The 1985 National League was contested as the second division of

Speedway Speedway may refer to: Racing Race tracks *Edmonton International Speedway, also known as Speedway Park, a former motor raceway in Edmonton, Alberta *Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a motor raceway in Speedway, Indiana Types of races and race cours ...

in the United Kingdom.

Team changes

A new team called the Barrow Blackhawks entered the league but only staged a handful of fixtures. The team failed to meet the minimum points limit resulting in the league authorities stopping their participation. Scunthorpe Stags withdrew from the league in May.

Summary

The title was won by the

Ellesmere Port Gunners Ellesmere Port Gunners were an English Motorcycle speedway, speedway team in Ellesmere Port, Wirral Peninsula, Wirral, which operated at the Ellesmere Port Stadium from 1972 until their closure in 1985. History The inaugural league season for th ...

. Barrow Blackhawks withdrew in May and had their results expunged.

Final table

National League Knockout Cup

The 1985 National League Knockout Cup was the 18th edition of the Knockout Cup for tier two teams.

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 th ...

were the winners of the competition.

First round

Abandoned

Second round

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

First leg Second leg Eastbourne were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 83–73.

Riders' Championship

Neil Middleditch Neil Middleditch (born 7 January 1957 in Wimborne, Dorset) is a former speedway rider and the team manager of the Poole Pirates. His father Ken was a former rider with the Poole Pirates. He was the team manager of the Great Britain national spee ...

won the Riders' Championship. The final was held on 10 August at

Brandon Stadium Brandon Stadium, also known as Coventry Stadium, is located 6 miles east of Coventry in Brandon, Warwickshire, England. It was the home of the Coventry Bees motorcycle speedway team. It also hosted BriSCA F1 Stock Car Racing on the 1st Satur ...

. * f=fell, r-retired, ex=excluded, ef=engine failure

Pairs

The National League Pairs was held at

Hackney Wick Stadium Hackney Wick Stadium was a greyhound racing and speedway stadium located at Waterden Road in the London Borough of Hackney. Origins The site chosen for the stadium was on land known as Hackney Marshes west of the River Lea and on the west sid ...

on 15 September and was won by Ellesmere Port Gunners. Semi finals *Poole bt Wimbledon *Ellesmere Port bt Peterborough Final *Ellesmere Port bt Poole

Fours

Middlesbrough Tigers won the fours championship final, held at the

East of England Arena The East of England Showground is a large showground area (667,731sqm) located on East of England Way in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England. The Showground is owned by Bellway as of around 2019 and the site currently includes the East of Engla ...

on 21 July. Semi finals *SF1 = Hackney 18, Stoke 12, Berwick 10, Wimbledon 8 *SF2 = Middlesbrough 17, Peterborough 12, Poole 11, Arena Essex 8 Final

Leading averages

Riders & final averages

Arena Essex *

9.47 * Martin Goodwin 7.42 * Bob Humphreys 6.96 * David Cheshire 6.90 *David Smart 6.29 *Alan Sage 5.63 *Gary Chessell 4.77 *Ian Humphreys 2.44 *Sean Barker 2.12 Barrow (withrew from the league) *Paul Price 4.40 *Kevin Armitage 4.00 *Gary O'Hare 3.76 *Eric Broadbelt 3.37 *Terry Kelly 1.87 *Bob Coles 1.71 *Gary Clegg 1.33 *Wayne Jackson 1.00 Berwick *

Jimmy McMillan James McMillan III (born December 1, 1946) is an American political activist, perennial candidate, and Vietnam War veteran. McMillan is best known as the founder of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party, a New York-based political party. McMillan ha ...

8.24 * Steve McDermott 7.70 *

Bruce Cribb Bruce Brian Hoani Cribb (born 27 June 1946) is a former speedway rider from New Zealand, who rode in the United Kingdom for several teams in a career spanning over twenty years. Career Cribb was born in Palmerston North, where he began riding, ...

7.56 *Charlie McKinna 7.56 *Rob Grant Sr. 7.06 *Sean Courtney 5.87 *Phil Kynman 5.27 *Jacko Irving 4.00 Birmingham *

Doug Wyer Doug Wyer (born 16 August 1947 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England) is a former international speedway rider who reached the final of the Speedway World Championship in 1976. Rode for Young Lions V Great Britain on 6 April 1976 at Leicester ...

8.57 * Reg Wilson 7.50 *Phil White 7.39 *Paul Evitts 6.03 *Paul Stead 5.90 *Linden Warner 4.50 *Mark Stevenson 4.43 *Ian M Stead 3.45 *Julian Parr 2.80 Canterbury * Dave Mullett 8.78 *Mike Spink 7.97 *Rob Tilbury 6.44 *

Neville Tatum Neville Tatum (born 21 July 1965) is a former speedway rider from England. Speedway career Tatum reached the final of the British Speedway Championship in 1997. He rode in the top tier of British Speedway from 1984 to 2003, riding for variou ...

5.72 *Bill Barrett 5.64 *Steve Bryenton 5.16 *Lawrie Bloomfield 4.26 *Mark Terry 2.13 Eastbourne *

Gordon Kennett Gordon William Kennett (born 2 September 1953) is a former motorcycle speedway rider. In 1978 he won the World Pairs Championship with Malcolm Simmons. He also finished runner-up to Ole Olsen in the 1978 Speedway World Championship at Wemble ...

10.47 *

Colin Richardson Colin Richardson is a British record producer, mixer and recording engineer. He has worked on over 100 albums and is most frequently associated with heavy metal and its subgenres. Career Some of the bands he has worked for include: * 3 In ...

8.66 *Andy Buck 7.26 * Martin Dugard 5.69 *Keith Pritchard 5.63 *Paul Clarke 5.49 *Chris Mulvihill 4.38 *Derek Harrison 3.18 * Dean Standing 1.21 Edinburgh *Brett Saunders 7.46 * Bobby Beaton 7.39 *Steve Finch 7.02 *Dave Trownson 6.13 *Phil Jeffrey 5.70 *Billy Burton 5.04 *Mark Burrows 4.18 *Alan Mason 3.76 *Gordon Whitaker 3.24 *Roger Lambert 2.97 *Scott Lamb 1.92 Ellesmere Port *

Joe Owen Joseph William Owen (born 13 September 1956) is a British former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Career Born in Ormskirk, Owen took up speedway at the age of fourteen at the training school at Belle Vue and made his competitive debut ...

10.47 * Louis Carr 9.37 * Dave Morton 8.03 * David Walsh 6.73 *Gary O'Hare 6.00 *Miles Evans 5.76 *Phil Alderman 5.37 *Richie Owen 4.78 Exeter * Colin Cook 7.74 *Rob Maxfield 7.74 * Nigel Sparshott 7.39 *Steve Bishop 7.14 *Kevin Price 6.91 * Michael Coles 6.28 *Mike Semmonds 5.30 *Dave Roberts 2.42 Glasgow * Steve Lawson 9.39 *Martin McKinna 6.60 *Andy Reid 5.99 *Kenny Brailsford 4.50 *David Cassels 4.23 *Jim Beaton 4.21 * Brian Collins 4.05 *Geoff Powell 4.00 *Colin Caffrey 3.65 Hackney * Andy Galvin 8.02 *Paul Whittaker 7.76 *

Alan Mogridge Alan John Mogridge (born 6 November 1963) is a former speedway rider from England. Speedway career Mogridge reached the final of the British Speedway Championship The British Speedway Championship is an annual motorcycle speedway competiti ...

7.32 * Barry Thomas 7.29 *Richard Pettman 4.98 Long Eaton *Chris Pidcock 8.14 *

Dave Perks David Ernest Perks (born 16 December 1951) known as Dave Perks is a former speedway rider from England. Speedway career Perks rode in the top two tiers of British Speedway from 1972 to 1987, riding for various clubs. He began a cycle speedw ...

8.09 *David Tyler 7.06 *Paul Stead 6.54 *Graham Drury 5.97 * Alan Molyneux 5.91 *Gerald Short 5.85 *Pete Smith 4.78 *John Proctor 4.54 *John Frankland 4.44 *Mark Stevenson 4.00 *Derek Cooper 2.70 Middlesbrough *

Steve Wilcock Steve Wilcock (born 24 January 1954) is a former motorcycle speedway from England. Speedway career Wilcock rode in the top two tiers of British Speedway from 1974 to 1991, riding for various clubs. In 1979, he finished runner-up in the Nati ...

9.23 * Martin Dixon 8.93 *

Mark Fiora Mark Fiora (born 16 May 1962 in Mount Barker, South Australia) is a retired Australian international Motorcycle speedway rider. He is a four time South Australian Champion, and winner of the Australian Best Pairs championship in 1988 with Cr ...

8.57 *

Gary Havelock Robert Gary Havelock (born 4 November 1968, in Eaglescliffe, County Durham, England) is a former speedway rider who was World Champion in 1992. For several years he captained the Redcar Bears in the Premier League. He is the son of former speed ...

7.33 *Jim Burdfield 6.72 *Geoff Pusey 6.04 *Mark Crang 3.83 *Ian Wedgwood 3.02 *Roland Tebbs 1.54 Mildenhall * Carl Blackbird 9.64 *

Melvyn Taylor Melvyn Roy Taylor (born 26 April 1961) is a former speedway rider from England. Speedway career Taylor started his career at Mildenhall Fen Tigers in 1977 before riding in the top tier of British Speedway for King's Lynn Stars and Reading Ra ...

7.84 *Carl Baldwin 7.82 *Robert Henry 7.46 *

Andy Hines Andy Hines (born March 22, 1962) is an American futurist, head of graduate studies in Foresight at the University of Houston, and author of several books on strategic foresight. Hines is a professional futurist, co-creator of the framework fores ...

7.20 *Rob Hollingworth 5.84 *Dave Jackson 5.45 *Richard Green 3.92 *Rob Parish 3.26 *Wally Hill 2.54 Milton Keynes * Keith White 8.55 * Nigel De'ath 8.48 * David Blackburn 6.28 *Derek Richardson 5.94 *Kevin Smart 5.70 *Mark Chessell .55 *Ashley Pullen 4.00 *Rob Wall 3.58 *Peter McNamara 3.53 *Rob Price 1.94 Peterborough * Kevin Hawkins 9.12 *

Mick Poole Michael David Poole (born 23 April 1955) is an English retired football goalkeeper who played professionally in The Football League, North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. Poole began his career with Rochdale A.F.C. ...

7.52 *Dave Allen 7.27 * Ian Clark 6.73 *

Ian Barney Ian John Barney (born 15 February 1961) is a former speedway rider from England. Speedway career Barney rode in the top two tiers of British Speedway from 1980 to 2003, riding for various clubs. In 1984, he became the National League Ride ...

6.00 *Keith Bloxsome 5.92 *Adrian Hume 4.81 *Pete Chapman 2.82 Poole *Stan Bear 9.79 *

Kevin Smith Kevin Patrick Smith (born August 2, 1970) is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, comic book writer, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. He came to prominence with the low-budget comedy buddy film ''Clerks'' (1994), which he wrote, directed, co ...

9.32 *

Martin Yeates Martin Yeates (born 24 November 1953 in Salisbury, England) is a former motorcycle speedway rider who most prominently rode for the Poole Pirates, Weymouth Wildcats and Oxford Cheetahs.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). ''A History of the World ...

8.40 *David Biles 6.39 *Marcus Bisson 6.09 *Guy Wilson 5.98 *Ray Dole 5.96 *Dave Gibbs 3.95 Rye House * Andrew Silver 8.61 *Alastair Stevens 7.37 *Rob Woffinden 6.84 * Bobby Garrad 6.34 *

Kelvin Mullarkey Kelvin John Mullarkey (29 March 1951 – 12 June 2018) was a motorcycle speedway rider from England. Career Mullarkey spent most of his career with Rye House Rockets The Rye House Rockets were a speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, ...

5.91 *Kevin Brice 4.41 *Neil Cotton 4.33 *

Keith Millard Keith Joseph Millard (born March 18, 1962) is an American former professional football player who played as a defensive tackle for nine seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers, the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles f ...

3.11 *Gary Rolls 3.11 *Nigel Leaver 2.10 Scunthorpe *Andy Buck 9.64 *Rob Woffinden 7.54 *

Steve Finch Steve Finch (born 8 January 1958) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Career Finch started his British leagues career during the 1974 British League Division Two season, where he rode for Long Eaton Invaders. He rode for Berw ...

7.50 *Derek Richardson 5.78 *Julian Parr 4.57 *Mark Burrows 4.40 *Peter McNamara 1.93 Stoke *

Nigel Crabtree Nigel Crabtree (born 15 March 1960) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Speedway career Crabtree rode in the top two tiers of British Speedway from 1977 to 1996, riding for various clubs. In 1984, he won the National Leagu ...

8.69 * Tom Owen 8.36 *

Paul Thorp Paul Thorp (born 9 September 1964 in Macclesfield, Cheshire,) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. Career Thorp began his racing career with the Birmingham Brummies in 1980 and spent four seasons with the club. He was a six time ...

7.38 * Graham Jones 5.70 *Mike Wilding 5.53 *Ian Stead 5.33 * Daz Sumner 4.82 *Nigel Harrhy 3.45 Wimbledon *

Mike Ferreira Michaal John Ferreira (1955–2014) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Zimbabwe. Speedway career Ferreira rode in the top two tiers of British Speedway from 1974 to 1985, riding for various clubs. During the 1981 National League season h ...

9.82 * Roger Johns 9.64 * Jamie Luckhurst 8.34 *Kevin Teager 6.45 *Peter Johns 5.09 *Jeremy Luckhurst 4.94 *Mark Baldwin 4.73

References

{{Speedway British League Division Two seasons Speedway British League Division Two / National League