WIMBLEDON

[Administrator]

From the 'South London Press' 2008.
Article by JOHN HYAM.[/u]

WIMBLEDON DONS
"The story of Wimbledon Speedway"
(still available March 2009)
Edited by Howard Jones
106 pages, More than 200 photos
£16.99 (post free) from (cheques/postal orders only).
Speed-Away Promotions,
19, Arundel Road,
Lytham St. Annes,
Lancashire FY8 1AF.

MY beginnings with speedway at Wimbledon are unique.
The first match I saw at Plough Lane on Thursday April 29 1948 actually featured Wembley Lions beating Belle Vue 52-31 in a National League match. This was because Wembley were based at Plough Lane for six weeks while the Empire Stadium was in use for that year's Olympic Games.
But I had seen the Dons in action many times when they were visitors to my first speedway love, the now gone but not forgotten New Cross team. Their exploits were chronicled earlier this year in the intriguing 'Out Of The Frying Pan' (Norman Jacobs).
Over my formative speedway years in the late 1940s, New Cross were often compared with the Dons - and for most of the time until their closure in early 1953, New Cross held sway over their south London rivals, as they had also done in the pre-war seasons between 1929-39.
Unlike Norman Jacobs' work, the new Wimbledon book deviates from a subjective chroniclesiation of the sport's history at Plough Lane. Rather it concentrates on a period from the 1950s through until the demise of top class racing at Plough Lane on June 5 1991. This is largely in statistical and pictorial format.
The sport went out on a damp note with the match abandoned at heat eight because of rain.
Many Wimbledon supporters blamed the stadium bosses the Greyhound Racing Association for the end of speedway at Plough Lane in 2005, But speedway had been in decline for some years before that, and there were fears as far back as 1986 that the sport would fold.
On a happier note, in regard to the book: it has a bright modern feel, and there are many great team photos capturing sides as far back as 1931, encapsulating such great names as Vic Huxley, Ray Tauser.
There were also photos of the two riders who I regard as being the most spectacular in post-war years to have worn the club's race-jacket, that great legtrail-style rider Oliver Hart and the hustle-bustle thrillmaker Lloyd 'Cowboy' Goffe. In the days when tracks were deep cinder surfaces rather than the shale of modern times, their spectacle has never been reciprocated on the more modern slick shaleways.
In analysis, I found the 'Wimbledon Dons' book absorbing, especially the interviews with the great 1950s stars Ronnie Moore and Ron How, and also with muti-world champion Ivan Mauger, who briefly flirted with a Plough Lane career in the late 1950s.
For lovers of Wimbledon speedway - and I brand myself as one of them - "Wimbledon Dons' is an essential addition to a speedway library. It has a modern feel about it and brilliantly itemises statistics and facts about a golden era not only for Wimbledon Speedway, but British speedway generally.
It gives an insight from the days when speedway was a mainstream sport through to the lesser dimensions of the present decade with the ill-fated venture into Conference League racing between 2004-05.
The book gripped my attention and joins a growing batch of speedway books in my bookcase. Deservedly so, too.

[crossedhammers]

Taken from the following website:
www.guskuhn.net/GKuhn/Wimbledon/WimbledonSpeedway.htm
1937 - Ronnie Green Arrives at Plough Lane

Ronnie Greene's arrival at Wimbledon was not without its problems. From the previous year's team Vic Huxley, Wal Phillips and Wal Morton were all unavailable. In fact, not only was the team weak, but Greene did not have enough riders on his books to field a full league side and the Dons early league fixtures had to be postponed.

To sort things out Claude Rye was appointed Captain and two riders from the USA were signed: Wilbur Lamoreaux and Many Waln. Syd Jackson attempted a comeback, scoring six points from five rides in the International Grand Prix staged in mid April at Plough Lane,
pending the start of the league campaign.

The first league fixture was against Hackney on the 26th April and Wimbledon lost a close
encounter 40 points to 44. The team, which comprised Rye, Jackson, Collins, Lamoreaux,
Pymar, Waln, Kuhn and Sharp, then went down to two away defeats at New Cross and
Harringay.

Back at Plough Lane the Dons had a narrow two point defeat against local rivals New Cross. Further defeats followed: away against Belle Vue and at home against Wembley. Further disaster struck when Geoff Pymar crashed and broke a leg and Miny Waln could not settle with the Plough Lane circuit and left after only a few matches. By the 30th June Wimbledon were bottom of the National League by some distance, having played eleven league matches and lost them all!

In an effort to try and strengthen the side, Ronnie Greene tried out a number of riders. These included another USA import, Byrd McKinney, who did not fare much better than Waln. Alfred Rumrich, the German champion, left after only a few outings and the unfortunate Reg Vigors, who was later to be killed in a racing accident. Ron Howes, Harry Shepherd, Wilf Plant, Fred Leavis and Wally Keys also got opportunities in the side.

However, despite all the team changes, a winning combination could not be found and the
Dons were knocked out of the London Cup by New Cross and thrashed 67 points to 148
by Belle Vue in the National Trophy.

[Administrator]

REVIEW BY JOHN HYAM:::

A HISTORY OF SPEEDWAY: THE DUBLIN EXPERIENCE
Author: George P Kearns
220 pages: fully illustrated
ISBN: 1-906027-33-1
Euros 20 plus Euros five post and packing, payment by cheque, postal or money order in favour George P Kearns. Or by electronic transfer. Email [e-mail] for instructions
From: George P Kearns, 22 Griffith Parade, Finglas East, Dublin 11, Republic of Ireland.
FORGET the Irish links. Although mainly covering the sport at Shelbourne Park in the Republic of Ireland in the 1950s, there is such a strong Wimbledon link to the book it’s like recapturing the great Dons’ riders of that period.
This is because then Wimbledon promoter Ronnie Greene was also at the helm at Shelbourne Park. And the majority of the riders who raced there were also members of his Wimbledon team. The doubling up method was simple and effective: riders went to Ireland by ferry on a Saturday, raced in Ireland on a Sunday afternoon, then went back for the Monday night racing at Plough Lane.
As he was at Wimbledon, so Ronnie Moore was the darling of the Shelbourne fans. And so was his father Les who, in 1950, was often Ronnie’s partner in team matches. There are other famous Dons mentioned including five-times world champion Barry Briggs, the veteran England star Norman Parker. And given special attention is the American Ernie Roccio who died in a track accident at West Ham in 1952.
Author George P Kearns’ book is based on newspaper files available in Ireland, and largely chronicles match results of the seasons. Shelbourne Park and Wimbledon feature for just five seasons. Then the sport collapsed in the Irish Republic. But the author has captured the flavour of the period.
The book is essentially a chronological record of the few post-war seasons when there was speedway in Ireland. Besides Shelbourne Park, details of two other Dublin tracks of the period - Santry (where the Canadian Mike Tams was the idol) and Chapleizoid are covered. And there’s more Wimbledon rider involvement at these venues as well. For its historical value, I commend the work.

[Administrator]

ANOTHER REVIEW OF THE BOOK::::::
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By JOHN HYAM
A HISTORY OF SPEEDWAY: THE DUBLIN EXPERIENCE
Author: George P Kearns
220 pages: fully illustrated
ISBN: 1-906027-33-1
Euros 20 plus Euros five post and packing, payment by cheque, postal or money order in favour George P Kearns. Or by electronic transfer. Email [e-mail] for instructions
From: George P Kearns, 22 Griffith Parade, Finglas East, Dublin 11, Republic of Ireland.

THE book records most of the speedway meetings that have taken place in the Republic of Ireland. There are also details of most of the riders who have taken part in Irish speedway meetings.
But author George Kearns admits some details are not given. He explains: “The Irish Newspaper Industry was hit by a strike between July 11 and the end of August, 1952. As the Irish newspapers were my only source of information for that period, I dare say I missed a couple of meetings.”
 Speedway arrived Dublin in 1928 at the new Harold’s Cross Greyhound Stadium but there is evidence that that motorcle races took place on a dirt track in Dublin on a dirt track in 1902.
 There were three meetings at Harold’s Cross Stadium, then speedway disappeared until a revival took place in 1948 at Santry Stadium.
 Speedway on a higher level started in 1950 at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium and this venue was soon rated as Dublin’s most popular race track. It was there that the 17-year-old New Zealander Ronnie Moore, won the hearts of every speedway goer in Ireland.
Later in 1950, Chapelizod Stadium opened and all three venues were in active until speedway was finally ousted by midget car racing. The last major speedway of the decade was at Shelbourne Park on July 4, 1954.
 There was a mini-revival at Shelbourne Park in 1961 when three meetinsg took place, then the sport disappeared again until 1970 when Shelbourne Park operated for two seasons.
While there was no competitive racing in the 1960s, Irish riders practiced on a trotting track in Portmarnock. Fans were welcome free of charge at these training sessions. Then, in an attempt to revive the sport in Ireland a meeting took place on August 30, 1986, but no more took place.
 
 Dublin also lays claim to staging one of the first meetings on a dirt track at Ashtown on October 18 1902. Ashtown was half-a-mile to the lap and average speeds were less than 30mph. There were two main events. A 10-mile handicap won by R W Stevens from H A Huet and M Thomas. Stevens and Huet also took the first two place in a one-mile scratch race with JJ Cahill coming third.
Although mainly covering the sport at Shelbourne Park in the Republic of Ireland in the 1950s, there is such a strong Wimbledon link to the book its like recapturing the great Dons’ riders of that period.
This is because then Wimbledon promoter Ronnie Greene was also at the helm at Shelbourne Park. And the majority of the riders who raced there were also members of his Wimbledon team. The doubling up method was simple and effective: riders went to Ireland by ferry on a Saturday, raced in Ireland on a Sunday afternoon, then went back for the Monday night racing at Plough Lane.
The book is essentially a chronological record of the few post-war seasons when there was speedway in Ireland. The flavour is there, and besides Shelbourne Park, details of two other Dublin tracks of the period - Santry and Chapleizoid are covered (and there’s Wimbledon rider involvement at these venues). For its historical value, I commend the work.

[fastfire212]

I have just seen on the British Speedway Forum that AFC Wimbledon may make a bid to move in at Wimbledon Stadium. Would this also indicate the time may be ripe for another person to apply for speedway there? Alternatively, if football goes there - and I think there are many problems with the play area design for this - could it alternatively mean never again for speedway and possibly the end of stock car racing there?

[Administrator]

FROM THE SOUTH LONDON PRESS WEBSITE:

Dons discuss return to Merton
Friday, 29 May 2009

By John Stanton
AFC WIMBLEDON held talks last night over a proposed return to Merton - but national newspaper reports that they were set to announce plans for a 6,000-seater stadium are wide of the mark.
The Dons Trust, the club’s governing body, held an open meeting to gauge opinion on a possible move back to the borough.
AFC Wimbledon founder Marc Jones last week appealed to supporters to turn out in force to let club chiefs know what they want to happen.
And while a move - possibly involving the site of the greyhound stadium at Plough Lane - is up for discussion, chairman Erik Samuelson has dismissed claims the plans are at an advanced stage.

For the full story, see Friday's South London Press (May 29 2009).

[Administrator]

A MESSGAGE ON THE WIMBLEDON SPEEDWAY DUSCUSSION GROUP RE MARK 'BUZZ' BURROWS::::
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Buzz In Hospital
Posted by: "markaston1" [e-mail] markaston1
Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:13 pm

As some of you may know Buzz had a bad accident at Weymouth a couple of weeks ago when he broke some ribs and suffered a punctured lung. Initially discharged from hospital he collapsed a few days latter and was taken back in. He is still in Dorchester Hosital in Dorchester Dorset and has been very poorly with blood having to be drained from his lung, a very painfull process and he has been having difficulty breathing. If anyone wants to send him a card in hospital I am sure he would appreciate it.

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Photo Mark Burrows 2005 (c) John Hyam
mark desktop[/img]

Attachments:

[Administrator]

From 'Speedway Star' October 3 2009. Just a precis of a long article. Order from 020 8335 1113 for full page 3 story and a photo. The intro reads:

WEYMOUTH veteran Mark Burrows has been released from hospital as he continues his recovery from four broken ribs and a punctured lung.

[mrsgustix]

I have been told that a benefit evening is being planned for Buzz Burrows and wonder if more details are available about this. Many thanks.

[delboy]

This was an update I posted a couple of weeks back on the 'old' Wimbledon Forum. Sorry it's taken so long to post on here.
As you'll see there ARE plans for a benefit evening and as soon as these are firmed up I'll let people on here know:

Was with Buzz last night at Poole Stadium watching the NL KOC Final. Since Ian's posting Buzz has endured another spell in hospital - this time back home in Sheffield's Hallamshire.
The damage to his lung (ie the tear which caused the bleeding) is slowly on the mend as are the ribs but he is still poorly and currently suffering from pneumonia, which as I'm sure we all know is seriously debilitating.

Great to see him though; and you know, the sheer number of people coming to sit with him (including a large contingent from his 2009 club Weymouth) shows just how loved he is by so many across the Speedway world.
What should have been a memorable year, with his Testimonial planned to open up the season at Stoke couldn't have turned out worse or more traumatic and really the number of blows he has taken has been shocking.
And those two things, our love and admiration for him AND the fact that he both deserves it and needs the support of his friends means we MUST move ahead quickly now to arrange the Benefit Night Ian & I have been speaking about organising for the South London area, ASAP.

[Administrator]

There's a long article in the current edition of the 'South London press' (Friday November 20) by Phil Donaldson headed 'Bid To Save Stadium' which ourtlines the GRA's plan for the future of the venue.

[Administrator]

I saw this on the Midget Car Panorama site. Maybe food for thought?

ovaltrack
Junior Member
member is offline
Joined: May 2009
Re: Wimbledon Stadium London
« Reply #4 Yesterday at 8:08pm »
I'm always wondering about Wimbledon - why they don't do more with it and how long it will be before we finally wave goodbye. I cannot say I have enjoyed any of my last few visits there. The thought occurred to me that with the Superstox having a meeting on the shale at Coventry in a few weeks that maybe Deane Wood should stick the shale down again at Plough Lane and get the Speedway back there. It would make a terrific place for the Speedway board to hold neutral events - riders' championships, test matches, etc. The National Hot Rods don't go to Wimbledon any more so they might as well stick the dirt back down and use it a bit more!

[Administrator]

This information would indicate that speedway also will not be seen again at Wimbledon Stadium:
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Wimbledon Stadium – The Final Season!
Spedeworth / Incarace would like to announce that following a letter of confirmation from GRA Limited it is now confirmed that the 2016/17 winter season at Wimbledon Stadium will be the final season of short oval racing at the Plough Lane venue before the site is closed for re-development.
The rumours have gone on for years about the demise of Wimbledon Stadium with everyone wondering at the end of every season if we will return for another year.
Thanks to many people behind the scenes, there have been petitions, negotiations and many forms of communication to keep stock car racing in the capital city. Thanks to all of the efforts from everyone Wimbledon Stadium has continued to run stock car racing over the past few years and we have witnessed some of the best moments in the stadiums history from fantastic Banger events to the domestic events which caught everyone by surprise with the quality of the racing on the night.
Unfortunately, the final decisions have been made by the local authorities and the vote was passed for the re-development of the site.
HOWEVER……
At this time of year fixture planning for the 2017 season is well underway and we are going to be organising some superb events not to be missed before the final meeting at Plough Lane which will take place on Sunday 26th March 2017 when we will bid farewell to Wimbledon Stadium.
The history of the sport at Wimbledon Stadium will never be forgotten and before the gates close for the final time we will be making even more memories that people will be talking about for generations to come.
Over the next few weeks the meetings will be announced via the Spedeworth / Incarace websites with some big surprises added to the mix so don’t forget to check the websites www.spedeworth.co.uk / www.incarace.co.uk to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the upcoming news and dates for your diary.
Spedeworth / Incarace would like to thank everyone for their support over the years at Wimbledon Stadium from the drivers, officials, medical teams, stadium staff and of course all the race fans who have joined us come rain (and sometimes snow) or shine to add to the unique atmosphere that Wimbledon Stadium has always had.
Continuing with the 2016 half of the season at Wimbledon Stadium the next meeting is this Sunday (13th November) featuring the first half of the Best In Britain which includes the 1300cc Stock Cars, 2.0 Hot Rods, Lightning Rods and Superstox. First race starts at 5.30pm!