Stamford Bridge Speedway

Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC, Stamford Bridge Stadium, Fulham Road, London, SW6 1HS operated between 1928 and 1932.  The team was known as The Pensioners and later the Brigands.

1928 Stamford Bridge Stadium

Stamford Bridge. This photograph appears to be from 1928 as the track was widened for 1929.

Gus Kuhn Bert Bolt  Wal Phillips & Art Pechar

John says: Bert Bolt is pulling a locker on his Douglas but what entertainment for the fans back in 1928. The first two riders are mounted on Douglas machines.  The picture is courtesy of Niall Strudwick who names the riders as Gus Kuhn leading from Bert Bolt, Wal Phillips and Art Pechar.

Stamford Bridge Programme

28th July 1928

Programme Image courtesy of Marcus Stokes

Courtesy of Jim Henry

1929 Southern Speedways League Champions

I only know Gus Kuhn was the captain of this team of Southern League riders, If you can name the rest send me an email John

Spencer Mayne says: In the above photo my Grandad is Ernest (Ernie) Mayne bottom right.  He is also in the Stamford Bridge 1929 photo (see picture below) he is on the far left.

Frank Arthur

Frank Arthur 1929: Before the world championships started we had the Star Championships and Australian Arthur was up there at the top of the Overseas Riders

Another posed shot of Frank Arthur. I cannot be sure of his bike but I think it could be a Rudge.  Most notable from this picture is the large diameter wheels.  I think they are 22 inches in diameter whereas off the top of my head modern bikes have 18 inch wheels

John Chaplin's Photos

John Chaplin says: They are from the left: Jack Chapman, Gus Kuhn, Wal Phillips, Frank Arthur, Arthur Warwick (this is the rider I can't be sure about but I think it is Bill Stanley), Dicky Smythe. This would be the 1932 team. The man in the hat I believe to be a gentleman by the name of Brooks who also managed the England team in Australia before the war.

John Skinner says: Can anyone name the rider second from the right? John

Col Greenwell says: The Stamford Bridge team photo you have, is in the Speedway League Tables book, Volume 2. A History by Maurice Jones. The rider second from the right is listed as Bill Stanley as John Chaplin has stated Frank Arthur's bike is a Rudge.......well that is what is in the book..!!

A Great Crowd At Stamford Bridge

Courtesy of John Chaplin

A great crowd at Stamford Bridge.  1929-1932. Almost everyone is wearing a hat of some kind.  Is that a policeman in the foreground and an army captain with a stick under his arm to the policeman's left.  The track action shows the third place rider way out wide almost hitting the fence.

Stamford Bridge 1930 Badge

Courtesy of David Turner

Who Was Arthur Warwick?

Courtesy of Jim Henry

A great photograph of the man and his machine.  I do not know anything about Arthur, so help me with the track and the year John

Colin Greenwell says: Here is another image of Arthur Warwick: - see below

Courtesy of Col Greenwell

Col Greenwell says: I did mention to you he rode for Stamford Bridge ,early 1930's. I don't know what this race jacket is though....maybe Stamford Bridge....I don't know.. I don't even remember where I got the scan from..!!!

John says: Can anyone identify the race jacket John  I have been sent a scan of the Stamford Bridge team see below: -

Picture courtesy of Speedway In London by Norman Jacobs

The above image shows the same race jacket and Arthur Warwick is in the Stamford Bridge team so mystery solved.

Who Was W.J. Blake?

Dominic Blake says: I'm trying to find any information I can on my grandfather W.J.Blake who aparently raced for Stamford Bridge Speedway in the late 20s. Please see attached photos. He rode a Peashooter Harley 350 and a Ariel 500cc. Can you advise where I can look to find out any more information? Many thanks Dominic

WJ Blake's Harley

John says:  Can anyone help Dominic by supplying pictures and/or info about his Grandfather WJ Blake?  If you have any info please email me John

Stamford Bridge Programme 1932

Courtesy of Graham Gleave

The Track From The Sky

Courtesy of John Chaplin

Wal Phillips

Courtesy of John Chaplin

A truly great photograph of Wal Phillips aboard a JAP going sideways at top speed

Wal Philips with his head in the clouds.  No just a fault in the photo!  Wal is mounted on a Rudge

Gus Kuhn

Courtesy of John Chaplin

John Chaplin says: So just what is going on here? It looks as though someone is being put under a bit of a handicap. Well, the place is Stamford Bridge. That's right, the same Stamford Bridge now lorded over by overpaid soccer divas. This quaint scenario is going back a few years, though, to about 1930, when speedway was a serious rival to football as the main attraction at The Bridge.

The little crowd of onlookers on what used to be called The Shed end can be forgiven, perhaps, for appearing to be rather bemused by the strange pageant unfolding before their very eyes. The rider in the foreground being shackled by the gent in splendid headgear and overcoat to that remarkable flivver is Gus 'Father' Kuhn, who was captain of Stamford Bridge at the time. Gus, born in the last but one century, in 1898, had not only skippered the side to the first Southern League championship in 1929 but had been a member of the England team in that historic first official Test against Australia in 1930.

Those of us who are of a more mature disposition will recall that in the Sixties there was handicapping. The Big Five, Peter Craven, Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs, Bjorn Knutsson and Ove Fundin - because they were so outstanding - were made to start 20 yards back 'to make racing more interesting'. It died a death after a couple of seasons but, as you can see, there's nothing new in speedway.

Seriously, though . . . I have honestly no idea what exactly was the object of tethering old Gus in such a bizarre manner. The only thing I can suggest is that they'd do anything for publicity in those days - unless someone even older than me who was around at the time can come up with a plausible explanation. Heavyweight Gus went to Wimbledon when The Bridge closed to speedway after the 1932 season. He once caused a sensation by crashing a few yards from the chequered flag and rolling over the line for the win, but the steward ruled he should have had his bike with him.

Vic Huxley Dicky Case & Ray Tauser

Courtesy of John Chaplin

Vic Huxley & Colin Watson 1931

Courtesy of John Chaplin

Vic Huxley and Colin Watson competing for the British Championship at Stamford Bridge in 1931.  This championship is regarded by many to be the world championship forerunner.

Billy Lamont Ray Tauser & Wal Phillips

Courtesy of John Chaplin

Jack Parker & Ray Tauser At Stamford Bridge

Courtesy of John Chaplin

Ray Tauser & Wal Phillips

Courtesy of John Chaplin

Ray Tauser and Wal Phillips aboard Rudge machinery.

My thanks to John Chaplin who has supplied so many images shown on this website

Dank Ewen At Stamford Bridge

A more recent shot of the stadium

Can anyone supply more pictures, programmes or stories ? John

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