Kevin Rowland is one of many riders with fond memories of challenging for honours in cycle speedway.
He rode for three Oxford clubs which competed against local and more distant teams in the popular sport.
He writes: “I first became interested in cycle speedway when watching the Cowley Chads on their track in Cornwallis Road, next to the community centre, and although I didn’t ride for a team, I enjoyed having a ride around the track.
“I was approached by Cowley Eagles to join their club in 1958. I then rode for Littlemore Lions who eventually folded.
“I was then approached, together with Barry Dawes, to join Horspath Hammers around 1960. The Hammers were in the National Amateur Cycle Speedway Association. In 1961, they raced in the National League, finishing in third place.
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“The following season, the Hammers joined the British League of the British Cycle Speedway Federation. To be accepted into this league, we had to do major upgrades on the track and surrounding areas, so members spent many hours, evenings and weekends getting everything up to standard.
“The club enjoyed many successful seasons over the next few years, but never quite managed to win the league. I packed up riding in 1967/68 due to family and football commitments.
“I still kept in touch with the club as I worked in the Cowley toolroom along with Michael Grant, Maurice Honey and Wally Grant, who was best man at our wedding.
“I know that Wally travelled all over the country with the Hammers and also abroad.”
Mr Rowland, of Parsons Mead, Abingdon, wrote in after seeing our article about cycle speedway (Memory Lane, November 16).
Our interest in the sport began when reader David Brown bought three match programmes, including one for Horspath Hammers’ meeting with Poole Comets in the English League in the 1970s.
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The Horspath riders that day were Ian Blunt, George Byles, Robin Wallsgrove, Richard Cantwell, Ray Boaler, Paul Hitchcox, Sean Collins and Tony Gunn. Apart from Horspath Hammers, Cowley Chads, Cowley Eagles and Littlemore Lions mentioned by Mr Rowland, other city clubs which have competed over the years include Rose Hill Baskerville Hounds, Wood Farm Wolves, Grandpont Giants and Northway Eagles.
Among the county clubs were Abingdon White Harts, Burford Pirates and Drayton St Leonard Vampires.
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Mr Rowland spotted one familiar figure in the 1998 team picture we published earlier (see above). He writes: “The giant man in the middle is Alex McMinn. I still see him now in Abingdon on his bike.”
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