The 1960

Newcastle closed at the end of the 1951 season, (I wonder why?) my mate Colin Greenwell from Middlesbrough thinks the "Entertainment Tax" Which came in around that time might have been the reason? Anyone know why Newcastle closed down despite big crowds?
Bigger puzzle is why it did not re-open until Promoter, Mike Parker came along in 1961. Maybe there was just no promoter around who was willing to risk starting us up again?
The 1960's were good for Tyneside Speedway fans, after a shaky start in '61 Parker strengthened the team and Newcastle became an attractive team first in the Provincial League and then in the British League.

An historic moment, as there has been no speedway at Brough Park since 1951. The Newcastle team shown above paraded before the crowds at the opening meeting of 1961 before a crowd of 10,000. Don Wilkinson lead out Slant Payling, Willie Templeton, Doug Templeton. Newcastle could not field an entire team of their own and "borrowed" Doug and Willie from Edinburgh.

This is Newcastle's first line up against Wolverhampton, about to do battle for the fist time in the 1960's era, Don Wilkinson, Slant Payling, Willie Templeton (G) Doug Templeton (G) Don Campbell Gordie Mitchell and Stan Holey. Did we win. I think so it was 48-30. 10,000 fans went home happy.

Guest riders are not a recent blight on speedway here we have Doug and Willie Templeton of Edinburgh helping out a woefully weak Newcastle side in the first meeting of the season 1961. Promoters have never sorted this out and double guests exist in the current speedway climate. The Templeton Bros made many appearances later in the 60's at Brough for their own teams and were always points scorers.

Hi John

Newcastle’s first meeting for 9 years was on Monday 22^nd May 1961. The Diamonds had just been accepted as members of the Provincial League, but didn’t have a complete team and had to use three guest riders from Edinburgh, Dick Campbell and the Templeton brothers. As you can see we had a good win over Wolverhampton. We then lost the next 15 matches till finally on Monday July 31^st we won a match against Stoke 53-25. Captain Don Wilkinson was our best rider in a very weak team until the arrival of Gil Goldfinch in late July.

Nice shot of Peter Craven on the front cover, I think the two Oxford riders could be Ronnie Genz and Colin Gooddy, but what do you think.

Larry

Hi John,
On the page 'Newcastle 1961 on' on the web site, there is a programme with a picture of Peter Craven and two Oxford riders. They are in fact; Gordon McGregor on the inside and Roy Bowers on the outside. It was taken by Peter Morrish in 1960 and he won an award at the time with it.
Reference: Brian Burford's book, "Peter Craven" - The Wizard of Balance.
Hope this helps.

Best regards

Jim

Stan was a Diamond all to briefly but he can say that he rode for the same club as Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen, Anders Michanek and Nicki Pedersen. Stan died in 1982 at the age of 48. His daughter Sue has been in touch, she had never seen these pictures of her dad so again the site has brought a bit of interest to someone. I hope that Sue will supply some info about her dad for the site, so come on girl.

L-R Brian Craven, Johnny Green and John Edwards Northern League 1961. Brian joined Newcastle from Stoke in 1962 and was the first hero of the modern era.

Won't someone pass legislation to bring back the handlebars, speedway looked so much more exciting with the cow horn bars.

1961 Don Wilkinson, George Major, Gordie Mitchell, Mike Parker, Gil Goldfinch, George Glen, Flanagan, Slant Payling Please have a close look at this picture and supply the missing names John
Update: The guy on the far right in jacket and tie is Maurice Morley. Keep up the good work John, Cheers Bob Bath (Toronto ,Canada)
Thanks Bob

1962 Hard man Vic Londsdale muscling his way through on the inside. Sheffield's Guy Allot and Newcastle's Gil Goldfinch are also in this shot.

Another shot of Vic and Gil from Newcastle V Middlesbrough 1962. Kevin Torpie Vic Lonsdale Gil Goldfinch and Mick Mckeown (I possibly have the Middlesborough riders christian names wrong

1962 Old Meadowbank Willie Templeton Gil Goldfinch, Brian Craven and Doug Templeton. Newcastle and Edinburgh battled many times in the 1960's our encounters were regarded as derby matches. This was the "Rider of the Night Final".

1962 Victory celebrations down at Middlesbrough's Cleveland Park Vic Lonsdale was the main reason for Newcastle's success and Vic is sitting at the front on the tractor. I suppose tractor rides are a thing of the past now due to Health and Safety regulations.

1962 team Brian Craven, George Glen, Gil Goldfinch, Vic Lonsdale, Don Wilkinson, Bill Andrew, Mike Sampson, the "suit" is Maurice Morley and the signature is that of Johnnie Hoskins

1962 My first speedway hero, I was 10 years old, Brian Craven.. What was the mask protecting?

Dave Train supplied this picture: Exeter's Jack Unstead (spotted neckerchief) and Don Wilkinson, these two were hard to tell apart. I hope to get pictures showing them to be "twins"

Above: 1961 : Maurice Morley (Manager), Slant Payling, George Major, Gordie Mitchell, Norman Redmond, Front: Johnny Green, Don Wilkinson (Capt), Peter Lloyd

This was the team that took to the Brough Park track after a gap of 9 years without speedway in the city. There were a number of riders tried by the promotion namely: - Antony Jones, Graham Beattie, Brian Loach, Bill Gillam, Norman Redmond, Stan Holey, Freddie Fewsdale, Stan Pennel, Norman Johnson. If you have pictures of any of them send them in please. John The track record holder was Frank Hodgson although track record was not recorded in any 1961 programme!

My friend Larry thinks the above picture is of Johnny Green. I think it's Crusty Pie, can anyone confirm?

Update: Kevin Lyth has been in touch saying "I think this is Cyril Maidment he came to ride for Ellesmere Port"
I can see a similarity between the person in the photo and Cyril but cannot remember Cyril Maidment wearing the Diamond race jacket or riding for Ellesmere.

Update: Joe Wake has been in touch saying, it certainly is Johnny Green - not Crusty Pye or Cyril Maidment (Can't understand the reference to Ellesmere Port with Maidment either).

By old wheel it means the 22 inch diameter wheels in use in the 40's and 50's when the rules changed to use of 19 inch wheels. Here's a couple of pictures of Frank

I would like to hear from anyone with mechanical knowledge as I have it in mind to add to the "Bikes Section" of the site some technical stuff such as the wheel size and fuels etc permitted over the years.

Answer: From Johnnie Hoskins after Johnnie saw Maurice's handwriting which had a pronounced "slant"

Above: The Diamonds 3^rd heat leader from 1961 Maurice "Slant" Payling and below second string "Wild Man" Vic Lonsdale (it was hard to tell who’s side Vic was on at times). Look at the size of the handlebars and compare them to a modern bike. Why were they so big?

I was there in '61 for the first time, I was 8 years old and I cannot remember much. However, I remember it being cheap to get in coz I often took pop bottles back to the shop for the refund and that paid my admission otherwise I had to climb over the fence! The Diamonds got beat a lot. The crowds were big' The heat times at the beginning of 1961 were around 80 seconds and by the end of the season were down to 78 seconds. The best time I have is 76 4/5 seconds by Cliff Cox (Plymouth) on 4^th August, Harry Edwards (Rayleigh) on 18^th September, and Les Owen (Coventry) 2^nd October (riding for the National League in a challenge match).

1961 after team strengthening: Don Wilkinson (Capt), George Major, Gordie Mitchell, Mike Parker (Promoter), Gil Goldfinch, George Glen, Pat Flanaghan, Maurice Morley (Manager), and kneeling Slant Payling, Anyone know who the mascot was and anyone know why George Glen was wearing a Halloween pumpkin around his neck!

Don Wilkinson Newcastle's captain1961. Don held the Newcastle track record for a while in the days when Brough measured 361 yards. I believe his fastest time was 72 &1/5th or 72.2. The times in those pre-decimal days were given out in fifths of a second.

1961 was not a good year for the Diamonds, although towards the end of our first season back we started winning more!.

Like I said earlier, 1961 was not a good year for the team but better was to come in the 1960's

Gil Goldfinch at Cleveland Park in 1962. Gil was the most stylish rider Newcastle had in the entire 1960's, he scored many points too.

This is the very stylish Gil' Goldfinch 1962 / 63? who appears to be in white helmet so probably not taken at Brough Park.

Update: Joe Wake has been in touch he says: - Gil Goldfinch picture is from 1961 or 1962. He rode for Long Eaton in1963

Dave Train says: A story for the site about Gil Goldfinch. He was down at no7 for Long Eaton away to Middlesbrough. Me and a mate were down there on our Lambrettas, we had a quick word with Gil before meeting. I told him there were a few bus loads of Diamonds fans there, just to see him do his stuff against the bears. He said "oh! really"! but I'm not so well these days, but I'll do my best! Well he went out, nodding to the fantasy support, scored 9 and Long Eaton got an away win!

These 2 pictures are of Gil at Brough, taken by my uncle George. My memories of Gil are a bit vague but I do remember him always looking immaculate and winning more than he lost! Looking at the size of the front mudguard I wonder now how he managed to look so immaculate! Answer he was usually out in front.

George arrived at Brough Park midway through the 1961 season. The team that started the campaign lost so many matches that wholesale changes were necessary and in came George with a number of others.

George in 1961 Newcastle's first South African, Byron Becker in 2005 was the second

1962 and mid table respectability for the Diamonds. Middlesbrough a bit lower. My first hero Brian Craven was 3rd top of the PL averages

23rd April 1962 first meeting of the season, still no track record in the program. However Don Wilkinson clocks 76-2/5 seconds in Heat 4. The next week Brian Craven clocks 75-1/5 seconds in Heat 5 then no improvement till 30th July. In my program notes I have an unscheduled track record attempt during the Interval, Brian Craven clocks 74-3/5 then Jimmy Squibb (for Plymouth the visiting team) clocks 75-3/5. Interestingly I have noted down the track length at 361 Yards (The old length was 359 yards). This is the first reference to track length in any program from the reopening in 1961 till now, I assume they had finally measured the track. The following week 6th August the track length is in the program at 361 Yards and the track record holder Brian Craven 74-3/5 seconds. Unfortunately they have entered the date, as 30th June 1962 (There was no meeting that day) instead of the correct date as 30th July 1962.

This is Brough's 4th bend in the 1960's Although the stands then were old wooden ones they were great places to watch from and offered protection from the wind and rain, my friends and I watched all of our 1960's speedway there and when the weather was good we all sat on the outer dog track wall, getting showered with shale, what fun! The rider in the picture is unknown to George and me too. It appears to be a novice having a try out as the stadium is empty. Do you recognise him?

This is New Zealander Ivan Crozier who recommended Ivan Mauger to Promoter Mike Parker. Parker decided to take Crozier's advice to Bring Mauger back to the UK. I am told Ivan (Crozier) became something of a recluse in his later years. He died a few years ago.

What a gaff by Wimbledon who had just loaned out the man who was to become the worlds greatest rider

Brian was my hero and when Ivan came along I stuck with Brian as my favourite until Brian retired, see below. He was track record holder at the end of 1963 even though Ivan outscored him. 72 3/5'ths

Is it just me or do you agree that black leathers looked better than modern multicoloured riding suits? Maybe its an age thing and I need to move with the times! Ivan Crozier recommended fellow New Zealander Ivan Mauger to Mike Parker and that is how Ivan Mauger came to be a Diamond.

Ivan wearing a strange race jacket can anyone shed any light on it? I think the picture was taken at Middlesbrough in 1963. Ivan may have been guesting for the 'Boro The man on the mike is England's greatest ever rider Peter Craven whom I know was guesting for Norwich hence the Star race jacket. Peter unfortunately lost his life in a track incident later in the year. If he ever rode at Brough Park I would like to see a picture. John

1963 Peter Kelly, Bob Duckworth and Peter Jarman in league racing action at Brough Park

Possibly the most spectacular rider of the 1960's Mike Broadbanks guesting for the Bears at Cleveland Park. Ivan Mauger for once is behind

Silver Sash match race opponents Brian Craven and Jimmy Squibb Brian manages a smile while Jimmy keeps an eye on a passing flying saucer!

1964. Brian Cravens record of 72-3/5 seconds from the previous year fell on the 11th May 1964 to Ivan Mauger. Ivan clocking 72-2/5 seconds. Then Peter Jarman got it down to 71-4/5 on 10th August 1964.

This shot shows the "straight through" pipe, no silencing, no dirt deflector, I can almost smell the fuel. Known to me then as "White Whiskey". Remember that anyone? E-mail me

Brian Craven with a sash, I can only remember the provincial league silver sash. Can anyone say what the sash was

Brian was a Liverpudlian and the older brother of Peter Craven. Double World Champion, Peter was one of England's best ever riders and Brian was one of Newcastle's best ever riders although Brian was a club man who never set the international scene alight like younger brother Peter. Brian joined the Diamonds in 1962. He averaged around 9.00 points in 62 and 63.

Peter Craven was killed in a track crash in 1963 at Edinburgh's Old Meadowbank, this affected Brian badly and he missed the whole of the 1964 season. He was back at Brough again for the 1965 season and he retired for good at the end of '65.

This is Brian being Interviewed by Ivan Mauger in 1964 and after a year out he was ready to give it another go. Brian had lots to say about the state of Ivan's race jacket

This is Bill Andrew getting ready for action. Wonder why he has a Molotov cocktail in his hand. The trees in the background were my vantage point to watch from when I was a kid.

Newcastle had a lot of New Zealanders in the 60’s I can remember eight at least. There appears to have been a tradition of colonial riders coming to Brough, perhaps English riders didn’t want to travel this far north for home meetings

Russ Dent, Gil Goldfinch, Geoff Pennikett, Don Wilkinson, Bill Andrew, Maurice Morley, Gordie Mitchell and George Glen

Mike was the backbone of Newcastle's side during the formative years in the 60's. A local man, Mike was ever popular, particularly amongst female fans!

I remember him beating everyone on Monday nights when the track was wet. Barry Briggs was a notable scalp claimed by Mike when Barry was the reigning world champ and Swindon Robins came to visit. Someone must have better quality pictures of Mike, than shown above. So come on get in touch please. E-mail

Many other riders wore the Diamonds race jacket in the 1960's and some of them were excellent riders too but Brian, Ivan and Ole will always be my main heroes from that era.


1965 - Peter Kelly	1964 - Ivan Mauger at Old Meadowbank	1962? - Vic Lonsdale

Another 1964 shot from Old Meadowbank in Edinburgh: Diamond Ivan Mauger leads Eric Boocock, Len Silver and Colin Pratt. I remember standing there in pouring rain in 1965 and "steaming" next to the heater on the train on the way back home!

Picture supplied by Pauline Percival, Thanks Pauline and maybe I can talk you into supplying some more of your photographs?

A great team man, Alan was the first rider in the Newcastle team to use a Czechoslovakian ESO engine which he housed in a Mattingley frame. He still lives locally in Consett, Co Durham. "Butters" is well known for his interest in classic machines, he has 6 classic British bikes and farm machinery including a "Vintage Plough",- What's that about then Alan? He takes part in vintage ploughing competitions, which I hope to get along to see one day.
Update: Bob Bath says: I think the second of the two pictures under Alan Butterfield is actually Pete Kelly not Alan-what do you think. Cheers Bob
So is it Alan or could it be Peter John

This picture proves that Ivan Mauger could be headed at Brough. This is Hackney Hawk, Colin Pratt out in front, or was a visiting Pole?.

Qualifier for the Pronvincial League Riders Championship at Brough in 1963. John Dews (Sheffield), George Hunter (Edinburgh), Brian Craven (Newcastle) and Mike Watkin (Newcastle)