Thomas Stanley Dell (31 October 1912 – 24 November 1950)Buck, B (2007) ''Brummies Legends'', Pendragon Books. was a

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 ...

rider.

Career

Dell started his career at his local track at Coventry in 1932. When track close he moved to the

West Ham Hammers The West Ham Hammers were a speedway team, first promoted by Jimmy Baxter in 1929. History They operated from the West Ham Stadium until the outbreak of World War II under several different promotions, most successfully under the control o ...

and spent three seasons at the Custom House track. During 1936 he rode for

Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...

in the

Provincial League Provincial League (formerly known as Professional League) also known as Pro League was the old regional Football league in Thailand in 1999–2008. It was founded in 1999 under the name "Provincial League" organized by Sports Authority of Thailan ...

and then moved onto the

Hackney Wick Wolves Hackney Wick Wolves speedway opened in 1935 at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road, London, and operated until the outbreak of World War II in 1939. Many years later the Hackney Hawks and Hackney Kestrels rode at Hackney Wick Stadium. History Th ...

, where he stayed until the outbreak of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, winning the National League Division II Championship in 1938.Addison J. (1948). ''The People Speedway Guide''. Odhams Press Limited Whilst riding for a Hackney at West Ham he was involved in a crash that left him with a badly broken leg.Fenn, C.(2003). ''Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight''. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. Doctors thought an

amputation Amputation is the removal of a limb by trauma, medical illness, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on indi ...

would be needed but Dell refused and his leg was saved. After the war he joined the Birmingham Brummies where he was awarded the captaincy. However, on 7 May 1949, Dell was involved in big crash with

Vic Duggan Victor Duggan (16 October 1910, West Maitland, New South Wales – 24 March 2007, Queensland)Addison J. (1948). ''The People Speedway Guide''. Odhams Press Limited was a motorcycle speedway racer who won the London Riders' Championship in 1947 ...

and Arthur Payne. Dell was left with terrible injuries. Despite attempting a comeback in July 1949 he was clearly suffering from the effects of the crash. He retired from racing at the end of that season and started a training school. The effects from the crash were still causing him health problems and further surgery was required. He did not reagin his health and died on 24 November 1950 aged just thirty eight.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dell, Stan 1912 births 1950 deaths British speedway riders English motorcycle racers Hackney Wick Wolves riders Coventry Bees riders West Ham Hammers riders Birmingham Brummies riders