Coventry Bees Speedway - Brandon Stadium

Anyone remember Henryk Zyto? He only rode for the Bees for one season - 1960 - but was such an exciting and popular rider that the Bees supporters around the pits at the 1962 World Championship Final at Wembley were going for him as if he was still a "Bee". I just received a set of photos from Poland that revived a lot of great memories - including this, with the great Peter Craven (look at the packed crowd - and this must have been only a League match!), and as winner of the 1960 Midland Riders Championship. Interesting how good the old "Bee" still looks, full-size and without being crowded out by adverts and sponsorships.

Thanks for posting these images, Johnnie PS I have just added Johnnie Reason to "Famous Coventrians" with a link to a newspaper article from 2004 which is an interesting read

As ardent 'Bees' supporters can you name your all time favourite Bees team - I'll start: 1 Nigel Boocock 2 Alf Busk 3 Mitch Shirra 4 Gary Guglielmi 5 Ron Mountford 6 Rick France 7 Bob Valentine Not maybe the strongest team but entertaining!!!!!!

Was mechanic in the pits and went everywhere with the team and I'm still in contact with a lot of the 70/80's team members. Lots of great memories

Lucky you ! ! !

Hi, before Les Owen became a speedway rider he did ride on a bike for the Alvis Aces does anyone remember the Alvis Aces.

I'd go with much of that, but I'd track John Harrhy at 5 and move Ron Mountford to 2, and probably switch Rick France to 4 and bring Les Muscles Owen in at 6 and Col Cottrell in at 7. Oh, OK, I'd probably change most of it

I reckon this Bees team would give most sides a run for their money: 1 Nigel Boocock 2 Ken McKinlay 3 Tommy Knudsen 4 Ron Mountford 5 Rick France 6 Chris Harris 7 Les Owen I was in the same ward as Les Owen in C&W Hospital after his horrific crash in 1973. Despite his awful injuries he still maintained a dry sense of humour. He was a true speedway star.

Les often came into my place of work some years after his crash, he always spoke and shook hands - with a hand so weak and icy cold - dreadful to see the effect the crash had on what had been such a strong young man (Earlier in this thread are press cuttings from the crash)

For those who don't know the thrills of speedway - and the bravery of the riders involved - here is an example from the match between Poole and Coventry in 2010, starring current Bees skipper Chris Harris at his imperious best Sit back and enjoy : "Man of Steel" Don't forget, you can watch Chris and his team-mates at your local track, Coventry Stadium, Brandon - here's the 2012 Fixtures Enjoy !

What an absolutely astonishing piece of racing - and following on from what could have been a fatal incident, too. Incredible stuff! I'm definitely going to have to take the kids to see the Bees now - I haven't been for years! Thanks for the link Midland Red.

Oh wow! If that didn't take me back well nothing will. Last time we had our thrills watching the Bees was during the Johnnie Reason era! You would have to be made of steel to survive that. Thanks Midland Red for the footage

Apologies if this name has been mentioned before but I'm supposed to be working so haven't had time to go through all of the posts. My mum was friends with a woman in the early 70s whose husband, Roger Hill, used to ride for the Bees. I can't remember whether he was one of the reserves or a full team member. I was 6 or 7 at the time and I remember going to Brandon regularly. We used to stand on the 3rd/4th bend and I recall there being a D-Di ice cream van at the top of the terracing on turn 3 (important when you're 6 or 7). I remember going to Roger's house and there being Bees bibs in his garage. I believe Roger went on to run/own a lawnmower shop by the arches in Nuneaton. Anyone confirm my memory or have a photo?

There is still a lawn mower shop by the arches, I think it's called Nuneaton Horticultural now.

Hi and welcome Steve Roger became a good 2nd string rider between 1965 and 1975