The Firs Halloween Goodbye

Speedway came to an end in Norwich sixty years ago and despite many attempts has never returned to the town. It ran to good crowds post war having no difficulty riding out the slump that befell the sport in the mid 50s but like many others fell to the hands of developers.

The first attempt as a “goodbye” meeting fell foul of the rain and the Supporters Trophy was finally run on October 31. The meeting opened with an “Old Stars Race” featuring Jack Freeman, Wilf Jay, Len Read and Phil Clarke. The meeting was a handicap event with riders being given handicap points – Barry Briggs being the scratch rider and getting 0 points, with Olle Nygren, Nigel Boocock and Ken McKinlay all on (1). Stars riders Billy Bales and Trevor Hedge (2), David Crane (5), Tich Read, Sandor Levai and Reg Trott (6) while juniors including Tony Childs were on (10). These handicaps proved decisive with Tich Read scoring 10 which together with his handicap 6 gave him a title winning 16, one point ahead of Nigel Boocock whose 14+1 earned him second place with Mike Broadbank 13+1, Ken McKinlay 13+1 and Sandor Levai 8+6 tied for third.

Ove Fundin didn’t come back from Sweden for this meeting with the emotional Swede saying “I do not like sad occasions. Goodbyes and departures and things like this upset me. This is may be why I miss the last meeting at Firs Stadium. I have so many happy, happy times there, I find it very unpleasant to think this is the last time, the last race, the last dance in the clubroom. Better to try to forget. To imagine it is still there. And nothing has changed. This is how I like to think of Norwich, not as just another piece of land with houses stuck on it. This is why I shall never again visit the site I have too many memories”