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Post by admin on Jul 12, 2007 17:24:46 GMT
I see that Magnus Zetterstrom strolled to another maximum against the Monarchs last evening. And although I haven't looked, I'd guess he'll be top of the Premier League averages. But how do you think the man they call "Zorro" compare with other top dogs of the second tier of British speedway.
For me, no one compares to the great Joe Owen who dominated the National League during his time - a time that was tragically cut short when he was paralysed towards the end of the 1985 season.
Owen reigned supreme in 1975 and 1976 for Newcastle and then went into the upper tier, before returning to Newcastle and dominating again in 1982 and 1983. He then had another year in the top flight before returning again to the second tier with Ellesmere Port in 1985.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2007 17:39:03 GMT
I see that Magnus Zetterstrom strolled to another maximum against the Monarchs last evening. And although I haven't looked, I'd guess he'll be top of the Premier League averages. But how do you think the man they call "Zorro" compare with other top dogs of the second tier of British speedway. For me, no one compares to the great Joe Owen who dominated the National League during his time - a time that was tragically cut short when he was paralysed towards the end of the 1985 season. Owen reigned supreme in 1975 and 1976 for Newcastle and then went into the upper tier, before returning to Newcastle and dominating again in 1982 and 1983. He then had another year in the top flight before returning again to the second tier with Ellesmere Port in 1985. Zorro has surprised me in the PL as he was not that great a rider in the EL . Maybe it just goes to show that the PL is not that strong . Joe Owen is certainly the best rider i have seen at that level , his brother wasn't too shabby either . Unsurprisingly i would put Steve Lawson near the top of the tree as he consistantly carried a struggling club single-handedly , while maintaining a 10 point average . But Jason Crump started out on a 2 point average, with Swindon i think it was, in 1993 - so does that not qualify him as the most successful 2nd tier rider so far ? ;D |
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Post by admin on Jul 12, 2007 17:43:11 GMT
Didn't young Crump start out with Peterborough in what was then called Division II?
Gary Havelock, Chris Louis, Mark Loram, Bjarne Pedersen and Nicki Pedersen also had their time in the second tier of the sport in this country.
Edit:
And Leigh Adams and Matej Zagar and Chris Harris.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2007 17:46:54 GMT
Could have been Peterborough - alcohol blurs the memory eventually . I just thought it was Swindon , mind you i've been known to be wrong before  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2007 17:47:47 GMT
Didn't young Crump start out with Peterborough in what was then called Division II? Gary Havelock, Chris Louis, Mark Loram, Bjarne Pedersen and Nicki Pedersen also had their time in the second tier of the sport in this country. Edit: And Leigh Adams and Matej Zagar and Chris Harris. And Martin McKinna  |
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Post by admin on Jul 12, 2007 18:07:24 GMT
Well, you were right paulco - Crump was with Swindon in 1993. But, unfortunately, he started his British career in 1992 (as a sixteen-year-old, I think, since, of course, he was born in Bristol) with Peterborough: 1992
After making his Division Two debut at reserve for Peterborough against Newcastle on May 1, 1992, (winning his first ever race) he went on to take over as a heat leader at the beginning of September after a string of double figure performances.
Helped the Panthers win both the Division Two championship and the Knock Out Cup in his first full season in the UK. Scored his first ever maximum (10, paid 12) against Long Eaton on August 21.Taken from: www.jasoncrump.com |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2007 18:11:51 GMT
It was the rivalry with Robert Nagy that stuck in my mind and i'm sure it was Swindon we beat in the KO Cup final of 1993 . Which was a prelude to the best KO Cup final of all time in 1994 . Guess who we beat in the final then . ;D
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Post by admin on Jul 12, 2007 18:25:02 GMT
I'll guess Edinburgh, but you're going to have to tell me.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2007 18:41:42 GMT
Good guess mate - spot on  |
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Post by admin on Jul 12, 2007 19:28:43 GMT
Just thinking Andy Galvin and Steve Schofield were titans of the second tier of British speedway as well. Schofield had such a delightful style. And we shouldn't forget Rod Hunter, who rode in the shadow of Owen in the early 1980s at Newcastle. Wasn't Hunter a one-time Heathen Tiger?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2007 19:40:21 GMT
Just thinking Andy Galvin and Steve Schofield were titans of the second tier of British speedway as well. Schofield had such a delightful style. And we shouldn't forget Rod Hunter, who rode in the shadow of Owen in the early 1980s at Newcastle. Wasn't Hunter a one-time Heathen Tiger? Yes he was , but was a far better rider for the Diamonds . The Diamonds have certainly had a few giants of the 2nd tier in their history . The aforementioned Owens and Pedersens , but also Bjerre , Bargh , Mark Thorpe , Henderson and Blackadder . |
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Post by admin on Jul 12, 2007 19:52:31 GMT
And Mark Courtney, although he was hardly a giant during his season with the Diamonds in 1987.
What about Steve Wilcock for Middlesbrough? And Martin Yeates at Weymouth and then Poole? Weymouth was such a great club for future stars, with Simon Wigg and Simon Cross riding for them before going on to bigger and better things.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2007 20:01:02 GMT
Mick Poole at Peterborough , Steve Regeling at Exeter were also fine exponents and when Nigel Crabtree and David Walsh arrived at Glasgow they turned into 10 point men .
Also back in the mists of time did a certain Peter Collins not begin life at the Rochdale Hornets ?
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Post by admin on Jul 12, 2007 20:08:38 GMT
Mick Poole at Peterborough , Steve Regeling at Exeter were also fine exponents and when Nigel Crabtree and David Walsh arrived at Glasgow they turned into 10 point men . Also back in the mists of time did a certain Peter Collins not begin life at the Rochdale Hornets ? And Phil Collins started with the Ellesmere Port Gunners, while Neil Collins started with the, well, yes, let's forget about that one. Nigel Crabtree started with Newcastle, but really developed when he was shunted out to Stoke. Paul Thorp started with the Bandits, but his career went stellar with the Potters. And then there's the one and only, immortal Bruce Cribb, not forgetting Wayne Brown and Steve McDermott. In the more modern era, Carl Stonehewer has, of course, competed in the GPs while riding in the second tier of British speedway. |
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Post by schumi on Jul 12, 2007 20:21:45 GMT
Just thinking Andy Galvin and Steve Schofield were titans of the second tier of British speedway as well. Schofield had such a delightful style. Those two were the best in the league - constantly topping the score sheets, trading with each other week after week. In my opinion the best British pairing I've ever seen. And nice guys to boot - always had time for the fans. |
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