Poole Speedway 2009

POOLE SPEEDWAY HALL OF FAME

CHARLIE HAYDEN POOLE PIRATE 1948 - 1951 A Bournemouth born businessman, who played an important part in establishing speedway at Poole. An almost unbeatable star of the grass tracks, Charlie turned his attention to the cinders and speedway in 1947 and became a regular member of the Exeter side before linking up with the pioneering Pirates in 1948. Transferred for a reported £ 600 fee, he was appointed the first Pirates team captain on his arrival at the club. Was unlucky to be involved in the triple crash in the first ever race at the Wimborne Road raceway which robbed him of his form but he eventually recovered to become a regular member of the Poole team for the next four seasons. Took part in the club’s historic three match tour of Sweden at the end of the 1948 campaign and was a regular member of the Pirates side that won the Division Three league championship and the Festival of Britain Shield in 1951. Made 161 League and National Trophy appearances, scoring 796 points.

DENNIS 'Ticker' JAMES POOLE PIRATE 1948 - 1950 Local lad who had second half outings at Southampton and other local tracks before making his debut at Poole during September 1948 where his spectacular rodeo style of racing saw him become an immediate favourite with the Pirate’s fans. Made his first team debut for the Pirates before the end of the 48 season, before rocketing to success the following year with a string of high scores that earned him a reputation as one of the top discoveries of the season. For a time he was almost unbeatable at Poole, racking up three successive home maximums before injury cut his season short. He made an excellent start to the 1950 season, setting a new Poole track record along the way, and looked to be back to his best until a mid season injury sidelined him once again. But the magic was missing when he returned to the Pirates side and he struggled to maintain his place in the side before being transferred to St Austell. Made 69 League and National Trophy appearances, scoring 372 points.

BILL HOLDEN POOLE PIRATE 1951 - 1958 A talented rider who started his career at Southampton, Bill joined the Pirates midway through the 1951 season following the Hampshire club’s decision to withdraw from league racing. On his arrival he immediately formed an outstanding reserve partnership with Brian Crutcher that was to prove decisive in the club’s bid for league honours, before moving up into the team proper before the end of the season. A fast and stylish racer, Bill even held the Poole track record for a time and was among the fastest of all time around the original Poole raceway. His best years undoubtedly came in 1954 and 1955 when he finished second only to Ken Middleditch in the club’s averages. Bill’s attacking riding knew few boundaries and his match winning ride in the National Trophy tie versus 1st Division Birmingham, that put Poole into the semi – final’s won him the highest praise throughout the speedway world. Regrettably a loss of form in 1958 saw him struggling to stay competitive and after riding only six matches he retired fro racing. Made 214 League and National Trophy appearances, scoring 1498 points.

TONY LEWIS POOLE PIRATE 1949 – 1968 One of the tallest riders to don the famous skull and bones racejacket, Tony racd on the local grass tracks before turning to speedway in 1949. He was offered a trial at the Poole club where he was coached by Pirates rider Frank Holcombe to become one of the great white line riders of his time. The following year saw him teamed with Ken Middleditch and they quickly formed an on - track team riding partnership that was to become legendary during the next five years. Christened ‘Me and My Shadow’ by the Poole supporters, their almost telepathic understanding made them virtually unbeatable wherever they raced, and was the backbone of the Pirates side that won three league title between 1951 and 1955. Tony sustained a fractured skull during Pirates 1955 tour of Sweden which almost cost him his life, and which was to keep him out of racing until 1960. when he made a surprise return to track action. Almost at once he was back to his best form, helping Poole to more league success in 1961 and 1962. A true club man, and one of its most loyal servants, Tony retired in 1968, after which he continued to keep a close watch on events at Wimborne Road.. He took over the reins as Team Manager from 1973 to 1979 following the retirement of Ron Hart. Made 339 League, National Trophy, and Knockout Cup appearances, scoring 2153 points.

TERRY SMALL 1949-1959Had his first taste of racing while serving in the Army before trying his hand in second half races at Wimborne Road during 1949, where his stylish riding was rewarded with a contract to join the Poole club.
Made his first team debut during July of that year and quickly became a regular member of an all conquering Pirates side that remained unbeaten in league racing at Poole for almost six and a half years. During that time he helped the club to three league championship titles and was a member of the side that was promoted to the First Division in 1956.
A consummate team man, his full throttle technique and experience helped his ability to score well at home and away. He also took part in the Club’s overseas tours of Sweden and Denmark in 1953 and 1955, and the ground breaking trip to Poland in 1959, before hanging up his leathers for the last time.
Made 296 League and National Trophy appearances scoring 1901 points.

BRIAN CRUTCHER - POOLE PIRATE -1951-1953

A truly gifted, and naturally brilliant rider, who burst onto the speedway scene at the Matchams Park training track in December 1950. He was so good that a host of First Division clubs joined in the race for his signature. Harringay looked to be favourites but after seeking advice Brian opted to join his hometown club, making his debut at Poole on 24 April 1951. And what a debut, with a three ride, three win maximum to his credit, and a race time within 0.6 seconds of the existing Poole track record. Nicknamed the "Nipper" by Norman Young, one of the club's mechanics, Brian was soon on the road to super stardom and being tipped by many as a potential world beater.
During the next three months he established himself in the promotion seeking Poole side, with his efforts rewarded with international caps for the test matches against Sweden and the United States.
The 1952 season saw his continued rise to fame, and with it, the Poole team, who won the Second Division championship at the first attempt. Along the way Brian also fought his way through several qualifying rounds to become the first Poole rider ever to reach a World Championship final. In doing so he had risen from raw novice to superstar in just 16 months. But with the Control Board blocking Poole's promotion to Division One in 1953, the lure of the big time proved a little too much and Brian left for pastures new, joining the famous Wembley Lions for a club record fee.
Made 100 League and National Trophy appearances, scoring 822 points

KEN MIDDLEDITCH POOLE PIRATE 1950 - 1962 A product of the Eastbourne training schools, Ken was a regular with the Hastings Saxons until their closure at the end of 1949. Poole manage to win the scramble for his signature in time for the start of the 1950 campaign, paying the princely sim of £800 to bring him to Wimborne Road.
He quickly started to repay this by capturing the Poole track record and becoming the club's leading scorer by the end of his first season. It was at this time that his legendary team riding partnership with Tony Lewis, considered by many to be the best ever, started to make people sit up and take notice.
The 1951 campaign saw him take over the club captaincy, and lead the Pirates to the success in the Festival of Britain Trophy competition, before adding the Third Division title to the club's honours board.
Success followed success in 1952, with Ken inspired his Pirate crew into winning the Second Division championship at their first attempt. He continued to take on the responsibility as the club's number one scorer in
1953 and again in 1954, when he also won the Second Division Riders Championship crown with a great display at the old Belle Vue circuit, before leading the Pirates to the Second Division title once again in 1955.
1956 saw the Pirates promoted to the top tier of racing which Ken took in his stride, finishing second in the club's scoring stakes, but petrol rationing and falling attendance saw the club fail to come to the tapes in time for the 1957 league season.
He returned to the Pirates colours in 1958 but his opening ride ended in disaster when he ran into a dog that had strayed on to the raceway.
Fortunately Ken escaped without injury while the dog made off none the worse for wear. With the sport seemingly in decline, Ken decided to retire to spend more time pursuing his successful business interests.
He returned to the fold once more in 1960, helping the Pirates to win the Provincial League championship in 1961 and 62 before once again hanging up his leathers, this time for good. He did make another comeback in 1966, acting as team manager during the year that Ron Hart was serving as Mayor of Poole
Made 303 League, National Trophy and Knockout Cup appearances, scoring 3006.5 points

GEOFF MUDGE POOLE PIRATE 1960 - 1970 A red headed South Australian, who first came to prominence on the road racing circuits before trying his hand on the dirt tracks and lifting the Australian Longtrack championship in 1959.
Made his way to the UK at the start of 1960 and took part in second half events for the Knott promotion at Southampton. His efforts quickly persuaded them to offer him an extended run with their sister club at Poole, which proved to be the start of a successful partnership that was to last until the end of 1970. A stylish performer, Geoff took over the club captaincy in 1962, a position he kept for the remainder of his time in the Pirates colours.
A member of the Pirates side that swept its way to the Provincial League championship in 1961 and 1962, he also took over the mantle as the club's number one, a position which he maintained throughout his time at Wimborne Road. The formation of the British League saw him maintain a remarkable level of consistency, with the 1969 seeing him at his brilliant best as he led the Pirates to the British League championship for the first time in the club's history.
But all good things come to an end and it came as a major surprise when he was granted a transfer away from the club at the end of the 1970 season. He really should have had a testimonial for his services to Poole, but sadly they had yet to be thought of in those days.
Made 337 League and Knockout Cup appearances, scoring 2739.5 points

NORMAN STRACHAN POOLE PIRATE 1952-1967, 1973 Poole born rider, who became one of the club's greatest servants during a career that spanned some 17 seasons. Unfortunately a serious hand injury, sustained while working in a local sawmill in 1956, possibly cost him the chance of following his friend Brian Crutcher to the very top of the speedway ladder. A product of the Matcham's Park training schools, he benefited from being given the opportunity to show his paces in the second half events at Poole in 1952, before stepping up into the first team proper during the following season. More chances came his way in 1954, before he finally claimed a regular place in the Pirates side that won the Second Division title in 1955.
The end of the 1950's saw a sharp decline in speedway's fortunes and with it the opportunities for Norman to improve his riding skills, but the sport changed for the better in 1960 and with it the chance for him to show his true worth.
The formation of the Provincial League saw him jump at the chance to become a regular member of the Poole team once again. Norman was really enjoying his racing at this time and he was able to help the club win back to back league championships in 1961 and 1962.
The birth of the British League in 1965 saw him start his 14 consecutive season at Wimborne Road. He moved on to pastures new at the end of 1967, his 16th consecutive season with the club, however his association with the Pirates was rekindled in 1973 when he returned for a further eight matches to help the injury hit promotion. Nowadays, such loyalty would have been rewarded with a testimonial, but like many of his era, his efforts were overlooked by the sport's governing body.
Scored 1270.5 points from 303 League, National Trophy and Knockout Cup appearances.

KEVIN SMITH POOLE PIRATE 1981 - 1987 One of the most highly rated young English riders of his time, Kevin made the move to the South Coast from Rye House during the winter months of 1980 / 81 for a £10,000 transfer fee. Proved an immediate hit in his debut at Wimborne Road, scoring 11 points in a League Cup encounter with King's Lynn, which went a long way in persuading the management that it was money well spent.
The points continued to flow for the Kentish born racer and expectations on the terraces suggested that Poole had captured a world class star, but his career seemingly stood still as the Pirates struggled to make any headway to remain firmly anchored at the bottom end of the league standings. His form deserted him completely during 1984 and for a while it looked as though he might retire completely from the sport.
The introduction of National League racing at Wimborne Road in 1985 saw Smith's appetite for racing rekindled and he became a high scoring member of the side which finished runner's – up in a very competitive league campaign. A complex fracture of the fibula during the opening week's of 1986 kept him out of the saddle until the beginning of July but on his return he was once again among the big hitters of a Poole team that finished league runner's – up for a second consecutive season.
Despite producing a string of worthwhile results, 1987 was to prove his final year of racing and he eventually bowed out while still at the top of his game.
Made 201 League and Knockout Cup appearances, scoring 1350 points.

ODD FOSSENGEN POOLE PIRATE 1968 - 1974 Among the most popular of the thrill makers ever to pull on the famous skull and bones race jacket, Odd came to Poole at the beginning of 1968 with the aim of finding a place in the Pirates side following the retirement of star man Gote Nordin.
Odd and Antonin Kasper took part in a series of trials, with Kasper seemingly getting the place, however Odd had really impressed the fans with his never give up style and they made it clear that he was the man they preferred. The Poole management listened, invited Odd to sign, and the rest as they say is history.
His attacking riding style saw him end his debut season with a match average of 7.13, and he continued to serve up the thrills in 1969 as the Pirates swept all before them to lift the British League title for the first time in the club's history. A further four successive seasons in the Pirates colours saw him become firmly established not only on the domestic scene but also on the international stage. He also continued to bolster the Poole side where he proved to be the perfect foil to Pete Smith and Geoff Mudge.
Sadly his racing career came to an end just five weeks into the 1974 season following a crash at Oxford. Odd sustained a severely broken femur which kept him out of racing for the rest of 1974 and all of 1975. He underwent a successful operation to remove the pins in 1976 but hopes that he would return to the track failed to materialise.
Made 222 League and Knockout Cup appearances, scoring 1485 points

CHRISTER LOFQVIST POOLE PIRATE 1972 - 1973 A proven star in British League racing, Christer signed for the Pirates in 1971, following the closure of the London – based, West Ham club. He made an instant impression with the Poole fans, who delighted in his in exciting riding style, and he soon became a high scoring member of the side, ending his debut season at the top of the club’s averages.
His individual skills saw him qualify for a place in the 1972 World Final, the first Poole rider to appear on a Final stage for 20 years. He also became the first Poole rider to win the coveted Golden Helmet Match Race Championship when he beat Jim McMillan. Unfortunately his success was short lived as he lost his crown to Ole Olsen just a few days later.
He improved his performances still further in 1973, once again ending the campaign as the highest scorer in the Pirates side, but this was the last that the Poole fans were to see of the diminutive Swedish international in the club's colours. The 1974 season saw the SCB introduce a ban on commuting Swedish riders, leaving Lofqvist to sit out the season in Scandinavia. The ruling was lifted in time for the 1975 season, but Poole had already signed Malcolm Simmons leaving Christer without a place in the Poole side, although he eventually linked up with Hackney where he finished his British career.. But for the ban he surely would have scored many more points for the Pirates and maybe changed the course of Poole speedway history.
Sadly Christer was later diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and passed away in February 1978.
Scored 453 points from 49 League and Cup appearances.

JOHN DAVIS POOLE PIRATE 1981 - 19837 Started his career at the Weymouth track in the early 1970's before learning his trade with Second Division Peterborough where his talent was quickly recognised. He was also drafted into the Poole side for the first match of the 1971 season, scoring a single point from two starts. His career really took off at Reading and fully justified the blaze of publicity that surrounded his career and which made him a pin – up boy with the national media.
After six successful years with Reading he sought pastures new, joining the Pirates mid way through the 1981 season for a reported £20,000 transfer fee. He quickly settled in at Wimborne Road and dominated the team's scoring for the remainder of the season, finishing the campaign with a near 10 point match average.
He retained his position as the leading Pirate in 1982, but despite his efforts, and those of team mate Scott Autrey, the club finished the season firmly rooted to the bottom of the league table. Linked up with Michael Lee to lead the Pirates into 1983, but a loss of form saw him dropped from the side and he moved back to Reading at the end of the year.
A noted international, he represented his country at all levels, and was a member of the England team that won the World Team Cup in 1977. Retired in 1992 since when he has become a successful businessman although he still maintains a strong link with the sport and the Poole club.
Scored 551.5 points for Poole from 70 League and Knockout Cup appearances.

Standard 2009 Admission Prices - Adults £15 Students/Senior Citizens £12 (with proof) Under 16s £4 (Under 5's FREE)
Family Ticket (2 Adults/2 Children) £34. Season Vouchers (Book of 20) £300 (conditions apply).