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{{short description|Motorcycle speedway team based in Norwich, England}}
{{short description|Motorcycle speedway team based in Norwich, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox motorcycle speedway team
{{Infobox motorcycle speedway team
|clubname = Norwich Stars
|clubname = Norwich Stars
|image = [[File:Yellow star on green.png|150px]]
|image =
|track = [[The Firs Stadium]]<br />Cromer Road<br />[[Norwich]]
|track = [[The Firs Stadium]]<br />Cromer Road<br />[[Norwich]]
|country = [[England]]
|country = England
|founded = 1930
|founded = 1930
|closed = 1964
|closed = 1964
|manager = [[Max Grosskreutz]]<br /> Dick Wise<br /> Fred Evans<br />Gordon Parkins
|manager = [[Max Grosskreutz]]<br /> [[Dick Wise]]<br /> Fred Evans<br />Gordon Parkins
|captain = Dick Wise<br />Bert Spencer<br />Phil Clarke<br />[[Aub Lawson]]<br />Reg Trott
|captain = [[Dick Wise]]<br />Bert Spencer<br />Phil Clarke<br />[[Aub Lawson]]<br />Reg Trott
|league =
|website =
|colours = Green with Yellow Star
|colours = Green with Yellow Star
|tracksize = {{convert|425|yd|m}}
|tracksize = {{convert|425|yd|m}}
Line 16: Line 16:
|track record date=
|track record date=
|track record holder= [[Peter Craven]] &<br /> [[Ove Fundin]]
|track record holder= [[Peter Craven]] &<br /> [[Ove Fundin]]
|honour1 = [[Speedway National League Division Two|National League Div 2 Champions]]
|honour1 = [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy]] (tier 1)
|year1 = 1955, 1963
|year1 = [[1950 Speedway National League Division Two|1950]], [[1951 Speedway National League Division Two|1951]]
|honour2 = National Trophy
|honour2 = [[Speedway National League Division Two|National League Div 2]]
|year2 = [[1950 Speedway National League Division Two|1950]], [[1951 Speedway National League Division Two|1951]]
|year2 = 1955, 1963
|honour3 = Provincial Trophy
|honour3 = Provincial Trophy
|year3 = [[1938 Speedway National League Division Two#Provincial Trophy|1938]]
|year3 = [[1938 Speedway National League Division Two#Provincial Trophy|1938]]
|honour4 = ACU Cup (Div 2)
|honour4 = ACU Cup (Div 2)
|year4 = [[1946 Speedway Northern League#A.C.U. Cup (Div 2) Final table|1946]]
|year4 = [[1946 Speedway Northern League#A.C.U. Cup (Div 2) Final table|1946]]
|honour5 = National Trophy (Div 2)
|honour5 = [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy]] (tier 2)
|year5 = 1951
|year5 = 1938, 1951
|honour6 = Southern Shield
|honour6 = Southern Shield
|year6 = 1951
|year6 = 1951
}}
}}


'''Norwich Stars''' were a [[motorcycle speedway]] team based in [[Norwich]], [[England]] which operated from 1930 until their closure in 1964.<ref name=hss>Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). ''Homes of British Speedway''. {{ISBN|0-7524-2210-3}}</ref>
'''Norwich Stars''' were a [[motorcycle speedway]] team based in [[Norwich]], England, which operated from 1930 until their closure in 1964.<ref name=hss>Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). ''Homes of British Speedway''. {{ISBN|0-7524-2210-3}}</ref>


==History==
== History ==
=== Origins and 1930s ===
Speedway racing was staged in Norwich both before and after [[World War II]] at [[The Firs Stadium]] in Cromer Road, [[Hellesdon]]. Pre-War Norwich were members of the [[1937 Provincial Speedway League]], [[1938 Speedway National League Division Two]] & [[1939 Speedway National League Division Two]]. After the war, the Norwich Stars raced in the [[1946 Speedway Northern League]] and the [[Speedway National League Division Two|National League Division Two]] from 1947 to 1951. They won the League Championship in both [[1950 Speedway National League Division Two|1950]] and [[1951 Speedway National League Division Two|1951]].
Speedway came to Norwich in August 1930<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/norwich.htm |title=Norwich Speedway |website=Defunct Speedway |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref> when the Eastern Speedways Motor Club arranged fixtures at [[The Firs Stadium]] in Cromer Road, [[Hellesdon]]. By the fourth successive season in 1933, sidecars were also introduced.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001943/19330408/136/0009 |title=Eastern Speedways |website=Yarmouth Independent |date=8 April 1933 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 October 2024 }}</ref> Sporadic racing continued to be organised through 1934 and 1935 but had ceased in 1936.


In January 1937, the famous rider [[Max Grosskreutz]] announced his retirement in order to take a lease on the Firs Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19370121/170/0005 |title=Speedway Ace to retire |website=Liverpool Echo |date=21 January 1937 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 October 2024 }}</ref> Grosskreutz entered a team for the [[1937 Provincial Speedway League]] and the first fixture was at home to [[Liverpool Merseysiders]], on 1 May in a national Trophy match. The services of riders were secured, including [[Wal Morton]], [[Bert Spencer]] and [[Dick Wise]] and the nickname Stars was adopted.<ref name=SR>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1937record.pdf |title=1937 season |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref>
They were invited into the [[National League (1932–1964)|National League Division One]] in 1952 and finished runners up in the League in 1958 and 1963. Another honour was the winning of Speedway's premier Knockout Competition, the National Trophy. This was achieved in both 1955 and 1963.<ref name=anglia>Jacobs, Norman (2000). ''Speedway in East Anglia''. {{ISBN|0-7524-1882-3}}</ref> The Stars raced in the top flight until the stadium was closed at the end of the 1964 season, when the track and stadium were sold for re-development.<ref name="hss"/>


After a solid first season the team were boosted by the decision of Grosskreutz to come out of retirement, captain and ride for the Stars.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001943/19380514/252/0016 |title=Return of Grosskreutz |website=Yarmouth Independent |date=14 May 1938 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 October 2024 }}</ref> The Australian topped the league averages<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/specialfeaturesrideraverages.pdf |title=Rider averages 1929 to 2009 |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref> and helped Norwich win both the division 2 [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy]] and the Provincial Trophy.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Martin|title=The Illustrated History of Speedway|year=1978 |publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd|isbn=0-904584-45-3}}</ref>

=== 1940s ===
After [[World War II]], the Norwich Stars (now without Grosskreutz) raced in the [[1946 Speedway Northern League]] and added more silverware by winning the A.C.U. Cup. Huge post war attendances were experienced at the Firs Stadium and Dick Wise became the team manager.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001528/19471114/082/0004 |title=Cycle Speedway Dance |website=Diss Express |date=14 November 1947 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 October 2024 }}</ref> The Stars continued to compete in the [[Speedway National League Division Two|National League Division Two]] from 1947 to 1951.

=== 1950s ===
The Stars won the League Championship in both [[1950 Speedway National League Division Two|1950]] and [[1951 Speedway National League Division Two|1951]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Bott|first=Richard|title=The Peter Collins Speedway Book No.4|year=1980|publisher=Stanley Paul & Co Ltd|isbn=0-09-141751-1}}</ref> The riders largely responsible for the success were [[Paddy Mills (speedway rider)|Paddy Mills]], [[Phil Clarke (speedway rider)|Phil Clarke]], [[Bob Leverenz]] and [[Fred Rogers (speedway rider)|Fred Rogers]].<ref name=SR/>

The Stars were invited into the [[National League (1932–1964)|National League Division One]] in 1952 but initially struggled before improving in subsequent seasons, winning the National Trophy during the [[1955 Speedway National League]] season and finished runners-up behind [[Wimbledon Dons]] in the [[1958 Speedway National League]]. The leading riders during the 1950s were [[Billy Bales]], [[Aub Lawson]] and the legendary [[Ove Fundin]] (Norwich's greatest ever rider and eventually a five times world champion).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cybermotorcycle.com/archives/exeter-speedway/leagues-58.htm |title=Speedway Teams UK 1958-1963 |website=Cyber Motorcycle |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref>

=== 1960s ===
Fundin continued to dominate the British league averages but lacked support to make Norwich a championship contender. However, fellow Swede [[Olle Nygren]] was signed in 1962 and [[Terry Betts]]' improvement supported Fundin and as a consequence the Stars won the 1963 National Trophy to equal their highest honour. Additionally, the team finished runner-up to [[Belle Vue Aces]] in the [[1963 Speedway National League]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Oakes |first=Peter |title=1981 Speedway Yearbook |year=1981 |publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd |isbn=0-86215-017-5}}</ref><ref name=anglia>Jacobs, Norman (2000). ''Speedway in East Anglia''. {{ISBN|0-7524-1882-3}}</ref>

The Stars raced in the top flight until the stadium was closed at the end of the 1964 season, when the track and stadium were sold for re-development.<ref name="hss"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19641223/226/0020 |title=Little hope now for Norwich |website=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=23 December 1964 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 October 2024 }}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
In July 2012, former rider [[Ove Fundin]] played a part in announcing a return of speedway in the city of Norwich. Plans, which did not come to fruition, were outlined for a new track to be built on the city's outskirts, with the hope of a return to the British league structure.
In July 2012, former rider [[Ove Fundin]] played a part in announcing a return of speedway in the city of Norwich. Plans, which did not come to fruition, were outlined for a new track to be built on the city's outskirts, with the hope of a return to the British league structure.


== Season summary ==
==Notable riders==
{| class="wikitable"
* [[Ove Fundin]]
|-
* [[Trevor Hedge]]
!width=350|Year and league
* [[Aub Lawson]]
!width=50|Position
* [[Bob Leverenz]]
!width=450|Notes
* [[Geoff Pymar]]
|- align=center
* [[Billy Bales|Raymond "Billy" Bales]]
|align="left"| [[1937 Provincial Speedway League]] || 5th ||
* [[Olle Nygren]]
|- align=center
* [[Terry Betts]]
|align="left"| [[1938 Speedway National League Division Two]] ||2nd || Provincial Trophy & [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy (div 2)]] winners
* [[Jimmy Gooch (speedway rider)|Jimmy Gooch]]
|- align=center
* [[Max Grosskreutz]]
|align="left"| [[1939 Speedway National League Division Two]] || 4th+ || + when league suspended
* [[Paddy Mills (speedway rider)|Paddy Mills]]
|- align=center
* [[Cyril Roger]]
|align="left"| [[1946 Speedway Northern League]] || 3rd || [[1946 Speedway Northern League#A.C.U. Cup (Div 2) Final table|A.C.U Cup winners]]
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1947 Speedway National League Division Two]] ||3rd ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1948 Speedway National League Division Two]] || 5th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1949 Speedway National League Division Two]] ||3rd ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1950 Speedway National League Division Two]] ||1st || champions
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1951 Speedway National League Division Two]] || 1st || champions & [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy (div 2)]] winners
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1952 Speedway National League]] ||10th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1953 Speedway National League]] || 7th||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1954 Speedway National League]] || 4th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1955 Speedway National League]] || 6th ||[[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy]] winners
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1956 Speedway National League]] || 4th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1957 Speedway National League]] ||4th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1958 Speedway National League]] || 2nd ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1959 Speedway National League]] ||4th||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1960 Speedway National League]] || 5th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1961 Speedway National League]] ||7th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1962 Speedway National League]] || 5th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1963 Speedway National League]] || 2nd || [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy]] winners
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1964 Speedway National League]] || 3rd ||
|}

== Notable riders ==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Billy Bales]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Terry Betts]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Phil Clarke (speedway rider)|Phil Clarke]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Ove Fundin]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jimmy Gooch (speedway rider)|Jimmy Gooch]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Max Grosskreutz]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Trevor Hedge]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Aub Lawson]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Bob Leverenz]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Paddy Mills (speedway rider)|Paddy Mills]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Wal Morton]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Olle Nygren]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Geoff Pymar]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Cyril Roger]]
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Fred Rogers (speedway rider)|Fred Rogers]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Bert Spencer]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Dick Wise]]
{{div col end}}


==Fatalities==
== Fatalities ==
Four riders from 1947 to 1951 died at the Norwich track. Norwich's 38-year-old rider Cyril Anderson died instantly on 16 August 1947, during a Best Pairs event. Anderson was leading when he skidded and was hit by a rider from behind <ref>{{cite news |title=Another Speedway rider killed |work=Weekly Dispatch (London) |date=17 August 1947 |access-date=11 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003359/19470817/008/0001| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 32-year-old Bill Wilson of the [[Middlesbrough Bears]] was fatally injured, on 3 July 1948, at Norwich and died two days later in hospital.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://national-speedway-museum.co.uk/norwich%20-%20the%20firs.html|title=Norwich the Firs Stadium|website=National Speedway Museum|access-date=11 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Still unconscious |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=5 July 1948 |access-date=11 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19480705/119/0012| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Four riders from 1947 to 1951 died at the Norwich track. Norwich's 38-year-old rider Cyril Anderson died instantly on 16 August 1947, during a Best Pairs event. Anderson was leading when he skidded and was hit by a rider from behind.<ref>{{cite news |title=Another Speedway rider killed |work=Weekly Dispatch (London) |date=17 August 1947 |access-date=11 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003359/19470817/008/0001| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 32-year-old Bill Wilson of the [[Middlesbrough Bears]] was fatally injured, on 3 July 1948, at Norwich and died two days later in hospital.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://national-speedway-museum.co.uk/norwich%20-%20the%20firs.html|title=Norwich the Firs Stadium|website=National Speedway Museum|access-date=11 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Still unconscious |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=5 July 1948 |access-date=11 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19480705/119/0012| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


The third rider died on 1 July 1950. Jock Shead riding for [[Halifax Dukes]] was killed at during the semi final of the National Trophy. Shead's bike collided with another bike and he somersaulted before landing, he was take to hospital but died shortly afterwards.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two Riders Killed |work=Weekly Dispatch (London) |date=2 July 1950 |access-date=12 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003359/19500702/206/0009| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The following year, 21-year-old Bob Howes was killed when he hit the fence during a training practice race on 10 November 1951.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speedway death |work=Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail |date=10 November 1951 |access-date=11 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000378/19511110/153/0008| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://national-speedway-museum.co.uk/norwich%20-%20the%20firs.html|title=Norwich The Firs Stadium|website=National Speedway Museum|access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref>
The third rider died on 1 July 1950. Jock Shead riding for [[Halifax Dukes]] was killed during the semi-final of the National Trophy. Shead's bike collided with another bike and he somersaulted before landing, he was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two Riders Killed |work=Weekly Dispatch (London) |date=2 July 1950 |access-date=12 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003359/19500702/206/0009| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The following year, 21-year-old Bob Howes was killed when he hit the fence during a training practice race on 10 November 1951.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speedway death |work=Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail |date=10 November 1951 |access-date=11 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000378/19511110/153/0008| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://national-speedway-museum.co.uk/norwich%20-%20the%20firs.html|title=Norwich The Firs Stadium|website=National Speedway Museum|access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref>


Norwich rider Malcolm Flood died on 2 April 1956, at Poole. The 25-year-old rider suffered fatal injuries despite an earlier warning from the race steward that he was riding too erratically into the bends.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speedway rider died after warning |work=Birmingham Daily Post |date=10 April 1956 |access-date=13 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000619/19560410/105/0005| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Norwich rider Malcolm Flood died on 2 April 1956, at Poole. The 25-year-old rider suffered fatal injuries despite an earlier warning from the race steward that he was riding too erratically into the bends.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speedway rider died after warning |work=Birmingham Daily Post |date=10 April 1956 |access-date=13 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000619/19560410/105/0005| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


The Firs Stadium was arguably the deadliest track in the country and claimed anotehr life on 24 July 1960. Derek 'Tink' Maynard of the [[Belle Vue Aces]] was fatally injured in a crash on 23 July 1960. Maynard was competing in the second leg of the National Trophy against Norwich when Slant Payling lost control of his bike and it hit Maynard. Both riders were taken to Norwich Hospital but Maynard died the following morning.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speedway rider killed |work=Birmingham Daily Post |date=25 July 1960 |access-date=13 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002134/19600725/437/0018| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
The Firs Stadium was arguably the deadliest track in the country and claimed another life on 24 July 1960. Derek 'Tink' Maynard of the [[Belle Vue Aces]] was fatally injured in a crash on 23 July 1960. Maynard was competing in the second leg of the National Trophy against Norwich when Slant Payling lost control of his bike and it hit Maynard. Both riders were taken to Norwich Hospital but Maynard died the following morning.<ref>{{cite news |title=Speedway rider killed |work=Birmingham Daily Post |date=25 July 1960 |access-date=13 August 2021 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002134/19600725/437/0018| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Defunct British speedway teams]]
[[Category:Defunct speedway teams in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sport in Norwich]]
[[Category:Sport in Norwich]]

Latest revision as of 22:14, 23 November 2024

Norwich Stars
Club information
Track addressThe Firs Stadium
Cromer Road
Norwich
CountryEngland
Founded1930
Closed1964
Team managerMax Grosskreutz
Dick Wise
Fred Evans
Gordon Parkins
Team captainDick Wise
Bert Spencer
Phil Clarke
Aub Lawson
Reg Trott
Club facts
ColoursGreen with Yellow Star
Track size425 yards (389 m)
Track record holderPeter Craven &
Ove Fundin
Major team honours
National Trophy (tier 1)1955, 1963
National League Div 21950, 1951
Provincial Trophy1938
ACU Cup (Div 2)1946
National Trophy (tier 2)1938, 1951
Southern Shield1951

Norwich Stars were a motorcycle speedway team based in Norwich, England, which operated from 1930 until their closure in 1964.[1]

History

[edit]

Origins and 1930s

[edit]

Speedway came to Norwich in August 1930[2] when the Eastern Speedways Motor Club arranged fixtures at The Firs Stadium in Cromer Road, Hellesdon. By the fourth successive season in 1933, sidecars were also introduced.[3] Sporadic racing continued to be organised through 1934 and 1935 but had ceased in 1936.

In January 1937, the famous rider Max Grosskreutz announced his retirement in order to take a lease on the Firs Stadium.[4] Grosskreutz entered a team for the 1937 Provincial Speedway League and the first fixture was at home to Liverpool Merseysiders, on 1 May in a national Trophy match. The services of riders were secured, including Wal Morton, Bert Spencer and Dick Wise and the nickname Stars was adopted.[5]

After a solid first season the team were boosted by the decision of Grosskreutz to come out of retirement, captain and ride for the Stars.[6] The Australian topped the league averages[7] and helped Norwich win both the division 2 National Trophy and the Provincial Trophy.[8]

1940s

[edit]

After World War II, the Norwich Stars (now without Grosskreutz) raced in the 1946 Speedway Northern League and added more silverware by winning the A.C.U. Cup. Huge post war attendances were experienced at the Firs Stadium and Dick Wise became the team manager.[9] The Stars continued to compete in the National League Division Two from 1947 to 1951.

1950s

[edit]

The Stars won the League Championship in both 1950 and 1951.[10] The riders largely responsible for the success were Paddy Mills, Phil Clarke, Bob Leverenz and Fred Rogers.[5]

The Stars were invited into the National League Division One in 1952 but initially struggled before improving in subsequent seasons, winning the National Trophy during the 1955 Speedway National League season and finished runners-up behind Wimbledon Dons in the 1958 Speedway National League. The leading riders during the 1950s were Billy Bales, Aub Lawson and the legendary Ove Fundin (Norwich's greatest ever rider and eventually a five times world champion).[11]

1960s

[edit]

Fundin continued to dominate the British league averages but lacked support to make Norwich a championship contender. However, fellow Swede Olle Nygren was signed in 1962 and Terry Betts' improvement supported Fundin and as a consequence the Stars won the 1963 National Trophy to equal their highest honour. Additionally, the team finished runner-up to Belle Vue Aces in the 1963 Speedway National League.[12][13]

The Stars raced in the top flight until the stadium was closed at the end of the 1964 season, when the track and stadium were sold for re-development.[1][14]

2010s

[edit]

In July 2012, former rider Ove Fundin played a part in announcing a return of speedway in the city of Norwich. Plans, which did not come to fruition, were outlined for a new track to be built on the city's outskirts, with the hope of a return to the British league structure.

Season summary

[edit]
Year and league Position Notes
1937 Provincial Speedway League 5th
1938 Speedway National League Division Two 2nd Provincial Trophy & National Trophy (div 2) winners
1939 Speedway National League Division Two 4th+ + when league suspended
1946 Speedway Northern League 3rd A.C.U Cup winners
1947 Speedway National League Division Two 3rd
1948 Speedway National League Division Two 5th
1949 Speedway National League Division Two 3rd
1950 Speedway National League Division Two 1st champions
1951 Speedway National League Division Two 1st champions & National Trophy (div 2) winners
1952 Speedway National League 10th
1953 Speedway National League 7th
1954 Speedway National League 4th
1955 Speedway National League 6th National Trophy winners
1956 Speedway National League 4th
1957 Speedway National League 4th
1958 Speedway National League 2nd
1959 Speedway National League 4th
1960 Speedway National League 5th
1961 Speedway National League 7th
1962 Speedway National League 5th
1963 Speedway National League 2nd National Trophy winners
1964 Speedway National League 3rd

Notable riders

[edit]

Fatalities

[edit]

Four riders from 1947 to 1951 died at the Norwich track. Norwich's 38-year-old rider Cyril Anderson died instantly on 16 August 1947, during a Best Pairs event. Anderson was leading when he skidded and was hit by a rider from behind.[15] 32-year-old Bill Wilson of the Middlesbrough Bears was fatally injured, on 3 July 1948, at Norwich and died two days later in hospital.[16][17]

The third rider died on 1 July 1950. Jock Shead riding for Halifax Dukes was killed during the semi-final of the National Trophy. Shead's bike collided with another bike and he somersaulted before landing, he was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards.[18] The following year, 21-year-old Bob Howes was killed when he hit the fence during a training practice race on 10 November 1951.[19][20]

Norwich rider Malcolm Flood died on 2 April 1956, at Poole. The 25-year-old rider suffered fatal injuries despite an earlier warning from the race steward that he was riding too erratically into the bends.[21]

The Firs Stadium was arguably the deadliest track in the country and claimed another life on 24 July 1960. Derek 'Tink' Maynard of the Belle Vue Aces was fatally injured in a crash on 23 July 1960. Maynard was competing in the second leg of the National Trophy against Norwich when Slant Payling lost control of his bike and it hit Maynard. Both riders were taken to Norwich Hospital but Maynard died the following morning.[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). Homes of British Speedway. ISBN 0-7524-2210-3
  2. ^ "Norwich Speedway". Defunct Speedway. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Eastern Speedways". Yarmouth Independent. 8 April 1933. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Speedway Ace to retire". Liverpool Echo. 21 January 1937. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ a b "1937 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Return of Grosskreutz". Yarmouth Independent. 14 May 1938. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  8. ^ Rogers, Martin (1978). The Illustrated History of Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 0-904584-45-3.
  9. ^ "Cycle Speedway Dance". Diss Express. 14 November 1947. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ Bott, Richard (1980). The Peter Collins Speedway Book No.4. Stanley Paul & Co Ltd. ISBN 0-09-141751-1.
  11. ^ "Speedway Teams UK 1958-1963". Cyber Motorcycle. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  12. ^ Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.
  13. ^ Jacobs, Norman (2000). Speedway in East Anglia. ISBN 0-7524-1882-3
  14. ^ "Little hope now for Norwich". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 23 December 1964. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ^ "Another Speedway rider killed". Weekly Dispatch (London). 17 August 1947. Retrieved 11 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ "Norwich the Firs Stadium". National Speedway Museum. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Still unconscious". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 5 July 1948. Retrieved 11 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. ^ "Two Riders Killed". Weekly Dispatch (London). 2 July 1950. Retrieved 12 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ "Speedway death". Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail. 10 November 1951. Retrieved 11 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. ^ "Norwich The Firs Stadium". National Speedway Museum. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Speedway rider died after warning". Birmingham Daily Post. 10 April 1956. Retrieved 13 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  22. ^ "Speedway rider killed". Birmingham Daily Post. 25 July 1960. Retrieved 13 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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