The Motherwell Eagles or Lanarkshire Eagles were a motorcycle speedway team based in Motherwell in Scotland that participated in the British National League Division Two from 1951 and 1954.Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). ''Homes of British Speedway''.

Brief history

The team was based at The Stadium, in Milton Street, Motherwell, which was used primarily for greyhound racing but was designed with speedway in mind; the bends wide enough for six cars side by side.Henry, J. & Moultray, I. (2001). ''Speedway in Scotland''. The first meeting was held on 14 July 1950 in a challenge match before the Eagles joined the league in 1951. The Eagles started out in the British National League Division Two with veteran ex- Glasgow Tigers Will Lowther and Joe Crowther and ex-

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian on the southern shore of t ...

rider Danny Lee in the line up. Bill Baird, a pioneer Eagle, became the only rider to ride for all four Scottish teams starting as a Glasgow Tiger before moves to Edinburgh then Ashfield. The team was strengthened late in 1951 by the transfer of Derick Close from Newcastle. In 1952, Eagles rider Derek Close reached the final of the

Speedway World Championship The World Championship of Speedway is an international competition between the highest-ranked motorcycle speedway riders of the world, run under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The first official champions ...

. The Eagles operated until the end of the 1954 season and would have run in 1955 but for the reluctance of teams in England to travel up to Scotland. The top man was

Derick Close Derick Close (born 13 May 1927 in Bowes, County Durham, England) was a former international motorcycle speedway rider who reached the final of Speedway World Championship in 1952.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). ''A History of the World Speedwa ...

, signed from the

Newcastle Diamonds Newcastle Diamonds were a motorcycle speedway team that raced in the SGB Championship, every Sunday night during the season (March–October) from their home at the Newcastle Stadium on the Fossway, Byker. The Stadium, previously known as Broug ...

in 1951, and he was supported by Gordon McGregor, an ex- Glasgow Tiger, who was a founder Eagle in 1951. The team also featured Australians Keith Gurtner and Ron Phillips who transferred over when the Ashfield Giants left the League. Due to his never say die approach, the fans favourite was Bluey (Eric) Scott who joined the Eagles in 1951. Popular Australian Noel Watson, one of the earliest Eagles signings in 1950 along with Clive Gressor, was killed in his home country in 1953. Tommy Miller, one of the top Scottish speedway stars of the day, joined the Eagles in 1954 but moved on to the

Coventry Bees Coventry Bees were a motorcycle speedway team that existed from 1929 to 2018. They raced at Brandon Stadium, Brandon near Coventry, England. History A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the inaugural season of the Souther ...

mid-season. Speedway returned for a short spell in 1958 in a series of challenge matches, when Ian Hoskins established the Golden Eagles who featured

Doug Templeton Douglas Templeton (18 June 1928 – 21 December 2019) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Scotland. Career Doug Templeton began racing for Glasgow White City Tigers during the 1953 Speedway National League Division Two season. The followi ...

and

Willie Templeton William Muir Templeton (12 September 1930 – 15 August 2008) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Scotland. Career Willie Templeton and his brother Doug Templeton first raced during the 1958 season in a series of challenge matches for Lana ...

, Gordon Mitchell, Jimmy Tannock, Freddie Greenwell and gave a shale debut to George Hunter. The site was redeveloped and was used briefly in 1971/72 for three long track events and a speedway meeting on a smaller circuit built on the centre green. Note: Motherwell Eagles was the name of a local Motherwell motorcycle club.

Season summary

Notable riders

Joe Crowther Joseph Cameron Crowther (27 April 1913 – 22 February 1991) was an English motorcycle speedway rider who had his greatest success in the period immediately after World War II. Career Crowther was born in Stanley, County Durham on 27 April 19 ...

* George Hunter *

Will Lowther Will may refer to: Common meanings * Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death * Will (philosophy), or willpower * Will (sociology) * Will, volition (psychology) * Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will ...

* Gordon McGregor *

Tommy Miller Thomas William Miller (born 8 January 1979) is an English professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was most recently the manager of National League North club Spennymoor Town. He has previously played for Hartlepool United, Ipswi ...

Bluey Scott Bluey may refer to: * Bluey (dog) (1910–1939), world's longest living dog * "Bluey", a character in the ''Bluey and Curley'' (1939–1975) comic strip drawn by Alex Gurney * Robert Bluey (born 1979), American conservative blogger and journalist ...

Noel Watson George Noel Watson (1884–1980) known as Noel was a manager and later the secretary of Nottingham Forest. Watson was also a referee who took charge of the 1925 FA Cup Final between Sheffield United and Cardiff City at Wembley. He also refereed ...

References

{{Use dmy dates, date=April 2020 Defunct speedway teams in the United Kingdom Sport in Motherwell