October Obituaries

Malcolm Brown

Malcolm was the last of a rare breed of speedway showmen who would tell jokes or sing a song at the interval and no doubt brightened up meetings, a kind of vaudeville act which was of its time in the sixties. Born in Walthamstow, he first rode cycle speedway for Whipps Cross Comets before graduating to the motor version via Rye House training school practices. He signed for Hackney and established himself in the Hawks team in 1965 riding in nearly twenty meetings for them and averaging close to 5.00. He was an ever present in the following years though he remained as a valued second string before moving to Leicester in 1969.

He was part of the early Rhodesian touring parties at the start of the 1970s and his interval acts added to the night’s entertainment. He obviously loved life there and returned after his racing career ended in the UK in 1974 with Leicester.

He was a renowned fast starter and his gating capabilities won him many of his points but he will be best remembered for his eccentric personality that provided much joy to team mates and fans alike.

 

Tony Swales

Twins Tim and Tony Swales were the forerunners of Ant and Dec with confusion over which was which. Tony followed Tim into the sport , riding for Middlesbrough, gaining a team place towards the end of 1970 and riding for them until 1974 when he retired from riding. Thereafter he worked as track curator and Clerk of the Course at Workington where he is fondly remembered.

 Laurie Etheridge

He first rode for Exeter in 1967 but joined Hackney/Rayleigh the following year and quickly established himself with the Hawks, where he proved to be a reliable second string  for five and a half years and, although he never reached star status, he was a popular team member at Waterden Road, riding for them until 1975 when he joined Crayford and won the NLRC in their colours that year.

Regularly averaging over nine points per match from 1975 to 1978, he was one of the leading figures in the league until his scoring started to fall away as he passed the age of 30. He spent eight years with Crayford, making almost 300 league and cup appearances to confirm his legendary status with the club.