Home Contact Us Stadia Pix Articles All About You Riders to Remember
DVDs Books Pictures Archive Dream Teams Programme Generator
24/03/2024
2024 is Off and Running
The Story of Noddy Holder
Your Feedback
 
28/01/2024
1975/76 NZ v England
Your Feedback
 
17/12/2023
DVD: Great Races of the 80s
What's Wrong With Ambition?
Your Feedback
 
29/10/2023
Book Review: Walthamstow
When the Rangers Roared
High Beech Revival of 1954
Your Feedback
 
16/10/2023
Western Springs Winged Wheels
Grand Pricks?
Your Feedback
 
01/10/2023
Blind Speedway Rider
Track Pix: Oxford
Farcical Guest
Your Feedback
 
17/09/2023
The Ole Olsen Tapes
Dream Team: Richard Cleaver
Plus Points
Your Feedback
 
23/07/2023
1974/75 BL V New Zealand
Heat Details Required
Your Feedback
 
04/06/2023
Northside Arena
 
14/05/2023
Review: Tigers at White City
Your Feedback
 
19/03/2023
How to halt the decline
 
12/03/2023
NZ v Poland - 1st Test
NZ v Poland - 2nd Test
NZ v Poland - 3rd Test
NZ v Poland - 4th Test
 
05/03/2023
Track Pictures: North Brisbane
It's All About You: Lionel King
Your Feedback
 
15/01/2023
Dream Team : Geoff Langley
Your Feedback
 
04/01/2023
Gerald Dunn's JAP
Your Feedback
 
27/12/2022
1975 World Final. Heat 20.
Your Feedback
 
11/12/2022
Peter Collins Autobiography
Your Feedback
 
23/11/2022
DVD Review: 70s - A to Z
Your Feedback


DVD Review: Memories of Halifax Speedway

Halifax Dukes are the latest club under the spotlight in this popular DVD series from Retro Speedway.

There were short-lived attempts to run speedway in Halifax in 1928-1931 and 1949-1951, but this DVD concentrates on their years in the British League from 1965 until 1985.

Eric Boothroyd was a constant presence during those years, transferring from Middlesbrough and riding as captain until 1968, before hopping over the fence and becoming the club promoter. He's interviewed at his home and is able to expertly guide us through much of what happened during those glorious 21 years at the Shay. His wife Bonnie (who recalls attending the first meeting of the 1949 season), was by his side throughout those years and she's also a contributor on the DVD.

Eric Boocock was the Dukes' top rider for many of their years at The Shay. Like Boothroyd, he joined the club from Middlesbrough and the contrast between the circuits was a shock initially - "it looked enormous". He talks us through his years with the club, including his hatred of Newport, receiving the first testimonial in speedway and the injury that brought a premature end to his career. He also reflects honestly on his short-lived 1983 comeback - "I was crap!".

Both Erics speak at length and are the principal contributors to the DVD. Particularly interesting are their observations on Les Sharpe, a brilliant rider whose impact was seemingly limited by his constant struggle with nerves.

The Retro Speedway budget extended to a visit to Denmark to catch up with Mike and Klaus Lohmann. Fans from the late seventies will fondly recall their efforts in the Dukes' colours - with Mike in particular developing into a reliable heat leader. They explain their sudden departure from the club - laying the blame firmly at the door of the D.M.U.

As they were leaving the club, a cocky youngster by the name of Kenny Carter was beginning to establish himself as one of the world's best riders. It's impossible to tell the story of Halifax without acknowledging his contribution, though off-track events cast an almighty shadow whenever he is discussed.

Eric Boothroyd tells us that Carter held the track shop concession as part of his deal with the club, enabling him to sell his own merchandise as well as profit from club souvenir sales. Eric Boocock believes that Carter would have been World Champion in 1982 had it not been for his infamous exclusion for clashing with Bruce Penhall. The tragic events that led to Kenny's suicide are also touched upon, a sadly necessary part of the Halifax story.

As Carter's careered stuttered due to injuries, another young Englishman emerged as a Halifax hero. Neil Evitts had made his name in the Midlands and was reluctant to move to far-flung Halifax. He reflects now that it was the best thing that happened to him, enjoying a couple of tremendous years with the club and edging towards world class status. Evitts remains a passionate speedway fan and that comes across during his interview.

There's not a huge amount of footage of racing from The Shay on the DVD, the emphasis is on the story telling. We do see a good deal of 'World of Sport' footage of Eric Boocock on the international stage. Other film includes action from the Halifax vs Belle Vue meeting from 1985 that was held on the same day as the World Final just down the road at Bradford. A meeting held in front of a huge crowd and which will have been the last meeting that many attended at The Shay.

That 1985 season marked the end for the Halifax Dukes. New safety regulations required the gap between the safety fence and any outside obstructions to be increased, meaning significant infrastructure changes would be required before racing could continue at The Shay. In the circumstances the obvious choice was to move the club to the refurbished Odsal stadium in Bradford, retaining the Dukes nickname and the bulk of the riding strength to maintain a sense of continuity.

The DVD (split over two discs and running for four hours) is really excellent, offering great insights from those who starred for the club and those who held the promotional reins. It's far from misty-eyed nostalgia, there were both good and bad times at The Shay and this DVD reflects that.


How To Order

By Phone : 01708 734 502

By Post : Send a cheque for £16 (payable to Retro Speedway) (add £3.50 if outside UK) to:

Retro Speedway
9 Nursery Close
Glossop
SK13 8PQ

Online : At Retro-Speedway.com

 

This article was first published on 17th May 2015

[ Use Mobile Version ]
 

 

Comment on this Article | Contact Us | Go Back to Main Menu

   Please leave your comments on this article or on the site as a whole