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Halifax Dukes
The Halifax Dukes were a Motorcycle speedway, Speedway team which operated from 1949–1951 and again from 1965 until their closure in 1985 at The Shay Stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Halifax. The team were nicknamed the "Dukes" after the local Duke of Wellington's Regiment, whose training depot, Wellesley Barracks, was in Halifax, and used the Regiments elephant symbol on their race jacket.Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). ''Homes of British Speedway''. History A team called Halifax Speedway originally staged at Thrum Hall between 1928 and 1930 and another team called Halifax Nomads operated racing a few fixtures in 1948. On 8 February 1949 construction began on a new speedway track at The Shay. The team enjoyed good support during the opening season with a crowd of over 18,000 attending one meeting in September. They finished in 4th place. In 1950, the team won their first silverware winning the 1950 Speedway National League Division Two#National Trophy Stage Two, National ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Shay
The Shay is a sports stadium in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. The stadium is owned by Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council and leased by the Shay Stadium Trust, a not-for-profit company set up to preserve the ground as a sports stadium. The Shay lies on the south side of Halifax, about a quarter of a mile from the town centre. The four stands at the stadium include the North Stand, the East Stand, the South Stand and the Skircoat Stand. The North and South stands were built in the mid-1990s. The Skircoat Stand is the oldest stand in the stadium. Etymology 'Shay' is derived from the old English word 'shaw', which means a small wood, thicket or grove. The two words are used interchangeably in ancient references to the property upon which the stadium was eventually constructed. History Earliest sources Such references to the name Shay have been traced as far back as 1462, when on 6 July of that year a wealthy local man by the name of William Brodley recorded that upo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bradford Dukes
The Bradford Dukes were a British motorcycle speedway team which operated from the Odsal Stadium in Bradford from 1986 until their closure in 1997.Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). ''Homes of British Speedway''. History Speedway has long been associated with Odsal Stadium; there have been three eras of racing activity at the venue spanning the years 1945-1960, 1970-1975 and most recently 1985-1997. There was also a short-lived existence at the old Greenfield Stadium between 1961-1962. Speedway returned to Odsal in 1985 after a ten-year absence when it was selected by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme to host the 1985 Speedway World Championship. Bradford Council were quick to seize on the prestige of being associated with a World event and approved £1 million project to refurbish the Odsal Stadium. A 40,000 crowd attended at the final. In March 1986, Odsal opened its doors to British League action for the first time since the 1950s after the Halifax Dukes were offe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1976 British League Season
The 1976 Gulf British League season was the 42nd season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the 12th season known as the British League. Summary The White City Rebels made their debut as did 1975 National League champions Birmingham Brummies. Oxford Cheetahs dropped down a division with White City inheriting both their riders and their nickname. The league was sponsored by Gulf Oil for a second season. Ipswich Witches won their second consecutive title. The Witches team was once again headed by John Louis and Billy Sanders but this time Tony Davey also scored well with an average of 8.37, resulting in a comfortable league title success for the Suffolk team. The team then went on to claim the double on 28 October by winning the Knockout Cup. Wimbledon Dons had the worst possible start to a season when their leading rider and the man touted to be a world champion Tommy Jansson died during a 1976 Individual Speedway World Championship meeting in Stockholm, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1975 British League Season
The 1975 Gulf Oil British League season was the 41st season of the top tier of motorcycle speedway in the United Kingdom and the 11th season known as the British League. Summary The league was sponsored for the first time by Gulf Oil. Reading Racers returned after a one-season absence to increase the size of the league back to eighteen teams and the ban on Overseas riders that rode in other leagues abroad was lifted. The Ipswich Witches won their first title, defeating Belle Vue Aces by a solitary point. John Louis and Billy Sanders scored heavily throughout the season for Ipswich. Belle Vue found consolation by winning the Knockout Cup. In their last season at the Cowley track, Oxford Rebels won the Midland Cup, beating Wolverhampton Wolves Final table M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points Top Ten Riders (League Averages) British League Knockout Cup The 1975 Speedway Star British League Knockout Cup was the 37th edition of the Knockout Cup ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1974 British League Season
The 1974 British League season was the 40th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the tenth season known as the British League. Summary The 1973 Champions Reading didn't compete as they no longer had a stadium, following the closure of Reading Stadium and Hull Vikings replaced them. The league was reduced to seventeen teams when the Coatbridge Tigers dropped down to Division Two. Overseas riders that rode in other leagues abroad were banned which meant that top Swedish riders such as Anders Michanek, Bernt Persson, Tommy Jansson and Christer Löfqvist didn't compete. The Exeter Falcons won their first title. They were headed by the legendary four time world champion Ivan Mauger and backed up well by Scott Autrey (8.32), Tony Lomas (7.29) and Kevin Holden (7.26). At the end of the season Oxford Rebels finished four points above the Hull Vikings courtesy of a protest over Hull's victory against the Rebels. Hull were later re-awarded the points aft ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1973 British League Season
The 1973 British League season was the 39th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the ninth season of the British League. Summary Glasgow Tigers relocated to become Coatbridge Tigers. The Reading Racers won their first title, ending the dominance of Belle Vue Aces who could only finish in sixth place. Swede Anders Michanek was in imperious form, going undefeated at Reading Stadium (which was in its final year as a venue). He finished with an 11.36 average ahead of the four time world champion Ivan Mauger on 11.29. In addition to Michanek the Reading team was boosted by high scoring from Norwegian Dag Lövaas and Australian Geoff Curtis. In a sensational finish to the 1973 Knockout Cup final Reading were beaten by Belle Vue in a run-off for the Cup after an aggregate draw over two legs. Reading's success had a sour note after the season had finished when Geoff Curtis returned to Australia for the Australian season and was killed in a race at the Sydney Sho ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1972 British League Season
The 1972 British League season was the 38th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the eighth season of the British League. Summary Ipswich Witches moved up from Division Two but London lost two clubs, when the Wembley Lions and West Ham Hammers closed, reducing the league to eighteen teams. Belle Vue Aces won their third consecutive title. Their team was littered with great riders including Ivan Mauger, Sören Sjösten and the young Peter Collins; they were backed up by the consistency of Chris Pusey, Eric Broadbelt, Alan Wilkinson and Ken Eyre, which led to a comfortable title win by a clear 12 points. Oxford Cheetahs had a bizarre season when they were rebranded as Oxford Rebels following a takeover by a new consortium, which included former riders Bob Dugard and Danny Dunton, Dave Lanning and the famous musician Acker Bilk. The team under performed badly finishing 17th from 18 teams despite the new image. To make matters worse they signed a new Norwe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1971 British League Season
The 1971 British League season was the 37th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the seventh season known as the British League. Summary Reading Racers moved up from Division 2 and Newcastle Diamonds dropped out. Belle Vue Aces retained their title to become the first team to win the title for the second time. The team included three time world champion Ivan Mauger, Swedish international Sören Sjösten, Tommy Roper, Eric Broadbelt, Chris Pusey and a 17 year old Peter Collins in his debut season. Final table M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points Leading riders British League Knockout Cup The 1971 Speedway Star British League Knockout Cup was the 33rd edition of the Knockout Cup for tier one teams. Hackney were the winners. First round Second round Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final First leg Second leg Hackney Hawks were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 88-68. Teams Belle Vue Aces * * * * * * * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1970 British League Season
The 1970 British League season was the 36th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the sixth season known as the British League. Summary Wembley Lions under the promotion of Trevor Redmond and Bernard Cottrel entered the British league having bought the licence - and inherited the riders - from the Coatbridge Monarchs. It was the first time since 1956 that Wembley would compete in the league. Belle Vue Aces secured their first British League title. The Manchester team were once again led by the brilliant Ivan Mauger who would secure a third consecutive world champion title before the end of the season. He topped the averages with 11.18 as the team finished ten points ahead of their nearest rivals Wimbledon Dons. The Dons found some consolation when winning their third consecutive British League Knockout Cup. Final table M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points Leading riders British League Knockout Cup The 1970 Speedway Star Britis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1969 British League Season
The 1969 British League season was the 35th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the fifth season known as the British League. Summary The 19 competitors were the same as the previous season. Poole Pirates won their first title. The Pirates were extremely consistent and despite their riders not coming in the top 18 league averages they won the league by a clear 6 points. Pete Smith was their top rider with an average of 9.34 but aided by four other riders (Geoff Mudge (9.05), Odd Fossengen (7.73), Bruce Cribb (7.31) and Gordon Guasco (7.26)) they were able to claim the title. Wimbledon Dons had a much better season than the last, finishing third and managed to retain their British League Knockout Cup crown. Belle Vue Aces finished runner-up, mainly due to the performances of their outstanding World champion rider Ivan Mauger; the New Zealander finished with an average of 11.67 and would also seal his second world title before the end of the season. Fin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1968 British League Season
The 1968 British League season was the 34th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the fourth season known as the British League. Summary Edinburgh relocated to become the Coatbridge Monarchs. The Long Eaton team closed its doors, but a new team in Leicester returned to Speedway to join the League. Coventry Bees secured their first title on points difference and after they scored points in the last heat of their last match away at King's Lynn. The title win came after two consecutive years as being runner-up. Coventry's Nigel Boocock was again one of the league's leading riders with his average going well above ten for the fifth consecutive year. He was well supported by Ron Mountford and Czechoslovakian star Antonín Kasper Sr. Wimnledon Dons who could only manage a mid table finish went on to win the British League Knockout Cup. Final table M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points Leading Riders British League Knockout Cup The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1967 British League Season
The 1967 British League season was the 33rd season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the third season known as the British League. Summary The league was made up of the same 19 teams that competed in the previous year. Swindon Robins led by the world champion Barry Briggs won their first top tier league title but were pushed all the way by Coventry Bees and West Ham Hammers. Swindon finished with four riders with averages over eight, Briggs topped the entire league with 11.05 but the contributions from Martin Ashby (8.83), Bob Kilby (8.61) and Mike Broadbank (8.55) were pivotal in the Swindon's success. Coventry Bees gained some consolation for finishing runner-up two seasons running by winning the Knockout Cup. Final table M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points Leading Riders by Average Knockout Cup The cup was won by Coventry Bees. Teams Belle Vue Aces * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Coventry Bees * * * * * * * * * C ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
