Cycle speedway racing was not one of the top priorities on Oxford City Council’s sporting agenda.
“It’s a five-day wonder,” Harry Gordon-Roberts, parks committee chairman, told fellow councillors in 1954 after hearing that the Summertown track was in disrepair.
How wrong could he have been? More than 60 years later, local riders are still playing a key role in this national sport.
We were reminded of cycle speedway when Memory Lane contributor David Brown bought three match programmes on eBay recently.
Read again: Town green registered after four-year saga
He writes: “One is for a 1962 ‘Test Series’ British League v Rest of England held at Bournemouth which included Barry Shapley, of Horspath Hammers. The other two are Horspath Hammers’ programmes from 1977 and 1978.”
One of the programmes covered Horspath’s meeting with Poole Comets in the English League on their track on the village recreation ground.
Horspath Hammers
Someone has filled in the scores as the teams progressed through the 18 heats. Scores were level until the fourth heat when Poole began to pull away. Horspath fought bravely and kept within striking distance of their opponents, finally losing 95-85.
The Horspath riders that day were Ian Blunt, George Byles, Robin Wallsgrove, Richard Cantwell, Ray Boaler, Paul Hitchcox, Sean Collins and Tony Gunn.
George Byles was the most impressive local rider, recording four first places and one second in his five races. Richard Cantwell, Paul Hitchcox and Sean Collins won two races and Tony Gunn one.
Read more: Search team gets cash boost from Freemasons
The programme was printed by the Oxford Mail and Times and included advertisements from supporters - Corona soft drinks, which had a base in Botley Road, Oxford, Dave Wells, a building firm, and the Green Apple Disco, which described itself as the ‘best disco in town’.
The Lord Mayor presenting prizes
Cycle speedway racing is said to have started soon after the Second World War on bomb sites in London, Glasgow and Manchester.
Oxford soon joined in and by 1951, teams such as the Littlemore Eagles and Rose Hill Baskerville Hounds had become well known throughout the country.
Read again: Shops block reaches new construction phase
The clubs went into decline as young riders were called up for National Service and it became difficult to recruit replacements.
Horspath Hammers
However, by 1958, prospects were looking up, an Oxford Cycle Speedway League had been formed and local teams were putting Oxford firmly back on the national sporting front. Horspath Hammers had been formed in 1956 and other clubs at that time included Cowley Eagles, Rose Hill Baskerville Hounds, Wood Farm Wolves, Grandpont Giants, Littlemore Lions, Cowley Chads and Northway Eagles.
The Wheatley Arrows
Among the county clubs were Abingdon White Harts, Burford Pirates, and Drayton St Leonard Vampires. Horspath have won many honours over the years. Any memories of cycle speedway to share with readers?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel