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Nelson Speedway
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Seedhill Stadium, Carr Road, Nelson,
Lancashire Speedway took place here in Nelson between 1967-1970
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The Packed Grandstand
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Courtesy of Philip Dalling
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Phillip Dalling says: Hello
John, Whilst sorting out some magazines I found an article with a
magnificent picture of the main grandstand and terraced paddock at
Nelson's Seedhill Stadium. Sorry about the stock cars - the
shot was published in the April 1968 edition of
Stock Car
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The Magazine for the Sport.
I was news editor of the publication at the time. |
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My only visit
to Seedhill was for a meeting for which you have scans of the
programme on your Nelson page - the Admirals v Long Eaton Rangers
British League Division Two match in May 1969, a 38-38 draw.
I seem to remember a fairly dodgy track (blame the stock cars) and
a great performance (probably his best for the Rangers) by Peter
Gay. Only two riders finished in each of the first two heats,
as the programme shows. |
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The picture
was taken at the first stock car meeting promoted at Seedhill by
Mike Parker, in the autumn of 1967. The stock cars initially
pulled in around 8,000 spectators per meeting to Seedhill -
Apparently the main stand at Seedhill illustrated in the
photograph held 2,000 people, so the number of people visible in
the shot is probably nearer 4,000. |
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Speedway crowds were fairly thin. |
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Nelson FC were members of the
Football League from 1921 to 1931 and in the 1922-23 season won
the old Third Division North, to gain promotion to Division Two
(now the Championship). |
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Best wishes Philip |
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Nelson v Glasgow "B" |
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2nd September 1967 |
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Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop |
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Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop |
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Fitzpatrick's
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Charles Payne
says: This is a long shot but I have to start somewhere!!
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When I was a
young lad I used to go to Nelson Speedway. My memories are very vague now
but I do remember the smell of the bikes, and ducking down hiding from the
gravel spit out whilst the bikes went around the corners. Happy innocent
days long before health and safety took the fun out of it for us!
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After the races
we used to go to a shop close to the track and get a drink of pop which if
my memory serves me well was named Bulls Blood! They also sold
sarsaparilla and dandelion and burdock. On looking back I wondered if it
was owned by a company called Mr Fitzpatrick's? They opened temperance
bars in Nelson and Burnley now long gone I am afraid. I am researching the
history of the business (Mr Fitzpatrick's) and wondered if you knew
anything about this shop or anything regarding the business. As I say I
know it is a long shot but having found your site on the speedway at
Nelson I was hoping this may be a good place to start.
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I would
appreciate any time you could give to reply to let me know either way.
Best regards Charles Payne.
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John Says: can you help Charles with any info on Fitzpatrick's
John |
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| Nelson Badges |
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If you have any
Nelson badges
please send me scans |
| 1970 Courtesy of
Wattie Dunlop |
Another 1970 Badge |
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| Nelson Admirals
1968 |
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| Gerry Birtwell Paul Sharples Fred Powell
Dave Beacon Murray Burt Gary Peterson and Dave Schofield on bike.
Dave Beacon has been in touch and has sent the following items: |
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| Dave Beacon
1968 |
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| Dave in a good mood! |
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Gary Peterson Front &
Dave Beacon |
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| Gary Peterson front and Dave Beacon
lining up for Nelson with Derek Tattersall the manager standing on the
centre green with his hands on his hips. |
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| My thanks to Dave Beacon for sending
the above scans |
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Nelson v
Belle Vue |
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| Nelson's Fundraising Football Team
1968 |
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| Courtesy of Jack Lee |
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| John says: At first sight of this picture
2 riders stand out. Dave Gifford with the facial hair and
Jack Winstanley standing at far right |
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back row left to right; Dave Becon, Dave Gifford, Paul Sharples,
Murray Burt, Garry Peterson, Jack Winstanley. Front row starting
from left to right; Dave Schofield, Jack Lee, Norman Trueman,
Gerry Birtwell, Sid Sheldrick. Nelson Admirals speedway team 1968,
when we tried to play football. |
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| Jack Lee |
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| Courtesy of Jack Lee |
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| Nelson Riders |
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| Courtesy of Jack Lee |
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Jack Lee says: Left to right Fred Powell, Jack Lee, Terry shearer
at Nelson note the safety fence! No cover on the girder. |
| John says: Yes the "Safety" fence looks
anything but safe. Where was the Clerk of the Course? The
speedway tracks in the 1960s were not governed very well.
Health and Safety in modern times would rule this track as unsafe |
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Jack
Winstanley's
Nelson Racejackets |
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| Jack Winstanley's race jacket |
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| Promoter Mike Parker adapted
Middlesboro jackets, you can just make out "Bears" on the white half!
I am not one to blacken a mans character but was
Mike a cheapskate? |
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| Another of
Jack Winstanley's race jackets |
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| Alan Knapkin
1969 |
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Nelson v
Long Eaton 1969 |
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Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop |
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| The Late
Kenny Smith's Nelson Race Jacket |
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Kenny (3rd bend Smitty) Smith's
prized Nelson no 1 race jacket. He entrusted the Jacket to me (John
) for a while and I photographed it hanging on my bathroom door. The ex Scunthorpe manager
Kenny rode
for Nelson and was proud to don the jacket again when he took part in
his
veteran events. Kenny sadly died on Sunday 12 July 2009, aged
55. He had been battling throat cancer for two-and-a-half years.
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Jack
Winstanley's Nelson Supporters Trophy
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Courtesy of George Winstanley |
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| A Controversial End To Nelson Speedway |
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Steve Harland says: Nelson moved from Carr Road to Odsal mid
1970 season after Teesside, captained by Tom Leadbitter,
walked out after five races in June 1970. It was this decision
which sparked the initial talks to move across the Pennines to
Odsal.
John says: What exactly
was the reason for the walk out by the Teesside team?
John |
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| So! Nelson Speedway. Can you email me
any images of rider pictures, badges or programmes?
email |
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| The contents of the site are © and should not be
reproduced elsewhere for financial gain. The contributors to this site
gave the pictures and information on that understanding. If anyone has
any issue or objections to any items on the site please
e-mail
and I will amend or remove the item. Where possible credit
has been given to the owner of each item. |
