Reading Smallmead

Defunct Speedway Tracks





Reading Speedway
Smallmead

Smallmead Stadium, A33 Relief Road, Smallmead, Reading, Berkshire. Reading has had four venues but this page concerns itself with Smallmead which ran between 1975-2008


Aerial Shots Of Smallmead Reading_Controversy A Sad Sight Happier Times Smallmead Demolished Reading Badges





Reading v Wolverhampton

27th August 1979


Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop


Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop





Tom Roe's Reading Photographs

Photo 1.
Bernie Leigh


Courtesy of Tom Roe

Bernie Leigh 1969 - 1973 ( Tilehurst) and 1975 - 1981 Smallmead

Photo 2
Bengt Jansson


Courtesy of Tom Roe

Bengt Jansson 1975 - 1977


Photo 3

Anders Michanek


Courtesy of Tom Roe

Anders Michanek (Newcastle 1970) and Reading 1971 - 1973 and 1975 - 1981 Anders time with Reading spans Tilehurst as well as Smallmead. He may have stayed at Newcastle if the Tynesiders had not closed down after the 1970 season but Newcastle's loss was Readings gain.

Photo 4
John Davis 1975-1981 & 1985-1987


Courtesy of Tom Roe


Photo 5

Bob Humphreys 1975 - 1979


Courtesy of Tom Roe

Photo 6

Dave Jessup 1976 - 1978


Courtesy of Tom Roe
Photo 7




Eugeniusz Blaszak


Courtesy of Tom Roe

Tom suggests this may be a Czech rider
Dave Armstrong says: This is Eugeniusz Blaszak from Poland, No. 4 Race Jacket,

Photo 8
Mick Bell 1969, 1971-1973, 1975 - 1976


Courtesy of Tom Roe





Smallmead







David Armstrong has sent the 3 photos showing Reading speedway in happier times




Reading Car Sticker


Courtesy of Tom Roe





Reading Badges


1975	1975	1975


1976	1977	1978


1979		1979


1980	1980	1980



1981	1982	1982


1983	1984	1986 gold


1986 silver	1987 gold	1988


	1989 silver	1989 gold


	1990	1990

Most of these badge scans were sent to me by my Scottish friend Wattie Dunlop whose badge collection will take some beating!
		1990


1990		1991


1992	1992	1992


1994	1995 silver	1995 gold


1996 gold	1996 silver	1997


1997 Gold	1997 Silver	1998


1999	2000	2000

		Re above "Racers" badge I originally had the 2000 badge down as a "Year Unknown" badge until I noticed "2000" in the tyre tread! My thanks to Wattie Dunlop for the badge scans
2001	2003


2004	2004	2005


2006	2006


	2007	2007


2008	*Year Unknown
	*Walter says: The Unknown badge on the Smallmead page is from 1968 John says: Which means the badge belongs on the Reading Tilehurst page!






Smallmead From The Air 2009


Courtesy of Google Maps Supplied by Reg Fearman


Courtesy of Google Maps Supplied by Reg Fearman

Reading Speedway will always remind me of Reg Fearman. Reading is still close to Reg's heart, he sends also, these following images: -
Photo 1

Photo 2

Reg says: Reading Speedway constructed in 1974. Photo 1, 2010 now and as it was in 2006. Now owned by the Prudential Insurance Company.





Reading Controversy





Reading Speedway Update

Driving past the proposed new two venues recently in Reading, I popped in to have a look. "The sods have yet to turn a sod". The derelict Speedway Stadium, the proposed site for a "Prudential" office block, remained a target for vandals until a fence was put around the site. The site remains just that - a derelict Speedway Stadium. The new proposed Speedway and Greyhound stadium remains as far away as ever. The site was once used for Moto Cross and there was an access road to it. This has long been blocked off with earth and hardcore. The only activity going on is some road widening to the Council Amenities Site-- to you and me in old fashioned English, the Rubbish Dump ! Reg Fearman May 2009


Newspaper clip courtesy of Reg Fearman and the Reading Evening Post





Reading Ravens v Ryde White Wizards 1996







A Sad Sight Reg Fearman's Reading Now Derelict








What a Great Photo



A very sad sight for the Reading faithful




Reading Badges



Photograph of badges sent by Russell Earl, who says: My dad is a big speedway fan, he lived opposite Wimbledon stadium and followed Ivan Mauger, Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs and Dave Jessup. After being re-housed in Slough he followed Reading at Tilehurst and Smallmead although he started supporting the opposition following a meeting where Reading fans booed the opposition which disgusted him. He later moved to Cornwall and went to Trelawny's 1st race and became a regular supporter watching Chris Harris until their demise. He still hopes speedway will return to the county. When he moved to Cornwall he gave me all his old badges and those that are listed on your website I will send over starting with the attached Reading ones.





Happier Times Construction Of The Stadium

Smallmead 1974

This is Smallmead under construction back in 1974. Tilehurst Promoter Reg Fearman had taken the sport from its previous home at Tilehurst to Smallmead. Read Reg's account of things here Reading. It is hoped that a new stadium will be built just up the road from Smallmead Stadium and it is also hoped that speedway will return to the town in 2010. I know that Reg has a soft spot for the Reading supporters and he is quite upset by the closure of the fine stadium he had built 35 years ago. Reg has offered to supply the site with some of his photographs and views which may make the Reading page one of the best pages on the website.


Lamp Standards 52 Were Erected






The Back Stand Under Construction






The Pits Corner Greyhound Track & Walkway






The Starting Gate



The starting gate is now in position and for those of you too young to know there is a Ford Escort Van and a Morris Minor in front of the bar both are now museum pieces.




Track Testing



Track testing with BBC TV in the snow. BBC camerman is perched on top of Citroen. The riders are Bernie Leigh and Richard May




First Meeting March 1975






An Individual Meeting






Reading Support


Courtesy of Reg Fearman

Reg Fearman says: Reading Speedway. The new Stadium at Smallmead 1975 45 years ago - A very good crowd.




Vic Sage, Reg Fearman, Owen Bateman & Daughter



Vic Sage, Reg Fearman, Owen Bateman and Daughter 1976 standing outside the Geoff Curtis bar






Petri Kokko 1999






Paul Clews 2000



Steve Baker says: Paul Clews of Reading, 2000




Torn Off A Strip! 2004







The End!

2009 Smallmead Demolished






The Last Part Of Reg Fearman's Smallmead Left Standing!


These 3 pictures courtesy of Andy Povey

The last part of Reg Fearman's Smallmead left standing. I can only guess at how Reg felt over the demise of his Reading track.



If you can scan any photos, programmes etc please email images to me John


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.