John Pilblad -  a name possibly not too familiar to many readers  but a guy who was a real pioneer and enthusiast. He promoted at Aldershot in the late 50s at a time when the sport was on its uppers, with his Shots team taking part in the Southern Area League, a Sunday afternoon league run by enthusiasts. His application to be part of the newly formed Provincail Laegue in 1960 was turned down by the SCB who didnt believe he would get good enough crowds to be viable. However he went ahead and staged a number of open meetings that year but didnt take things further for 1961. 

Undaunted he looked at Weymouth, where his application to join the PL in 1961 was again refused by the SCB, though he was permitted to run open licence meetings in 1962 and 1963. 

With the PL/NL split in 1964 he entered both Weymouth and Ipswich in the Metropolitan League run under the auspices of the PLPA. While the league rather faltered, it did provide a handful of meeting at centres which otherwise  would have been closed. He made a final attempt at Foxhall in 1965, including staging a World Championship Qualifying Round but gave up after a handful of meetings saying he wasnt allowed to bring the riders who would attract his crowds.   

He went on to have a successful career as a TV camerman .