Coventry Bees Speedway - Brandon Stadium

Mr D-Di, I think you are right about the new grandstand. I too used to stand in the corner of the old grandstand up by the riders's box. We were close to the riders as they walked out onto the track so I suppose you and me could have been there together in 1967 cheering for the Bees. In those days the home management provided a 'track spare' bike for any unfortunate rider who suffered bike problems just before the start of a race. This bike was called 'Speedybee' and was a rather old looking JAP powered machine. It was always propped up by the riders' box just in the entrance to the track. I never saw any of the Coventry riders use it, they probably knew better. I was a regular at the speedway from 1964 until the end of 1967 and then suddenly stopped going. I also visited lots of away tracks. It was many years before I saw speedway again although I still went to the stock car racing fairly regularly. Now I watch my speedway on the TV although I did venture to a match at Berwick a few years back and one near Edinburgh, can't recall the name of the place.

Great memories. We used to sit in the back section of the riders' box and nobody seemed to mind. It was all made of wood and painted green, I recall. I guess you used to get the goggles from the riders at the end of the night too. A pair of Nigel Boocock's were always prized. I even had a Barry Briggs pair at one time. I do remember the track spare, Speedybee, too. As you say it was a JAP although most riders had ESO machines by then. It got the odd outing if another rider could not be persuaded to lend a machine. Most riders had one bike then, which was usually transported by mounting it in the back of a car. I wonder if the Scottish track you went to was Coatbridge. The Edinburgh Monarchs team moved there when their Meadowbank track was redeveloped for the 1970 Commonwealth Games. Coatbridge rode at Cliftonville, the venue of Albion Rovers FC, for a couple of seasons.

The track I visited in Scotland was Armadale near Livingston, it was about 2004. I also went to Meadowbank in Edinburgh back in 1967. There seems to be a lifetime between those two visits. I never collected goggles at Brandon - I was 14 when I first went and over 17 when I stopped. I do remember the riders' box very well. I have a recollection of standing behind Billy Bales who rode for Norwich and I distinctly remember that his crash helmet was covered in scratches and gouges from many years of use - no fancy helmets in those days. Billy Bales was only 5' tall so I could look down on him fairly easily. Nigel Boocock used to have a gold coloured Humber Sceptre and his bike was mounted on the back bumper. The very first meeting I attended was Coventry v Norwich in the last year of the National League in 1964. We missed the first race because the bus driver from Leamington took the wrong route, so I missed Nigel Boocock v Ove Fundin.

Hi Mr D-Di Imperial Echoes it was! I'm listening to it right now, on a brass band programme here in Canberra, bringing back memories!

We started supporting the Bees in 1949. Cycled there every Saturday, this was the second year after the war. We cut thru Ansty Aerodrome and Binley Woods and parked the bikes at the farmhouse at the back of the stadium. Out of the pits they marched to the tune of Entry Of The Gladiators [that clears up some questions]. I clearly remember the records that we used to hear such as Winifred Atwell's Black and White Rag, Red Roses For A Blue Lady, Bewitched, Twelve Street Rag, etc. Used to go into the big hangar behind the main stand for the fish and chips in the interval then walk round to the pits and talk to the riders [Bob Fletcher, Derrick Tailby, Les Hewitt, etc.] I remember Jack Parker riding in the Brandonapolis and in his 1st ride bringing the track record down by 4 seconds. Jack Young in his early days. Billy Hole from Bristol, etc. I crept through a hole in the fence to watch them change the track over from cinders to shale [I was really keen on speedway then!!!] Pity we couldn't bottle memories and the smell of early speedway.

I first went to Brandon in 1948, and followed them everywhere, even to the Shay, Halifax, which is just up the road from my home now. I came up to the Shay in my camper van and stayed on the car park there overnight, we came up to see Tommy Knudsen, in those days he was at his best. Yes I remember the DJ well, he gave the record Rock and Roll Waltz a hammering, great days, I miss the speedway since coming up to West Yorkshire 26 years ago, my nearest speedway being Sheffield. Back in 1948 I used to travel by train from Coundon Road station, and when we got off at Brandon and Wolston we walked through the country to the stadium. Great memories.

Sad news is the following statement concerning possibly the best rider of all time: MAUGER FAMILY STATEMENT FORMER world speedway and long track champion Ivan Mauger OBE MBE is being treated for cognitive aphasia, a communication disorder. The Mauger family are issuing this statement detailing the situation and will be making no further comment. Ivan, who won six speedway titles between 1968 and 1979, and long track crowns in 1971, 1972 and 1976, announced his retirement from public life two years ago. He is receiving daily treatment at a Gold Coast nursing home, but still manages to enjoy time with wife Raye, their three children, Julie, Kym and Debbie, and longstanding friends and associates from within motorcycling and the wider community. Meanwhile, collectors are warned to be wary of items of Ivan's equipment and memorabilia being offered for sale. "It has come to our notice that some unauthorised and unscrupulous people have been making false representations so please take every care to ensure any such offers are genuine and being made by authentic sellers," said Raye.

Programme front cover from last night's meeting at Coventry Stadium - a nice tribute to the late Nigel Boocock A book of condolence was available for fans to sign, and there was a period of applause prior to the meeting Sadly, Bees were beaten 41-48 by fierce rivals Poole Pirates.

COVENTRY Speedway are saddened to hear of the death of former rider Frank Andersen at the age of 51. Frank rode for the Bees in 1985, being part of a team which finished third in the British League and won the League Cup with success over Oxford at the end of the season. He passed away on Wednesday due to cancer, and we send our condolences to his family. Born: 24.02.1964, Kolding, Denmark British Clubs: Exeter (1984, 1989) Coventry (1985) Peterborough (1990) Belle Vue (1991) Year..Clubs..Meetings..Rides..Points..Bonus..Average..Maxima 1984..Exeter..42..143..152..26..4.98 1985..Coventry..46..141..123..22..4.11 1989..Exeter..31..155..265..37..7.79..1F..3P 1990..Peterborough..29..163..289..30..7.83..1F..2P 1991..Belle Vue..8..29..20..4..3.31 Honours: World Under 21 Finalist (1984)

Former Coventry rider Rory Schlein has undergone spinal surgery in Poland after a crash on Sunday afternoon. Schlein was due to captain King's Lynn in tonight's Elite League fixture at Brandon but was involved in an accident in Heat 1 of the Lodz v Daugavpils fixture and was taken to hospital immediately. Initial reports indicate that the surgery has proved successful.

Update from Rory's mum: Rory has a screw between L1&2 and L4&5. Now able to roll over, feeling in legs, very groggy, success and feeling blessed. Thank you surgeon

Further update on Rory Schlein: The man himself returned to Twitter this afternoon to give the thumbs up from his bed in Poland and paid tribute to the support he received from his Polish club. He tweeted: "Two operations later & so far, so good. Everything back in line & stable. Can't thank enough all the fantastic people from Lodz. "Thanks for all the messages everyone. I will have an update for you tomorrow on what steps we take next on the long road to recovery." Rory still lives in Coventry, despite moving from the Bees

Here's a photo of Rory Schlein following his operation in Poland

Thanks for the update on Rory, MR.