Your memories of the sheffield "tigers" speedway

[slammindoor]

I went to see speedway about 1957 at Owlerton--I think Sheffield used to ride against Odsal (Bradford) every other week only riders I remember were Oliver Hart and Arthur Forrest---still smell the burn up---

[Fencebender]

First went to Owlerton in '60 to see Robbo, Kitch. Len Williams, Jack Winstanley etc, & was hooked for life!

Started training in '63 @ Wombwell same time as Bob Paulson, Allan Palmer, Pete Wrathall, Taffy Owen et al.

Rode in the 1964 Novice of the Year (Jimmy Crawford) trophy event 24th. Sept. ( my19th. b'day) but crashed out on 3rd./4th. bend. Won by Derek Jay.

Also involved were Paulson & Wrathall. Still got my pay slip for the race------ 1 start--10/- (10 shillings for the young uns ) less 2/6 for fuel!!!

Have taken my kids & grandkids through the years but haven't been for the last 2 seasons.

Still got programmes & Speedway Stars for moat of the years since 1960

[tigertom]

Fencebender. Did you watch speedway from the first bend up by the dog track.? I used to be there when my dad took me early in the 60's. A guy who stood there started riding and he took me to Wombwell one day and also gave me his old handlebars. Could that be you?

 

I also was in a Jimmy Crawford meeting in 1970 but never made the grade. Would be something if you were the guy who took me to the Wombwell practice.

 

Tiger Tom

[Tollon]

Yes Dave I was there that night and I think it was the Northern Trophy that they were parading round the track, the tractor was being driven by a sponser not the track staff. Roughly three quarters way round coming round the top bend the tractor seemed to brake, shooting Guy who was holding the cup aloft, off the front of the tractor, then for some reason the driver carried on and dragged the grader over the unfortunate Allott, well thats how I remember it, as you say it did finish Guy's speedway career.

 

This happened right in front of where I was standing. As I remember it Guy was holding up the trophy to show the crowds when it slipped out of his hands. He tried to catch it but in doing so lost his balance & slipped. He fell & the tractor pulled the grader over him.

[bullerboY]

First went to Owlerton in '60 to see Robbo, Kitch. Len Williams, Jack Winstanley etc, & was hooked for life!

Started training in '63 @ Wombwell same time as Bob Paulson, Allan Palmer, Pete Wrathall, Taffy Owen et al.

Rode in the 1964 Novice of the Year (Jimmy Crawford) trophy event 24th. Sept. ( my19th. b'day) but crashed out on 3rd./4th. bend. Won by Derek Jay.

Also involved were Paulson & Wrathall. Still got my pay slip for the race------ 1 start--10/- (10 shillings for the young uns ) less 2/6 for fuel!!!

Have taken my kids & grandkids through the years but haven't been for the last 2 seasons.

Still got programmes & Speedway Stars for moat of the years since 1960

I used to go to Wombwell at that time,Allan Palmer has been a mate of mine for 50yrs,we had a garage business each and he now lives in Lincolnshire.Stuart Jay lives just around the corner from me.I was also there the night Guy had his accident.

[Fencebender]

Hi Tiger Tom,

I did watch from the first bend, by the wall round the dog track, with a bunch of mates (lads & lasses) but as far as I can recall, they were the only ones that ever went to Wombwell with me. Also I was never well off enough to give away handlebars! so you must be remembering somebody else. Sorry to disapoint.

If I recall correctly, acouple of other names from Wombwell at that time were Bob Wardley & Dougie Oldale.

[mr_blue_owl]

I used to go to the speedway in the 60s when the team was something like Dews, Bales, Featherby, Paulson, Jay, Haley, Kitchen

I also worked at the stadium as an electrician for a year, must have been 73 ish

I got to know Dougie Wyatt (I wired up his workshop) Reg Wilson and Bobby Valentine

Bobby had a caravan around the back near the greyhound kennels, which I also wired up and found myself in close quarters with his girlfriend who was absolutely drop dead gorgeous.

[spider1]

dougie wyer was in the 1st race i ever saw as a kid in the early 70s

 

Did he live either at beighton or hackenthorpe

[redshadow]

Some photos of Owlerton taken in 1985. Quality average, neg scanner not brilliant & can't find any prints.

 

http://imageshack.us/g/12/201201056small.jpg/

 

Just to give an idea of what Owlerton looked like at that time. I wasn't really a speedway fan, I usually went to Owlerton to watch the Eagles.

[Freebooter]

I was a regular at Owlerton from around 1960 onwards and have many fond but fading memories. I am sure I have Sandor Levai' s autograph on a programme, I have most of them under the desk ready to be put on ebay - eventually !

I think I started going very shortly after Guy Allott's accident.

I know this thread may be a little cold now but I will keep putting a bit on if there is any interest.

Incidentally, My Parents used to go when the track was literally cinders, they remembered riders including Smokey Stratton and Frank Varey as a rider, there were others but memory fade has just pipped this one!