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Post by ch958 on Nov 7, 2012 13:49:06 GMT
Older readers (45 plus) may remember a rider called John Spilsbury who rode at reserve for a few matches in 1968. He wasn't the best rider in the world but he had come half way round the world and didn't deserve a snotty 11 year old shouting "Go home Spilsbury you're useless" at him through the railings of the Cleveland Park pits. The worst thing of all was he looked up and saw me. I can still remember the look on his face years later and shiver in horror that i could be such a little bar steward.
Right thats off my chest - sorry John. Any more confessions?
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Post by sherbetfoames on Nov 7, 2012 17:50:09 GMT
I remember John Spilsbury,I think he was an Aussie who couldn't adapt to the small tight British tracks.He rode 10 matches for the Teessiders having 21 rides scoring 8+3 for an average of 2.10.His replacement,Alan Palmer had a similar outcome,in 6 matches he had 14 rides scoring 7+3 for an average of 2.86. My confession is that in 1968 'I did wilfully pay as a child to get in,then go straight to the bar & buy a pint'.I was a repeat offender.
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Post by woodstock on Nov 7, 2012 18:15:12 GMT
I believe he prepared the track, over to you Steve. George R. Richardson.
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Post by slidershuttleworth on Nov 7, 2012 18:57:13 GMT
Team photo from 1968. Attachments:
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Post by northyorksbear on Nov 7, 2012 20:40:42 GMT
I remember John Spilsbury, I think he was an Aussie who couldn't adapt to the small tight British tracks.He rode 10 matches for the Teessiders having 21 rides scoring 8+3 for an average of 2.10.His replacement,Alan Palmer had a similar outcome,in 6 matches he had 14 rides scoring 7+3 for an average of 2.86. My confession is that in 1968 'I did wilfully pay as a child to get in,then go straight to the bar & buy a pint'.I was a repeat offender. He was actually from Tasmania
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Post by ch958 on Nov 8, 2012 9:55:23 GMT
"He was actually from Tasmania "
so he probably won't come back looking for revenge then
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Post by woodstock on Nov 8, 2012 11:20:21 GMT
Terry Lee, Jack Lee ?. Graham Plant. John Spilsbury. Pete Reading. Tom Leadbitter. Paul O'Niel. Not sure about Jack Lee, could be a Kings Lynn rider who's name I can't remember, who was injured early on and was replaced with Allan Brown. There was a Jack Lee, rode for us, I've often wondered if he was the Jack Lee involved at Buxton. George R. Richardson.
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Post by woodstock on Nov 8, 2012 12:22:36 GMT
Just remembered was it Graham Edmonds.
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Post by slidershuttleworth on Nov 8, 2012 12:26:27 GMT
For you George.....1968 team photo with Allan Brown and team manager Wilf Plant behind Tom on bike. Steve Harland will have the info on Jack Lee. Attachments:
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Post by slidershuttleworth on Nov 8, 2012 12:42:04 GMT
Info on Jack Lee. It seems he rode one meeting for the Teessiders.. Info from website Speedway riders, history and resultsJack Lee Born: July 1941, England British Clubs: Middlesbrough (1968) Nelson (1968, 1969) Reading (1969) Romford (1969) Doncaster (1970) Bradford (1970) Year..Club..Meetings..Rides..Points..Bonus..Average..Maxima 1968..Middlesbro'..1..3..3..1..5.33 1968..Nelson..4..17..16..5..4.94 1969..Nelson..21..58..35..5..2.76 1969..Reading..1..2..0..0..0.00 1969..Romford..1..2..5..0..10.00 1970..Doncaster..4..13..7..0..2.15 1970..Bradford..2..6..3..0..2.00 Read more: wwosbackup.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=lriders&action=display&thread=1660#ixzz2BdMbLxqO
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Post by sherbetfoames on Nov 8, 2012 14:22:27 GMT
I think Jack Lee was hurriedly loaned to us when we turned up one man short at Nelson.
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Post by ch958 on Nov 8, 2012 15:13:49 GMT
Exactly right about Jack Lee but Graham Edmonds looked set to be a good rider and was never the same when he returned from injury (I think with Boston). Alan Brown was a top rider in that league though - my second ever hero after Edmonds Does anyone remember the start line punch up between Brown and Murray Burt I didnt know Wilf Plant was manager I thought it was Henry Atkinson
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Post by slidershuttleworth on Nov 8, 2012 15:24:59 GMT
Exactly right about Jack Lee but Graham Edmonds looked set to be a good rider and was never the same when he returned from injury (I think with Boston). Alan Brown was a top rider in that league though - my second ever hero after Edmonds Does anyone remember the start line punch up between Brown and Murray Burt I didnt know Wilf Plant was manager I thought it was Henry Atkinson Another team manager from 1968 was Nigel Furniss......so maybe Harry as well..!. Harry certainly was in 1969 Definately need Steve H to say what was what. Anyway..I'm sure Spilsbury has forgiven you...but you are right...He wasn't much cop..!!
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Post by woodstock on Nov 8, 2012 16:06:08 GMT
Another reserve who was not big score wise, was Kevin Torpie, but boy was he an entertainer, my late wife's favourite. Allan Brown was a very stylish rider and I believe finished top of the averages and very fancied for the league riders championship, which Graham Plant won. George R. Richardson.
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Post by ch958 on Nov 8, 2012 20:02:53 GMT
Kevin Torpie - would that be around 62/63?
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