Tamworth Speedway

Tamworth have had speedway at 3 venues, this page concerns itself with Deer Park, Watling Street, Fazeley, Staffs which saw action between 1947 - 1950


Why Deer Park Will Never Hear The Bikes Again


Courtesy of Chris Wallett

Chris says: Tamworth speedway has long gone and the only reminder is the name of the housing estate that was built there and they named the road onto the estate Deer Park road. There is no evidence after 60 years that a stadium ever stood here. I guess that's progress. Shame as it is very close to me.


Just found your site and have been looking through a lot of the old stadium photos. Some of them are quite sad to see but bring back some good memories.

With regard to Tamworth , my father used to live in Fazeley and used to go to watch the Hounds in their day and in fact my grandmother (his mother) lived in a bungalow on Deer Park Road until her passing in 1998. The bungalow was built on the actual track. I remember digging her front garden one afternoon and coming across some hard gritty material, which my father claimed was shale from the track! Looking back on it now, it could possibly have been hardcore material but I would like to think it was the old track I had unearthed. My father was very specific about where the pits used to be, the stands, entrance, etc when standing out in the garden so I’m inclined to take his word for it! 

I have visited some defunct speedway sites over the years including Leicester, Milton Keynes (both sites), Long Eaton, Cradley, Bradford (Odsal), etc but never had a camera with me but to see some of the places is a great shame and you come away wishing you hadn’t seen some of them. 

All the best and I will keep checking back for new photos etc in future. 

Regards Jason Reed - NO BRAKES UK | NUK

John Says:  It is always worth visiting this website periodically as the content is being added to all of the time


Tamworth 1947 Team


Photo taken by my father George W Bott and the originals are all in my collection. Brian Bott
Team 1947:  Back row ?, Charlie Oates, Ted Gibson, Cyril Page, "Westy", Steve Langton, Bill Harris, Fred Yates.  Front: Jack Baxter and Arthur Payne.


 

This photograph is from the opening meeting 30 April 1947. That is a hound on the racejacket as Tamworth were known as the hounds 1947-49 and the Tammies 1950   Entertainer George Formby opened the track and can be seen above pushing a rider who is unknown to me.  George was a speedway fan and made appearances at tracks in the north.  Yes for anyone under the age of 50 the lady is wearing a dead animal, probably fox?

Colin Greenwell says:I think the Tamworth rider with George Formby is Tamworth captain Steve Langton.  The lady with the fur coat could be George's wife Beryl


 

 


Trevor Redmond (left) chatting to a Tamworth rider, can you help by advising me of the Tamworth riders name and hopefully the year and also the team Trevor was riding for  John

Update:

Hi John
Eric Boothroyd is the Tamworth rider...I think Tamworth was Eric's first club. The occasion was the Swindon Silver Trophy...3/6/50.. Easy when its written on the back of the photograph.!!!....I hope its correct!!
 
Col 
Trevor Redmond rode for Aldershot in 1950.

Thanks Col



Courtesy of Reg Fearman 1948 or 49?

2nd from left: Cec Hookham,
John,  The chap with all the hair is Peter Orpwood on his right is Steve Langton an Aussie - not Eric - and on Peter's left is Lionel Watling who also raced for some time at Leicester with me in 1953 - 54.  The others I am not sure about including Jack Baxter.    Cheers,   Reg Fearman

George Wallett says: I have cracked the Tamworth picture for you. It was of the 1949 Hounds team. From left to right on the photo - Ray Beaumont, Basil Harris, Cecil Hookham, Steve Langton, Peter Orpwood, Lionel Watling and Bill Dalton. On the machine Harry Saunders. Tamworth finished third in the old National League Division 3.



1950 photo: Courtesy of Reg Fearman

George Wallett says: Have almost completed the Tammies of 1950 photo. On the photo at the back from left to right unknown rider, Cecil Hookham, Dick Tolley and Lionel Watling. At the front Brian Wilson, Ivor Davies, Eric Boothroyd and Laurie Schofield. Could you send me a blown up picture of the rider on the left at the back and then I may be able to recognise him

Finally decided who the rider on the left of the photo at the top is - Bill Humphries and he only rode in the first match a challenge. I have a friend who has every Birmingham programme from 1946 onwards and also most Tamworth ones from 1947-50.  Regards George Wallett
Hi my name is Carolyn Carter, my cousin was Michael Bradwell the Tamworth mascot in the photos. And my uncle was Lionel Watling.  How lovely to see these photos.


Bill Harris


Photo taken by my father George W Bott and the originals are all in my collection. Brian Bott


Les Beaumont & Steve Langton


Photo taken by my father George W Bott and the originals are all in my collection. Brian Bott


Bob Oakley (I think) leading Steve Langton and Arthur Payne


Photo taken by my father George W Bott and the originals are all in my collection. Brian Bott


Arthur Payne


Photo taken by my father George W Bott and the originals are all in my collection. Brian Bott


Charlie Oates (I think) leading Arthur Payne with Jimmy Squibb and Bert Croucher behind.


Photo taken by my father George W Bott and the originals are all in my collection. Brian Bott


Vic Pitcher


Courtesy of Brian Bott


Cyril Page


Courtesy of Brian Bott


Lionel Watling


Courtesy of Brian Bott


Tamworth Programmes


1947: Courtesy of Brian Bott


1950: Courtesy of Brian Bott

 


If you have any photographs, programmes or badges and can scan them I would like to hear from you John

 

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