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Post by oldhammer on Mar 23, 2010 9:25:12 GMT
Hello i am John i have been a fan of speedway for years although i must say i have lost touch in the last few years but i am thinking of returning to the sport also i must say i enjoyed the old speedway of the past more than the modern but speedway is speedway and its in the blood over the years i have supported West Ham, Romford, Rayleigh,and Arena Essex (Now the Lakeside Hammers) i was at Arena in 1985 for the Alan Sage Testimonial and i have the race jacket he rode in that night which i bid for at the end of the meeting does anybody know of Alans whereabouts today
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Post by mrsgustix on Mar 23, 2010 11:21:14 GMT
It's nice to have you join us. We are steadily growing in membership and I'm certain that in time we will get more and more topics to talk about. I am sorry I cannot help you in regard to Alan sage. I remember him well. Maybe some other member knows where he is these days. That's a real gem to own that race jacket.
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Post by christreg on Jan 1, 2011 11:26:31 GMT
I know that I have been putting my spoke in for a while but it is never too late for an introduction.
Chris Treg (idgo), it's Cornish, has been around since 1932. Born in Epsom Surrey and moved to Kenton in the Wembley Borough when 3 years old. Started attending speedway in 1936 and was hooked. Was at Wembley most Thursday nights and obviously saw many of the early greats. Sadly, can recall little of those pre-war days. Three things areclear from then; Standing in silence when Frank Charles was killed in a gliding accident, Peg-leg Whatsit who dived, in flames, from a high tower into a shallow water tank and Eric Chitty singing during an interval. Other things like the excitement building as the riders walked across from changing rooms to pits before the lights came on, the smell and warm up sound of those JAP motors.
After the war I resumed my speedway supporting, was at first New Cross meeting and missed very few home meetings at Wembley including those held at Wimbledon in 1948. I became involved in Cycle Speedway developing one of the first tracks in the district in 1945. Successfully rode for a number of teams including Wembley test team also managed my team Wembley Stars.
Had a go at speedway, speedway, when I bought the bike Dud Smith (Southampton) started on from him. He had bought it from Ray "Buster" Brown and it was on its last legs. Never made the big time but it was an experience.
Moved to Sydney in 1964 with my wife Kathy and two children have not been to a speedway meeting since although I now keep in touch.
Speedway to me is the one sport that has really held my interest although I still check how Arsenal is going and watch a bit of Ice Hockey on the web.
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Post by chunky on Feb 25, 2011 1:05:11 GMT
My name is Steve Brown, I am a full-time professional darts player, and some of you will know me from other online forums. I attended my first meeting at Plough Lane when I was three weeks old (back in 1962), and have followed the sport ever since. My parents actually met at Wimbledon. My mum started going to Plough Lane in 1950, and went on to become secretary of the Supporter's Club, while my dad picked it up in 1958. Although a lifelong Dons fan, I consider myself to be a genuine speedway supporter, and until I emigrated to the US in 1991, I was still travelling all over the country to take in my favourite sport. I don't have too much access to speedway over here, but as I said, I am active on other forums, keeping a close watch on what's going on. Some of my earliest childhood memories are associated with speedway, such as Olle 'white-boots', 'Slim' Jim Tebby, and 'Hedgehopper'. My favourite memories include the 1969 World Final (at Wembley), Christer Lofqvist's British debut at West Ham, and Wimbledon winning the KO Cup at a waterlogged Hyde Rd. I am something of a speedway historian (well, anorak...), and have created a website dedicated to the memory of those who are no longer with us www.speedwayinmemoriam.yolasite.com |
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Post by freep1 on Jan 9, 2012 17:59:22 GMT
Hi. My name is Ron "CooP" Cooper and I am a new member to this group. I came upon the group while doing a search on Emerson "Crocky" Rawding. I used to watch him, Goldie Restal, Jimmy Gibb, Palmer Tamburro and others race at Hinchcliff Stadium in Paterson New Jersey when I was a kid. Crocky was the bar tender at my folks favorite watering hole. I've been involved in racing, in one form or another, all of my life (I'm 69 now). I last worked with Lonnie, Dave, and Dick Adamson's Super Mod racing team in Salt Lake City Utah (I live in Clearfield about 40 miles north of Salt Lake). Thanks for posting Crocky's picture as I didn't have one.
Ron "CooP" Cooper
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Post by robert1965 on Jan 19, 2012 16:50:02 GMT
Hello, I am a new member, the name is Robert and I used to be a 9 year old speedway mad kid at West Ham when it returned in 1964. Parted Company with the sport when it ended at West Ham in 72.
Never really lost my love for it, and when Newham decide to create a local history site, called the Newham story, got out the old programmes and wrote a few articles for it, but owing to commitments was not able to get to what by now was the only near by Track at Lakeside. Owing to a change in mid 2011, I returned after 40 years, well once a fan it would seem, always a fan, it was like I had never been away, after I got use to the changes in the sport after a couple of meetings, so now a getting on for 60 speedway mad kid! I did speak to Ian at Lakeside about the changes in the sport and he asked me to do an article which he published in the September Hammers on line mag.
Well that's about it, Looking forward to the new season, and why did we not have the WWW back in the 60`s, O those winters were too long with only a half-hearted local paper to give the odd details.
Favorite Hammers, Bjorn Knutsson, with a close run second, Norman Hunter!
You make some good points Robert. It is difficult to generate enthusiasm for a forum like this in regard to an area where big-time speedway at a serious level faded in the 1950s. But if enthusiasts like your good self were able to provide comment about the 'golden era for London speedway' I think it could spark a new level for debate on that period for this group.
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Post by complin on Jan 31, 2012 18:46:48 GMT
Hi all, complin here. I hope to find info on here about Crayford 81-82 seasons looking for footage of meetings on video/dvd in the above years, can anyone oblige please. Any meetings filmed home or away when mike spinks rode for the club. Thanks in advance  |
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anita
New Member
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Post by anita on Jul 6, 2012 13:51:07 GMT
Hello, I'm Dot Cowley's grandaughter, Anita Kolaczynska (nee Dawson) & Pa Cowley's great grandaughter! I came across this forum when my daughter found that someone was requesting more information about her here. Stored away we have a lot of photos,newspaper clippings & memorabilia that may be of interest. I am going to put it into order this year. I remember my Gran very clearly and all the stories she used to tell about her speedway days. I have some great photos of her with all her sisters riding their bikes with their dad and one with her red leathers on (although the photo is b & w) and with a skull & crossbones on her helmet. I have not had anything to do with bikes myself but have carried on her inspiration and fighting power and belief that anything is possible. I am very proud of her achievements a gutsy woman to be sure.
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Post by wanderer on Aug 5, 2012 12:54:17 GMT
Hi all.
I understand my uncle Jim Clatworthy was the Founder Member of the Whipps Cross Comets in around 1949.
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Post by fredthered on Oct 23, 2013 12:28:35 GMT
My name is Fred Pallett, born and bred in Bexleyheath, Kent. My introduction to speedway was in 1946, when I and hundreds of other London school children were taken to Wembley Stadium to enjoy an afternoon's entertainment to celebrate the end of World War Two. As part of this, there was a demonstration of speedway racing. I have no knowledge of the riders' identities but assume they were Wembley riders. Some months later, my father and uncle took me to Wembley to see a round of the British Riders Championship, when Alec Statham topped the points scoresheet that evening. From then on, I was hooked and I enrolled in the Wembley Speedway Supporters Club. Unfortunately, being still a schoolboy living on the outer fringe of south-east London, I was unable to become an active Lions fan until I left school in 1949. From then on, I travelled across to the famous twin towers stadium every Thursday. Additionally, I followed the Lions to all their away matches in London, i.e. to Wimbledon, West Ham, New Cross and Harringay. In parallel to my speedway-going, I was one of the founder members of the Welling Wings cycle speedway team, competing in the Kent League from 1949.
My speedway and cycle speedway activities ended with my call-up for National Service in mid-1952. However, I have never lost my interest in both sports and the original Wings team members still meet up for an annual reunion lunch. Also, I continue my active and lifelong support of Charlton Athletic - the Addicks.
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Post by mrsgustix on Feb 17, 2014 9:53:48 GMT
I know that I have been putting my spoke in for a while but it is never too late for an introduction. Chris Treg (idgo), it's Cornish, has been around since 1932. Born in Epsom Surrey and moved to Kenton in the Wembley Borough when 3 years old. Started attending speedway in 1936 and was hooked. Was at Wembley most Thursday nights and obviously saw many of the early greats. Sadly, can recall little of those pre-war days. Three things areclear from then; Standing in silence when Frank Charles was killed in a gliding accident, Peg-leg Whatsit who dived, in flames, from a high tower into a shallow water tank and Eric Chitty singing during an interval. Other things like the excitement building as the riders walked across from changing rooms to pits before the lights came on, the smell and warm up sound of those JAP motors. After the war I resumed my speedway supporting, was at first New Cross meeting and missed very few home meetings at Wembley including those held at Wimbledon in 1948. I became involved in Cycle Speedway developing one of the first tracks in the district in 1945. Successfully rode for a number of teams including Wembley test team also managed my team Wembley Stars. Had a go at speedway, speedway, when I bought the bike Dud Smith (Southampton) started on from him. He had bought it from Ray "Buster" Brown and it was on its last legs. Never made the big time but it was an experience. Moved to Sydney in 1964 with my wife Kathy and two children have not been to a speedway meeting since although I now keep in touch. Speedway to me is the one sport that has really held my interest although I still check how Arsenal is going and watch a bit of Ice Hockey on the web. |
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Post by Administrator on Jun 26, 2016 10:03:08 GMT
Hello, I'm Dot Cowley's grandaughter, Anita Kolaczynska (nee Dawson) & Pa Cowley's great grandaughter! I came across this forum when my daughter found that someone was requesting more information about her here. Stored away we have a lot of photos,newspaper clippings & memorabilia that may be of interest. I am going to put it into order this year. I remember my Gran very clearly and all the stories she used to tell about her speedway days. I have some great photos of her with all her sisters riding their bikes with their dad and one with her red leathers on (although the photo is b & w) and with a skull & crossbones on her helmet. I have not had anything to do with bikes myself but have carried on her inspiration and fighting power and belief that anything is possible. I am very proud of her achievements a gutsy woman to be sure. |
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