Leicester Speedway

The Stadium, Blackbird Road, Leicester where speedway operated on and off between 1928-1983.  The teams were known as the Hounds, the Hunters and the Lions

Leicester are back in business 2011

The new track is at Beaumont Park, Beaumont Way, Leicester. It's only a couple of miles from the old stadium, going out of town to Beaumont Leys. It is behind a supermarket at the Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre off Bennion Drive. About 5 miles from the M1, Coalville/Leicester North exit. For more details go to http://www.leicester-speedway.com.

This site is concerned with memories from the defunct circuit at Blackbird Road

Blackbird Road

These colour pics of Leicester Stadium are by courtesy of Chris Holmes

My thanks go to Chris Holmes for sending these pictures of Blackbird Road

 Len Williams can anyone say which seasons he rode at Leicester.  This picture looks like it was taken in the 1950's John
Update: Col Greenwell says: Not that I knew!.....But from Peter Morrish's book, British Speedway Leagues 1946-64..Len rode for Leicester....1951-52-53-54-55-56.

Jack Winstanley

Courtesy of George Winstanley

Jack Winstanley's 1950 Race Jacket

Courtesy of George Winstanley

Reg Fearman

Hi John, Indeed Leicester I raced for in 1953-1954.    In 1962 Mike Parker and I took it into the Provincial league straight from the National league and it haemorrhaged money with very, very poor crowds.  In 1968 along with Ron Wilson my co director I transferred Long Eaton a "Cinderella" club to Leicester into the British league.  There it stayed until 1984 when the stadium was sold for housing.   Yes I've read that all systems are go for a new sports complex in a not too salubrious part of Leicester.     Cheers,   Reg

The following 4 pictures are from Reg Fearman's collection: -

Ted Flanagan Team Manager, Fred Perkins, Squib Burton Promoter, Len Williams, Lionel Watling, Reg Fearman, Front row:- Roy Browning, Charlie Barsby, Dennis Parker, Ivor Brown.

I asked Reg about Squib Burton and this is what he said: "Hello John,   Squib was a rider in the '28 to the '38 period and was very good, he got the name as a firework the Squib Zooooom Bang !!    he was a Douglas man and a gentleman who lived in Lutterworth near Rugby and owned a garage there for many years."   Cheers,  Reg

Ron Philips, Ivor Brown, Joe Crowther Team Manager, Reg Fearman, Ken McKinley, Front row :-Len Williams, Charlie Barsby, Bryan Elliott, Gordon McGregor. Dave Hankins ?
Alan Goodman says: the rider named Dave Hankins? is definitely not Hankins. I think it could be another Hunters junior of the time, - Barry East.

Squib Burton Promotor, Lionell Watling, Ken McKinley, Don Potter, Reg Fearman, ?? Ted Flanangan Team Manager, Front :- Charlie Barsby, Jock Grierson on the machine, Bill Griffiths.
Reg Fearman says: About 3 am last night I thought of the name of the rider on the last team photo on the Leicester A to Z It is marked with a question mark, he is standing next to Ted Flanagan.   His name is Alf Parker and no relation to Jack, Norman or even Mike.
Thanks Reg and sweet dreams in future!

The action photo Courtesy of Mike Kemp is Roy Browning, Dick Campbell and Len Williams

John,  the above photos were taken between June 1953 and September 1954 you will notice how many faces changed in that short time.  This was due to the fact that tracks were closing and more riders were chasing fewer jobs. Reg

Leicester Hunters: (L to R) Harry Edwards, Slant Payling, Tony Eadon, Vic White (Captain on Machine) John Poyser, Norman Hunter, Rick France, Ron Wilson (Team Manager)

Bryan Elliott

Stefan Kwoczala and Charlie Barsby.

Jack Geran
 

1968 Team Ray Wilson, George Major, Vic White, Anders Michanek, John Boulger, John Lanford and John Hart
Owen Pearson says: 1968 Lions photo. Don't remember any John Lanford. Surely, it's Norman Storer between John Boulger and John Hart.
 

1969 Norman Storer, Dewayne Keeter, Malcolm Brown, John Hart, Graham Plant, John Boulger and Ray Wilson capt on machine

John Boulger

Anders Michanek

Phil Herne

1979 Lions

Courtesy of Chris Holmes

Ila Teromaa, John McNeill, Vic White, John Boulger and Tom Godal at the back.
Mike Farrell and Colin Cook are kneeling with John Titman on the bike

Courtesy of Ernst Bøgh.

Ila Teroma and Ernst Bøgh.

Courtesy of Ernst Bøgh.

Reider Eide and Ernst Bøgh.

Courtesy of Chris Holmes

Dave Jessup

Looking over his shoulder was something he did often as he was always in front.  He couldn't reproduce his high standards at world championship level.  He was definitely a candidate for the best rider NEVER to win the world crown

Courtesy of Jim Blanchard

Leicester v Kings Lynn, I need help naming the riders as I only recognise Michael Lee (in white helmet) email if you can name the others John
Steve Wilkes says: Picture taken in 1979 at Leicester the riders are : Rob Hollingworth, John Boulger & Mike Farrell, Michael Lee

Golden Helmet Match Race at Leicester

Courtesy of Jim Blanchard

Courtesy of Jim Blanchard

Two photo's from Leicester of the Golden Helmet decider between Mike Lee and Peter Collins

Leicester Lions, can you name them for me please and say what year this was  John

Courtesy of Jim Blanchard

Leicester v Kings Lynn.  I need help with the riders and the year John
Steve Wilkes says: Bent Rasmussen, Tom Godal, Pete Smith, John McNeill

The End is Nigh

The club closed its doors in 1983 but looks likely to open up again in 2011

Once upon a time

Chris Wallett has supplied the following 5 photographs showing the site as it is now.

Modern Pictures in Wrong Place?

John says:  It is great that the location has stirred a bit of interest.  As I already have said my local knowledge is non-existent so thank you very much for explanation etc.  I don't remember Norman Storer much but Ray Wilson was a great English rider. Should have done better in the world championships.

If you can scan any pictures, programmes or badges send me an email John