anyone follow this team I use to when they were very good in the late 60s.I dont live in sheffield now ,but wonder if its worth visiting for the speedway?What evening is it still Thursdays? The great Frank Varey was the manager when I last went,some water under the bridge since then!Still they were some heart stopping riders then!

I can remember going to the speedway in the 70's, when two of my cousins rode for Sheffield Tigers, anyone remember them - Mick and Sidney Sheldrick.

YES remember them!

Does anyone remember Tommy Allott a real favourite with the fans.

ive met nicky allot tommys grandson i think nicky still gos down to owlerton:thumbsup:

Nicky Allot is the son of former Tiger Guy Allot,who was Tommy's younger brother,Nicky's son Adam also rode for the Tigers aswell,but he moved on to Kings Lynn this season.

If anyones interested,there is a meeting marking the 75th year since Speedway was first staged at Owlerton on Good Friday evening.

To answer Kath's question,yes the Tigers still race on thursdays at 7.45pm,but the sport is alot different and faster than the 19 60's,the bikes now zip around at 75+mph and it costs £10 to get in,but Owlerton has also changed with the times thankfully lol

60s speedway woz brilliant . J.A.P. engines ,open pipes [no silencers then] the smell of CASTROL R, beer, Brylcream,walking home cos you had spent your busfare ,fish and chips,more beer,.

Happy Days

Can remember Arnold Haley and John Dews riding then but can't remember the others ,can anybody remember them?

my dad started taking me to the speedway when i was 4 .1969 jim airey was my fave rider.met john dews in 1978 when he was manager sadly he is no longer with us ....went to owlerton right up to to 1980 but stopped going when the glovers took over started going to the odd meeting from 2000 onwards ...
can anyone confirm if the tigers once won a meeting where every race was a 5-1 think they rode against kings lynn:thumbsup:

I can remember a few of the riders in the mid 60s.
Bengt Larsson,Bob Paulson,Jim Airey,David Baugh,Reginald Wilson,and occasionaly Nigel Boocock( I think he came on loan!)
Memory not so good though,any advances,thanks for your replies,Kath

Can remember Guy Allott, Tony Robinson, Clive Featherby, Jack Winstanley, Jack Kitchen, Ron Bagley, et al. I reckon I saw the finest rider of all time at Owlerton - Peter Craven of Belle Vue, soon after that he was killed whilst racing [ at Newcastle or Edinburgh, i think.]


Happy days

In the sixties there was a rider called George ,I can't remember his last name ,if anyone can please let me know .He was only very small and the bikes seemed to dwarf him ,so on paper he was at an immense disadvantage on the bends when sliding in to them.But that didn't seem to bother him ,he was up there with the best of them,winning many of his races.

I only went once, remember a rider called Jersey Joe Wojopowitch (Sp), anybody remember him? (Would have been in early 1950's. I think)

Anybody remember Buffalo Bill Cody and the Rough Riders ?



Owlerton (http://www.owlertonstadium.co.uk/site)



If so you are too old.

The way you put your question there can be no answer.

You're damned if you do remember The Buffaloe Bill Show and damned if you don't.

Originally posted by PopT
The way you put your question there can be no answer.

You're damned if you do remember The Buffaloe Bill Show and damned if you don't.


I'm sorry but it was meant to be a joke, with a point of local interest.

If you had clicked my Owlerton link you would have seen that Buffalo Bill appeared in 1891, on land that was later used for the speedway track.

If you did remember you'd be a 120 year old miracle - not damned.

There was a Buffalo Bill Wild West Show at the stadium in the 50's.

Obviously there was no real Buffalo Bill.

Does anyone else remember it?

I have been a fan of the tigers since 62...I even tried the sport circa 1970 and knew the Sheldrakes to a degree as they were riding at that time.

Sid was beter than his younger brother Mick but both rode at Paisley I believe. Sid was captain.

I have often wondered what happened to those guys who were trying to get into speedway the same time as I was. I have spoken to some but not many.

Any novices from 69-70 who remember me please send me an E MAil.

Tom Marriott E mail tmariott@sympatico.ca

I'm in Canada now and took up speedway here at the idiotic age of 45!...now 53 I still ride and have three older bikes. I guess you can't get that smell of burning castrol R out of your system!!!

Kath I am a fan of the tigers since 62... I think the 60's was the best time to watch speedway. I miss the old tracks such as Belle Vue and Halifax.

Tom M
Canada Ex Pat

Great to hear from you ,thanks for the memories.Maybe if you hear from anyone else who rode in those days you will post again.as I would certainly like to hear what happened to any past riders.53 well!thats a great age,I am also that age this year,and I wont be giving up on all the good things in life, enjoy whilst you can!All the best Kath

Both Mick and Sid Sheldrick live in Blackpool. Moved there in the 70's.

Originally posted by wednesdayowl
I can remember going to the speedway in the 70's, when two of my cousins rode for Sheffield Tigers, anyone remember them - Mick and Sidney Sheldrick.
Spoke to Sid not too long ago as he bought a few speedway programmes off me on ebay. From his riding days at Bradford.
Tells me he's doing a bit of Grass Track these days.

i can remember a tigers rider called BILLY BALES tiny guy in the 60s and a young guy who rode for kings Lynn cant think of his name but i think he went to drugs/booze etc but he was fast .

anyone know anything about the speedway or dirt track racing before the 60's looking for information about Clem Beckett who was a speedway rider and the first man to ride the wall of death in Sheffield? He rodce in the early 30s I think

Originally posted by George
i can remember a tigers rider called BILLY BALES tiny guy in the 60s and a young guy who rode for kings Lynn cant think of his name but i think he went to drugs/booze etc but he was fast .
Mike Lee is the rider in question. He ended up doing time for Drugs. This ended his speedway. Is now employed as a coach at Mildenhall Speedway.

When I used to watch the Tigers, the main men were Reg Wilson and Doug 'Flyer' Wyer. Anyone know what became of him? I still remember Ivan Mauger causing a near riot when he tried to stop a race he'd been excluded from by wheeling his bike across the track.

Doug now drives a HGV through the night, having packed up Speedway after a bad crash.
He can be seen now and again at Owlerton.

I can remember staying behind after the main event to watch the novices races when Doug "Flyer" Wyer was in them.Sheffield have had some great riders down the years - Shawn Moran - Sam Ermolenko etc: Shame they are not competing at hte highest level anymore.

I used to deliver Frank Varey's newspapers (he lived at Grenoside) and he often gave me a couple of comps. I was at Owlerton the night that Guy Allot got a spike through his neck.
My favorite rider was Clive Featherby (apologies if it's spelt wrong). He was a grumpy bugger but was always the best bet for a max.

Does anybody remember Dougie McClaghlan's motor bike shop which was next to the Owlerton Post Office opposite the Sheffield Speedway Stadium.

He used to tune up and reair quite a few of the old rider's bikes.

One of his mechanics was one of the Glover boys from Owlerton.


Happy Days

I don't remember a bike shop......there was Hobson's butchers to the left and I thought it was a woolshop on the other side.

Yes I remember Doug Mclaclan having a shop opposite Owlerton.and I also remember seeing him ride,he was of the old "Leg Trailer"style of rider.

I used to go but as I originally come from M/c and lived in Longsight I followed Belle Vue!

Anybody remember Clem Beckett. He was killed in the Spanish Civil War in 1937 fighting the fascists, What a character My Dad was out there and knew him well (Sam died in Sheffield but came from Manchester)

THEY OUGHT TO MAKE A FILM ABOUT HIM AND GET SEAN BEAN!

I've been working on a book so if anyone wants a screenplay get in touch

Mike Wild (age 65)

Hey popT, I went to Owlerton as a kid, I remember Tommy Allot. Does anyone remember Bluey Wilkinson?

My dad used to take me to the speedway from about the age of 4 ( me, not my dad). I still have my wooll hat and scarf! :blush:

T
My favourite riders were Reg Wilson and Dougie Wyre, Anyone remember the night Reg wilson had that terrible accident? really mashed himself up on the side of the track, was in a wheelchair for along time after...he was a real hero of mine, still got black & white photo's somewhere of the Pit....Ooh the roar and the smell, I used to go and stand half way up the stairs at the side so I could get a better view.

I believe Dougie wyre is working as a lorry driver, I think my dad still see's him sometimes.

Ivan Major (sp?) Is also a name that brings back memories.

I'd love to take my son regularly, it really is a major memory for me with my dad, but it costs a fortune now.

I can hear the music at the beginning in my head lol, like circus music...andif the Tigers won it was Queens ' We are the Champions' at the end.

And the smell of Licorice from Bassetts as well!

I can remember going to the speedway in the 70's, when two of my cousins rode for Sheffield Tigers, anyone remember them - Mick and Sidney Sheldrick.

Hi Wednesdayowl:wave:
Im posting on behalf of my mum.She has asked me to post on this thread as she can remember Mick & Sidney,She used to go out with Mick in the 60's/70's,She would like to know how Mick is doing and if all is well.If you can pass a message on to him that Linda Fletcher has asked about him im sure he will remember her!!!:hihi:
Thankyou very much and please feel free to pm me at anytime:thumbsup:

Can remember Guy Allott, Tony Robinson, Clive Featherby, Jack Winstanley, Jack Kitchen, Ron Bagley, et al. I reckon I saw the finest rider of all time at Owlerton - Peter Craven of Belle Vue, soon after that he was killed whilst racing [ at Newcastle or Edinburgh, i think.]


Happy days

I couldn't agree more. Add to your list Len Williams, Ronnie Rolfe, John Dews and Derryl Melbin to complete that era.
Peter Craven was killed at Meadowbank, Edinburgh not so long after becoming World Champion. On a couple of occasions, Wednesday played in London in the afternoon and the World Champs.' Final was on at night at Wembley. Fantastic atmosphere. One of my Wednesday pals then was a lad called 'Spike' Waterhouse and he was one of the shale sweepers on Thursday evenings (43yrs ago).
I used to carry a rider's Castrol can or boot into the stadium to get free admission! Remember well, the Guy Allott v Featherby clashes and the Silver Sash contests. Golden Helmet in the National League.
Other top Provincial stars of that time: Monk, Mauger, Bastable, Sweetman, Templeton, Wayne Briggs, Hunter, Silver.
Most memorable occasion - doing the '81 World Final from the Wembley Press Box and walking up the Wembley tunnel afterwards to the interview room. On top of that, had big bet on winner, Bruce Penhall. Sadly, Gundersen was subsequently injured, seriously, and Carter shot himself.

Can remember Arnold Haley and John Dews riding then but can't remember the others ,can anybody remember them?

Bob Paulson, Billy Bales, Alan Jay, Clive Featherby, Jack Kitchen and later Bent Larsonn

As I remember it the speedway closed down for a few years then re-started in the early 60's, my mum and Dad were not keen but my auntie Lily used to take me and David, her son. We were there for the grand re-opening night and got promoted to division one in our first season, at least thats how I remember it, theres a web site at
http://www.sheffieldspeedway.com/main.asp

I know at one time, about 1960, there were two divisions. There was the National League - Norwich, Southampton, Oxford, Coventry, Wimbledon, Belle Vue etc. and the Provincial League which had Poole, Sheffield, Cradley H. Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Exeter, Hackney et al.
The Provincial League was the poorer relation and I know a few people who chose to go to Belle Vue or Coventry to see the 'top' boys. They did make rare appearances at Owlerton for Cup-matches etc and challenge events.
The World Championships that were held at Wembley were the best occasions amidst a tremendous atmosphere.
It was always exciting at Owlerton when a visiting rider held the 'Silver Sash' and had to face Sheffield's top scorer of the evening, in a three-race match challenge. eg Guy Allott v Len Silver! The National League did similar but that was for the 'Golden Helmet'.
Tracks did close unfortunately from time to time but some re-opened and I'm guessing that it was Frank Varey who did much to ressurect Sheffield Speedway at that time. The 'Star' reporter of that period was Reg Whitaker but I can't pick his brains any more as Reg sadly died not so long ago.

Ah - such happy memories. I remember all the names Nimrod mentioned. I was there the horribly sad night that Guy Allot fell from the back of the tractor under the chains. We were a great team in those days! I even missed the 1966 World Cup Final to go and see Sheffield v Coventry in Coventry - but we crashed into the back of a Mini in Deby and ended up in hospital - missed everything!

I intend to introduce my grandson to the sport this season, he's only 6 and never seen speedway. A nice warm summers evening will do.:) :)

Does anyone remember Tommy Allott a real favourite with the fans.

Hi,

In the 1940's just about every kid new of Frank Varey and Tommy Allott.

Does anybody remember Jack Parker, who used to ride for Belle Vue?

Regards

http://www.motorsport-fanatic.co.uk/speedway-parker.htm

Here's a late reply to bushbaby.....
You probably used to deliver our family newspapers too. I lived a couple of doors from Frank Varey as a kid. His house was always open to a few of us neighbourhood children and he never wasted an opportunity to load us all into his mini van and drive us to the track during school holidays. I was about six at the time but allowed into the pits, the office, just about anywhere... which was amazing for a six or seven year old back then. We would arrive around three in the afternoon when the riders started to show up. Some of them travelled a long way. Ron Baguely from Ispwich, Clive Featherby from Norwich, Guy Allott from his farmhouse (somewhere on the moors). I remember the Boocock brothers, Nigel and Eric, hanging around when they weren't riding elsewhere...I think they fancied Christine, one of the promoter's daughters. I was in love with her too but didn't stand much chance at six! John Dews, a junior, became a star overnight one night and yes I was there when the tractor jumped forward ending Guy Allott's career as he fell under the track-grader.
I saw Peter Craven ride at Sheffield in an exhibition when he started on his own starting line 25 yards behind everyone else and still rode to maximum points. Before the meetings Nicky Allott used to do laps on the track on a scaled down bike his dad had built for him, whilst Guy prepared his gleaming machines for the night. His bike was always spotless, glistening in the floodlights which hung on low wires stretched across the track. Guy always took an outside line and I'll swear it was to keep his bike clean. He always seemed to have a little extra oomph at the end to finish first. It was unthinkable for him to score less than the maximum points at home. Ron Baguely's bike on the other hand was scruffy from the minute he arrived. He needed all the help he could get and would let me assist in cutting the rubber tread on his tires. That would never happen today, handing a six year old a super-sharp knife and letting him slice the tires your life would depend on for the next few hours. I would get a bucket of water and some soap suds which we both dipped the knife into periodically to keep it lubricated.
There was a certain smell in the air and a smoky excitement I would never forget. I think my maths skills improved adding up the scores on the programme as the night slipped by. At the end we would make our way back to Frank's office where his wife Gladys would keep a motherly eye on us. It was not much more than a shed really. We helped ourselves to Sheffield Tigers' transfers, old programmes and picked up tear-away goggles used by the heroes of the night. We got to listen to the inside jokes the riders would be telling, laugh about their mistakes - like we knew - and get high on life at the speedway. Then, early the following night we would pile into Frank's mini van and head back to the track to help pick up litter from the speedway. He couldn't get enough of us kids and we couldn't get enough of Frank. As we picked up the rubbish the greyhounds would be running. We'd make bets, just between ourselves and Frank. He always lost on purpose. We picked 'em by their names. Form meant nothing. I remember winning a bobble hat when Nutty Sombrero romped home at six to one. It was my favourite ice-cream of the day from Mr Whippy. That and a penny's worth of wafers. Anyway, one day my mum was called into school and shown an entry in my diary which we began every day by writing. It said: "Last night I went to the dogs with my friend Frank." The teacher considered that an inappropriate way for a young boy to spend his summer evenings. Little did she know. Obviously she never met "My friend Frank" Varey, or his wife Gladys, or the Allotts, or Clive Featherby (who WAS a misery gutts but an awesome rider on his day) or Ron Baguley, John Dews, the famous Peter Craven, and a host of others. Not to mention the Boococks when they were around and Christine. Oooo Christine!
I know Cath was there. Were you?

have not been on sheffield forum for ages,but really enjoyed your posting keywest!I just wanted to say that your happy memories of the speedway brought me lots of sunshine on this cold wet murky day.Thanks a lot,Kath

Hi Kath,
What about the Jay brothers, Alan & Stuart who own Jay's Car Breakers at Treeton. My wife lived near them at Catcliffe and used to polish Alan's leathers when she was about 13. I also remeber Ivan Mauger riding around 1968, and as others have mentioned the Boococks, Eric & Nigel and Clive Fetherby who was excellent. Not been since 1970, got into road racing and still go to the classic and vintage meetings.

Sorry about the spelling of some names - memory loss! Yes, the Jays...I'd forgotten them. I was happy to be able to take you back there for a moment Kath, if only to escape the weather. It's 89 degrees (farenheit - remember that too?) in Key West today.

Mike Lee is the rider in question. He ended up doing time for Drugs. This ended his speedway. Is now employed as a coach at Mildenhall Speedway.

I went to the World Final in 1981 at Wembley and Lee was in the line-up, that's how talented he was. Another Brit in the final that night was Halifax's Kenny Carter who tragically ended his life with a shot-gun. Californian, Bruce Penhall, won the final which was no big surprise. I saw him arrive at Owlerton for a meeting with three bikes which any other mortal would have died to have got their hands on his spares.

Just a few more Tigers' riders to mull over. Ron Bagley has been mentioned elsewhere but Sheffield had a very good inside rider called Len Williams. They had a very good team player in Ronnie Rolfe and a mad Aussie called (Derryl ?) Melbin.

My memory has re-stirred! Jack Kitchen from Belle Vue was a front-liner and Jack Winstanley was a good team rider. I remember a more journeyman rider called Bernard McArthur in the blue and gold of the Tigers.

Hi Kath,
What about the Jay brothers, Alan & Stuart who own Jay's Car Breakers at Treeton. My wife lived near them at Catcliffe and used to polish Alan's leathers when she was about 13. I also remeber Ivan Mauger riding around 1968, and as others have mentioned the Boococks, Eric & Nigel and Clive Fetherby who was excellent. Not been since 1970, got into road racing and still go to the classic and vintage meetings.

Hello classicfan
Do you remember Bob Paulson, Bob Valentine,Alan Jay, Reggy Wilson,Billy Bales, Dougy Wyer, Taffy Owen, Jack Kitchen, Clive Featherby, Craig Pendlebury and later Bent Larsonn,
Crumpy and Arny Haley who wrapped his bike round the lampost on the 2nd bend.
Can you remember Alf Parker who used to keep a push bike shop on spittle hill
and used to ride for Sheffield in the 1950's.
My husband Keith used to go to Sun Street at Handley on Stoke - on- Trent when they rode on cinders, entrance fee was 6d [6 penny's] and programmes was 1d [1 penny]everyone had a good time.

Hello Bluebird62,
Love the handle! Sorry can't remeber anything from the 50's, I was born in 49, only went to Speedway from 67- 71, then I sold my treasured Norton 99SS to buy a car, and it wasn't the same. The next memories I have are from 72 - 76 at the Black Swan, Merrie England Bar, Bailey's and later on the Fiesta, but they are all in another thread!

I go every Thursday but the season finishes next week! It starts again next March if you are thinking of going, and it's still a great night out!

Can remember Arnold Haley and John Dews riding then but can't remember the others ,can anybody remember them?

kitchen
clive featherby
alan jay
dews

john dews
clive featherby
...... kitchen
alan jay

Does anyone remember Tommy Allott a real favourite with the fans.
my tour going back a bit late 40 early 50 who was the other one
was it split waterman or someting like that

I went to see the Sheffield tigers every thursday during the 70's when Doug Wyer was their number one rider along side Reg Wilson, Arnold Harley, Craig Pendlebury, Keith Evans, Tony Boyle, Nicky Allott, and as far as Shaun Moran, Eric Broadbelt, Billy Burton. by far the favourite was Doug Wyer (Flyer Wyer) No1, captain Reg Wilson. Famous riders seen at Owlerton were Ole Olsen (Coventry), Ivan Mauger (Exeter), Peter Collins (Belle Vue), Chris Morton (Belle Vue) brother of Dave Morton who rode for the Tigers, Les Collins (Belle Vue) Brother of Peter and Neil Collins, Bruce Penhall (Cradley Heath), Bent Rassmussen (Hackney), Ray Wilson (Birmingham)Dave Jessup and John Davis (Reading), Mike Lee from Kings Lynn, Martin Ashby (Swindon), kenny Carter (Halifax) with Ian Cartwright (Halifax), Scott Autrey (Exeter), Bernie Pearsen, Mitch Shirra (Coventry), Alan Wilkinson (Belle Vue), Keith White (Hackney), Steve Wheatherley and Gordon Kennett (White City), Jan Andersson (Reading), Bobby Schartz or Schwartz (Cradley Heath) & (usa) Terry Betts (Kings Lynn), Kelly Moran (Hull), Jan Zabek (Sheffield), Ila Teromaa (Birmingham),Tommy Morley (Sheffield & USA), Jim Mcmillian (Wolverhampton & Scotland), John Louis (Ipswich), Joey Owen (Hull), Tom Owen (Newcastle), Graham Drury (Hull),Hans Neilsen (Wolverhampton), by far my all time favourite was Ivan Mauger (Exeter (6 Times world Champion) rode owlerton like his home track, close came Doug Wyer and Peter Collins, thrilling riders to watch always gave 100%. Watching matches between Sheffield & Belle Vue (War of the Roses) were rather special, like Manchester United coming to town. Also Zenon Plech Polish Rider, I've watched on tv today's riders just doesn't seem the same... as the 70's stars. There were always a buzz round Owlerton on a Thursday night. Do they still play the circus tune for the riders to walk out to at owlerton these days?
Good days at the Owlerton Track. Is Reg Wilson still the current Tigers Manager. Speedway is an exciting/Dangerous sport 60+ mph without a brake..but how we all love it. I also rode Cycle Speedway for Wadsley Bridge, can anyone remember keith Hackett, David Rowlands Ian or Keith Bullimore, Martin Wilde who rode Cycle Speedway for England. I still Remeber riding away matches at Parkwood Springs. ( Still got a few of the Newspaper Cuttings)...

Sheffield Tigers - Tommy Allott - Top Man - 1939 if I remember rightly? Might have been post war. I went to school with a David Allott of Oxford St. I think he stayed in Sheffield.

Dougie 'Flyer' Wyer is a friend of mine and I can say he's still healthy and well, and also still riding motorbikes. Last time I saw him, a few months ago, he'd got a Hayabusa. Met him in Hospital about 3 years ago after we'd both taken a spill. Really nice Bloke.

Chris

"OFFICE"
Do they still play the circus tune for the riders to walk out to at Owlerton these days? = "Entry of the Gladiators" by Fucik.
I'm unable to answer your question but it set the scene admirably.

anyone remember Len Williams and his brother,and how about Bluey Wilkinson The circuit at Belle Vue ,Sat night,and Odsel stadium,and I think there was a track at Wombwell

I remember Len Williams and saw him riding for Tigers in the Provincial League. He was their main heat-leader at one time and was excellent when from the inside berth.
"Bluey" Wilkinson I've heard of but don't recall in action.

Can remember Arnold Haley and John Dews riding then but can't remember the others ,can anybody remember them?

Clive Fetherby/Tony Robinson/I have some old cuttings of up and coming youngster 17 year old John Dews somewhere/we used to collect bottles to take back to the cafe and get threepence each 4 them,then walk back home to southey via the graveyard .

Clive Fetherby/Tony Robinson/I have some old cuttings of up and coming youngster 17 year old John Dews somewhere/we used to collect bottles to take back to the cafe and get threepence each 4 them,then walk back home to southey via the graveyard .

Pitch in Guy Allott and you had a strong team. Three reliable second-strings of that time, 60's, were Ron Bagley, Ronnie Rolfe and Jack Winstanley.

I used to love the speedway as a young teen back in the mid 60's and remember a lot of the names mentioned. Someone recalled the Jay bros but I don't seem to have seen Dereks name. I think he was a novice then. I havn't seen Tommy Roper mentioned either unless I missed it.
I also remember some bank holidays at the stadium when there was stuff going on all day. Police and army displays etc. they were a good day out.
Most of all remember the mates I used to go with and not seen for 40 odd years especially Rod Smith from Southey anyone know him?

Can remember Guy Allott, Tony Robinson, Clive Featherby, Jack Winstanley, Jack Kitchen, Ron Bagley, et al. I reckon I saw the finest rider of all time at Owlerton - Peter Craven of Belle Vue, soon after that he was killed whilst racing [ at Newcastle or Edinburgh, i think.]


Happy days

Hello yes i was there that night when Peter Craven rode at Owlerton ...i remember he had a massive handicap and seemed forever before he took off after the other riders ..but when he did ..wow he just glided around the track .Do you remember Bob Battersby and Phil Hattersley i think were reserves .one of which was a terrible rider.

Yes I remember Len and Stan Williams. As the mascot from 1948 to 1952 I used to ride a lap on the back of Stan's bike (he was captain) as Sheffield Watch Committee wouldn't grant Frank Varey a licence for me to have my own bike. I am now 65, attend the meetings occasionally and still get a buzz.

Trevor Vevers

Hello yes i was there that night when Peter Craven rode at Owlerton ...i remember he had a massive handicap and seemed forever before he took off after the other riders ..but when he did ..wow he just glided around the track .Do you remember Bob Battersby and Phil Hattersley i think were reserves .one of which was a terrible rider.

Phil Hattersley is alive and well and living in the Thurgoland area, he was a reserve and scored one point for the Tigers. He was the 'Second Half' manager for quite a while and a pal of Reg Wilson. Phil was involved in the building of a Triumph engined bike, set up so both pots fired together. Has anyone got a photo of said machine ?
He is still seen around Owlerton on race nights albeit a little grey round the gills but still very fit.

what about Tommy Bateman,Stuart Hickman and Tony Robinson and Keith Evens.There is a road at Hellaby,Rotherham named after Tommy Bateman as he used to ride the old Bramley track on Cumwell lane.Stuart hickman was a plumber,Keith Evens built sets for Corrie and Tony Robinson had lorries.My first visit to Owlerton was 1949 I started again in the sixties and went every week until the mid eighties and got to know a lot of the riders.

There is a lot of information on this thread. Many names. But I'm specifically interested in the composition of the Tigers team in the late 40s, say 1948 -50. Can anyone give me the names of some crowd favorites? thanks.

There is a lot of information on this thread. Many names. But I'm specifically interested in the composition of the Tigers team in the late 40s, say 1948 -50. Can anyone give me the names of some crowd favorites? thanks.a forummer named sweatshopboy will more than likely be able to help you there

rogG have some information of the riders of the 1947 Tigers, that finished second behind Middlesbrough in the National League Division 2. Riders used 1947.
Tommy Allott, Tommy Bateman, Jack Bibby, Stan Williams, Len Williams, Bruce Semmens, J.D. White (Jack Duncan), Dick Campbell, Dennis Parker, Alf Elliott, Danny Lee, Ralph Horne, Dick Geary tranferred to Wigan early into the season.

April 17th: Sheffield: 65 Wigan: 19 T Allott 12, T Bateman 10, J Bibby 10, S Williams 10, D Geary 9, B Semmens 8, A Elliott 6, D Parker 0.
April 19th: Wigan: 32 Sheffield: 51 T Allott 12, T Bateman 11, S Williams 10, D Geary 7, J Bibby 5, B Semmens 3, D Parker 2, A Elliott1.
April 21st: Newcastle: 38 Sheffield: 45 T Allott 11, S Williams 9, T Bateman 6, D Geary 5, B Semmens 4, L Williams 4, J Bibby 3, J.D. White 3.
April 23rd: Glasgow: 31 Sheffield: 52 T Allott 12, T Bateman 12, S Williams 11, D Geary 7, L Williams 5, B Semmens 4, J.D. White 1, J Bibby 0.
April 24th: Sheffield: 58 Glasgow: 26 S Williams 12, T Bateman 10, T Allott 9, B Semmens 8, J.D. White 8, D Geary 6, L Williams 3, A Elliott 2.
Brilliant start to the season by Sheffield. In May Dick Geary was transferred to Wigan and Stan Williams dislocated a shoulder, arguably costing Sheffield the title.

Thanks for this Sweatshopboy. Big help.

Hi Kath,
What about the Jay brothers, Alan & Stuart who own Jay's Car Breakers at Treeton. My wife lived near them at Catcliffe and used to polish Alan's leathers when she was about 13. I also remeber Ivan Mauger riding around 1968, and as others have mentioned the Boococks, Eric & Nigel and Clive Fetherby who was excellent. Not been since 1970, got into road racing and still go to the classic and vintage meetings.

There was a time in the 1960's when the club had an injury crisis and all the Jays rode in the Tigers team,the 3 brothers Alan,Stuart and Derek alongside father Wilf who came out of retirement and must have been about 60 at the time!In 1970 I started my involvement with speedway as start marshal at Doncaster and Stuart was in the Dragons team.Wilf would still do a few laps after the meeting,roaring round with a ciggy in his mouth!

Hello wednesday owl, i remember both mick and sid i was a good friend of sids when he bought is first bike off stuart hickman after his bad accident, and went to kingslynn with him when he was learning, and remember our holiday in yarmouth many years ago when we were young. how are they all? i heard they went to live in blackpool many years ago are they still there? Ive looked for sid on facebook but cant find him, are you still intouch? If you are remember me to him my names dave bratton nephew of the late harry parkin time keeper down at owlerton in the 60s and 70s. many thanks dave.

i went to the speedway in the 60's added to the names above I remember David Crane, he was a small guy did any of you go to the christmas parties at the speedway? I went once, danced with Bob Paulson i knew his then girlfriend Tanya. had to walk home but Bob saw me on route and gave me a lift.

I used to go to Owlerton regularly with my Dad as a young lad, it was a real treat. My favourite rider was Clive Featherby. I remember the leather jackets some supporters used to wear with Craven on the back with Angels wings. You could buy badges from the souvenir stall that you could fasten year bars underneath,transfers and back issue programmes were also on sale. A fad was to have a clipboard to fasten your programme on to do the scoring with an Esso tigers tail hanging from it and stickers and chequered tape!! I think blue and yellow were the Tigers colours. can't be sure,,,,

Hi leogem
Yes they are both in Blackpool. Sid not on Facebook but Mick is - check under Mike Sheldrick, I'm sure he'll be pleased to hear from you.

Can remember Arnold Haley and John Dews riding then but can't remember the others ,can anybody remember them?

Guy Allott was run over by the grader driven, I think, by Ronnie Cliffe.
Derrol Melbin ( the Auzzy cangeroo ), Toni Robinson, Jack Kitchen, Clive Featherby and others were great.but I remember Peter Craven, from Belle Vue Aces riding the track which was awash with water and he never put a foot down on the ground to complete the four laps easily, what a rider.
I remember Ivan Mauger, the world champ riding litte a bat out of hell but the best I ever saw at Owlerton was Ove Fundin, maybe the best ever rider there ever was. Great days they were.

bob paulson,
was a friend of my fathers they worked together at baldwin and francis,
as a kid we went to watch him ride,he also came to house all the time.
he was known to me as uncle bob,
he was part of the team that won the world championships,
i met all the team and ivan maugers,etc
even rode round the track on his bike,
unfortunately he commited sucide in the 80s.
He was a true legend .
happy memorys.

Was that Graham or Paul Butterley by any chance?

lol,
it certainly was paul is my dad.

From the Bannerdale area i seem to recollect. They were alright to me as a young apprentice but i cannot say the same of Footitt and Wood... off topic i know and my last word, Seasons Greetings to your Dad 'n Unc,,

From the Bannerdale area i seem to recollect. They were alright to me as a young apprentice but i cannot say the same of Footitt and Wood... off topic i know and my last word, Seasons Greetings to your Dad 'n Unc,,

small world,
and thankyou.

bob paulson,
was a friend of my fathers they worked together at baldwin and francis,
as a kid we went to watch him ride,he also came to house all the time.
he was known to me as uncle bob,
he was part of the team that won the world championships,
i met all the team and ivan maugers,etc
even rode round the track on his bike,
unfortunately he commited sucide in the 80s.
He was a true legend .
happy memorys.

I did not know that about Bob. do you know if he ever married Tanya?

I did not know that about Bob. do you know if he ever married Tanya?

no he never married.

thanks for getting back butterley
shame he didn't marry

.........................

I remember Tommy Allott riding in the forties. Whenever I went he was always the top points scorer for the team. As a boy I always thought there was something special about speedway racing, the noise, the smell of fuel and with cinders flying everywhere. It was great.

Wilf jay.my dad was his trailer mate, one morning just going into Derby, very foggy ,wilf said to dad keep your eyes open Eric, at that point dad said bus,too late, they saw the workers running up the bus as the lorry entered the rear end ,not funny at the time ,no one was hurt only the cab, they had to take it to the ERF works to have the cab repaired ,

Anybody remember Buffalo Bill Cody and the Rough Riders ?



Owlerton (http://www.owlertonstadium.co.uk/site)



If so you are too old.

Buffalo Bill and his troup came to Owlerton Meadows in 1910, got off at Wadsley Bridge Station.

I only went once, remember a rider called Jersey Joe Wojopowitch (Sp), anybody remember him? (Would have been in early 1950's. I think)
Not sure about this one regarding speedway. There was a Polish WW2 fighter ace called Jerzy Wojtowicz who raced stockcars in 1954-5. Whether he raced speedway before that I'm unsure. He went on to work at Firth Browns for a while and as far as I am aware is still alive and living in Australia.
This was all many years before my time, I just know a bit about stockcar racing that's all LOL.
My speedway era was 1969 to mid 80's, the first team I saw was Jim Airey, Bob Paulson, Bengt Larsson, John Dews, Arnie Haley, Alan Jay & Brian Maxted or something similar. I used to sit with Jim Airey round the back of the 4th bend watching him cut his tyres during my school holidays, talking away to him. He was my hero but such a nice guy as well. Then came Bob Valentine and Reg Wilson, my fellow Grenosidian, he used to do his bikes in a barn adjacent to the Cow and Calf, the noise was immense when he fired them up.
I went earlier this year for the first time since the mid 80's, the riders are quicker probably better machinery but the racing wasn't as competitive or didn't seem so.
We used to alternate between Halifax and Belle Vue on Saturday nights for an extra fix, Belle Vue was a special place to watch speedway, Ivan Mauger was head and shoulders above anyone else for years until Olsson and Michanek came along. I remember the GoKart track at BV zoo park, it had a sign, No Stockcar Fans but us speedway fans were just as bad.

Wilf jay.my dad was his trailer mate, one morning just going into Derby, very foggy ,wilf said to dad keep your eyes open Eric, at that point dad said bus,too late, they saw the workers running up the bus as the lorry entered the rear end ,not funny at the time ,no one was hurt only the cab, they had to take it to the ERF works to have the cab repaired ,Do,s this name mean anything to you or family (Jim Addison)