John Patrick "Joe" Abbott (12 April 1902 in

Burnley Burnley () is a town and the administrative centre of the wider Borough of Burnley in Lancashire, England, with a 2001 population of 73,021. It is north of Manchester and east of Preston, Lancashire, Preston, at the confluence of the River C ...

, EnglandAddison J. (1948). ''The People Speedway Guide''. Odhams Press Limited – 1 July 1950) was an international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the

World Championship A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game, ...

final in 1937.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). ''A History of the World Speedway Championship''. Stroud: Tempus Publishing.

Career summary

Joe began his career with local track Burnley in 1928 before moving onto Preston for two seasons.Morgan, Tom (1949) ''Who's Who in Speedway'', Sport-in-Print, p. 7 He then joined the

Belle Vue Aces The Belle Vue Aces are a British speedway club, based in Manchester. The club hold the record of having won the top tier League championship 13 times. They currently compete in the SGB Premiership, racing at The National Speedway Stadium, wi ...

and stayed there until the outbreak of World War II. At Belle Vue he formed a formidable partnership with Frank Charles (speedway rider), Frank Charles which they utilised internationally.Belton, Brian (2003). ''Hammerin' Round''. Stroud: Tempus Publishing He made fifteen appearances for Great Britain national speedway team, England between 1930 and 1939 and qualified for a World Final. After the war he became captain of the Harringay Racers (speedway), Harringay Racers in 1947 and transferred to the Odsal Boomerangs in Bradford towards the end of the 1947 season. On 21 June 1949 Joe was riding in live televised meeting at West Ham Stadium against the West Ham Hammers. Joe crashed and suffered serious injury, but in the crowd were dozens of ambulance men from Poplar, London, Poplar hospital who rushed him there immediately. The quick actions saved his life.

World Final appearances

* 1937 - London, Wembley Stadium (1923), Wembley Stadium - 13th - 14pts

Death

On 1 July 1950 in the National League (1932–1964), National League match for the Odsal Boomerangs, Boomerangs against West Ham Hammers, West Ham, Joe, who was now 48 years old fell in his second race and was hit by a following rider and was instantly killed. The riders and promoters decided to carry on with the meeting, as they believed Joe would have wished it. Fans left Odsal Stadium unaware that Joe, with nicknames such as 'India-rubber Man', and "Ironman", had died.

Players cigarette cards

Abbott is listed as number 1 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.

References

External links