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1974 British League Division Two Season
The 1974 British League Division Two season was the second tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain. It was the final season of British League Division Two before it was renamed as the New National League. Summary The league was again expanded by one team from 18 to 19 teams. Weymouth Wizards were the new addition to the league, returning to action after five years out. Additionally there were two in and two out; Hull Vikings had moved up to the British League swapping places with Coatbridge Tigers and also swapping their top riders. Rayleigh Rockets closed down but the promotion, riders and nickname moved to Rye House. It was the first season of speedway at Rye House since the 1959 Southern Area League. There were a few changes of nicknames; the Chesterton Potters changed their team name to the Stoke Potters, Bradford became the Barons, Sunderland became the Stars and Long Eaton raced as the Archers. Birmingham Brummies won their first title, completing a league an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
British League Division Two
The British League Division Two was created in 1968 and was the second tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom until the restructuring of British speedway in 1995. It was renamed the New National League in 1975 and the National League between 1976 and 1990. History After the formation of the British League in 1965, riders wanting to break into teams found it more difficult to do so. The idea of forming a second division was suggested and in 1968 the idea became a reality when ten teams formed the league. The ten teams were: Belle Vue Colts, Berwick Bandits, Canterbury Crusaders, Crayford Highwaymen, Middlesbrough Teessiders, Nelson Admirals, Plymouth Devils, Rayleigh Rockets, Reading Racers and the Weymouth Eagles. The league was renamed the New National League (to avoid confusion with the original National League) in 1975 after promoters of the Division Two tracks decided to form their own league after they became dissatisfied with the way the league was being run by the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bradford Barons
Bradford Barons were a motorcycle speedway team based at Odsal Stadium in Odsal, Bradford, from 1974 to 1975.Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). ''Homes of British Speedway''. History 1974 saw yet another name change with Bradford Barons replacing Bradford Northern as Alan Knapkin began his first full season in charge. He also sought and obtained special dispensation from the sports governing body to resume riding, but after a number of good results it was suddenly withdrawn on 16 June. On 17 July it was announced that the promoting rights had been sold again, this time to Shipley newsagent and long time Bradford speedway fan Jim Streets. At the end of the season the team once again finished in 7th position. In 1975 Division Two was renamed the New National League. The crowd levels continued to fall, especially following the introduction of stock cars and the resulting damage to the track. Even the return of Alan Knapkin to the team on 25 June didn't greatly improve the situati ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Berwick Bandits
The Berwick Bandits are a British speedway club, based in Berwick-upon-Tweed. They currently compete in the SGB Championship, racing at Shielfield Park, with home matches usually taking place on Saturday evenings. They also run a second team in the National Development League, known as the Berwick Bullets. History 1968–1981 Berwick have been operational in consecutive seasons from 1968 (as founder members of British League Division Two) through to the present day. From 1968 to 1980 they competed in division 2, either in the British League Division 2, or under the new name of the National League (NL). The team won their first honour during the 1980 National League season after winning the Division 2 Knockout Cup. In 1980, Berwick left Shielfield Park after a disagreement with the landlords Berwick Rangers FC. They raced their remaining fixtures as 'Nomads' including racing the second leg of the KO cup final at Brough Park Newcastle. In 1981 the Bandits were still homeless and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Canterbury Crusaders (speedway)
The Canterbury Crusaders were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the Kingsmead Stadium, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury from 1968 to 1987. For all of their 20-year existence, the Crusaders operated at the second level of British league speedway, in British League Division Two and the National League. History Canterbury were founder members of British League Division Two in 1968. The first meeting at Kingsmead, on 18 May 1968, saw the Crusaders narrowly lose a British League Division Two fixture 38–39 to Belle Vue Colts. The Colts and the Crusaders had contested the first ever Division Two fixture ten days previously at Belle Vue on 8 May, when the Colts won 55–23. The Crusaders' first league title was won in 1970, and a second championship was to follow in 1978. In 1977 the promoters Johnnie Hoskins and Wally Mawdsley had to go to court in order to keep the Kingsmead track open after complaints of noise from local residents. However, the team were forced to disband in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Peterborough Panthers
The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England. They are three times champions of the United Kingdom, winning the highest level league in 1999, 2006 and 2021. History 1970–1994 The Panthers inaugural season was in the 1970 British League Division Two season in which they finished in 10th place. The team spent 25 consecutive seasons in Division 2 (British League Division 2 and the National League). Their best finish was winning the Division 2 title and Knockout Cup during the 1992 British League Division Two season. 1995–2013 The 1995 Premier League speedway season resulted in the merger of both divisions, meaning that the Panthers competed in the top division for the first time. The team dropped down a division in 1998, which brought immediate success, winning the 1998 Premier League speedway season. The following season they went up to the Elite League (Div 1) and completely rebuilt their team for the season. They brought in three A ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Middlesbrough Bears
The Middlesbrough Bears were a British speedway team which operated under various names from 1939 until their closure in 1996. History The team was initially nicknamed the Bears in 1939 by the club's general manager Vic Wieland. The track at Cleveland Park, which operated in the pioneer days of the late 1920s, was promoted by Albion Auto Racers of Stockport, Cheshire, ran sporadically throughout the 1930s and for a short spell in 1939, staged a couple of open meetings in 1945, then saw competitive league speedway from 1946 until 1948. The Bears won the Northern League in 1946 and Division Two in 1947 before the promotion moved to Newcastle in 1949. The Bears nickname was again used when the track re-opened in 1961 under the guidance of former rider turned promoter Reg Fearman, who was a multi track promoter and one of the brains behind setting up the Provincial League. At the end of the 1964 season the Bears team moved to Halifax and the track staged challenge matches in 1965 an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crewe Kings
The Crewe Kings was a British Speedway team which operated in Crewe, Cheshire from 1969 until its closure in 1975. History The team first competed in 1969 promoted by Maury Littlechild for Allied Presentations who also promoted the Rayleigh Rockets, the Sunderland Stars and the Reading Racers. Littlechild died on 12 July 1972 - a year when the Kings achieved the League and Cup double and Phil Crump won the Division Two riders championship; Ken Adams took over until the end of the season. In 1973, Len Silver took over on behalf of Allied Presentations, continuing in that role until former Crewe rider Dave Parry took over in 1975. The Earle Street track established itself as the fastest track in the UK. Originally 470 yards long, it was feared by many riders but was shortened to 436 yards in 1971, both versions had their track records in the'' Guinness Book of Records'' for the fastest average speeds. The team was renowned for developing young riding talent, giving early op ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Workington Comets
The Workington Comets are a British speedway club, based in Workington, Cumbria, racing out of the Northside Training Track. The team previously operated from 1970 to 2018 and were based at Derwent Park Stadium which they shared with Workington Town Rugby League Football Club. They were closed at the end of the 2018 SGB Championship season, but re-opened in 2022 and competed in the 2023 National Development League speedway season. History 1970–1987 The team's inaugural league season was the 1970 British League Division Two season in which they finished in 11th place. The team spent 12 years in Division 2, finishing 2nd in 1973 and 3rd in 1976. The 1987 season saw Glasgow Tigers based at Derwent Park. However the team changed its name to Workington Tigers soon afterwards but held their last fixture against Stoke on 31 July. The team's results were expunged. It was the last season of speedway at Workington for 12 years. 1999–2018 Speedway returned in 1999 as Workington ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Boston Barracudas
The Boston Barracudas were a speedway team that competed from 1970 to 1987 and again from 2000 to 2008. the team were based at Boston Sports Stadium in New Hammond Beck Road, Boston, Lincolnshire. History 1970–1987 The Boston Barracudas were founded mid-season in 1970 by Cyril Crane when the King's Lynn Starlets changed their name. The Barracudas finished the season in 13th place. The team continued to compete in the second division and during the 1973 British League Division Two season completed the league and cup double by finishing 1st in the league table and winning the Knockout Cup. From 1975 to 1987 (excluding 1985) they competed in the National League (the new name for division 2). During the 1987 season the team withdrew mid-season with the last fixture being a heavy home defeat to Eastbourne on 1 August 1987, the Barracudas results were expunged. 2000–2008 In 2000 the club was reformed as Boston Barracuda-Braves, and entered the Conference League but riding at Ki ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eastbourne Eagles
The Eastbourne Eagles were a British speedway team, based at Arlington Stadium, near Eastbourne, England, that raced in the SGB Championship. History Speedway was initially introduced to Eastbourne in 1929. During their first league season they were the 1947 Speedway National League Division Three champions. Despite winning the title at their first attempt they were forced to close down due to a petrol ban enforced at their Arlington Stadium. They decided to transfer their team to Hastings Saxons and at the beginning of 1948 the Speedway Control Board granted a licence to Hastings to stage speedway. Eastbourne would not compete again in the league until they joined the Southern Area League in 1954. In 1957, they won the 1959 Southern Area League which was the second division league at the time but once again did not compete in league action for another decade. The Eagles returned for the 1969 British League Division Two season and two years later won their piece of silverw ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
George Major
George Major (born 26 October 1939) is a British former motorcycle speedway rider. Biography Born in Donnington, Oxfordshire,Hearn, Dan (2010)Speedway stars hold memorial reunion, ''Banbury Cake'', 9 October 2010, retrieved 2012-03-24 Major's first speedway experience was riding on a track built on a rubbish tip in his home town.Oakes, Peter & Mauger, Ivan (1976) ''Who's Who of World Speedway'', Studio Publications, , p. 79-80 He made his competitive debut in 1959 for Aldershot Shots in the Southern Area League. In the early 1960s he rode for Yarmouth Bloaters, Newcastle Diamonds, Neath Welsh Dragons, St Austell Gulls, and Norwich Stars before riding for his home town club, Oxford Cheetahs in 1963 and 1964. In 1964 he signed for Cradley Heathens, and was the team's top scorer in 1964 before riding with them in the first season of the British League the following year, in which he averaged over 7.5 points per match.Jones, Alan (2010) ''Speedway in Leicester: The Lions Roar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Hart (speedway Rider)
John Philip Hart (born 22 January 1941) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Career Born in Birmingham, John Hart is the son of former rider and Birmingham promoter Phil "Tiger" Hart.Oakes, Peter & Mauger, Ivan (1976) ''Who's Who of World Speedway'', Studio Publications, , p. 56 After initially racing stock cars from 1959, he began his speedway career in 1960 with Stoke Potters. Hart was the last to ride on Birmingham's Perry Barr track (at the Alexander Sports Stadium) before it closed to speedway in 1960. , www.birminghambrummies.co, retrieved 2012-03-17 He moved to in 1961, the team that he would ride for in eight seasons over the cou ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
