Post by Administrator on Aug 7, 2011 20:25:45 GMT
FROM oldtimespeedway
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Pat Clarke
For his many admirers, I have posted my Speedway Star obituary to Pat Clarke.
John Chaplin
FORMER Rayleigh, Oxford and West Ham star Pat Clarke has died aged 84 after a long battle with Alzheimers Disease. His early intention was to make a career in the medical profession, but he took up cycle speedway and soon made the switch to the powered sport.
A five line mention in the 1949 Who's Who In Speedway read: 'Clark (sic) Pat . .. a Rayleigh novice. First maximum on May 7. Owes his speedway chance to Aussie Powell.'
Pat Clarke was not a novice for long. That first year he was second highest scorer in the Rockets' Division 3 line-up behind Jim Gregory. Their team mates included Jack Unstead, Vic Gooden, Les McGillivray, Wally Mawdsley and Percy Brine, who Pat replaced as captain mid-season.
In 1950 he moved from Rayleigh, second from bottom in the league, to Oxford, rock bottom, and helped take them right to the top. That title-winning side included Bob McFarlane, Eric Irons, Harry Saunders and Bill Osborne. Pat scored 17 maximums on the way and won the Division 3 individual championship title as well.
Early the following season, with an average of 11.43, injury struck when he broke a leg. But his ambitions were for First Division racing and in 1952 West Ham paid £1,000 for him. The same day he made his debut against Bradford and went on to partner the great Jack Young. Within a year he was challenging Wally Green for the No.2 scoring slot behind Young.
Pat joined the international elite when he was selected for England in the second Test against Australia at Wembley in 1953. He dropped down a division by going back to Oxford in 1956. Then a further broken leg and head injuries finally ended his racing career.
His brother Colin also rode for Oxford and West Ham and Southampton.
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Pat Clarke
For his many admirers, I have posted my Speedway Star obituary to Pat Clarke.
John Chaplin
FORMER Rayleigh, Oxford and West Ham star Pat Clarke has died aged 84 after a long battle with Alzheimers Disease. His early intention was to make a career in the medical profession, but he took up cycle speedway and soon made the switch to the powered sport.
A five line mention in the 1949 Who's Who In Speedway read: 'Clark (sic) Pat . .. a Rayleigh novice. First maximum on May 7. Owes his speedway chance to Aussie Powell.'
Pat Clarke was not a novice for long. That first year he was second highest scorer in the Rockets' Division 3 line-up behind Jim Gregory. Their team mates included Jack Unstead, Vic Gooden, Les McGillivray, Wally Mawdsley and Percy Brine, who Pat replaced as captain mid-season.
In 1950 he moved from Rayleigh, second from bottom in the league, to Oxford, rock bottom, and helped take them right to the top. That title-winning side included Bob McFarlane, Eric Irons, Harry Saunders and Bill Osborne. Pat scored 17 maximums on the way and won the Division 3 individual championship title as well.
Early the following season, with an average of 11.43, injury struck when he broke a leg. But his ambitions were for First Division racing and in 1952 West Ham paid £1,000 for him. The same day he made his debut against Bradford and went on to partner the great Jack Young. Within a year he was challenging Wally Green for the No.2 scoring slot behind Young.
Pat joined the international elite when he was selected for England in the second Test against Australia at Wembley in 1953. He dropped down a division by going back to Oxford in 1956. Then a further broken leg and head injuries finally ended his racing career.
His brother Colin also rode for Oxford and West Ham and Southampton.
Ends