Norwich Stars: Difference between revisions
MaugerFundin (talk | contribs) 1940s |
MaugerFundin (talk | contribs) 1950s |
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|track record date= |
|track record date= |
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|track record holder= [[Peter Craven]] &<br /> [[Ove Fundin]] |
|track record holder= [[Peter Craven]] &<br /> [[Ove Fundin]] |
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|honour1 = [[ |
|honour1 = [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy]] (tier 1) |
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|honour2 = [[ |
|honour2 = [[Speedway National League Division Two|National League Div 2]] |
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|honour3 = Provincial Trophy |
|honour3 = Provincial Trophy |
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|year3 = [[1938 Speedway National League Division Two#Provincial Trophy|1938]] |
|year3 = [[1938 Speedway National League Division Two#Provincial Trophy|1938]] |
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|honour4 = ACU Cup (Div 2) |
|honour4 = ACU Cup (Div 2) |
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|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]] |
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|honour5 = [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy ( |
|honour5 = [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|National Trophy]] (tier 2) |
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|year5 = 1938, 1951 |
|year5 = 1938, 1951 |
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|honour6 = Southern Shield |
|honour6 = Southern Shield |
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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 [[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. |
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 [[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. |
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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>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1937record.pdf |title=1937 season |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref> |
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> |
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After a solid first season the team were boosted by the decision of Grosskreutz to come out of retirment, 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> |
After a solid first season the team were boosted by the decision of Grosskreutz to come out of retirment, 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> |
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=== 1950s === |
=== 1950s === |
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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/> |
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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]] (arguably 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> |
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=== 1960s === |
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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"/> |
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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. |
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* [[Billy Bales]] |
* [[Billy Bales]] |
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* [[Terry Betts]] |
* [[Terry Betts]] |
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* [[Phil Clarke (speedway rider)|Phil Clarke]] |
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* [[Ove Fundin]] |
* [[Ove Fundin]] |
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* [[Jimmy Gooch (speedway rider)|Jimmy Gooch]] |
* [[Jimmy Gooch (speedway rider)|Jimmy Gooch]] |
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* [[Geoff Pymar]] |
* [[Geoff Pymar]] |
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* [[Cyril Roger]] |
* [[Cyril Roger]] |
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* [[Fred Rogers (speedway rider)|Fred Rogers]] |
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* [[Bert Spencer]] |
* [[Bert Spencer]] |
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* [[Dick Wise]] |
* [[Dick Wise]] |
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Revision as of 13:01, 6 October 2024
| Norwich Stars | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Club information | |||||||||||||
| Track address | The Firs Stadium Cromer Road Norwich | ||||||||||||
| Country | England | ||||||||||||
| Founded | 1930 | ||||||||||||
| Closed | 1964 | ||||||||||||
| Team manager | Max Grosskreutz Dick Wise Fred Evans Gordon Parkins | ||||||||||||
| Team captain | Dick Wise Bert Spencer Phil Clarke Aub Lawson Reg Trott | ||||||||||||
| Club facts | |||||||||||||
| Colours | Green with Yellow Star | ||||||||||||
| Track size | 425 yards (389 m) | ||||||||||||
| Track record holder | Peter Craven & Ove Fundin | ||||||||||||
| Major team honours | |||||||||||||
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Norwich Stars were a motorcycle speedway team based in Norwich, England, which operated from 1930 until their closure in 1964.[1]
History
Origins and 1930s
Speedway came to Norwich in August 1930[2] when the Eastern Speedways Motor Club arranged fixtures at the 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 retirment, 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
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
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 (arguably Norwich's greatest ever rider and eventually a five times world champion).[11]
1960s
Another honour was the winning of Speedway's premier Knockout Competition, the National Trophy. This was achieved in both 1955 and 1963.[12] 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]
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
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.[13] 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.[14][15]
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.[16] The following year, 21-year-old Bob Howes was killed when he hit the fence during a training practice race on 10 November 1951.[17][18]
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.[19]
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.[20]
References
- ^ a b Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). Homes of British Speedway. ISBN 0-7524-2210-3
- ^ "Norwich Speedway". Defunct Speedway. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Eastern Speedways". Yarmouth Independent. 8 April 1933. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway Ace to retire". Liverpool Echo. 21 January 1937. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "1937 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Return of Grosskreutz". Yarmouth Independent. 14 May 1938. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ Rogers, Martin (1978). The Illustrated History of Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 0-904584-45-3.
- ^ "Cycle Speedway Dance". Diss Express. 14 November 1947. Retrieved 6 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Bott, Richard (1980). The Peter Collins Speedway Book No.4. Stanley Paul & Co Ltd. ISBN 0-09-141751-1.
- ^ "Speedway Teams UK 1958-1963". Cyber Motorcycle. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ Jacobs, Norman (2000). Speedway in East Anglia. ISBN 0-7524-1882-3
- ^ "Another Speedway rider killed". Weekly Dispatch (London). 17 August 1947. Retrieved 11 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Norwich the Firs Stadium". National Speedway Museum. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ "Still unconscious". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 5 July 1948. Retrieved 11 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Two Riders Killed". Weekly Dispatch (London). 2 July 1950. Retrieved 12 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway death". Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail. 10 November 1951. Retrieved 11 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Norwich The Firs Stadium". National Speedway Museum. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Speedway rider died after warning". Birmingham Daily Post. 10 April 1956. Retrieved 13 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway rider killed". Birmingham Daily Post. 25 July 1960. Retrieved 13 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.