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Norman Evans |
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Norman was a Diamond during
1946-48. He was the first postwar Newcastle captain. |
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John
Davies says: Hi John, I was looking at your speedway websites and
found a photograph of Norman Evans on his bike. Our Local History Group
is doing a booklet on life in our village in the 1950s. Norman lived
here and was a regular in the local pub so I would like to do a feature
on him illustrated by that photograph. |
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Whose round is it? |
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John Davies says: Hello John,
After retiring from speedway, Norman returned to his family home in
our village (Kirkby in Cleveland) where he worked as a
bricklayer/builder. I attach a picture of him in the village pub.
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Jeff Lloyd
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Picture
Courtesy of Colin Greenwell
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This
is 1946 and as you can see from the above photograph, Brough is full to the rafters. Jeff Lloyd poses for this shot which
shows the "pudding basin" helmet. Open faced helmets like this
one were in use right up until the 1970's when full faced ones became a must.
My first helmet was a bit like this one and I bought it in 1967. They offered
no protection to the face as only goggles and a leather mask or silk scarf were
used to "protect" the rider. Face protection by mask or scarf was only
intended as protection from the weather. Many riders must have suffered bad injuries
due to a lack of protection to the jaw. |
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Jeff's
bike is not well displayed in this picture but it appears to be a JAP engine in
an Excelsior frame. The grandstand in view was on the back straight and it was
an excellent spacious place to view from. Sadly it fell into serious neglect
from the 1980's onwards and has recently been demolished. Brough Park now
has viewing from the home straight only, so god knows how we would house a crowd
the size of those attracted in the 1940's. |
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Courtesy of Gordon Heiniger |
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Right: Jeff Lloyd
in New Cross colours. |
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The Farewell Cup |
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20th
October 1947 |
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Split Waterman Wembley with Newcastle's Derek Close. Derek did not ride in
the following meeting so these two met up some place else and posed for
this picture.
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On the 20th October 1947 Split Waterman won the
closing Brough Park event. The Farewell Cup. After looking through all the results from that era, it
appear this was the only occasion that Split Waterman rode at Brough Park.
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20 October 1947 - The End of Season Farewell Cup-Individual
Event |
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| Heat |
Heat Winner |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Time |
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| 1 |
Evans |
Wells |
Lloyd |
May |
77.2 |
| 2 |
Gilbert |
Crowther |
Jay |
Calder |
75.8 |
| 3 |
Grant |
McLachlan |
Smith |
Kitchen (fex) |
76.8 |
| 4 |
Waterman |
Lowther |
Hunt |
Craighead |
75.8 |
| 5 |
Kitchen |
Craighead |
Jay |
Lloyd |
78.4 |
| 6 |
Lowther |
Evans |
Crowther |
McLachlan(f) |
77.6 |
| 7 |
Waterman |
Grant |
Crowther |
Wells |
75.2 |
| 8 |
Gilbert |
Hunt |
May |
Smith |
77.2 |
| 9 |
Grant |
Hunt |
Lloyd |
Calder |
77.6 |
| 10 |
Waterman |
Evans |
Jay |
Smith |
76.2 |
| 11 |
Lowther |
Crowther |
Lloyd |
Muir |
78.2 |
| 12 |
Crowther |
McLachlan |
Craighead |
May |
78.6 |
| 13 |
Gilbert |
Kitchen |
Lowther |
Wells |
77.0 |
| 14 |
Grant |
Gilbert |
Craighead |
Evans |
77.2 |
| 15 |
McLachlan |
Hunt |
Wells |
Jay |
79.2 |
| 16 |
Waterman |
Kitchen |
Calder |
May(f) |
77.4 |
| 17 |
Gilbert |
Waterman |
McLachlan |
Lloyd |
78.2 |
| 18 |
Kitchen |
Crowther |
Evans |
Hunt |
77.6 |
| 19 |
Craighead |
Smith |
Calder |
Wells |
79.4 |
| 20 |
Lowther |
Grant |
May |
Jay |
79.4 |
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| 21 |
2 man run off |
Waterman 1st |
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77.6 |
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Gilbert 2nd |
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| Rider |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Total |
Postion |
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| Split Waterman |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
14 |
1st |
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| Bill Gilbert |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
14 |
2nd |
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| Alec Grant |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
13 |
3rd |
Newcastle |
| Will Lowther |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
12 |
4th |
Newcastle |
| Bill Kitchen |
F |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
=5th |
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| Joe Crowther |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
10 |
=5th |
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| Norman Evans |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
=7th |
Newcastle |
| Doug Mc Lachlan |
2 |
f |
2 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
=7th |
Newcastle |
| Roy Craighead |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
=9th |
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| Jack Hunt |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
=9th |
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| Pat Vincent Smith |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
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3 |
=11th |
Newcastle |
| Bob Wells |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
=11th |
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| Peter Lloyd |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
=11th |
Newcastle |
| Wilf Jay |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
=11th |
Newcastle |
| Danny Calder |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
=11th |
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| Charlie May |
0 |
1 |
0 |
F |
1 |
2 |
16th |
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| Ray Muir |
0 |
0 |
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17th |
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Leo Lungo |
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Courtesy of Gordon Heiniger |
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Courtesy of Colin Greenwell |
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John says: I have known we had a rider by this name: Leo Lungo,
and I have often wondered about his nationality. |
Barry Wallace says: Leo Lungo was a Scot who rode in the
1946 Newcastle team - featured in the first programme of 2009 - but sadly he
died during the winter of 1946/47 after falling ill with pneumonia.
Thanks Barry, your knowledge is second to none. |
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Leonora Tate says Hi John,
I was reading through your website, particularly this page, while
researching my family history: My great uncle was Leo Lungo.
He was a prominent speedway rider in the 1930s and early 1940s but
sadly died of pneumonia in 1946, aged just 31. He grew up in
Bellshill, Lanarkshire to Italian parents. Very few family photos
exist, I have just managed to find this one on your speedway
website. I wondered if you might know of anywhere else I might find
other photographs of him competing? I’ve tried the newspaper archive
on Find My Past, which has numerous mentions of him, and one or two
articles, but no photographs. Thank you for your time, Leonora
Tate
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Leonora's Photographs of Leo Lungo |
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Photo's Courtesy of Leonora Tate |
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1948 Magazine Review
Not A Good Year! |
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Herby King
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The Magpies |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Don Lawson
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Reg Fearman says: Don Lawson Australia. Don Lawson former speedway
rider with Newcastle and West Ham passed away in Sydney today (2nd
August 2019) after a short illness. He was 96 yrs old
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John says: Don was with Newcastle 1949 to 1951 |
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Reg goes on to say: Don lived for a time at my parents home in West
Ham when he came down from Newcastle Speedway UK to West Ham.
Newcastle was cigar shaped and West Ham one of the largest tracks in
the country would have suited him better, he moved on to Norwich, he
always found it tough in Britain. The following does not
retract from his love of being in the limelight and his involvement
with the ASRA. In some speedway circles he was affectionately known
as 'The Count' which was reflected in his dress code. Don was not
born a Lawson but was fostered by Ma and Pa Lawson the parents of
Aub, Cyril and Joyce. Ma and Pa (I lived with them and Don during
the season of 1950-1951) fostered many children in their younger
days.In the 1940s Don decided to change his surname to Lawson by
deed pole Allan Quinn was a witness at the event. I thought
the above should be recorded. There was/is another very, very big
name long departed, his details recorded are even more incorrect
which I may divulge in the future. Best wishes, RF
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The Lawsons |
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Don, Cyril, Pop and Aub |
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Courtesy of John Levitt |
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John Levitt says:
I am slowly but surely going through my parents speedway photo
albums and amongst the various photographs etc is a photograph
of a Newcastle rider. I believe it may be Don Lawson. My parents
were mainly West Ham speedway fans although their albums depict
riders from lots of different teams, most if not all their
photographs would have been purchased at the time and they
probably stopped attending matches in the 1952/53 period when
their family began to grow. I have attached a scan of the image
and I would appreciate if you could confirm my belief. I also
wonder where the picture was taken was it the UK or Australia?
regards
John Levitt
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John Skinner says: I am not certain that it
is Don Lawson so if you can confirm whom it is please send me an email
John
The "N" racejacket was used for one season only 1949 when the team
swapped it's nickname from Diamonds to Magpies. Don came to us
from Australia via West Ham speedway. He rode for Newcastle for 3
years 1949-1951 so it is quite likely that the photo is of Don Lawson |
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Steve Baker says: the pic you
have of Don Lawson is definitely him. He was of course,
the step brother of Aub Lawson. I enclose 2 other pics,
of Don, one in Newcastle colours and one in West Ham colours. |
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Don with Reg Fearman |
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Don with Ivan Mauger |
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Don Lawson With
Son Mitchell |
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This is a photo of Don Lawson with Son Mitchell standing behind
him taken in 1950. Just
look at that crowd behind Don and Son in the photo, wouldn’t you love a crowd
like that now? Yes all of the photos on the site from the 40's 50's and 60's show a
packed stadium. The modern sport just isn't well supported and there is
always the threat of track closures. |
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Archie Cooper's Photo |
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My friend Archie Cooper has been a fan since the 1940s, he was active
then as a cycle speedway rider too. Archie is also an accomplished
photographer. His pictures like the above one adorn my websites on
various pages. |
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Archie and I meet briefly before each home match and he
occasionally brings a Photo, book or other memorabilia which helps me with my
websites. I look forward to Archie's visits each week and his latest
picture shows action from 1948 at Brough Park. Jack Parker leads in a heat
from the 4th annual speedway "Gala" on 6th July 1948. Can you help name
the other two (might be easy if you have the match programme). send John an
email if you can name the other two riders
John |
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Barry Wallace says: Had a look at a few pages while I
was on your site and can state that the action shot featuring Jack Parker
leading in the Gala meeting also shows Jeff Lloyd in his New Cross race-jacket
trying to get through on the inside, while Glasgow's Will Lowther - you can make
out what were red-and-white-stripes on his body-colour - is on the outside. |
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Gary Thompson says: Hi John, Jack Parker
leading and I think Will Lowther of Glasgow on the outside and Jeff
Lloyd of New Cross on the inside. Jack Parker scored a 15point
maximum.
L says: - I believe it was more likely the
5th July 1948 when the Northumberland Cup meeting was on. If that is
the case then I have the results of that meeting. From the
information I have it appears to be heat 6. Jack Parker leads but on
the inside is one of two New Cross riders at the meeting.
I
believe it's Jeff Lloyd going of the riding style, the other New
Cross rider there was Ron Johnson.
On the outside the rider with
the White helmet appears to have light and dark strips on his race
jacket not a Diamond, the other 2 riders in the heat were Will
Lowther (Glasgow White City) and Jack Hunt (Newcastle). So in my
humble opinion the photo shows Jack Parker (Belle Vue) leading Heat
6 from Jeff Lloyd (New Cross) inside and Will Lowther (Glasgow White
City) on the outside, Jack Hunt (Newcastle) is not in the picture.
Heat 6 result: Parker, Lloyd, Hunt, Lowther. Time 74.8
Gary Thompson says: Hi John, I have
a copy of the programme and is dated 6 July 1948. Also I have a copy
of the highlights on dvd sadly without any sound. Oh to see the size
of the crowds like that again eh?
Alan Taylor says: Just came
across your old speedway photos,
which I found most interesting; could the rider nearest the
inside be Vic Duggan, the handlebars are right and the left foot
is in the direction of, and close to, the front wheel.
John Chaplin says:
The other riders in the Brough Park picture with Jack Parker are
Will Lowther on the outside and Jeff Lloyd at the back.
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Kyra's Photographs |
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Alec Grant & Norman Evans |
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Courtesy of John Spoor |
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Alec and Norman taken at a British Championship qualifying round at
Bristol. The photo dates from 1948 the last season before the
whole diamonds team was transferred to Glasgow and we imported the
entire Middlesbrough side for the 1949 campaign. The year we were
known as "The Magpies" and had the large N racejackets. |
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1948 Newcastle
(In Colour) |
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Courtesy of Glyn Blackburn |
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? Alec Grant ? Norman Evans (on bike) Johnnie Hoskins, Ern Brecknell,
Ken Le Breton, Peter Lloyd ? |
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1949
Newcastle Diamonds Transferred To Glasgow Ashfield
Giants
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Courtesy of Norman McNamee
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This 1948 Newcastle side, was transferred by
Johnnie Hoskins to Glasgow Ashfield in 1949, Newcastle then imported
Middlesbrough's team which had closed its doors. Can you name the riders?
John |
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1949 "N" Team |
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The 1949 "imported from Middlesbrough team". The Magpies : Don Lawson, Derek Close, Frank Hodgson, Benny
King, Manager Harry Whitfield, Front Row: Ern Brecknell, Son Mitchell,
Jack Hodgson and Herby King |
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Left to right, back row: Jack Hodgson, Ken
Thompson, Joe Arthur, Herby King. Front row: Derek Close, Ern Brecknell, Frank
Hodgson (Captain), Son Mitchell. |
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Les Eagleton 1949 |
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Hi John, yes he only did one year as he left to start his
business. Starting as 'Les Eagleton and sons' He was owner of
Manor Motors on the quayside, Ferry autospares, Howdon Motors,
Dunston auto dismantlers and As-Nu West Allotment. A busy guy!
He lived in a house on it's own
beside what is now 'Derwent valley egg farm' at The Beeches in
Burnhopfield, where they have that Horror experience show at
Halloween. He was a keen golfer and a Captain at Garesfield Golf
Course for many years. Here is the page where his name is
listed Rider
List (newcastle speedway history.co.uk) Great
reminiscing John, anything more I can help with, drop me a line,
cheers, Ken.
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Wilf Jay 1949 |
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Courtesy of Col Greenwell |
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Colin Greenwell a Middlesbrough fan pointed out that Wilf Jay is missing
from the above team photos so he sent me the above picture of Wilf and
an explanation of the Wilf Jay situation see the paragraph below: -
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Newcastle
Magpies 1949 Programmes |
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1949-51
Son Mitchell
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This
is Son Mitchell (1949) another of the ex Middlesbrough riders who came to Brough when
the Boro's license and assets were transferred to Newcastle for the 1949 season.
As he is wearing a diamond in the first picture and not the Magpies "N" it appears to be
from a year other than 1949, my guess would be 1950? Tell me if I am
wrong! |
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Eric Watson has
been in touch about the above picture he says: -
Answer : Well the picture could have
been taken 1950 or even 1951 as the Diamond Jacket was used in both of these years.
Likewise Son Mitchell rode for Newcastle in both years. So you can safely
annotate it "Newcastle 1950-51" |
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John says: The "N" racejacket was used by the Magpies in 1949 so Son
Mitchell's picture wearing a Diamonds jacket was from 1950 or 1951 |
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Son Mitchell & Joe Arthur |
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Son Mitchell and Joe Arthur for Newcastle. Joe Arthur was
a Middlesbrough reserve who moved up to Newcastle in 1949. Don't
know who the opposition rider is, whom has fallen. These white
jerseys had a large black N on the front. |
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.jpg) |
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Courtesy of Colin Greenwell |
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The Hodgson Brothers
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Picture
Courtesy of Colin Greenwell
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This
is Jack Hodgson ex Middlesborough rider who came to Brough when the Boro's
license and assets were transferred to Newcastle for the 1949 season. Jack
was one of a few Brothers double acts that the team has had in their colours.
The Creasors, The Stobbarts, The Hodgsons, The Owens, The Greens and The Worralls spring to mind. Anyone know any
other Brothers who rode together for Newcastle?
John |
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Picture
Courtesy of Colin Greenwell
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This
is Jack's brother Frank Hodgson
signing
something in 1950 ish, or was he just marking up his programme? No! this
is what he was signing: Well
it appears he was signing his Newcastle contract? The witness was the
Newcastle promoter Harry Whitfield who also rode pre-war, here's a shot of Harry
(below), in his younger riding days at Wembley, Gordon Byers told me that Harry
was a rider who should have won more races than he did. But riding for the
Wembley Lions must have been lucrative as Gordon says he often picked up 50 quid
for a nights work when the weekly wage back home in the Naval Yard back on Tyneside
was about £2.10/- in them days! |
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Wembley stadium was often packed for speedway matches then and both Sunderland
born Gordon Byers and
Harry were riding in front of 70,000 or 80,000 crowds: - My last visit to
Wembley was way back in 1975 for a world final won by ex-Diamond Ole Olsen.
It was a full house then and I remember being carried along without my feet
touching the ground by the crowd on the way out! |
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Picture
Courtesy of Colin Greenwell
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Frank
Hodgson
riding
in the 1949 Newcastle race jacket. Look at the face mask! was he a fan of
Al Jolson I wonder? Thank
you Colin for these pictures all of which are of Newcastle riders with a
Middlesbrough connection. Let's hope your team gets back on track somewhere on
Tees-side real soon.
Update: speedway is back on Tees-side The bears roar again under the name Redcar
Bears. |
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Jim Henry says: Frank rode for Middlesbrough 1946 to 1948. He moved
to Newcastle at the start of 1949 before he moved to Glasgow Tigers.
Will Lowther moved from Tigers to Newcastle. Frank retired after
racing for Glasgow for a few seasons. Brother Jack also rode for
Middlesbrough and Newcastle before rejoining his brother at Glasgow.
Details of their post war careers can be found on the Speedway
Researcher web site. Regards. Jim Henry
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Hi John, Jim Henry says: Bolloxed
it in earlier email. In 1949 it
was Jack Hodgson who moved from
Newcastle to Glasgow in the swap deal
NOT Frank. Frank did move to Glasgow but
it was late season 1950. Frank
therefore spent all of 1949 and a big
part of 1950 with Newcastle. Both
retired at the end of 1952. Sorry for
the miss-information.
1.) Jack - Middlesbrough to 1948
Newcastle then Glasgow WC 1949 -
retired end of 1952
2.) Frank - Middlesbrough to 1948
Newcastle 1949 Newcastle then Glasgow WC
1950 retired end of 1952. Regards
and a Happy New Year. Jim
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Benny
King Wilf Jay Leading
Alec Grant
& Don Lawson |
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Eric Watson says: it is not Benny King
leading, it is Wilf Jay. John says: I stand corrected, thank
you for helping me out |
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1949
Newcastle Magpies v
Cradley Heath Heathens |
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This is action from Brough Park 1949. Seems Cradley Heath suffered from a
lack of imagination as well as Newcastle as regards the race jackets and also the
caption names the two "Heathens" but not the Newcastle rider. Help me with
this please is it Frank Hodgson? |
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Eric Watson says: -This is Brough Park in 1949 it is of Herby King (Newcastle)
leading Alan Hunt (CH) while the rider in the middle
by the fence is Bill Kemp (CH) |
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Will Lowther
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Eric Watson has supplied an additional pen picture for Will see below:- |
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WILL LOWTHER. Born Gateshead 1913. A man of many
tracks, Lowther started riding on grass at Tyneside and got his first ride on
cinders at Bristol in 1934. He was afterwards identified with Harringay , New
Cross, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Wimbledon, where in 1936 an injury to his
spine almost threatened to end his career. He was Captain of Glasgow ‘Lions’
(yes Lions not Tigers) in 1939 and immediately prior to the War rode for
Middlesbrough. Then after the War he re-joined Glasgow as Captain again and was
their top points scorer in 1946 with 172 pts. In 1947 he got 253 League points
(an average of 10. 4), and in 1948 totaled 403 pts for a % of 62. 3. In 1949 he
scored 247 pts. In 1950 he moved to Newcastle and scored 134. 5 points. He moved to Motherwell in 1951 scoring a total of 120 pts
and in 1952 a total of 166 pts. After that he must have retired as there no more
information on him at all. |
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Will Lowther Wal Morton
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Col Greenwell says: You have a large photo which you have named as Will
Lowther. I really think it is Wal Morton, not Will. Anyone agree with me?
Email me if you agree with Col
John |
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Eric Watson says: I agree with Col Greenwell's
statement below it - it is not Will Lowther but is definitely a photo of
Wal Morton |
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John says: Oo-er! I don't know my Will from my Wal, thanks for
putting me right with this photo |
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Wilf Jay
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Wilf Jay and Derek Close in the N race jackets, what imagination
whomever it was that decided to dispense with the diamond in favour of it had.
Although It looked ok on a pair of novelty ear rings! pictured below. |
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Wilf Jay at full throttle |
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Newcastle captain Norman Evans and Wilf Jay
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Tommy Bateman
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Tommy Bateman and Derek Close |
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Tommy posing at an unknown venue
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1948 Newcastle Diamonds
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Courtesy of Barry Stephenson |
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Philip Dalling says: Peter
Lloyd, Ken Le Breton,
Alec Grant,
Jack
Hunt,
Johnnie Hoskins (promoter), Danny Calder, Norman Evans
(on machine), Charlie Spinks, Crusty Pye,
Wilf Jay and Keith
Gurtner. |
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1948
Programme
Newcastle v Glasgow |
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Newcastle Magpies
1949 Programme |
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1949: Magpie Earrings |
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Ern Brecknell |
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Newcastle Diamonds
1950 Team |
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A better quality photo of the pic shown above with the caption showing
the riders names. The two photos must have been taken a split
second apart |
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Wilf Jay Leading From
Ern Brecknell |
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Diamonds:
Wilf Jay leading from Ern Brecknell The visiting riders are Stoke Potters, can
anyone name the potters riders? John |
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1951 Programme
Newcastle Diamonds v
Liverpool Chads |
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Derek Close
Newcastle
1949-51 |
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1950 Derek Close Left
& Tommy Bateman
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Ivan Stephenson's
Photographs |
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Every now and then someone comes forward with photographs or memories
from the Diamonds long history. In this section Ivan Stephenson
has supplied the Newcastle Speedway History website with a number of
photos from his excellent collection. Ivan was a well known figure
at Brough Park working tirelessly pitside. Some of his photos
follow below: - |
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Brough Park 1946 |
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Australian Syd Littlewood Newcastle 1946 he also rode for Newcastle in
1939. Younger fans will not recognise Brough Park in this picture.
That is the back straight grandstand demolished many years ago. |
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Brough Park July 1948 |
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Brough Park July 1948 Jack Parker Belle Vue, Will
Lowther Glasgow and Jeff Lloyd, ex Newcastle Diamond 1946-48 |
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Brough Park
1949 |
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Brough Park 1949 Paddy Mills Norwich, Jack Hodgson Frank
Hodgson Newcastle
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Mike Tams |
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Mike Tams Canada. Newcastle 1950-51 Southampton 1952-53. |
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1946 Norman Evans |
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Norman rode for the Diamonds as captain 1946-48. The picture does
not appear to have been taken at Brough Park and I do not recognise the
track. If you can say where the photo was taken please email me
John |
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1946-48 Australian
Charlie Spinks |
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Charlie Spinks Australian Newcastle Diamond Brough Park.
(1946 1928 Lea Bridge,) (1932,36,38, West Ham,) (Newcastle Diamonds 1946-1948) |
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1946
Will Lowther Glasgow &
Norman Evans Newcastle |
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1946 Diamond
Jeff Lloyd |
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Jeff Lloyd /Crystal Palace, Bristol 1939. Hall Green
Birmingham 1938. Newcastle 1946. New Cross 1947-49. Harringay 1950-54. My thanks to Ivan Stephenson for supplying the above photographs |
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Red &
White Diamonds
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Not a lot of people know this but until 1961 Newcastle
Diamonds had been in red and white (apart from their Newcastle Magpies year
1949, when they were black and white with a large N on their race jackets). Pre
1960s, the world of photography was usually seen in monochrome. Black and
White photos did not show up a red race jacket at all and if you have seen old
photos of Newcastle riders you will probably think our riders rode in black and
white as they did until recent years 2014 etc., where the prominent race suit colour is blue.
In modern times it is unthinkable for us to be red and white like the enemy at
the stadium of light. |
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I have been trying for years to uncover
colour pics pre 1961 to show the red n white diamonds jackets. I
have received some
blurry images from 1948 of Newcastle riders wearing Red n White race jackets, shown below. If anyone has any good colour pictures of our
Red and White period riders please consider sharing them via this website.
If you have any photos email me here.
John |
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Jack Hunt and Wilf Jay |
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Charlie Spinks, Norman Evans and Ken Le Breton |
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Max Grosskreutz, Wilf Jay and Jack Parker
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These 6 blurry colour images are from
Newcastle's 1948 Northumberland Cup meeting. If you can help with
any info from the meeting please send me an email.
John |
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Veteran rider Tag Allison showing the 1940s Diamonds body colour. It seems
red and white was used in 1938-39, 1946-48, 1950-51 and changed to a large N for the 1949 Magpies season
with the change of
promoter. The familiar black and white diamond was seen for the first time
in 1961 |
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Newcastle v Liverpool |
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1950 |
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Liverpool and Fleetwood rider, Angus McGuire's daughter Janet McGuire
has sent the following Newcastle programme scans, featuring her dad
Angus |
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Courtesy of Janet McGuire |
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1951 Newcastle
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Col Greenwell says: Hi John. A few guesses for you. First rider on the
left. Son Mitchell. (leaning on bike). next to Son, Wal Morton....next to Wal, Don
Wilkinson.....certainly Derek Close on bike. |
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So 1951 was the end for the
Diamonds, 10 barren years followed without the sport in the City.
Thankfully the Brough Park Greyhounds Association kept the
stadium in good repair making any speedway comeback a lot easier. |
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Newcastle
closed at the end of the 1951 season and did not re-open until Promoter, Mike Parker came along in 1961. So the 1950's more or less
passed by without any speedway on Tyneside. Can anyone tell us the reasons why?
as the crowds were bigger in those days than they are now. So why was Newcastle a
speedway free zone for most of the 1950's?
Update: the
possible reason for the absence of speedway during the 1950's may have been due
to the government introducing an "entertainment tax"? Can anyone confirm that
this is why there was no speedway in Newcastle for 9 years? |
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Eric Watson says:
Question
: Was the
Entertainment Tax the reason for no Speedway at Newcastle for 9 years (from 1952
to 1960) ?
1. To answer
this I should like to give you my background experience to show that I have some
sort of answer for you. I first saw Speedway at the age of 12 in 1947, in my
home town of Southampton, at Charlie Knott’s Banister Court Stadium, just two
years after the War and with Food Rationing still in force. After 6 years
(1939-1945) of Cinema entertainment, Speedway Racing was a ‘God’ send, with its
‘Thrills & Spills’ and the smell of Castrol R oil fumes. For 3 years up to 1950
we reveled in this fantastic new sport. But in 1950 it all changed, yes the
Entertainment Tax of 45% in the £1, was to be a MAJOR contributory factor in
Speedway’s decline for the next 10 years until 1960 when it was abolished. The
Tax caused Gate Prices to almost double overnight – bringing a rapid fall in
attendances, with the consequential closure of 24 Tracks between 1951 and 1958.
Four Tracks closed down forever, 14 more didn’t re-open again until after 1960
when the Tax was stopped.
2. However it
wasn’t entirely due to the Tax, the British Isles had a new form of
entertainment to counter the sport of Speedway, in the form of Television and
where previously TV sets had been very expensive and beyond the means of the
working man, they were suddenly available to everyone to rent from Radio
Rentals, for a reasonable weekly fee. So every one was viewing the new media in
the comfort of their own homes. Another thing that didn’t help the lost Gate
attendances, was that Petrol (rationed all through the War & for several years
after the War) became de-rationed in May 1950, so allowing Families to use their
Car again to travel long journeys all over the Country and on Holiday.
3. At Newcastle
the distress signals came all season and it was only the sensational riding of
newly discovered Star Rider Derek Close that kept them in business. The 3rd
New Management in as many seasons, were constantly demanding bigger crowds by
July 1950, to be viable. Rumours of closure in August 1950 were denied – but
they did sell popular veteran rider Frank Hodgson to Glasgow-White City.
4. It was much
the same in 1951 and Roy Dook was appointed as Team Manager. But the Team
performance was so bad, that Roy put his leathers back on and started riding
again. But the Speedway was virtually dead in Tyneside and any hope of revival
went with the Transfer of Derek Close to Motherwell. Even with Close the Team
performances were bad, with only Derek Close, Son Mitchell & Don Wilkinson
escaping any criticism.
5. A further
nail in the coffin was that the Government increased the Entertainment Tax from
45% in the £1 to 52% in the £1, arguing that it was classified as a sport of
speed rather than of skill. Needless to say Newcastle finished bottom of the 2nd
Division National League table with only 15 points from 30 matches, winning 7
with 1 draw and 22 losses. They had 1039 Match points for them and 1472 Match
points against them. This was so sad for a quality side like them. They were
(when at their best) an exciting Team to watch and rode very well against
Southampton ‘Saints’ at Banister Court (a Match I saw) in 1950 although ‘Saints’
won 53-31, the ‘Diamonds got their revenge back at Brough Park beating
Southampton 46-38. In those days (at Southampton) the League Matches were
over 14 Heats, with 6 Main Riders and 2 Reserves per side. Then a 2nd
half of 6 to 7 Heats of Scratch Races, with 2 Heats always dedicated to
Juniors/Novice Riders.
6. I know this
is no consolation but in 1951 Southampton closed down a lot earlier than your
Newcastle did. ‘Saints’ only rode for 7 meetings before closure. Although we
were lucky as we re-opened the following year in 1952 in a lower Division in the
newly formed Southern League. We had 3 seasoned Riders plus a lot of Juniors &
Novices in our side, which of course kept the cost of wages down, and running
Speedway in a lower Division was also cheaper. I was amazed that we didn’t fail
in that return year. But we developed a lot of good Riders that got better with
each season. We lasted until our final closure in 1963. The Stadium plus Ice
Rink Arena (with the Southampton ‘Vikings’ Ice Hockey Team) all closed down with
site being sold for Housing Development. The closure was so unexpected because
the year before in 1962, the ‘Saints’ had just won the National League
Championship Title, with top Riders such as Barry Briggs, Bjorn Knutsson, Peter
Vandenberg plus strong support riders Alby Golden, Cyril Roger and Dick Bradley.
Sadly Southampton has now been without Speedway Racing, Ice Skating & Ice
Hockey for 46 years. If I want to see Speedway now I have to travel to Poole
in Dorset or Swindon in Wiltshire.
7. As to why
you didn’t have Speedway in Newcastle for 9 years (1952-1960) I don’t know. I
have given you the cause for closure (Tax & TV viewing) so I can only assume
that because of the crippling Tax 52% most of the prospective Promoters,
couldn’t persuade their Financial backers to open their purse strings and take a
chance on the situation getting better – which of course it did in 1960, and by
1961 you were back in business. I am sure the Council would have supported any
application to run Speedway again as would have the Speedway Control Board
Authorities. Because after all the Brough Park Stadium was still there, intact
and ready to go. As the
re-opening in 1997 by Promoters George English & Dave Rowlands proved when they
opened up on behalf of ‘Newspeed Ltd’.
8. I hope this
throws some light on the topic for you, and allows you to put some snippets into
the Web site to show why Newcastle was without Speedway for so long.
Best Regards,
Eric Watson
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The contents of the site are © and should not be
reproduced elsewhere for financial gain. The contributors to this site
gave the pictures and information on that understanding. If anyone has
any issue or objections to any items on the site please
e-mail
and I will amend or remove the
item. Where possible credit has been given to the owner of each item |
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The modern era next
1960's and Ivan Mauger! |