Oxford Speedway
Oxford Stadium, Sandy Lane, Cowley, in the city of Oxford. ran between 1939-2005 and 2007
2022 Oxford Re-opens
As the Cheetahs are no longer Defunct.  I will draw a line here.  I will leave the page on line but will stop adding items to it.  Hopefully Oxford will go on for many years to come.
Courtesy of Niall Strudwick
Niall Strudwick says: Oxford race jacket is David Clarke’s 1993 jacket.
Oxford Badges  Oxford v Newcastle
Oxford Stadium was home to Speedway and Greyhounds.  The Cheetahs were usually attractive visitors when they ventured as far north as my local track, Brough Park Newcastle.  I remember Arne Pander in particular.
Marching-out Music
Geoff Cross says: I am desperate to recall the march on tune for Oxford Cheetahs to use at a funeral. Please please can you help with its title?
John says:  Unfortunately I couldn't find anyone who knew the piece of music, amongst the part of the speedway fraternity that I know through the website, so I have failed Geoff, as the funeral will pass without the music he wanted to use.  But as a matter of interest do you know whatever piece(s) of music the Cheetahs marched out to?
Dee Pearman says: The march out music was called "Imperial Echoes", by Arnold Safroni.
Action From Cowley In 1939
1939 action from Cowley, Dick Reynolds leads Bob Jones, strangely I notice both riders are mounted on Rudge's when almost all serious riders had made the switch to JAP engined machines.
Oxford v Wimbledon
Oxford v Newcastle
National League Division 2
19th July 1951
Oxford riders Bill Kemp (Max 12 pts) Frank Boyle (11 pts) and Eric Irons (9 pts)  showed the Diamonds how to do it. The Tyneside based team were best served by captain Derek Close (8 pts) and Jack Chignell (7 pts) the other Diamonds did not sparkle
Fred Curtis & Bob McFarlane  1954
I believe this Fred Curtis went under the name Kid Curtis in earlier years, most notably at Newcastle and West Ham
Eric Boothroyd 1958
A rare sight in speedway past.  A rear sprocket without any drillings.  Done to balance the wheel and lighten the bike.  Eric Became a top performer with Middlesbrough and then BL Halifax.
Arne Pander
Arne Pander "Oxford's Great Dane" joined the Cheetahs in 1959 (Writes Geoff Bloomfield) and was the mainstay of the Oxford team for many years. He won the hearts of the Cowley fans straight away with his impressive performances, at last they had a real International star of their own.   In July 1961 he suffered a fractured skull in an accident at Coventry and did not return to the team until the 1963 season. In the following years his old fire returned and he proved to be a formidable opponent. 1967 saw the start of a series of accidents which eventually brought about his departure from Oxford. 1967 - broken leg and ankle, which ruled him out for the season. 1968 - broken collar bone from which he made a swift recovery only to fracture a shin bone a couple of months later. A superb rider in his time, had he not suffered the setback in 1961 he could have been a World beater.
Arne Pander
Oxford Stadium Cowley
Picture Courtesy of Mike Kemp
Can you identify, the riders, the track and the year John
John White says: The track in this picture is Oxford fairly early on as a bar/clubroom complex was built on this site. Also there is no evidence of the huge Blackbird Leys estate in the background which at this time was the sewage farm, POOH!! This in turn was demolished in about 1985 to make way for the current excellent facility which sadly sees no speedway. We live in hope!!
Difficult to identify the riders when they take part in a World Championship round so we don't know their home teams. Could the rider on the inside be Ronnie Genz?
Oxford Team 1962
Oxford v Coventry
National League
11th July 1963
Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop
Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop
Oxford v Swindon Early 1960s
Courtesy of Nick Short
Can anyone help with names for this please   John
John White says: I think the Oxford riders are Ronnie Genz far right with Colin "Joe" Gooddy outside him. Not sure of the Swindon riders but good to see four Japs in a race.
Chris Roper says: Reference the picture Oxford v Swindon 60's.  I believe the Swindon riders are Bob Kilby (White) and Mike Keen (Yellow and Black)
Nigel Bird says: Oxford V Swindon 1960s: Rider on the left Y/B, with those handlebars! most probably Ian Williams.. Rider on the right possibly Ron How. Nigel Bird says: John, changed my mind, Oxford V Swindon 1960s, rider on the right is more likely Ronnie Genz than Ron How
Chris Sweetman says: The rider in Y/B is Neil Street
Oxford Car Sticker
Courtesy of Tom Roe
Oxford Badges
1951	1962	1968
		No Image
1969	1970	1971
1972	1973	1974
1975	1975	1976
1977	1978	1979
1980	1981	1982
1983	1983	1984
		No 1986 badge
1985	1985
		No 1989 badge
1987	1988
1990	1990	1991
1991
1992	1993	1994
1995	1996	1996
1997	1998
2000	2001	2001
1950 2002 remake	2003
	2003	2004
2004	Year Unknown	Year Unknown
Year Unknown	2004
2005		2005
The above images of Oxford badges are courtesy of Wattie Dunlop.  If you can say what year the "Year Unknown" badges are from please email here John
Test Match 1960s
21st Anniversary 1949-1970 Handbook
Hi,  I stumbled across your defunct site and realised I had something sat in a cupboard for many years that would be useful someday.  I hope it is of some interest to you and others who find this site. Best wishes Geoffrey Bloomfield , Oxford.
Yes Geoffrey the following scans are of interest, thanks for sending them. The scans take us up to 1970
John Levitt says:~ I think the published caption on the above page maybe wrong with the identity of the Exeter rider, From riders records Cyril Roger was riding for New Cross Rangers in 1949 and he only rode for Exeter in the 1947 season and part of the 1948 season, Harry Saunders was riding for Tamworth Hounds in 1949 joining Oxford for the 1950 season. Oxford met Exeter twice at home in 1950 with Kemp and Saunders only riding as a pair in the match on 20th July 1950. As a pair they faced Moore/Walsh, Geddes/Hoskin and Pilgrim/Bedkober from Exeter so if the year and the identity of the Oxford riders are correct then the Exeter rider must be one of those 6.
Ronnie Genz
Courtesy of Geoff Bloomfield
Ronnie With His Bike In The Boot
John says:  This is one of my favourite photos.  It shows the simplest form of transporting a speedway bike around the tracks in the 1960s
Ronnie showing how some riders travelled between tracks in the 1960's.  His choice was a Mark 1 Ford Cortina.  The modern day police would have likely pulled him over for this.
Ronnie Genz joined Oxford in 1954 from Yarmouth, this proved to be one of the best ever signings made by Oxford and he proved to be a very loyal servant to the club. “Genno” gave great service to the Cheetahs for many seasons, consistently a top scorer and definitely the man to beat around Oxford. In 1965 he moved to Poole, returned in 1968, but suffered severe concussion following an accident at Cradley in August and was out for the rest of the season. In 1969 despite brave efforts to make a comeback he was a shadow of his former self, but the following year he was back to his ever reliable self.  In 1972 he was forced out by the Rider Control Committee to Newport.  Off track "Genno" was a very approachable chap who always had time for the fans.
Gordon McGregor
Courtesy Geoff Bloomfield
Gordon McGregor (1921 - 2001), a stalwart of the Oxford team for six years who provided a great deal of pleasure and was highly thought of by the fans.
He had a remarkable career; starting serious speedway racing in 1947 at Glasgow White City and still racing at Doncaster in 1970 aged 49. He also rode with Motherwell, Leicester, before coming to Oxford. In 1963 he signed for the Belle Vue ‘Aces’ and helped the club to their first league title since the war with a superb average of 8.83, demonstrating his value to the team by clocking up a remarkable 41 bonus points in 28 league and cup matches. International Honours: England international – 19 caps, 83 points, Great Britain international - 1 cap, 2 points.
Team Honours: National League Championship winner 1963. Off track "Mac" was a very amiable man with a great sense of humour, who provided a great deal of support and encouragement for young novice riders.
George Major
Courtesy of Graham Gleave
Oxford v West Ham
Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop
Courtesy of Wattie Dunlop
Memories
Keith and Pat Lewis say: How proud we were to go to Oxford speedway at age 10 (1954) We travelled from Wantage with Chandlers coaches.  The bus was always full up as were the stands. We thrilled to see the likes of Ronnie Genz and dear old Howdy Byford who was known as "The Champ" Also we loved to watch Peter Craven when Belle Vue visited.
After a long time we started to attend again. This time the cheetahs were in a lower league and sported riders like Graham Drury, and Wayne Jackson. We used to like the old wooden stand and had our own position there. It was fun and we were there when Oxford were promoted to the British League and Hans Nielsen and dear Simon Wigg gave us such great memories. It saddens my heart to think of Oxford closing AT at least we were honoured to be there during those great days . "One, two, three, four, let us see the Cheetahs score"
Peter Jarman
Peter Jarman topping up with Methanol in 1969
Speedway fans live in the hope that their track will always be there to stage their sport.  Oxford have had to close and reopen like most other tracks, difficult when the stadium is demolished to make way for new buildings but thankfully the mid 1970s saw Oxford back in business
1976 Re-opening
Opening night 1976 when the stadium was reprieved from closure and the Cheetahs returned at Cowley
New Promoter Harry Bastable
Volunteers In The Stadium
Prior To The 1976 Season
Oxford v Newcastle
May 1976
Courtesy of Keith Lawson
Courtesy of Keith Lawson
Courtesy of Keith Lawson
Courtesy of Keith Lawson
Photo by Keith Lawson
Ht 2 Roy Sizmore & Mick Handley
Photo by Keith Lawson
Ht 3 Brian Havelock & Phil Bass
Photo by Keith Lawson
Ht 4 Joe Owen and Brian Leonard
Photo by Keith Lawson
Jim Wells May 1976
Photo by Keith Lawson
Roy Sizmore May76
Oxford 1993
John White's Photos
The Oxford Pits
These pit side photos are courtesy of John White
Oxford 2005
These 3 photos are courtesy of John White
The End Is Nigh!
2006 Saw Oxford Shut It's Doors
But Then!
Oxford 2007 GB v Denmark Under-21
I thought Oxford had gone forever then I received a programme scan from Graham Gleave covering a test match in 2007
Oxford 2008
The track is closed but Bob Cole paid it a visit and took the following photographs
Bob Cole points out the grass growing on the speedway track.  What a sad sight
Oxford 2011
A Fans Disgust!
Steve Roberts says: Dear John, I Have just read your very interesting site. I supported Oxford from 1972 - 2003 before moving to York. I visited Oxford recently and couldn't believe the state of the stadium and wrote a strongly worded E-Mail to the GRA stating my disgust regarding the general state of what was once a stadium that was held in high esteem within the speedway fraternity. I also mentioned that if hadn't been for the speedway fans back in 1976 who stepped forward to save the stadium from development then there wouldn't have been a stadium there now! Also their general attitude towards the sport in general which I find unacceptable and bewildering to say the least! Glad that my father is no longer alive to see the state of Sandy Lane (he went to the very post war first meeting in 1949)
Oxford Greyhound Stadium To Close Down!
Geoffrey Bloomfield has sent me an email on 24th November 2012, including a link to the Oxford Mail website.  I reproduce the newspaper article in part below: -
OXFORD Greyhound Stadium is to shut, it has been confirmed tonight.  The stadium in Blackbird Leys has had a question mark over its future for months, with building housing on the site being put forward as a potential plan. The Oxford Mail has just learnt the last greyhound meeting will be held on December 29 2012.  Oxord East MP Andrew Smith has tonight labeled the decision "an absolute tragedy".  It has been a top entertainment venue for greyhound racing and speedway since 1939.
So the venue is now lost forever.  My sympathies go to the many fans whom are now hoping for a millionaire to come in with enough cash to rekindle the sport elsewhere in Oxford.  The rest of us will remember our teams matches against the Cowley Cheetahs.
Oxford City council has saved Oxford Stadium yet again from housing developers. At its council meeting on the 16th December, 2011, the council not only denied planning permission, but called for the owners to bring back speedway.
The council believes that Oxford’s long, proud and successful history should not be left to die as of 2008. There are not many councils that enthuse about speedway tracks especially in a built up areas, but Oxfords council’s own consultations proved to the councillors that their is strong support for our relatively inexpensive family friendly sport where all ages mix on the terraces enjoying fast, skilful competitive racing.
Despite the stadiums facilities being allowed to run down by the present owners the council believes it should remain a multi sport and leisure complex with speedway back on its track. This is the lifeline opportunity Oxford Cheetahs supporters need. The owners could still appeal and with Oxford’s desperate need for affordable housing who knows what will eventual happen if speedway is not re-established quickly. The stadium needs a new owner who will no longer ask for a seasons rent which they know a promoter cannot afford to risk. The track needs to be used as soon as possible if we are to hear the Cheetahs roar again.
John Fray
Wheatley, Oxford
Photographs 2014
Keith Lawson ex Oxford Photographer says: Please find attached my photos taken Sunday 18 May 2014 at Cowley Stadium, the Oxford track. I was Track Photographer in the mid-seventies and have placed my entire collection into public domain so they can be seen. You will find the full collection (I am still uploading) on the Speedway Friends page of Facebook) and many on Wikipedia on the entries for Speedway Riders.   I like want you are doing so I hope you will find opportunities to use the photos. As well as the recent issue with the stadium, I was there in 75 and 76 on the Save Our Stadium committee and there are photos of that time.
John says: Keith's 2014 photos of Cowley follow below:
John says: Such a good looking stadium, I feel for the people of the Oxford area, you have lost an excellent entertainment facility.  I would ask the city council why?
Oxford Comeback?
OXFORD Stadium could re-open as early as next spring – raising hopes for a return of speedway to Cowley for the first time since 2007. Greyhound operator Kevin Boothby has secured a ten-year lease with stadium owners Galliard Homes, whose plans to redevelop the site for housing have been repeatedly thwarted. The Oxford Local Plan has designated the stadium should remain a leisure facility for the next 16 years, following on from a rejected planning application and a failed legal challenge to the site’s conservation status – as well as incessant work from the Save Oxford Stadium campaign. Boothby said: “It’s exciting times ahead. We need to deliver a fantastic business for the local community and create a lot of jobs. “The venue is a fantastic facility. The idea is to get greyhound racing running by next March or April. The restaurant needs a lot of work, but we can get it up and running. “If we can get speedway on, if we can get it viable, of course we'll look at it - we've got a speedway track there. My mum and dad used to take me to Boston Speedway on a Sunday when I was younger, so I followed speedway for many years.”
John says:  I have copied the above from our www.speedwaygb.co.uk website.   A glimmer of hope for Oxford fans
If you can scan any pictures, programmes or badges send me an email John
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.