vintner Ruskin Flyers at East Surrey grove circa 1949
ORP7 L to R an Orpington Eagle----Freddie Mockford New Cross motor Speedway Promotor---Sammie Kain New Cross
ORP10 S E London individual circa 1950 East Surrey Grove S E 15 L to R J Crokham Ruskin Flyers---Cyril Buckenham Peckham Stars---2 x unknown
|
|
|
Post by richpac on May 13, 2012 20:14:49 GMT
Hi Stu Towner,my brother Perce [Kirk] Pacey and me Richard are two of the original Orpington Eagles.I have some photos I am sure you would be interested in plus a short account of our club and its members.Unfortunately because I have a laptop I can't send the photos,so I need an email address yours Richard Pacey
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Jul 31, 2013 14:57:12 GMT
Orpington Eagles are featured in issue No.50 of 'The Voice' plus a great feature on the development of cycle speedway in the immediate post-war years circa 1946 onwards. There are also some excellent photos which I hope to persuade publisher Stu Towner to eventually allow London Speedways to reproduce. Here is the latest publicity in regard to these features: ::: Richard Pacey on the Orpington Eagles Cycle Speedway team; Roy Delaney on the Skid Kids and his Memorable Moments plus much more reading matter. ::: Available from Friends of Speedway ; 117 Church Lane , Chessington, Surrey KT9 2DP. Please send your cheque for £10 made out to the above for four issues of the Voice to Stuart Towner at the above address or ring 0208-397 6599 for more information.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 1, 2013 7:46:54 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 1, 2013 14:38:47 GMT
The Orpington Eagles Cycle Speedway - Richard Pacey
One of the founder members of Orpington Eagles was my Dad George Pacey, he became our Manager. The club was formed in early 1949 and in order to compete with other clubs we needed eight or more riders. These were the original six: Eric Cox, Percy Pacey, Richard Pacey, Colin Payne, Vic Stokes and Brian Everest. Then other young boys who requested membership were: Gordon Luck, Ronald Aspland, Geoff Willison, Robert Harding, David Tomlinson, David Burt and Spud Walters. Orpington Eagles were now ready to face our racing future and our first race was with New Cross on a bomb site! They were a great team. Fred Mockford who was manager of the New Cross motor cycle speedway team came to give us encouragement. In late 1949 another club was formed called Cray Tigers, there was friendly rivalry between them and us, but I have to admit they became a very good team, (not as good as us though!). The Eagles first track was near the Orpington War Memorial behind the High Street shops, but for some reason of which I’m unaware, we had to move on. Another site was found at St. Mary Cray, this was used for a short time before our Dad negotiated with the owner of the Dinky Cafe at Ruxley Corner, near Sidcup for a permanent site for us to develop a racing track. This was done by all the enthusiastic members of our team, all of us only 16+yrs at the time! Our track was completed in 1950 and in my opinion the best racing circuit in Kent and London. Crowds of 1,500-2,000 were quite normal. Philips Cycle manufacturer made a bike just for cycle speedway, we tested one and it was fantastic. It cost £10 which was a lot of money in 1950 but we bought eight of them one way or another! The boys in the club decided we should dress alike so we bought Army Tunic Jackets and Trousers, these were all dyed black then we added some Dispatch Riders boots. We never looked back as our records showed, becoming National Team Champions, Best Pair Champions and also Individual Champion. Alas the club ended in 1951 when we were all called up for National Service and a very sad time for us all. Still to this day when my brother Perce and I get together, and we recall some of our happiest memories around our cycle speedway days.
:::Photos submitted by Jill and Richard Pacey.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 1, 2013 14:40:14 GMT
Photo submitted by Jill and Richard Pacey.Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 1, 2013 14:55:50 GMT
photo ORP 1 East Surrey Grove SE15 individual event circa 1950 L toR back row Jackie Lunan new cross--two unknown Orpington Eagles--Horry Moore & Cyril Buckenham both Peckham Stars--unknown---Tommy Jarrett Peckham stars Front Row L to R unknown new cross--2 unknown Sydenham Stars---Henry Brand Peckham stars---Alec owen manager--Jimmy King Albany aces---unknown Albany aces ORP 4 South East London individual championships East Surrey Grove SE15 circa 1949 Ray Braddon winner being chaired by Henry Brand on right runner up, Jackie Lunan 3rd ? ORP5 G Luck Orpington Eagles on the outside of Terry Vintner Ruskin Flyers at East Surrey grove circa 1949 ORP7 L to R an Orpington Eagle----Freddie Mockford New Cross motor Speedway Promotor---Sammie Kain New Cross ORP10 S E London individual circa 1950 East Surrey Grove S E 15 L to R J Crokham Ruskin Flyers---Cyril Buckenham Peckham Stars---2 x unknown Thank you for the captions which are now placed against the photos detailed.
|
|
|
Post by fredthered on Oct 18, 2013 11:46:56 GMT
It was good of robinbrichardson to make a small mention of my team, the Welling Wings, one of the original constituent teams of the Kent League during the late 1940s/early 1950s, I well recall racing against Orpimgton Eagles and Cray Tigers. At that time, the Tigers were almost unbeatable, at least on their own tiny track, to which their polo bikes were well suited. It was said that the Tigers' track was meant to be a miniature version of the New Cross motorcycle speedway track, which was also comparatively small and therefore known as the "Frying Pan". I can confirm that the original Cray Valley Eagles team changed its name to Orpington Eagles, although I don't know why. There is no longer any trace of the former Cray Tigers track at Cockmannings Farm, the land having been returned to agriculture. The original founder members of the Welling Wings, of which I was one, still meet up once a year for a reunion lunch. Fred Pallett.
|
|
stutowner
Junior Member
This is not a practise - do it while you can!
Posts: 70
|
Post by stutowner on May 31, 2018 17:22:00 GMT
The above link doesn't seem to work now - Ironic my first house was in Cockmannings Lane.
Stu
|
|