Farewell Smallmead

[Deleted]

I know this should go in the Reading section, but next year any Reading news will probably be confined to "general speedway" in any case.


taken from www.readingspeedway.com

FINAL MEETING CONFIRMED

Wednesday, September 03, 2008
THE date of the last-ever speedway meeting at Smallmead Stadium has been confirmed, with the special End-of-an-Era event set to take place on Sunday 19 October, starting at 6.00 p.m.

Plans for the event, which will also incorporate 40 seasons of speedway in Reading, are at an advanced stage and further details will be released shortly.

A bumper evening of action is being put together to give the stadium the send-off it so rightly deserves. It is also hoped to have a number of Reading legends present on the night to mingle with supporters and sign autographs.

Among the many riders to have donned the Racers’ famous Winged Wheel who will be invited along are:

* Anders Michanek
* Dag Lovaas
* Per Jonsson
* Jan Andersson
* Dave Mullett
* Bernie Leigh
* Phil Morris
* Tony Olsson
* Ray Morton
* Lee Richardson
* Jeremy Doncaster
* Mick Bell
* Armando Castagna
* John Davis
* Tim Hunt
* Peter Glanz
* Dave Jessup
* Plus many more…

It is also planned to hold a Racers’ Celebration Dinner the night before the grand finale. Tickets are available for this special meal, where fans will have the opportunity to dine in the company of some of the club’s real legends.

Supporters are invited to enjoy the weekend to the full and advanced tickets for both the Celebration Dinner and End-of-an-Era meeting are available from the Commercial Team.

So there we have it, just 6 short weeks left until Reading lose their home. Do hope that we manage to see a good number of those riders listed at Smallmead for one last time.

I think I'll apologise now for my mood on 20th October & onwards for a while.

[braveheart]

I know what you means Wacks. I was quite sad when I left Reading the other night. Thought it was going to be my last meeting at Reading due to work. I am off that Sunday so looks like I will be sad again

[Deleted]

I can empathise with you Wacks.

When we lost Powderhall it was the worst feeling in my heart. Fingers crossed you will be able to find a new home and soon just like we did.

As to the last meeting I see Dag Lovaas and Anders Michenek listed. Boy did I love those two riders in my earlier years in speedway.

I might even try and make it down for the last time.

[Deleted]

Would be good to see you again at Smallmead for one last time ML.

Amazing how some of these riders from 30 years ago can stir up interest again. Been trying to talk my mum into coming to the last meeting. She was a regular at Tilehurst & at Smallmead up til the period of Per's accident.

She's ummed & arrhhed about coming along, saying it depends on the weather, blah blah blah. I mentioned to her yesterday that Mich had been invited and like a shot she said "I'll come then" ;D

Get the feeling it was more than Mighty Mich's riding ability that she admired.

[Deleted]

Sept 8, 2008 10:11:26 GMT @wacks said:

Get the feeling it was more than Mighty Mich's riding ability that she admired.

Hell yeah

Like his gorgeous smile and those twinkling blue eyes

[Deleted]

See, doesn't sound weird when you make comments like that, but when me Mum starts going on about how horny he is/was, well it's just not right is it!

[Deleted]

Ooooo are you saying the mature lady can't say things like that?

Might have to bash you if I do make it down ;D

[Deleted]

Sept 8, 2008 14:18:20 GMT @midnightlady said:

Sept 8, 2008 10:11:26 GMT @wacks said:

Get the feeling it was more than Mighty Mich's riding ability that she admired.

Hell yeah

Like his gorgeous smile and those twinkling blue eyes

Ohhhhh yes

[Deleted]

Sept 8, 2008 15:25:50 GMT @midnightlady said:

Ooooo are you saying the mature lady can't say things like that?

Might have to bash you if I do make it down ;D

You can say what you like ML, I just don't want to hear it from my mother!

If she carries on, I'm going to hide her HRT! ;D

[Deleted]

Further details on Reading's end of era meeting announced.

Meeting will be an individual with 16 riders competing over 20 heats followed by a semi final & final.

Latest press release from www.readingspeedway.com


Tuesday, September 16, 2008
AS THE build-up to Reading Speedway’s End-of-an-Era meeting gathers momentum, the club is pleased to announce the first few names of former riders who have confirmed that they will be able to attend on the night.

Happily, the list of those who will be at the final meeting is headed by JAN ANDERSSON, who is widely regarded as Mr. Reading Speedway.

The super cool Swede is the club’s record all-time scoring rider, having plundered a mammoth tally of 5,253.5 points from 548 official appearances.

Another Swede who will be at Smallmead on the big night is TONY OLSSON, who rode in 280 meetings for the club.

Good Old BERNIE LEIGH has also happily agreed to attend. He made 431 appearances for the Racers and was ever-present in seven seasons.

The mega-popular PETRI KOKKO will also be at the End-of-an-Era spectacular. The Finn made 143 club appearances during his time with the Racers.

Another fans’ favourite who will be at the meeting is SAM SIMOTA, who represented the Racers on 117 occasions during his three years with the side.

And, in a link going right back to the start at Smallmead, TONY SILK will be another welcome guest at the stadium’s finale. Tony was understandably very proud to be the referee at the track’s very first meeting on 28 April 1975.

Promoter Malcolm Holloway said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the way plans are going.

“There has been a huge amount of interest in this meeting and we will be announcing more names in due course.

“It’s going to be a wonderful occasion and we will be giving the stadium a super send-off to remember.”


Some real fans favourites announced as guests there. My first two speedway hero's amoung them in GOBL & Jani.

Expect a few more names to follow and would be majorly surprised if a former Swedish World Champion (and not the one ML & my old dear wants to jump ) isn't the guest of honor on the night.

[Deleted]

Sept 16, 2008 13:25:30 GMT @wacks said:

......(and not the one ML & my old dear wants to jump ) isn't the guest of honor on the night.

Oooo I say ;D

[Deleted]

I was gutted when Reading nicked Dave Mullett from the mighty Crusaders so it seems only fair they should invite him along and (hopefully) give me another chance to see him.

[Deleted]

Im gutted that I carnt make this final ever meeting at Smallmead. I have had some wonderful memories there.

[Deleted]

Mavis, Donkey & John Hammond added to the list of ex-Racers who will be in attendance on the night.

[Deleted]

Mick Bell, Dickie May & Peter Glanz also named as old Racers favourites who will be at Smallmead for one last time on Sunday 19th October.

Dave Lanning also confirmed.