Nigel Boocock (1937-2015)

I've just heard that, following the death of Jason Crump's grandfather Neil Street, another former rider who is having problems with his health is Nigel Boocock After going to have some work done on his knee he was told to have his heart checked, which in turn revealed that he has blocked arteries One artery was blocked by 90% and Nigel knows he's a lucky boy blue. Sitting up in his hospital bed in good spirits he was a relieved man yesterday But he's been told to change his lifestyle to a much more healthier one No doubt all Bees fans past and present will wish him a speedy recovery

Hi MR My wife Karan and I had dinner last night with Nigel and Cynthia, along with Ove and Joanna Fundin and a host of old-time speedway riders in Sydney. No signs of health problems there - Nigel and Cynthia were in very good form. It was a lovely (and very late!) night full of great memories! I will send you a photo when I can retrieve the camera from wherever it ended up, and connect it up to the laptop! Aha............. Found it! L-R: Cynthia, Ove Fundin, Karan, Nigel Boocock, John Walker.

Hi John Thanks for the message, the good news and the photograph The information I posted came via Steve Magro, so assuming it was correct, then The Beau looks in fine health Here's another photo of Nigel and Ove together

Sorry to hear Nigel has been unwell. He was very good to myself and my younger brother John when dad and Nigel rode together at Coventry and for the Lions in Australia. He also looked after us when he was manager for the unofficial Lions tour of Australia in the early 80s. he used to fuss over us like a brooding hen! Thank you for those memories Nigel and best wishes. Adrian McKinlay.

Did anyone see Mastermind last night? Nigel Boocock was the answer to one of the questions. A contestant was answering questions on British Speedway 1945-70. He was asked which British rider achieved his best World Championship finish, 4th, in 1969. I'm pleased to report that I got it right, as did he. I was at Wembley that night.

Me too! 10/- for ticket, 3/- for programme! A couple of pints in The Torch beforehand! Doozledog at the interval! Happy days!

Indeed! I remember that day well. I was still at school then. I went to Highfield Road first to see City draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace. My father picked my mate and me up at the ground just before the end and dropped us at the station. We got the train to Watford then the stopper to Wembley and arrived just before the start. Ivan Mauger won the title but wasn't very popular. He let Belle Vue teammate Soren Sjosten beat him to get on the rostrum instead of Nigel. Back to Euston for a bag of chips and a pint in the station bar, even though I was only 16! Then the late train home to a deserted and eerie Coventry Station.

Older Bees fans may be interested in this article in The Rugby Advertiser It features Roy Adams, for many years faithful mechanic to the legend that is Nigel Boocock and also to many Great Britain teams I know Roy lost his wife, Eileen, a few years back, so it's good to see that he's still able to get out and about, including to play bowls Good on yer, Roy

...and here's the man at work in 1962, with Ron Mountford and Nigel in British Lions colours. He also features in a nice interview in a video about Nigel - "Booey - the Nigel Boocock Story" - available on www.retro-speedway.com.

Nigel Boocock also still having health problems - was a "no-show" at last night's Veteran Speedway Riders' Annual Dinner in Sydney. I'll try to contact him in the next few days to see how he is.

Sorry to hear this - thanks for the information Let's hope that the Coventry legend soon recovers

It's a small world isn't it? During the course of my job (taxi proprietor) this evening, I collected a customer to take to Bodmin. During the journey we discussed the weather and I remarked that it was raining throughout the country as the speedway at Coventry had been called off. At this point the chap told me that he had been named after a famous speedway rider of yesteryear. His surname was........Boocock! He was born in York in 1965 and his parents named him Nigel after the famous Boocock of Coventry Bees. He met his namesake on one occasion and was greeted with 'B****y Hell, I thought there was only one of me! You unlucky so and so!' I wonder what the odds were on my customer getting into a cab in Cornwall driven by a Coventry Bees fan who had seen his 'alter ego' ride in his prime? The chances are no other taxi driver in Cornwall has even heard of Nigel Boocock!

It's somewhat hard to believe but Nigel Boocock will be 77 later this year Here's a photo of a fresh-faced 22 year old in the Brandon pits in 1960 - in black leathers! Post copied from topic Coventry Speedway on 14th Jun 2016 10:44 pm

The only video I can find.. Ove Fundin vs Nigel Boocock on the Norwich track.

It is being reported this morning that Nigel Boocock has passed away in Australia. Very sad news, for me he was the greatest ever rider to wear the black and gold Battling Bee.