Glasgow Hampden Park

Speedway was tried at Queens Park FC, Hampden Park, Mount Florida, Glasgow, between 1969 - 1972

Some have said that the immense size of the stadium meant that there was no atmosphere when the Tigers took to the track. If you were there send me an email and tell me about it John

We were at the opening night and almost every other meeting held at Hampden, and would agree that that the vastness of the stadium and that fact parts of the ground were not open to supporters did mean that the atmosphere was somewhat lacking. it would have been fantastic if they could have raced before a 50000 crowd but sadly that was never going to happen.

John great site. I worked as a raker on the first bend, I did not miss many Friday nights and was one of the team that after the meeting, uplifted the fence till way past midnight. The 1^st and 2^nd bends were too tight, little room to pass but the covered 3^rd and 4^th bends offered great passing opportunities and Jimmy Mac and Oyvind Berg would use the whole bend to sweep round many an opponent. Jimmy could not gate for toffee which made for great racing. Oyvind partnered Bobby Beaton which could not have been an easy assignment, Bobby was great to watch but was all over the place in those Hampden days. Jimmy Gallagher took some of his early speedway steps at Hampden and arrived in a beat up Jaguar car, he did some damage to the fence and was a regular visitor to the centre green after tangling with other riders and losing control. The track staff had to keep their wits about them with Jimmy G around. Mostly happy memories, Ivan M was majestic around Hampden and Ole Olsen too boot . I recently met Bert Harkins after the Cardiff GP in 2010 and recalled how he tried to ride in a World Final qualifying leg at Hampden with a broken collar bone. Bert had really been flying a few weeks earlier and surely would have made it through had he been fit. Thanks for the memories John Best regards David Norrie Auckland NZ

The first programme for the first meeting, the attendance for the this meeting was 10,860

Reider Eide, Oyvind S Berg and Charlie again riding for adoptive country Scotland, Inclusion of the foreigners made this a close match and I am sure no one really objected

The 1970 team can you name them for me John
Update: Steve Remington has named all but one of the team. From the left: Bobby Beaton, Willie Templeton, Charlie Monk, Jim McMillan, unknown, Oyvind Berg, Doug Templeton
Update: Paul Redmond says: L to R: Bobby Beaton, Doug Templeton, Charlie Monk, Alf Wells (I think), Oyvind Berg, Willie Templeton, Jim McMillan (on bike)
Jack Hides says: I'll have a go at names - Bobby Beaton, Willie Templeton, Charlie Monk, Alistair Brady?, Oyvind Berg, Dougie Templeton, on bike Jimmy McMillan
Jack has reversed the Templetons (I disagree) and is the first to mention Alistair Brady. (was he Ross Brady's dad?)
Update: Bobby Beaton, Willie Templeton, Charlie Monk, Brian Murray, Oyvind Berg, Dougie Templeton and on the bike is Jimmy McMillan - as confirmed in the Glasgow Tigers...into the 80s book produced to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Tigers and I can also confirm that Alistair Brady is indeed daddy to Ross.
Update: Harry Maclean says: The people in the team photograph are as follows :- Bobby Beaton, Willie Templeton, Charlie Monk, Brian Murray, Oyvind Berg, Doug Templeton and on bike Jim Mcmillan.Brian Murray from Edinburgh rode at least six matches for Glasgow and after retiring from speedway went into partnership with Brian Collins and they both ran Dalmeny Garage near the (Forth Road Bridge) until about 2005. I rode second halves after the meetings at Hampden Park, and was promised a contract in the winter of 1970/71 by the then team manager Neil Macfarlane although this never transpired. I subsequently rode for Glasgow later on in my speedway career.
John Houston says: 1970 rider is Brian Murray standing next to Charlie Monk.