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Post by Administrator on Jan 26, 2013 17:45:23 GMT
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Post by Administrator on Jan 26, 2013 17:49:25 GMT
Forwarded message from oldtimespeedway:::: :::::::::: --- In oldtimespeedway@yahoogroups.com, "matt" wrote:
WILLIAMS, Frederick Owen (Freddie)
Born: March 12, 1926, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, Wales.*
From novice to World Champion in just three years was the sensational story of Freddie Williams, Wales' finest ever speedway product and one of Britain's all time great riders. Freddie began riding at Rye House in 1946 but he suffered a broken ankle in a grass track meeting and his league debut had to wait until the following season. The Wembley promoter, Alec Jackson, had seen that Freddie was a fine prospect but a quiet start to his career saw him score just one point from his only match that year.
He was given a place in the `Lions' starting line-up in 1948 and a series of impressive and consistent scores saw him cement his place in the main body of the team. Freddie progressed well over the next couple of years as the `Lions' dominated the league scene and he made his international debut for England on his home track in 1949.
He qualified for his debut World Final in 1950 and, despite the meeting being held on his home track and the fact that Freddie had the beating of most around the Empire Stadium, it was still a major surprise when the young Welshman took home the title and catapulted himself into the world's elite. This was the first of four consecutive final appearances and a disappointing 9th place in 1951 was followed by the silver medal as he finished as runner-up to Jack Young in 1952. A second World title on a rain soaked Wembley track in 1953, when he adapted himself superbly to the conditions to snatch the crown from under the nose of Split Waterman, confirmed his place in the history books as the first British rider to win two World titles, a feat matched only by Peter Craven in the years up to the present day.
Despite his World title triumphs, Freddie did not dominate the sport like some others who wore the crown and he only once finished in the top five of the league averages. However, the title was there to be won on the night and, although he may not have had the same success had there been a modern style Grand Prix system in place, Freddie remains one of the greatest British riders of all time. His success with Wembley was equally as impressive, winning five consecutive league titles between 1949 and 1953, and he continued to ride for the club until 1956 when he quit following a poor run of scores and his increasing business commitments.
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