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Belle Vue Speedway
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| Hyde Road |
Part 1
(The Early Years) |
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| Zoological Gardens, Hyde Road, Gorton, Manchester, M12
5PX, This was the Aces home between 1929 and 1987. Manchester speedway
fans were lucky. The City had another stadium (Kirkmanshulme
Lane) which served the Aces well from 1988 to 2015 |
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Acorn Dobson Riskit
Riley Len Myerscough
Clem Cort
Frank Varey Jack
Parker
Ron Johnston |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Graham Gleave says: I am trying without much luck to find as
many missing details from Belle Vue home meetings from 1928-1945
from the progs. Do you think you could do me a favour and mention
this on your website, I can be contacted via my email address
grahamgleave1945@gmail.com
some details I need are as little as the time of a heat.
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| The First Belle Vue Programme |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Mike Mosely writes: Belle Vue (Hyde Road). The first meeting ever staged at the
Zoological Gardens was on 23rd March 1929 when a rider named Arthur
Franklyn won an open meeting titled 'The Golden Helmet'. The final meeting was on the 1st November
1987 when the Aces lost to Cradley Heath 41-37 in a British League fixture.
This in final night was in fact a double-header with Coventry taking to
track first in a League Cup replay which the Aces won 40-38.
John says: Thanks Mike |
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| Courtesy of David Pipes. Poster
from 1950 |
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Courtesy of Phil Small 1987 |
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| Courtesy of Jack Babrovskie |
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A sign from Belle Vue that all fans hated to see.
Speedway is cancelled for ever at Hyde Road but we all know what
it was like to turn up at our local track to be informed that the
match was off.
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| Jack Babrovskie says: History: I
acquired two of the boards after the track closed and gave them as
Xmas presents to my two sons.......both still Aces fans) |
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Donald
"Riskit" Riley |
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John says: The following work on Riskit Riley
was done by Jeffrey Stafford. He is the owner of A Life of
Riley and was happy to supply his work for my website. If
you want to copy any of it, check with Jeffrey first. Only he
can say if he will
allow any of it to be used elsewhere.
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The Story Of The Speedway Ace “Riskit" Riley
By
Jeffrey Stafford |
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In the late 1920s, dirt track
racing quickly established itself as a significant presence in the
north west of England. The region’s first post war race occurred on 25th
June 1927, at the newly constructed Moorside Stadium, Droylsden. This
meeting was organized by Harrison Gill of the South Manchester Motor
Club. Who was later associated with Belle Vue. The meeting was run on
a banked cinder circuit with racing being in an anti-clockwise
direction. The owner was a
local farmer George Dodd, his idea was to build a trotting track for
his horses which he was racing at the nearby Snipe race track on
Ashton Old Road, Audenshaw. Trotting
was a popular pastime in the district around Ashton as well as in
Stretford and Old Trafford. However,
the local authority believed the Droylsdon track was much too
dangerous, the quarter mile straight track allowed riders to get up
too much speed to encounter the bends.
Operations were suspended at Moorside Stadium after the last
meeting was staged on 20th April, 1929. It was at the half
mile track of the Audenshaw Racecourse, situated behind the Snipe Inn
that dirt track motorcycle riding really took off. The track was
active from 1928 to 1931. By today’s standards the track and its
safety features were very primitive, though this was not unique to
Audenshaw at the time. Prior to the first meeting on 3rd
March 1928, the track had been used for trotting and athletic events.
The riders averaged about 35 miles per hour.
Prizes ranged from Gold Watches to Canteens of Cutlery, and
Silver Cigarette Cases. Both Droylsden and Audenshaw were the breeding
grounds for many of speedways rising stars. |
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The growing popularity of dirt
track racing soon resulted in the construction of many new tracks
designed specifically for racing motor cycles. Like the tracks at
Droylsden and Audenshaw many were carved out of old cow pastures and
fields. Some were located in natural amphitheatres with hill side
standing. The new dirt tracks varied in configuration, with many
continuing the half mile dirt track oval with variations of width,
straight, curve radii, and a degree of dirt banking. Many tracks were
designed by owners, promoters, and in some cases the riders
themselves. At many of the early tracks, the racing action could
easily overflow into the pits or into areas outside the track. There
were two short lived efforts to stage dirt track racing at Spring
Grove, Millbrook, Stalybridge; and New Mills Football Ground,
Derbyshire. |
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It was not uncommon for riders to
race at weeknight and at the weekend.
The prize money was not very good, and so many riders travelled
from track to track to earn more, these riders quickly became
household names and local celebrities. For many dirt track fans at
early race meetings, the riders were heroes, and fans followed their
exploits of their favourite rider on and off the track, just as
football fans follow their favourite football player today. Many of
the track events in the early years were devoid of press coverage, so
apart from old programmes that have survived the test of time very
little is known. The same names would appear in the pioneer years of
dirt track race meetings. These included Ginger Lees, Frank Varey,
Slider Shuttleworth, Clem Beckett, the Drew brothers, and Hyde’s very
own Donald “Riskit”Riley. With a natural affinity for speed, “Riskit
“would show his “stuff” whenever he sat behind the controls of a motor
cycle, he was a real character on and off the race track and during
the late 1920s and early 1930s
became something of a real folk hero in his home town. |
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Donald Francis Riley was born at
10 Hoviley Brow, Hyde, to James Riley and Clara Nuttall, who had
married at Ashton Registry Office in 1890. Donald was the youngest of
twelve children, seven sisters and four brothers, two of his sisters,
Winifred and Clara died before Donald was born in December, 1909.
Donald’s mother, Clara, died prematurely three years later in 1912,
aged 41. |
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At
the age of 35 James Riley opened a shop selling fruit and vegetables;
this was the beginning of a thriving fruiter business which continued
to flourish up until 1942 when ill health forced him to close. After
finishing school, Donald entered the employment of his father, who in
the weekdays carried on his business at 10 Hoviley Brow, but on
Friday’s and Saturday’s, he also ran a fruit and vegetable stall on
Hyde Market where young Donald and his brothers helped out. He began
riding motor cycles at an early age and when dirt track riding became
all the rage in the north of England he wanted to try it.
According to one old speedway
pundit, Donald “Riskit” Riley got his first racing experience in 1928
as a fresh faced kid at the White City Stadium, Manchester. He would
have been about
eighteen at the time. He was just Riley then, dragging a heavy
Norton round and hoping for pot luck on the bends. That was until
one day his father, James Riley, went to see him in action, and he
wasn’t over the moon with what he witnessed. When Riley, senior,
got home, he told Donald he wasn’t impressed with what he had
seen, and told is son as much. “Call yourself a speedway rider!
Why, you’re not fit to push them off!” Donald set his jaw. “Ain’t
I?” he said. Look here! If you can win a heat, I’ll buy you a
bike,” said Riley senior. Next time out Donald won a heat, and
true to his word Riley senior stumped up the cash for a new
Douglas. By no stretch of the imagination could you call young
Riley a consistent rider. But when he got that spark of
inspiration he was a match for anyone. It was full throttle to the
line, with no thought of personal danger |
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The first use of Riley’s famous
nickname is to be found in a Speedway Programme for a meeting at
Audenshaw in 1929. He allegedly got his nickname riding the “Wall of
Death” at Belle Vue, but whether this is true is open to debate.
Inventing nicknames for riders, especially in the early days of the
sport, such as “Riskit Riley”, was one way to sensationalise the
sport. So when you’re a dirt track rider whose last name is Riley, and
you’re taking spectacular risks on the dirt track, you really don’t
have much choice: you have to be “Riskit Riley”.
The name stuck throughout his
career and separated his fairly common name from the rest of the herd.
“Riskit” wore a type of lace up metal shod clog which came up above
the ankle bone. These acted like steel skates on corners. This was at
a time when most of the early dirt track riders wore hob nail boots
with a steel toe cap. |
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Speeding landed “Riskit” in court
on more than one occasion.
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The Hyde Reporter: Saturday 13th
April, 1929 edition says:- |
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King Street Speedway
Dirt Track Rider Fined |
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Donald Riley, a fruitier, of Hoviley Brow, Hyde, well known
in the district as the dirt track rider “Riskit” Riley, was
summoned at Dukinfield Police Court on Thursday, for driving a
motor cycle and combination in a dangerous manner |
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| Police
Inspector Murray stated that at
11-5 a.m. on Good Friday, he was on King Street, near the Queen’s Arms
Hotel, when a motor cycle came along from the direction of Ashton.
Visibility was bad owing to the fog, and it was impossible to see more
than 80 yards ahead. When the motor cycle was approaching King Street
and Wharf Street crossing the motor cycle combination, driven by
Riley, came past at a fast pace. He put up his hand and the defendant
pulled up over ten yards away. He told defendant he was driving too
fast and asked him for his driving license. He was unable to produce
it and stated he could not take it to the police station the same
afternoon, because he was riding at White City, Manchester. The
inspector replied “I think you are making this street into a practice
track.” Inspector Murray added that in his opinion defendant was
driving dangerously, and he trembled to think what would have happened
if anyone had attempted to cross the street. |
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In reply to the defendant the
Inspector said he estimated the defendant’s speed over the cross roads
at 25 miles per hour. William Lees, of Church Street,
said defendant never sounded his horn, and he agreed with the police
that the speed was dangerous at that particular point. Defendant said he was only
driving at 15 miles per hour, and he could have pulled up much quicker
had he thought the Inspector desired him to do so.
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Numerous speeding offences were
recorded against Riley, Superintendent Brown stating that he had been
fined £10 at Mottram and his license suspended for twelve months for
dangerous driving. The magistrate now fined Riley
40shillings (£2.00), and suspended his license for six months. Defendant: Does that mean I
cannot ride on the dirt track? The
Clerk said: You had better see a solicitor.
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In 1929 Riley became acquainted
with 19 year-old Mabel Kisswetter, the daughter of a German immigrant,
they commenced a tumultuous relationship, climaxing in a March
marriage, at Chorlton on Medlock Registry Office in 1930. Their son,
James (Jimmy) was born in 1931. Jimmy is today
81 years old, and lives with
his wife Margaret in Manchester. Although Mabel had been courting
Donald for the best part of a year, she had no idea that he had been
having an affair with a girl from his home town of Hyde called Gladys
Mottram. They had been seeing each other for about eighteen months,
going for motorcycle trips to
Blackpool and the outskirts of the Hyde, where there were still many
quite lanes and secluded spots for young courting couples.
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In 1929 “Riskit” established
himself as one of the top young dirt track riders in the country. At
Belle Vue Speedway track on Hyde Road on Saturday, 1 st June
he won the Golden Gauntlet, his first major prize
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The
Hyde Reporter of Saturday June
8th 1929 had this to say:- |
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Dirt Track Racing
Riley’s Success
At Belle Vue |
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Followers of dirt track racing
will learn with pleasure of the success of Donald Riley, son of James
Riley, fruiterer, of Hoviley Brow, Hyde, at Belle Vue Speedway on
Saturday, when he won the Golden Gauntlet, his first big prize.
“Riskit” Riley has he is known on the tracks, returned two of the best
times of the night, 1/30.9 and 1/31.5. In addition to winning the
Golden Gauntlet, he was also successful in the BelleVue Handicap.
Riley is still only 19 years of age, and is said by leading speedway
critics to have a great future on the racing track. Riskit climbed the
podium for the second time on Saturday 20th July, when one
of the largest crowds assembled at Belle Vue Speedway Stadium witness
Riley give another display of supreme skill and speed in the mile race
to win the premier prize, the golden helmet. |
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The Hyde Reporter had this to
say:- |
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The
Golden
Helmet
Riskit Riley's
Double
Success
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Donald Riley, known on the dirt
track as “Riskit Riley,” of Hoviley Brow, Hyde, achieved further
successes at Bell Vue Speedway on Saturday. In the mile race he won
the premier prize, the Golden Helmet, given by the Manchester Motor
Club, with a fine performance, in which all scratch riders took part.
He is now regarded as one of the “stars” of the Belle Vue track, for
Arthur Franklin and Frank Varey, both men of repute, are the only
riders to secure this trophy. Riley the previous Wednesday beat
Franklin, a very difficult thing to do.
In his heat Riley put up the
fastest time of the evening, covering the mile in 1min. 28.4 secs. |
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He also won the Belle Vue
Handicap in which there were some clever riders, he being the nly
scratch man. He beat Hurricane Hatch and George Corney, of Halifax,
who only recently returned from Hamburg. Riley a few weeks ago won the
golden gauntlet also for the mile scratch race, but he has never
ridden better than he did on Saturday. |
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His success is the more
remarkable when it is pointed out that this is his first season as a
dirt track rider, that he is only 19 years of age and has only been
racing since March. He has completed against such well known experts
as Frank Arthur, the Australian, of the International Speedway
Company, and has won a good number of prizes. He is a fearless rider
and keeps good control of his machine.
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I think it’s fair to say that by
the close of the 1929 Speedway Season, Riley had the speedway world at
his feet. However, his burgeoning dirt track career seemed to rise in
conjunction with his capacity for getting in trouble.
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Former Hyde Road Dirt Track Rider Riskit Riley
Bound Over |
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Donald Riley, otherwise known as
“Riskit” Riley, of dirt track fame and residing in Thorncliff Grove,
Chorlton on Medlock, was bound over for 12 months at Manchester City
police court, on Thursday, on a charge of having obtained £1 by false
pretences from Mr. Wilfred Blundell of Smithfield Market.
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It was explained that Riley went
to Mr.Blundell and represented falsely that he had been sent for money
by his father for motor parts. |
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Riley’s father said his son had
done no work since leaving school. He had spent £200 in furnishing him
with two motor cycles for dirt track riding. For a time his son had done
exceedingly well in that sport. Answering his son, Mr.Riley said
it was true that though he had won about £500 at Belle Vue last year
he had to pay a mechanic £5 a week and his machines cost a lot in
repairs.
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His son had also got into bad
company, and had concentrated debts by borrowing which he had to
repay. On being appealed to by his son
from the dock, Mr.Riley said he would repay the £1 mentioned in the
charge. Riskit Riley was also fined 10s for
having sounded his motor horn when not necessary on the grounds of
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Riskit’s freewheeling lifestyle
finally caught up with him again a month later, when he his
ex-girlfriend Gladys Mottram hauled him up before Hyde Police Court on
a paternity charge.
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“Riskit Riley's”
Little
Blackpool Trip |
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A Girls Amazing Evidence!
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Well known speedway rider Donald
Riley, 15 Thornton Avenue, Oxford Road, Manchester, was the defendant
at Hyde Court, on Thursday, in a case in which Gladys Mottram, age
nineteen, 119 Croft Street, Hyde, applied for an order of paternity in
respect of a male child born on August 23rd. |
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Mr.John Westbrook, solicitor,
Hyde, appeared for the complainant. Mr.Harold Bostock, solicitor,
Hyde, appeared for the defendant, who denied paternity. Mr.Westbrook said that the
defendant was a professional dirt track rider, well known in the town
as “Riskit Riley”. He thought when the magistrates had heard the
evidence that they would agree he showed a considerable amount of
effrontery in denying the paternity of the child.
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The parties first met eighteen
months ago. Subsequently they met several times, and in October, 1929,
the defendant and his friend met complainant and her friend-Miss
Taylor, in Hyde, and they all went to Blackpool to see the
illuminations in the defendant’s motor car. On the way back, on
Belmont , intimacy took place. |
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Defendant lived in Hyde with his
father, who was a well known tradesman, but left and she did not know
his address. When he found that she was making enquiries about him, he
saw her, and said “If I am the father I am the father, and we shall
have to see how things turn out.” He said if he had not been married
he would have married her. That was the first time Miss Mottram knew
that he was married. He was married after the association with the
complainant. Mr.Westbrook said that the defendant persuaded the
complainant to see a person in Ashton who, he said, could do something
for her. |
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On the Hyde Carnival night in
June, the defendant went to see the complainant at her home, and told
her that his wife was “expecting” and he did not want her to know
anything about the matter. He saw her parents, and frankly admitted
the paternity, and said that he would see what could be done when the
child was born. Later he approached Miss Taylor, the complainant’s
friend, on two occasions with the object of keeping her out of court.
Once he offered her money if she would stay away from court or give
evidence for him. She indignantly repudiated the suggestion. The clerk
of the court: That is a rather serious offence. |
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| The Woman
In Ashton |
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Gladys Mottram then described the
various meetings with Riley. She and her friend met Riley and his
friend at Broomstair Bridge on the occasion of the Blackpool trip.
Speaking of the visit of Riley to her home she said he sent a young
woman to the door, and she came out to him. He said “If I am the
father I am the father, but I can’t marry you, as I am already
married.” He told her about a woman in Ashton , and she went with him.
The woman told her that she was not the only one he had taken to her.
On carnival night, when he went to her home, he said to her “Don’t
forget if it’s a little boy, call it after me.” She replied “If it
turns out to be like you I will drown it.” Riley left, and returned
when her father and mother were at home. He asked her mother to lend
him ten shillings and he would give her a pound for it the following
Monday. Her mother could not let him have the money, and asked him
what he thought about himself. He replied “I admit that it is my
child.” She told him that he should have thought about that before he
got married. He told her that he did not want to go to court.
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Her confinement expenses, she
said, were two guineas doctor’s fee two guineas for the nurse, and 23
shillings and sixpence for baby clothes. She had special nourishments. |
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| Could Not
Put Riley In The Witness Box |
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Mr.Bostock asked the magistrates
leave to speak in private to his client, who was accompanied by his
wife. After a short absence Mr.Bostock told the magistrates that after
his conversation with his client he was not in a position to put him
in the box, and he could not really oppose the order.
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Kathleen Taylor, 3 Hall Street,
Kingston, gave corroborative evidence. She said that Riley offered her
money to stay out of court. |
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Mr.Bostock said that the case
resolved itself into a question of means. Defendant as a dirt track
rider was highly successful until twelve months ago. Since then he had
not been riding regularly, and had only appeared at meetings on
Sunday; there was no appearance money, and he had to win or get
nothing. During the whole of the year he had won £32.00 in prize money,
and had to borrow a motor cycle to appear. His agreement with the
owner was for half the winnings, and he had to bear half the cost of
repairs and conveyance. His net earnings were £3 10s for the period.
He was not in the employment of any dirt track company. He was married
on 4th January this year, and had resided with his wife and
her parents for nearly the whole of the period, and was dependent for
his keep on his wife and her parents. He was doing some work on Hyde
Market, but had not a regular wage, and his receipts from that source
did not amount to more than ten shillings per week. |
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Mr.Westbrook said that in view of
what Mr.Bostock had said, he was entitled to point out that during
certain proceedings in September, the defendant stated in court that
his earnings last year from dirt track riding were £500, and he had to
pay £3 per week for a mechanic out of that.
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The magistrates made an order of
10s per week until the child reaches 16 years of age, and allowed £8
expenses and two guineas advocate’s fee, and witnesses expenses. |
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After the scandalous revelation
that he had fathered an illegitimate child and tried to procure a back
street abortion in Ashton, Riley’s personal difficulties increased.
His stormy tempestuous union
with Mabel Kisswetter ended on the sharpest of rocks. He was pursued
through the court for years for child maintenance, and in May 1931
sent to prison for fourteen days for obtaining 5shillings by false
pretenses,
with intent to defraud. The Chief Constable said Riley was a married
man living apart from his wife and they were holding over a commitment
in respect of arrears under an affiliation order until after that case
was heard. Riley was very unsatisfactory and had previously been bound
over on a charge of false pretenses. |
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Donald Francis “Riskit” Riley
died in 1951 in Manchester, a lonely, broken man – estranged from his
family and speedway, he was 41 years old. A sad ending to a remarkable
but troubled life. It was his
inability to separate his domestic problems from his professional
speedway career that prevented him from reaching his true potential on
the dirt track. |
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Although it is seventy
plus years since
“Riskit” stood selling fruit and veg on Hyde Market for his father, he
is still fondly remembered by many old Hydonians. Hyde’s produced
several so called sports personalities: swimmers, soccer players,
athletes and boxers, but all pale in comparison to speedway ace Donald
“Riskit” Riley, on and off the track he lived his life to the full, he
was the Errol Flynn of speedway. Though his speedway career may have
been relatively short, he is still fondly remembered as one of the
most colourful characters from the early days of dirt track racing in
Manchester. |
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| John says: My
thanks to
Jeffrey Stafford for supplying the above account of Riskit's life. |
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Sylvia
Wheeler (nee Collier) says: -Hello Mr Skinner, I have just been reading about Riskit
Riley the Motor Bike rider at Belle Vue in the late 20s
and early thirties. My father was always talking about
Riskit Riley, he said that he was Riskits mechanic and
always repaired his motor bikes. I assume that my father
James (Jim) Collier was the mechanic who was paid the
princely sum of £3.00 per week.
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My father Jim Collier and his father James Henry Collier
who was an overlooker at Ashton Brothers in Hyde along
with Jack his brother, opened Colliers Garage in
Dukinfield in 1927 and the family business in which their
children also worked in the 50s, closed down due to ill
health in 1984. |
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I have been looking on the net for information about Riskit Riley as my father only ever told us very briefly
about those times, he always said that Riskit was a very
likeable rogue. Dad took us regularly to Belle Vue
speedway in the 50s, which we used to really look forward
to every every Saturday night. Dad died in 1987 aged 84
leaving a lot of curiosity in the family as to what he had
done prior to opening Colliers Garage. Your article on the
web answered some of the things that my brother and I
didn’t know about, and if you have any further information
or possibly a photograph of Riskit that you could send
online it would be very much appreciated. My son in Law
has been doing our family tree on line for a number of
years, and we really know very little about his life in
his younger years |
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My brother Roy still lives in Glossop but after living in
Dukinfield for 74 years, my husband and I moved to Rhos on
Sea, North Wales 3 years ago.
I look forward to hearing any other information you might
have.
Sylvia Wheeler (nee Collier)
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Syd Newiss |
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Syd Newiss breaking the Belle Vue track record in 1929 |
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Belle Vue Programmes 1930/31
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Stanley "Acorn" Dobson |
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This is Stanley "Acorn" Dobson. can you supply any info on him? I
understand the Acorn nickname came from the shape of his head!
John |
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Colin Greenwell has supplied the
cigarette cards which supply us with the following information on
Stanley Dobson |
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Bob
Harrison
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Len
Myerscough
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| This is Len astride a Rudge, photo
circa 1930 |
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Len with a Douglas
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| Another picture of Len and a Rudge |
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Another photo showing Len with a
Douglas
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| Len on what appears to be a Velocette |
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Laurie Anne Faulkner says: Hello John,
I am looking for information and photos on Len Myerscough to add
to a tribute we are writing about him and his son John Myerscough
who has recently passed away - please see my enclosed photos and
contract that I have come across at his son's John L. Myerscough's
home in Lancashire when my husband was there in November 2013 to
deal with his estate - Len's
other son David is my father-in-law and we do not really have much
information on this huge part of Len's earlier life-
He
owned Myerscough and Sons in Liverpool. |
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John
Myerscough had a large collection of vintage motorcycles
which he rode and displayed in parades TT classic etc, some
were Len's originally we believe. If you have any information to
share we would be grateful. We have heard that he had a
crash at some point and was in a comma for 2 weeks in hospital,
but cannot find any information on this!
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Thank you for your help, I look forward to your response,
regards, Laurie Anne |
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| John
Skinner says: The images in this section have been supplied by a
relative of Belle Vue rider,
Len
Myerscough.
His relative,
Laurie Anne
is hoping that someone will see
this item and be able to supply further pictures or information on
Len or his son
John Myerscough.
So send me an email /images if you can
John |
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Belle Vue
Team 1930 |
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| Again I assume Len
Myerscough is one of these? If you can supply names email me
please John |
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Len's licence to drive a motorcycle
issued May 1928 |
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Clem Cort
Steve Mackenzie's 1930
Photograph |
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| Steve says: Hi
John, Sorry to bother you. I have recently learnt
that Clem Cort was my Great Uncle. I have done a
bit of research and found out about the
unfortunate accident possibly in Uruguay 1930 in
which he was killed. From what I have found it is
a real shame because he seemed to be going all the
way as some of his Belle Vue team mates did after
his demise. I think he is 2nd from right in this
photo and I have seen that he also made it on to a
1929 cigarette card series! |
| John says: Yes
I confirm that 2nd from the left in the above photo is your Great
Uncle Clem. I also had the 1929 cigarette card you refer to,
which I have copied below. |
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Steve says: I can't seem to find any more info
on Uncle Clem and was
wondering if you could send me in the right
direction, books articles, pictures, etc. Any
help would be greatly appreciated. Steve
Mackenzie.
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John says: Can anyone supply any info on Clem Court,
for his nephew Steve. If
so please email me
John |
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| Col Greenwell has sent me an excerpt from
Frank Varey's book "The Red Devil" which is a sad account of
Clem's death. The book scan follows below: - |
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These scans come from an old
book
El
Diablo Rojo. Which translates to "The Red Devil" (Frank Varey)
|
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| An excellent image of Clem |
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| 1933 Belle Vue Team |
Courtesy of Richard Austin
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| Belle Vue
1934 |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| Belle Vue
1935 |
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| Bill Kitchen, Max Grosskruetz,
Eric Langton (on bike) Eric Blain, Bob Harrison, Joe Abbot & Tommy
Allott |
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| A Great Photo |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| One of the best action pics
on my website! It appears to have been taken from the
spectators view of things by my mate Archie Cooper. I presume this is Belle Vue.
Can you name the riders? No! neither can I |
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| Belle Vue's
1,000th Meeting
1959 |
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| Frank Varey with his famous
Scott Speedway Bike. The engine appears to be running as the
rear wheel spokes are not visible and the rear wheel is off the
ground. |
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| Belle Vue Legends Syd Newiss
and Jack Parker 1959 |
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| More of Graham Gleave's Photos |
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| All courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| Many familiar faces in the above Belle
Vue team photos. Bottom right Jock Grierson, Ken Sharples and Ron
Johnston |
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| Graham Gleave Photo's Continued.. |
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Louis Lawson
& Ron Mason |
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| Bill Rogers & Charles "Pee Wee" McCullen |
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Above Photos: Left, Slant Payling F
Johnson T Robinson Lou Grepp &
Right Dent Oliver Louis Lawson
Ron Mason and Jack Parker |
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Dent Oliver &
Split Waterman |
Chris Balley |
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1955 World
1 2 3
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| World Champion Peter Craven
flanked by Ronnie
Moore & Barry Briggs |
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Ken Sharples & Peter Craven With
FIM
Medal |
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| 1960s
Belle Vue |
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| Graham Gleave says: Left to right, B
Powell, Unknown, S Sjosten, D Fisher, C Maidment, N Nevitt, G
McGregor & J Yacobi |
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| Graham Gleave's Collection Of Badges
& Year Bars |
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| The owner of the above collection should
receive a medal from Belle Vue! The picture badges
from the top are Eric Langton, Bob Duckworth, Ron Johnston, A
Wright, Danny Dunton and G Smith |
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| 1936
Belle Vue |
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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 |
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| Frank
"The Red Devil" Varey |
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| Courtesy of Ted Hearn |
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In my lifetime there was only one "Red Devil". He
wore red leathers, Mike Broadbanks, Was Frank
Varey wearing Red Leathers before Mike?
John
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I have received the following items from Colin
Greenwell:- |
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Book published 1937
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Courtesy of Colin Greenwell
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Frank Varey no longer riding his red Scott machine having
switched to the better JAP machinery, so he was no longer The Red Devil!
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Oliver Hart &
Frank Varey |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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One Of The
First World Championship Rounds
At
Belle Vue 1936 |
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This was 1936 and prior to this year
the World Championship didn't really exist. The riders in this
picture were drawn from around the British tracks. I asked
for help in naming the riders and received the following with
thanks:-
|
| Barry Stephenson has
been in touch and has supplied the following information: - |
|
This is the Speedway Championship of the
World Championship Round held at Belle Vue on 8 August 1936 i.e. the first
year of the World Championship. |
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The sixteen riders were as
follows NOT IN ABOVE PHOTO ORDER! |
|
Joe Abbott |
5 |
Jack Milne |
8 |
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Frank Charles |
10 |
Mick Murphy |
2 |
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Eric Chitty |
3 |
George Newton |
13 |
|
Jack "Bronco" Dixon |
4 |
Wal Phillips |
8 |
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Bob Harrison |
12 |
Rol Stobart |
1 |
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Vic Huxley |
8 |
Bluey Wilkinson |
7 |
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Ron Johnston |
9 |
Reserves:- |
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Gus Kuhn |
0 |
Bill Kitchen |
6 |
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Eric Langton |
15 |
Gordon Byers |
2 |
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H R "Ginger" Lees |
7 |
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Now for the photo. Names from the rear left
|
Eric Chitty, x
Gordon Byers, Bluey Wilkinson leaning on rider, Bob Harrison,x, Eric Langton, Frank Charles, Jack
"Bronco" Dixon, Gus Kuhn |
| Front Row- |
| x,
Jack Milne, George Newton, Rol Stobart, x
Mick Murphy |
|
Joe Abbott is not on the photo. That leaves Huxley, Johnson, Lees, Murphy and Phillips to
be identified
Barry
Thanks Barry now we need someone to fill in the blanks
John
Trevor Chater says:- The last person seated on the front
row on the right as you look at the photo is Mick Murphy.
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| Eric Langton & Lionel van Praag |
Vic Huxley &
Eric Langton |
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Eric Langton &
Jack Parker |
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| Belle Vue
Merseysiders |
Courtesy of Nigel Trafford |
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| 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 |
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. |
|
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. |
| John says:
So the team is the Belle Vue Merseysiders and the riders are named now |
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Belle Vue Merseysiders
v Birmingham |
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| 12th August 1937 |
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Belle Vue v Newcastle
The Union Cup |
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| 23rd August 1939 |
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| Visitors Newcastle Diamonds were at Hyde
Rd on cup duty in August 1939. Little did they know that world war
2 was just a few days away. The Diamonds were leading
division 2 when war stopped the sport in its tracks. |
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| Ernie Price |
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| Courtesy of Nigel Trafford |
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| Tommy Price |
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| Courtesy of Nigel Trafford |
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| Jack
Parker |
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| Aub Lawson & Jack Parker |
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Split Waterman &
Jack Parker |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| Split and Jack fierce rivals on the
track and best of friends off the track |
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Jack Parker &
Max Grosskreutz |
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Courtesy of Kevin |
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|
A signed photo "Max Grosskreutz", I guess he
is on the inside. Can you confirm and say who the other rider is and what
year? John |
|
Mike Kemp says: Max on the inside of Jack Parker. |
|
Bill Walsh says: Max is wearing an Odsal bib and his last
season there was 1947 so that narrows it down to a couple of years. I hope that
helps. Cheers. Bill. |
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Louis Lawson
& Jack Parker |
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| Hyde Road
1940's |
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| 1946 Salford Flood Relief |
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Belle Vue
Mascot(s) |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| Most riders are good with the fans but
not so many are good with fans kids. I imagine "Uncle Jack"
was good with youngsters. I think the mascots shown above
are of the same lad? He is wearing the same helmet. |
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| Belle Vue Juniors
1947 |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| The "Juniors"! hardly a bunch of
teenagers eh! A good shot of the long stroke JAP engine,
thank you Graham for the photo. |
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| Bruce Semmons |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| Looking for the name of this Belle Vue
rider
John |
| David Pipes says: I think that the “Belle Vue” rider shown on
your website is Bruce Semmons from 1949 |
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| Belle Vue
Team 1940's |
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| Belle Vue
1951 |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| Wally
Lloyd |
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Courtesy of Kevin
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Was Wally Lloyd & Jeff Lloyd the same guy?
John
Mike Kemp says: No they were brothers |
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Split Waterman
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Belle Vue
Speedway Dance
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| Sender unknown |
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| John
says: The source of this picture is unknown, lost the name of
whomever sent it. So if it was you, send me an email and I will
put your name here with your picture. |
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| Unknown sender says: Please find attached my photo of Ron Johnston & Louis Lawson Taken
at Belle Vue with my late sister Dorothy Frith & her friend Lily
Thomas. |
| It must have been in the late 1950s I think.
Looks like a good time was had by Ron & Louis & I know my sister
Dorothy had this photo & lots of news cuttings all over her
bedroom wall in the 50s! You may use it for your site & If either riders are still with us,
give them a laugh & show them please. |
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| Belle Vue
1952 |
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Belle Vue 1952, can you name the riders
John
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Belle Vue Win The 1957 Britannia Cup |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Ron Johnston |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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| Ron
Johnston's Photographs |
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| Ron Johnston (born 31 December
1930) in Dunedin, New Zealand is a former rider who rode for Belle
Vue Aces. Ron began riding at the Tahuna Park track in Dunedin New
Zealand in 1949. He moved to England in 1950 and joined the Belle
Vue Aces. In his first season he was at first loaned out to the
Belfast Bees and then to Sheffield Tigers before establishing
himself as a member of the Belle Vue team. He captained the Aces
from 1957 until his retirement at the end of 1961. Under his
captaincy Belle Vue won the Britannia Shield three times, and the
Daily Mail National Trophy in 1958 He also rode in four World
Finals (1955, 1957, 1958 and 1960) during his career finishing a
best 5th in the world in 1960. |
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| My mate, Reg Fearman met up with ex Belle Vue rider
Ron Johnston, during December 2009. Reg asked Ron if he had seen this
Defunct Speedway website and if he had any photos he would like to show via the Belle Vue page.
The result is shown below. |
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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 !1949/1950 season when the speedway started in Dunedin at Tahuna
Park Ron Mason who road for Belle 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.
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Ron Johnston Aboard His First Motorcycle |
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Ron Johnston Leads Jack Geran |
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Ronnie Moore,
Cyril Bryne &
Ron Johnston
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Ron Mason, Mona & Ron Johnston |
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Ron Mason, Mona and Ron Johnston. Ron Mason was
the guy who arranged for Ron Johnston to come to the UK.
Mason was on Belle Vues books and Johnston was signed up by
the Manchester club and loaned out when he arrived on our
shores. |
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Peter Craven & Tink Maynard Taking Tea
With Josie |
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Ron Johnston Flat Out On The Beach
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Ron Johnston flat out on beach this was riding
against Bert Munro of the Worlds Fastest Indian fame! We used to beat Bert, because
he broke down a lot! |
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Ron says: John the bike on the beach was
a 500cc 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. |
|
John says: Old Bert's ancient Indian was faster but it had a much
bigger engine than your Ariel. I have the DVD of Bert Munro
and his ancient American speed machine, The Worlds Fastest Indian.
So you and old Bert were acquainted. "How cool was that"? |
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Ron Clarke |
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Ron Johnston's picture of yet another
Ron in the Belle Vue camp. This guy is Ron Clarke |
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Ron Johnston Going Sideways At Speed |
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Da doo Ron Ron!
Ron Johnston &
Ron How |
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Ron Johnston |
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If you can name them please email me
John |
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Dick Fisher &
Ron Johnston |
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Ron Johnston
Winner Of The
Johnnie Hoskins Trophy |
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| Ron Johnston Says "This Was Our
1950
Team I Think" |
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Ron Johnston says: This was our 1950
team I think?
Ken Sharples ? Val Morton, George Smith, Jack Parker on bike Ron Johnston, Henry
Long, Ron Mason & Louis Lawson |
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Ron Johnston Captained This Aces Team |
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Ron captained this Aces team, 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 |
| John says: Bob Duckworth and Slant
Payling joined my local team the Newcastle Diamonds. I
believe Slant got his nickname because his handwriting had a
pronounced "slant" |
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Ron Says "Me! & I Think, Henry Long,
On The Outside"
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Another Aces Team Line Up |
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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
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Tractor Ride
For
The Winning Aces
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Belle Vue showing off one of their many trophies Can anyone supply the other
names
John
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Us older fans will remember the winning team parading on the tractor,
Health and Safety hadn't been invented then. Now this is
considered too dangerous a way of celebrating a win! I
presume they all had safety on their minds and moved so the
tractor rider could see where he was going
|
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Jack Babrovskie says: Names for Britannia Shield winners photo
on your site: ‘Tractor ride for winning Aces’. Season was
1960. Bob Duckworth/Gote Nordin/Tony Robinson/Dick
Fisher/Arthur Wright/Ron Johnston/Jack Kitchen/Peter Craven
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Ron's Scrapbook Item |
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Ron Mason Getting
Too Much Grip |
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This Ron was the man responsible for Kiwi Ron Johnston coming half
way around the planet to join Belle Vue. I wonder if Ron
Mason was hurt seconds after this photo was taken? |
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Ron Johnston |
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Belle Vue 1953 |
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Can you name the team
John
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Ron Johnston Says: Bob Fletcher
Louis Lawson Bob Harrison Jack Parker Johnnie Hoskins Ken Sharples [Back row]
Willy Wilson Peter Craven Harry Edwards Ron Johnston |
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Ron Johnston
Collecting The JAP Trophy 1949 |
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Ron Johnston Leads Eric Boothroyd
We Think! |
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Ron's Picture Of His Friends Jack & Norman Parker |
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Jack Parker,
Ron Johnston &
Ron Mason
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Ron Johnston v Southampton |
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Peter Craven &
Ron Johnston |
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My thanks to Belle Vue's Kiwi Ron Johnston for supplying the many
photographs shown above.
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AstoriasTrophy 1953 |
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John says: Reg Fearman sent me the above picture. Reg says: You will know the riders except maybe for the
one on the end who is Sune Karlsson of Sweden. |
|
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John says: Thanks for the vote of confidence
Reg in my ability in
naming riders who were on the go when I was 1 year old! I
don't want to guess names as I don't like having egg on my face.
So over to the websites devotees. I am looking for the
riders names and the ladies phone number but oh! she will now be
in her 80s eh? so scratch my last remark.
John |
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Steve Brown says: Hi John,
From left to right the riders are : Louis Lawson (2nd -
12pts), Ron Johnston (1st - 13pts), Ronnie Moore (joint 3rd
- 11pts), and Sune Karlsson (joint 3rd - 11pts). Not sure
why Mr Fearman felt that he had to name Sune Karlsson,
though. The meeting was held on Saturday, May 23rd 1953, and
the last race of the night was a novice race called the
'Fag End Flurry'! How very un-PC... |
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Ken Sharples
1954 |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Ken's Mechanic says "Ken, the 2 minute warning has just started.
Get off the bike and I will fix it! |
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Peter Craven &
Ron Johnston |
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Slant Payling |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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I can tell you why Mr Maurice Payling was called "Slant".
Johnny Hoskins watched Maurice write something down with a
pronounced Slant to his writing and Maurice became Slant for the
rest of his riding days. Johnny Hoskins liked giving riders
nicknames. A pity no one gave him a nickname! Or maybe
they DID!! |
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Rune Sormander |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Val Morton |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Three Lesser Known Aces |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Don Cuppleditch, Fred Rodgers and Peter Williams |
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Belle Vue 1954 |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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Ken Sharples, Bob Duckworth, Ron Johnston, Don Cuppleditch and
Peter Craven |
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England v Australia |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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The riders are unknown but the track is Belle Vue |
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Courtesy of Graham Gleave |
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To continue with Belle Vue (Hyde Road)
follow this link
Belle Vue (Hyde Road) Part 2 |
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