Belle Vue (Hyde Rd)

Zoological Gardens, Hyde Road, Gorton, Manchester, M12 5PX, This was the Aces home between 1929 and 1987

These are Kathy Hitchen's photographs of the track taken in November1987shortly after closure.

Probably the best signing made by Belle Vue in their long history. Bringing Ivan in from Newcastle gave the fans a man to idolise as they did Peter Craven before him.

For a club to have one English world champion is great but Belle Vue had two, Peter Craven and Peter Collins

This is Acorn Dobson. can you supply any info on him I understand Acorn came from the shape of his head! John
Colin Greenwell has supplied the cards and the following information on Acorn

Can you name the riders John
Update: Barry Stephenson has been in touch he says: Bill Kitchen, Max Grosskreutz, Oliver Langton, Acorn Dobson, Tommy Price, Joe Abbott, Bob Harrison, Frank Varey and sitting Eric Langton

The only Red Devil I know of was Mike Broadbanks, Was Frank Varey wearing Red Leathers before Mike? John Update: I received the following items from Colin Greenwell:-

This picture was sent to me under the caption "Championship 1936" can you supply the team name, the names of the men and what championship they were celebrating John
Update: Barry Stephenson has been in touch and has supplied the following information: -

No details of the above photo known. Can you say the year the team (I think Liverpool) and the riders (although I am told both Ernie and Tommy Price are in there.) John
Update: John Hyams says: My opinion is that the team photo is from 1937 when Liverpool were in the Provincial
League and based at Stanley Stadium.
Both Tommy and Ernie Price were members of that team. Others would have been Eric Blain, Jack Hargreaves, Stan Hart, Alan Butler and Charlie Oates. I cannot identify if any of them are in the particular team photo. The team later moved to Belle Vue but raced as the Belle Vue Merseysiders.
Update: Col Greenwell says: From the book, (Manchester Speedway 1927-45) the photo is of Belle Vue Juniors from 1937 and the riders are Tommy Price, Len Eyre, Charlie Oates, Stan Hart, Oliver Hart, Eric Blain, Ernie Price, Alan Butler.
So the team is the Belle Vue Merseysiders and the riders are named now

Jack Young & Jack Parker
Ron Johnston says: It looks like Aub Lawson leading Jack Parker not Jack Young

Ron Johnston has been in touch he says: Belle-Vue Team 1952 back Bob Fletcher, George Smith, Ken Sharples, Peter Williams, Harry Edwards, Bob Harrison Front Dennis Parker, Jack Parker, Henry Long, Louis Lawson. mascot unknown

Ron Johnston's Photograph Collection

Reg Fearman met up with ex Belle Vue rider Ron Johnston, during December 2009. Reg asked Ron if he had seen this website and if he had any photos he would like to show via the Belle Vue page. The result is shown below.

Ron says: Age 79 31/12/09 Born Dunedin 1100 clock 31/12/31 if born an hour later I would be a year younger !949/1950 season when the speedway started in Dunedin at Tahuna Park Ron Mason who road for Bell-Vue was hired to teach us how to ride speedway which he did and he said to me if I could ride 4 laps flat he would teach me how to ride which I did he then asked the crowd to take a collection to send me to England (they collected 100 Pounds) and he would look after me when i arrived in the UK . I arrived at Southampton (Bob MacFarlane and Frank Boyle who road for Oxford) met me and took me up to Fazeley near Tamworth Staffs where Ron Mason was living and owned a Transport business. on the Saturday he took me up to Belle-Vue and after a practice I was signed up to B-V Miss Hart was in charge then and sent me over to Belfast to ride as there was a rule that only one or two over seas riders per track after about three weeks in Belfast Miss Hart rang to say she wanted me to ride at Sheffield as Jack Chignale got hurt and I was to take his place after about four weeks she wanted me at B-V as Peewee Cullum got hurt and I stayed at B-V until I retired in 1961 I travelled back and forth to NZ 3 years in 1954 I bought shares in a transport business called A Fletcher & co which I managed while riding speedway at the same time it kept me busy when I retired in 1961it was one of the largest and successful transport business in the midlands I sold out in 1969 and returned to NZ
Ron says: Most of these pictures were taken by my good friends Wright Wood and Tom Allen who were always in the inner side of the track at Belle -Vue while the racing was run.

Ron Johnston aboard his first bike

Ron Johnston leads Jack Geran

Ronnie Moore, Cyril Bryne and Ron Johnston

Ron Mason, Mona and Ron Johnston

Peter Craven, Tink Maynard having a cup of tea, with Josie.

Ron Johnston flat out on the beach

Re Ron Johnston flat out on beach this was riding against Bert Munro of the worlds fastest Indian. We used to beat him, because he broke down a lot.

John the bike on the beach was 500 Ariel I ordered it in 1946 it took 18 months for delivery in those days when it arrived in 1948 it had twin pipes I ordered it with a single pipe but I had to accept it or wait another 18 months for delivery , I can't remember the exact top speed but it was around 100mph mark with about 10% drag on the beach. Ron

Ron Clarke

Ron Johnston

Ron Johnston Ron How

Ron Johnston leading two others

Dick Fisher Ron Johnston

Ron Johnston, winner of the Johnnie Hoskins trophy

Ron Johnston says: 1950 I think?
Ken Sharples ? Val Morton George Smith Jack Parker on bike Ron Johnston Henry Long Ron Mason Louis Lawson

Ron captained the Aces with a very young looking Peter Craven at far right
Can anyone supply the rest of the names John

Ron Johnston says: Peter Williams Dick Fisher Edie Rigg Bob Duckworth Ron Johnston on bike Slant Payling Peter Craven

Ron says: Ron Johnston and I think Henry Long

Peter Craven front left. Can anyone supply the other names John

Ron Johnston says: Ken Sharples Ron Johnston Fred Rodgers Bob Duckworth: Front:Peter Craven Dick Fisher Peter Williams

Belle Vue showing off one of their many trophies

Ron Mason getting to much grip.

Ron Johnston

Can you name the team John

Ron Johnson Says: Bob Fletcher Louis Lawson Bob Harrison Jack Parker Johnnie Hoskins Ken Sharples [Back row] Willy Wilson Peter Craven Harry Edwards Ron Johnston

Ron Johnston collecting JAP trophy 1949.

Ron Johnston leads Eric Boothroyd we think

Ron's picture of Jack and Norman Parker

The chaps look a little older in this shot. Anyone able to say how old they were or the year the picture was taken?

Jack Parker, Ron Johnston Ron Mason.

Ron Johnston against Southampton

Peter Craven and Ron Johnston

1962 team. I can name Peter Kelly, Sandor Levai, Peter Craven and Soren Sjosten please help John
Update: Terry Stone has been in touch he says: Is the first rider Ian Hindle, Peter Kelly, Cyril Maidment, Tall rider is Jim Yacoby, Dick Fisher, Soren Sjosten and Peter Craven on the bike
Update Alan Bristow says: The rider on the extreme left is not Ian Hindle; he would have been too young in 1962 became active last 60's early 70's Also had long blond hair and a thin face. Rider is Nick Nicholls signed for Belle Vue from Coventry for the 1962 season he rode only the one or maybe 2 seasons for BV Regards Alan

3 BV Aces pictures sent by Archie McGregor we don't know the names of the riders or the year can you help John
Update: Dave Beecroft has named one of the 3 BV riders, Dave says: at top right (picture 2) Arthur Wright. Arthur was originally from Odsal so I would hazard that this may be 1957 when the Tudors only took over NL fixtures from Birmingham in mid season or 1958 when they had closed. Don't know the other two guys I am afraid.
Tom Marriott has named another, he says: John, the top left Belle Vue rider is non other than Tony Robinson who rode for Belle Vue and Sheffield in the Provincial league. Tony did well for the Tigers but gave up speedway to concentrate on his haulage business I believe. One of my childhood heroes!

So can anyone name the 3rd Belle Vue Rider? John
Richard Hodgeson says:
Hi John
The 3rd rider is Alf Webster
Regards Richard

Steve Wilkes says: Photo taken in 1969 probably at Doncaster. Left to Right : Ken Moss, Peter Thompson, Steve Waplington, Alan Middleton (Manager), Eric Broadbelt, Taffy Owen, Bill Moulin, Chris Bailey (on bike)

Can you say the years and name the riders? John
Steve Wilkes says: Taken in 1969 at Belle Vue. Bill Moulin, Ken Moss, Peter Thompson, Alan Middleton (Manager), Steve Waplington, Eric Broadbelt, Ken Eyre, Chris Bailey (on bike)

I only recognise Peter Collins, Andy Smith and Chris Morton, Jack says Carl Blackbird and Kenny McKinna are on there too. If you can name the other rider please get in touch
Update: John Downer says: It looks very much like Mark Courtney
Update: Mark Evans says it Andy Campbell