This is a full set of 12 speedway cards, free with issues of
the "Rover for Boys" comic. Similar sets of cards were presented by the Wizard and
Adventure comics.
Card 1 American Lloyd "Sprouts" Elder
American Sprouts was arguably the best
rider of his era. He was not faithful to the American Harley
machine, he used a British Douglas to great effect
Card 2 Australian Cyclone Billy Lamont
Billy "Round The Fence" Lamont was one of
the greatest riders of his era. He used British bikes AJS and
Douglas.
AJS got its name from the
initials Albert John (Jack)
Stevens, one of 3 Stevens brothers who started the company.
Card 3 British Wally Lloyd
Another Douglas rider. Douglas were
based in Bristol UK. Their machines dominated speedway around
1930.
Card 4 Australian Jack Chapman
Card 5 British Cyril "Squib" Burton
Aka "Broadside" Burton another Douglas
devotee
Card 6 British Jimmy Hayes
Taller than the average speedway rider
Jimmy at 6 foot would have had to throw his leg way back if he rode
a "low" Douglas
Card 7 British Jack Ormston
One of the greatest from the North East of
England. Another Douglas rider, he was one of the oldest
surviving riders. Jack was 98 before he died in 2007
Card 8 British C H Beckett
Dare Devil Beckett was a Blacksmith turned
Rugby Player and Speedway Rider. The card says he owned a
"fleet" of Douglas bikes one of which he is pictured sitting one.
Card 9 British Jack Barnett
Jack was there at the sports UK beginnings
at High Beech/Kings Oak. He first rode an Ariel but switched
to the Douglas to remain competitive
Card 10 British Nobby Key
Card 11 British Harry Whitfield
Harry born in the north east of England had
a great career as a rider riding most notably for Wembley and later
turned promoter at Newcastle in his native north east. He used
a Scott machine and a Douglas. The Scott is interesting as it
was a 500cc 2 stroke machine which would have made a completely
different exhaust sound to the other bikes, which were all 4 strokes.
Card 12 British Gus Kuhn
John says: A complete 12 card set of Rover Comic
cards, cigarettes not involved in this collection! I am 64 and
have never set eyes on the Rover comic. I preferred American
comics. Spiderman, Fantastic Four, Thor etc.
