Post by Genghis on Nov 17, 2010 21:24:49 GMT
FORMER Oxford Speedway promoter Bernard Crapper passed away last night (Tuesday, November 16) after a period of ill-health.
He had been a Oxford Cheetahs fan since a child, with Jim Gregory his childhood hero.
Bernard got involved in the Save Our Stadium group after Oxford Stadium was sold for redevelopment in 1975.
He was installed as Clerk Of The Course at Oxford from 1976, and then was appointed General Manager by promoter Dan McCormick in 1979. At this time, Oxford Cheetahs were being run in the National League as a nursery track to the Cradley Heathens. During the 1979-1980 winter, the Cradley directors threatened to pull the plug on the Cheetahs - but Bernard helped to convinced them to give Oxford another chance.
Bernard agreed to run the Cheetahs on one condition – that John Payne was installed alongside him. Although Bernard & John were not officially listed as co-promoters until 1983, they were effectively doing that job from 1980 onwards.
In 1983, stadium owners Northern Sports took over the running of the speedway from the Cradley promotion. The Cheetahs were elevated into speedway’s top-flight in 1984, and signed big names such as Hans Nielsen, Simon Wigg and Marvyn Cox to lead their challenge in the British League.
The Cheetahs remained in the British League for nine years and won a sparkling array of silverware which included:
British League Champions 1985, 1986, 1989
(Oxford went through the 1986 league campaign with a unique 100% record)
KO Cup winners 1985, 1986 (shared in 1986)
League Cup winners 1986 (shared)
Gold Cup winners 1989
Premiership Winners 1987
British Open Pairs Champions 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
Hans Nielsen - World Champion 1986, 1987, 1989
Simon Wigg - World Longtrack Champion 1985, 1989, 1990
In addition to his promoting duties, Crapper was also team manager of the side which won back-to-back British League titles in 1985 & 1986. Crapper resigned as team manager in early 1987 in protest over refereeing standards. Although John Tremblin took the over the role, Crapper remained a key figure down the pits – often working out the tactics with skipper Nielsen.
After the Nielsen’s departure, Northern Sports withdrew from running the speedway. Bernard & John then served as co-promoters for three further years under the speedway ownership of Tony Mole (1993-1994) & Chris Shears (1995). A further piece of silverware followed in 1994, in the shape of the Division Two Fours Championship, which Bernard attended with his leg in plaster and a walking stick, after junior team manager Colin Clarke accidentally ran his car into Bernard in the Oxford pits!
Bernard spent many countless hours up the stadium, working on the speedway track or making improvements to the safety fence or pits area.
John Payne says: “I’m gutted. I’ve lost my biggest mate.
“We went through some great and memorable times at Oxford Speedway. We also had a few lows, but all-in-all, we had a fantastic time.
“I feel privileged that when Bernard took over the running of the speedway, I was the guy that he insisted ran it alongside him.”
Bernard’s other major involvement in speedway was with the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund, which helps out injured riders, including those riders whose career ended in them being confined to a wheelchair.
He first became involved with the Ben Fund around 1985. Following the tragic death of former referee John Eglese in a car crash in 1994, Bernard became the secretary and treasurer of the fund. Money was tight and Bernard came up with the suggestion to hold collections at the major meetings as well as local track collections. It helped transform the fortunes of the fund.
By the time he handed over the reins to Paul Ackroyd in 2008, the Ben Fund was in a much healthier state.
As a young man, Bernard had served in the RAF for a number of years as an aerial photographer. Photography was also his profession later in life.
Bernard leaves a widow, Janet, to whom he was happily married for many years.
He had been a Oxford Cheetahs fan since a child, with Jim Gregory his childhood hero.
Bernard got involved in the Save Our Stadium group after Oxford Stadium was sold for redevelopment in 1975.
He was installed as Clerk Of The Course at Oxford from 1976, and then was appointed General Manager by promoter Dan McCormick in 1979. At this time, Oxford Cheetahs were being run in the National League as a nursery track to the Cradley Heathens. During the 1979-1980 winter, the Cradley directors threatened to pull the plug on the Cheetahs - but Bernard helped to convinced them to give Oxford another chance.
Bernard agreed to run the Cheetahs on one condition – that John Payne was installed alongside him. Although Bernard & John were not officially listed as co-promoters until 1983, they were effectively doing that job from 1980 onwards.
In 1983, stadium owners Northern Sports took over the running of the speedway from the Cradley promotion. The Cheetahs were elevated into speedway’s top-flight in 1984, and signed big names such as Hans Nielsen, Simon Wigg and Marvyn Cox to lead their challenge in the British League.
The Cheetahs remained in the British League for nine years and won a sparkling array of silverware which included:
British League Champions 1985, 1986, 1989
(Oxford went through the 1986 league campaign with a unique 100% record)
KO Cup winners 1985, 1986 (shared in 1986)
League Cup winners 1986 (shared)
Gold Cup winners 1989
Premiership Winners 1987
British Open Pairs Champions 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
Hans Nielsen - World Champion 1986, 1987, 1989
Simon Wigg - World Longtrack Champion 1985, 1989, 1990
In addition to his promoting duties, Crapper was also team manager of the side which won back-to-back British League titles in 1985 & 1986. Crapper resigned as team manager in early 1987 in protest over refereeing standards. Although John Tremblin took the over the role, Crapper remained a key figure down the pits – often working out the tactics with skipper Nielsen.
After the Nielsen’s departure, Northern Sports withdrew from running the speedway. Bernard & John then served as co-promoters for three further years under the speedway ownership of Tony Mole (1993-1994) & Chris Shears (1995). A further piece of silverware followed in 1994, in the shape of the Division Two Fours Championship, which Bernard attended with his leg in plaster and a walking stick, after junior team manager Colin Clarke accidentally ran his car into Bernard in the Oxford pits!
Bernard spent many countless hours up the stadium, working on the speedway track or making improvements to the safety fence or pits area.
John Payne says: “I’m gutted. I’ve lost my biggest mate.
“We went through some great and memorable times at Oxford Speedway. We also had a few lows, but all-in-all, we had a fantastic time.
“I feel privileged that when Bernard took over the running of the speedway, I was the guy that he insisted ran it alongside him.”
Bernard’s other major involvement in speedway was with the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund, which helps out injured riders, including those riders whose career ended in them being confined to a wheelchair.
He first became involved with the Ben Fund around 1985. Following the tragic death of former referee John Eglese in a car crash in 1994, Bernard became the secretary and treasurer of the fund. Money was tight and Bernard came up with the suggestion to hold collections at the major meetings as well as local track collections. It helped transform the fortunes of the fund.
By the time he handed over the reins to Paul Ackroyd in 2008, the Ben Fund was in a much healthier state.
As a young man, Bernard had served in the RAF for a number of years as an aerial photographer. Photography was also his profession later in life.
Bernard leaves a widow, Janet, to whom he was happily married for many years.
