Post War

During the second world war speedway was more or less suspended (Hitler was not a fan apparently!), although Belle Vue, Manchester and London track Wimbledon did continue to stage speedway racing. The rest of the speedway venues were silent for the duration of WW2. Newcastle learned the news that pre-war favourite Canadian George Pepper a night flyer pilot was shot down and killed in action so when the action returned to Brough Park sadly the biggest name from 1938 and 39 was missing and the crowd needed a new hero.

The first season after the war 1945 slipped by under an open license, no league racing for the fans. At present I know little about this year but I will research it and add details later (Hey! help me with it someone!) John

1946 saw the Newcastle side in the Northern League under the nickname "Brough". It was at this time that the fans began a chant "B-R-O-U-G-H Brough". This became known as the "Brough Roar" and whenever the teams from then to fairly recent times needed a boost the long time announcer Barry Wallace (from the 60's to the present) would lead the chant " Give me a B etc". The team reverted to the Diamonds nickname in 1947. Then they became the Magpies for the 1949 season. Back to Diamonds for 1950 and 51 up to the closure at the end of the 1951.

1947 team Left to right: Ken Le Breton , Danny Calder, Doug McLachlan, Johnny Hunt, Peter Lloyd, Pat Smith, John S Hoskins (Promoter), Alec (Farmer) Grant, (Grandfather of Rob Grant Junior), Wilf Jay, Len Gallagher, Bonny Waddell, Norman Evans (Captain).

The Men in Black, 1947 team shot. The guy in the WW2 de-mob suit (Ken Le-Breton), is so dapper apart from the plaster pot on his right leg! There is a healthy looking crowd in the background. I am told that approximately 21,000 once turned up at a match at Brough during this era.

1947: Great shot of the back straight stand packed with fans. Brough Park was a great stadium in those days. Around the track, the inner kerb was immaculate, whitewashed for every match. Bonny's bike has a conventionally shaped fuel tank, probably a JAP frame?

Bonnies career followed a similar pattern to his brother Jack for the first season in 1946. Bonnie was from Toowoomba, born in 1922, a motor mechanic by trade During the early part of 1947 he rode in Sydney with Keith Cox but had limited success. He was spotted by pioneer Brisbane rider Charlie Spinks who was contracted to the English second division team Newcastle Diamonds. Charlie signed Bonnie up for the legendary promoter Johnnie S Hoskins who was the boss man at the Newcastle track. Late in the 1946 season Bonnie had been a Telegraph Blue, a prestigious award by the popular Brisbane newspaper for services to motorcycling. Not only was Bonnie a very good motorcyclist and mechanic, he was also very dedicated to personal fitness and was active in many sports.

Bonnie left Sydney in March 1947 aboard the Asturios, a former troop carrier, it was not first class travel, but in the company of Bat Byrnes, Ken le Breton, Buck Ryan, Junior Bainbridge, Arthur Payne, Bill Harris, Mal Hodgson, Jack Baxter and Reg Challenger a great time was had. by all. On arrival at Tilbury, Bonnie straightaway made the long journey up to the north east of England to join his team the Diamonds.Within 24 hours of arrival he was on the track for the match against Wigan Warriors, this was the 28^th of April. In his first ride he finished last , then a third and finally an engine failure put paid to his debut. As he was on the track spare it was a creditable start. Mounted on his own machine he scored 4 at the tiny Bristol track the following week and then 2 at Birmingham. the next evening

He went on to ride 26 meetings for the Diamonds in that first season, racing on 8 different tracks the length and breadth of England. His final score was 65 points and 12 bonus points. The best meeting Bonnie had was a 7 paid 8 at home to Norwich stars who included fellow Queenslander Bert Spencer in their team. Bonnies team mates for the season included the veteran Australian Doug McLachlan and the White Ghost Ken le Breton.

After the long voyage home Bonnie commenced the 1947/48 Brisbane season. He represented Queensland in the match against an overseas select on November 22 scoring 3 in a Queensland’s lowly 13 against a rampant Overseas teams 33. He was called up for the Test against England at the Ekka on December 6 scoring 3 points in the Australian 57-47 defeat of the Lions.

Returning to England in April 1948 he was dismayed that his Newcastle promoter Johnny Hoskins had transferred him to Exeter in exchange for fellow Queenslander Keith Gurtner. Worse was to come as Exeter could not give him a team place, he was then loaned to West Country rivals the Plymouth Devils.

Bonnie Waddell, Jack Waddell. Keith Cox and Charlie Spinks at Parramatta in Queensland 1947

Text and above two pictures are Copyright c Tony Webb Brisbane 20/11/2007 who has kindly allowed me to include them here

I remember the track lights throughout the 60's and 70's looking like that and here they are in the 1940's! They must have lasted at least 40 years before an upgrade in the 1980's.

The 2 items shown above are from 1947. They show the pre and post war teams and the attendances for 1938, 39 45 and 46. Newcastle drew an amazing figure for 1945. well over a quarter of a million paying customers. Middlesbrough did likewise in 1946

1947 team Derek Close and Norman Evans Fred Rogers are first, second and third from the left. Can you name the others? John Eric Watson has been in touch about the above photo: -

Eric's Answer : Derek Close & Norman Evans are the 1st & 2nd riders from the left, but the 3rd rider is Eddie 'Crusty' Pye, the 4th rider could be Alec Grant (but I'm not sure about it), whilst the 5th rider is Peter Lloyd, the 6th rider is Fred Rogers, & the 7th rider is Danny Caulder. Also this team picture must have been taken in 1948 (NOT 1947) because Derek Close, Crusty Pye & Fred Rogers didn't ride for Newcastle until 1948 !.

Another of Georgies pictures: The rider in the middle wearing the black clothing is Danny Caulder and the guy doing all the work is New Zealander,Jack Hunt

An unusual shot of a bike turned upside down to work on. I suppose these guys know best but wouldn't the fuel and oil spill out?

1948 team: A photo from Gavin Parr's collection. The old guy, wearing the suit in the centre is Johnnie S Hoskins, the promoter. The rider wearing the white leathers is the white ghost Ken le Breton and the rider on the bike is skipper Norman Evans.

How much better the race jackets looked in them days against the plain leathers. Also note the "straight through exhaust pipe, no silencer. The engine note of the mighty Jap was great to hear without silencing and the smell of the burning fuel known as to me as "white whisky"? added to the atmosphere of speedway before the modernisation of the sport came along to sanitise it.

Another of Gavin's pictures: This is Alec (Farmer) Grant the first of the 3 generations of Grants to ride speedway.

I believe Alec lost an eye but continued riding. Come on Rob Grant Junior, tell us the stories about your grandad! Note the tiny front mudguard on this JAP! The shape of the fuel tank makes me think that this would have been an Excelsior frame. Look at the degree of drilling on the rear sprocket to lighten it! Incredible. The stand in the background no longer exists at Brough. It was on the back straight and very spacious it was too.

2 more of George Ince's pictures: He thinks this is the Australian Keith Gurtner above left. The rider signing an autograph is Frank Hodgson.

I asked for more information about Crust and Eric Watson has been in touch and supplied the following: -

PYE, EDDIE (CRUSTY). Born London 1915. He and Ken Tidbury started on the grass together before the War and in 1939 Eddie secured a contract with Harringay. The War interrupted his progress and then after the War he joined Middlesbrough. At the start of 1948 he moved to Newcastle, but in July of that year he was transferred to Coventry, for whom he scored 126 points in 22 matches. In 1949 he only got 55 points due to injuries – which may have been instrumental in ending his career and forcing him to retire. As there is no trace of him riding for any other Teams after the 1949 season.

The crowd appears to be all around the stadium. Yet the sport was missing at Brough Park for 9 years from 1952 to 1961. Makes you wonder why? Doug in this shot has a bit o' the the "little waster", Bobby Thompson about him. Hope I don't offend anyone by saying that? but really the likeness is amazing.

2 more of George Ince's pictures: He can't remember who the guy on the right is! but on the left is Aussie Ron Johnson with a mechanic

Can anyone say who the man in the raincoat and hat is? and what was so interesting on the ground in the pits under Ron's feet!! maybe he had dropped a "tanner"?

George says Oliver was great to watch very spectacular in the old leg trailing style. Anyone hazard a guess as to who the older man is above right?

Left to right, back row: Jack Hodgson, Ken Thompson, Joe Arthur, Herby King. Front row: Derek Close, Ern Brecknell, Frank Hodgson (Captain), Son Mitchell.

From the men in black to the men in Bri-Nylon! N stands for Newcastle (What Imagination!) and these were the Newcastle Magpies - 1949, The St. John Ambulance men were better turned out! Ken Le Breton would have found it tough wearing such naff gear!

The above picture was supplied by Middlesborough fan Colin Greenwell. Colin is one of a few Boro fans who occasionally come to Brough whilst they await the eventual return of the sport to Tees-side. Thanks Colin, your contributions to this site are very welcome. Let's hope the Bears make a comeback real soon.