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1977 British League Season
The 1977 Gulf British League season was the 43rd season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the 13th season known as the British League. Summary Newport had dropped down to the National League but their riders transferred to the Bristol Bulldogs so the league retained 19 teams. Cradley Heath reverted to their nickname of Heathens after four years of being called United. The league was sponsored by Gulf Oil for a third season. White City Rebels won the title in only their second season of existence. The London team caused a surprise with their consistent form throughout the season with heavy scoring of Gordon Kennett leading the team. The success came from a group of five other riders hitting around a seven average to support Kennett. The five were Englishmen Mike Sampson, Steve Weatherley and Trevor Geer, Pole Marek Cieślak and Finn Kai Niemi. Wolverhampton Wolves signed 18 year-old Danish rider Hans Nielsen. Kevin Holden of Poole Pirates had started the se ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
British League
The British League was the main motorcycle speedway league in Britain from its formation in 1965 until 1995 when British speedway was restructured. It initially had a single division, with a second division starting in 1968 (which was renamed the New National League in 1975 and subsequently the National League). The British League was formed in 1965 following the merger of the National League and the Provincial League. Matches were held over a series of races, with two riders from each team taking part in each race. In 1995 it was replaced by the Premier League for two years before the sport was restructured into three tiers with the formation of the Elite League in 1997. The Championship was decided on a league table basis. Champions See also * List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions *List of United Kingdom Speedway League Riders' champions *British League Riders' Championship The British League Riders Championship was an individual motorcycle speedway contest betw ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cradley Heathens
Cradley Heathens was a motorcycle speedway team from Dudley, England. The team was founded in 1947 and competed at the top level of British speedway until its closure in 1995. It was revived as Dudley Heathens in 2010, competing in the National League, reverting to the Cradley Heathens name in 2013. It ceased operating after the 2019 season. History Cradley Heath speedway team was formed in 1947 and first raced at Dudley Wood Stadium on 21 June 1947 after a number of away appearances prior to the opening of the newly built stadium. They raced in the 1947 Speedway National League Division Three and took the name Cradley Heath Cubs for the first two seasons. After closure at the end of the 1952 season the track reopened in 1959 for one unlicensed meeting and in 1960 the Heathens entered the newly formed Provincial League. The club won their first silverware after winning the 1961 and 1963 Provincial League Knockout Cup (the second division cup). From 1973 to 1976 they rode under ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reading Racers
Reading Racers are a British motorcycle speedway team. Formed in 1968, they won four British League titles during their history. The club closed in October 2008 after the lease on Smallmead Stadium was sold and the site was demolished. In 2016 a group of supporters reformed the team and have subsequently gone on to gain a place in the newly founded Southern Development League winning their debut season undefeated in 2017. History 1968–1974 The club was formed in 1968 and were founder members of British League Division Two. The team were originally based at the Reading Stadium (Oxford Road) until the stadium closed in 1973. In their final year the Racers won their first British League title. Swede Anders Michanek was in imperious form, going undefeated in home fixtures and finishing with a 11.36 average. In addition to Michanek the team was boosted by high scoring from Norwegian Dag Lövaas and Australian Geoff Curtis and supported by Peter Murray, Richard May, Mick Bell and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Exeter Falcons
The Exeter Falcons were a speedway team based in the city of Exeter. The Falcons operated from 1947 to 2005 at the County Ground Stadium in Exeter. History In 1947, the Falcons competed in a league for the first time when they finished fourth during the 1947 Speedway National League Division Three. The following season they won the 1948 Speedway National League Division Three. The next success came in 1951 when the club won the Division 3 National Trophy. After a five year absence the team returned to league action in the 1961 Provincial Speedway League and the following year won the 1962 Provincial League Knockout Cup. In 1973, the club signed New Zealander Ivan Mauger, a multiple world champion who would lead the club from 1973 to 1977 and bring Exeter their greatest success to date, when winning the 1974 British League title. In 1995 and 1996, the club ran a junior side called the Devon Demons. The Demons reappeared in 2014 as the junior side for the Plymouth Gladiato ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates (also known as Poole Speedway) are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the SGB Championship. The club have been the champions of the United Kingdom on ten occasions. Poole Speedway is promoted by local businessman Matt Ford and son Danny Ford, who took over promoting rights of the club in 1998. The team is managed by past rider and former Great Britain team manager Neil Middleditch. Wimborne Road Stadium has been home to the club since it was founded in 1948. In August 2004, Poole hosted the Speedway World Cup final, which was won by Sweden. Stadium Poole Stadium (also known as Wimborne Road Stadium), has been the Pirates' home track since the club was created in 1948. It is situated near to the town centre and is owned by Poole Borough Council. The stadium's capacity was limited to 5,500 people in 2008 for safety reasons. Prior to 1948, the stadium had been used as a cycle track and had been home to Poole Town Football Club sinc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kevin Holden
Kevin Holden (30 July 1950 – 27 April 1977) was a speedway rider from England. Speedway career Kevin Holden was the nephew of Poole, Southampton and England rider Bill Holden and cousin to Paul Holden, who later rode for Weymouth juniors. Kevin rode in the top tier of British Speedway from 1972 to 1977, riding for various clubs. Kevin signed for Romford Bombers on 26 March 1970. In his first season he achieved an average of 4.65 and won the Best Pairs Gold Trophy with his race-partner Barry Crowson. In his second season with the 'Bombers' Holden emerged as their number one rider securing and end of season average of 8.95 along with winning the Skol Lager Trophy at Rye House and the Spring Cup Classic at Romford, both in April with 15 and 13 points respectively. On 26 June he made his Young England debut at Ipswich, contributing 8+3 points in a resounding victory over Young Sweden. Again individual honours went his way in June first winning the Carnival Rosebowl at Romford ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hans Nielsen (speedway Rider)
Hans Hollen Nielsen (born 26 December 1959) is a Danish former professional motorcycle speedway rider. He competed in the Speedway World Championships from 1977 to 1999. Nielsen is notable for winning four Speedway World Championship titles. During his career, he won a total of 22 World Championships, making him arguably the most successful speedway rider of all time. In 2012, Nielsen was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements. He later managed the Danish national team. Career Nielsen was born in Arentsminde near Brovst, Denmark. He was one of, if not the most successful riders the sport has ever seen. Altogether he participated in winning 22 World Championships for Denmark (out of the 46 won by Danish riders/teams in all competitions to the end of 2014). This included the individual World Championship in 1986, 1987 (the only time the final was held over two days), 1989 and the first ever championshi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wolverhampton Wolves
Wolverhampton Wolves are a British speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and signed a deal with owner Dave Parry (previous speedway rider for the Wolverhampton Wolves) for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van Straaten. History 1928–1960 The club was founded in 1928 racing at Monmore Green Stadium, and after a brief flirtation with speedway, saw its last pre-war meeting in 1930. It was 20 years later that the sport returned to the town. During 1948 and the post-war optimism, record crowds were attending speedway events up and down the country. With towns keen to cash in on the boom, Wolverhampton's stadium owners applied to the local council for a track to be re-built at the original site. Australian Arthur Simcock set the ball rolling and was granted permission to promote speedway in Wolverhampton and finally his dream came true on 14 October 1950. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kai Niemi
Kai Juhani Niemi (born 15 September 1955 in Pori, Finland) is a former international motorcycle speedway rider who represented the Finland national speedway team. Career He reached four World Championship finals, finishing a career best fourth in 1985 at the Odsal Stadium in Bradford, England. The performance in 1985 from a rider from the minor nations of speedway came as a surprise to many and he was level on points with three other riders leading into the last set of heats but was unable to score in heat 17, which resulted in a fourth place finish. Niemi won the Finnish National Championship a record nine times during his career (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988 and 1990) Niemi rode for the White City Rebels in the British League from 1976 to 1978, winning the league championship with the team in 1977. He continued riding in Britain until 1986 for other teams including: Eastbourne Eagles (1979–81), Birmingham Brummies (1981), Wimbledon Dons (1982–83), Ipswic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Marek Cieślak
Marek Kazimierz Cieślak (born 28 June 1950) is a Polish former speedway rider and current coach. In 2007 he was a manager of Poland national team. Poland won Speedway World Cup and Team U-21 World Championship. After victory in SWC, on 30 July 2007 Polish president Lech Kaczyński honoured him Knight's Cross of Order of Polonia Restituta for prominent contributions for development of Polish speedway sport and for achievement in training work.(plPolish president website - 30 December 2007. In 2010, Cieślak was awarded the Officer's Cross of the Polonia Restituta for outstanding contribution to the development of speedway in Poland, for achievements in training and coaching. World Final appearances Individual World Championship * 1975 - London, Wembley Stadium - 15th - 1 pt * 1976 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium - 13th - 4 pts * 1978 - London, Wembley Stadium - 13th - 5 pts World Team Cup * 1972 - Olching, Olching Speedwaybahn (with Zenon Plech / Paweł Waloszek / Henryk G ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Trevor Geer
Trevor Geer is a former motorcycle speedway rider, active in the 1970s and 1980s. Career Geer raced for the Eastbourne Eagles in the early seventies, before transferring to the Oxford Rebels. He and Ole Olsen came second in the Radio Oxford Best Pairs in 1974. He started his full-time British League career with Oxford in 1975 and was part of the Midland Cup winning team. When the city's Cowley Stadium was threatened with closure, Geer and other team members left to form the White City Rebels The White City Rebels were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the White City Stadium, Wood Lane in London. History White City were inaugural members of the Southern League in 1929 but only raced for the one season. The White City team .... After retiring, he became the team manager for the Eastbourne Eagles. References British speedway riders Eastbourne Eagles riders Oxford Rebels riders White City Rebels riders Reading Racers riders Wembley Lions riders Oxford ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Steve Weatherley
Stephen John (Steve) Weatherley (born 26 November 1957 in Dartford, England) is a former motorcycle speedway rider who was twice runner-up in the British Speedway Under 21 Championship. He rode primarily for the Eastbourne Eagles and the White City Rebels, who won the British League in 1977.Oakes, P.(2004). ''British Speedway Who's Who''. On 8 June 1979 he was paralysed whilst riding for Eastbourne at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road. He was involved in a terrible crash with Vic Harding Vic Harding (5 July 1952 in East Ham, London – 8 June 1979 Whipps Cross, London) was a motorcycle speedway rider. Career Harding began at the Rye House training school in 1970 run by Len Silver and spent several seasons trying to break into .... Harding was killed and Weatherley was left with a broken back. He has used a wheelchair since the crash.Fenn, C.(2003). ''Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight''. His nephew, Lee Richardson (1979-2012) was an international speedway ride ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
