Hunt to track down Sheffield cyclists who rode the speedway track in the 1970s and 80s

2020 marks the 50th anniversary since the Sheffield Stars Cycle Speedway was built and organisers want to track the veteran riders who rode half a century ago to take part in a celebratory event.
By Lucy Ball
Published 12th Mar 2020, 06:00 BST

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Who do you recognise from this picture at Sheffield Stars, Cycle Speedway Track? Organisers want to find riders from the 1970s and 80s to come back and take part in the 50th anniversary of the track later this monthWho do you recognise from this picture at Sheffield Stars, Cycle Speedway Track? Organisers want to find riders from the 1970s and 80s to come back and take part in the 50th anniversary of the track later this month
Who do you recognise from this picture at Sheffield Stars, Cycle Speedway Track? Organisers want to find riders from the 1970s and 80s to come back and take part in the 50th anniversary of the track later this month

Unusually the track was built by the riders themselves back in 1970 rather than construction workers contracted in by the council and their work helped to create one of the ‘finest racetracks in the country’ on Halliwell Crescent and Wordsworth Avenue.

Veteran cyclist David Robinson who cycled in Sheffield from 1974-1988 wants to get as many of the old riders back together for the annual Frank Knight Memorial meeting on Saturday, March 21.

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The 59-year-old from Shiregreen said: “I haven’t seen some of the old boys for years and years and it would be nice to get people back together again especially as it is the 50th anniversary.

Who do you recognise from this picture at Sheffield Stars, Cycle Speedway Track? Organisers want to find riders from the 1970s and 80s to come back and take part in the 50th anniversary of the track later this monthWho do you recognise from this picture at Sheffield Stars, Cycle Speedway Track? Organisers want to find riders from the 1970s and 80s to come back and take part in the 50th anniversary of the track later this month
Who do you recognise from this picture at Sheffield Stars, Cycle Speedway Track? Organisers want to find riders from the 1970s and 80s to come back and take part in the 50th anniversary of the track later this month

“The track in its heyday was brilliant, it was one of the finest racetracks in the country and it was built by people who were planning to race there so they really put their heart and soul into building it.”READ MORE: Pictures to take you back to Sheffield in 1980

Some of the people Dave wants to find include Steve Pashley, the Hastings Brothers, ( Derek and Ralph ), Ray Carlton, Dave Goddard, Malcolm James, Paul Chapman, Ray and Pete Foster 2020, is the 50th anniversary.

He said: "If you are one of these people, or know the whereabouts of any former rider, please get in touch we want to celebrate the track and the riders who made the speedway what it was.”

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As you can see, from the article, this was built, by the team, that was going to race on it, rather than built by the council.

Who do you recognise from this picture at Sheffield Stars, Cycle Speedway Track? Organisers want to find riders from the 1970s and 80s to come back and take part in the 50th anniversary of the track later this monthWho do you recognise from this picture at Sheffield Stars, Cycle Speedway Track? Organisers want to find riders from the 1970s and 80s to come back and take part in the 50th anniversary of the track later this month
Who do you recognise from this picture at Sheffield Stars, Cycle Speedway Track? Organisers want to find riders from the 1970s and 80s to come back and take part in the 50th anniversary of the track later this month

The Sheffield Stars had raced in Hillsborough Park, on a temporary track that had the inside and outside edging assembled and taken down for each match. Then there was a track further up Wordsworth Avenue, not far from the current Asda Store.

The track has more recently, been rebuilt by the council and re-named, Cookson Park.

And riders who regularly race on Cookson Park are also invited to the memorial event which will start at 11am, and last year Dave even got back in the saddle.

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He said: “It was great to race again, it was very fast and very tiring even if we only did three laps not four but it was such great fun to be there again.”It’s a great way to remember frank who died four years ago and was a regular face on the circuit and I’d lvoe to see more faces from the good old days there this year.”If you know a veteran rider listed or one who should be there contact Dave Robinson on 07757467718.

For more information about Sheffield Stars, which provides cycling opportunities for children and adults at Cookson Park and Graves track, click here

Related topics:Sheffield