Cycle Speedway

In the early 60s a group of lads formed a cycle speedway team in Courthouse Green. They turned up one day at the fields we used to play on, the land on Bell Green Road between Nuffield Road and Sewall Highway, and started digging until they had formed an oval dirt track, banked up on the perimeter. I watched a meet there against Coventry Eagles. I've found a mention of Courthouse Cobras and also Courthouse Cobbers on a cycle speedway site and I'm assuming that gang of lads were the Cobras/Cobbers. Amazing to think now that it used to be possible to go out and find enough bits to put together a useable bike. Character building.

Is anyone going tomorrow? I'm cycling so hope to be there if the weather is not terrible.

I hope to be there providing weather is OK. I'll be on my mobility scooter and camera in hand no doubt.

In the 1950's, for a while at least, there was a track on waste land near the Devon. Cornered by Sewall Highway, Torcross Avenue and Dartmouth Road. Where was the wasteland between Sewall Highway and Nuffield Road?

Pendennis Close, a large block of flats, an apartment block and several houses now occupy the land. When we were kids we played there, built dugout camps, got branches for our bonfires. When we attended Courthouse Green school we often went onto the field for wild flowers, insects etc for our nature study lessons. Good for a bit of off road biking as well.

Won't be attending cycle race meet. Not up to it today

Sorry to hear it

Hope it's nothing serious Pix, but keep well.

Walrus, we did exactly the same on our fields behind Sewall Highway. Between the Devon and Dennis Road. Wonderful glorious happy days.

My wife and I took our two grandsons aged nearly 6 and nearly 9 to Hearsall Common on Sunday. We all enjoyed watching some interesting team riding from both teams with Coventry emerging victorious. Frightening to think that it was nearly 50 years ago that I last rode on that track (or at least the much less sophisticated one that was there in the 60's).

Walrus, we did exactly the same on our fields behind Sewall Highway. Between the Devon and Dennis Road. Wonderful glorious happy days.

A pal of mine told me about the cycle speedway team at the Devon. Apparently they rode under the exotic name of the Devonshire Devils.

Little Nuts Big Nut Am I wrong in rembering a cycle speedway track on Spencer Common or am I to young to recall such as it was my playgrond as a Morningside kid !