Category: Obituaries

33/18 News has learned the sad news that Lew Grepp, the inaugural British Champion in 1951, passed away on Monday August 22nd at the age of 91. Lew had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for several years and had been in a residential care home in Davenport, Stockport for the last 2/3 years. Lew started his career in 1946 as […]

33/18 News has just learnt that Ray Knight, captain of the Teignmouth Tigers team from Devon in 1952, passed away in his sleep on Thursday 18th August at the age of 92 Condolences to Ray’s family and friends at this difficult time

Luke Woolnough has been in touch to say that his father John, a former Whipps Cross Comets, Estuary Eagles and Great Wakering Rebels rider, died on September 17th 2021 at the age of 87, still, as quoted by Luke, “with all his memories and wits about him but he just got unlucky with some health issues and treatment – I […]

33/18 News has learnt of the passing of Northumbria’s Keith Dyer on Monday. Here’s how the news was reported on Edinburgh’s Facebook page: “Edinburgh Falcons Cycle Speedway Club were saddened to hear of the passing of Northumbria Cycle Speedway Club’s, Keith Dyer, yesterday afternoon (Monday 11 April). Our heartfelt condolences to Keith’s Family and all at Northumbria Vikings Cycle Speedway […]

33/18 News has leant the sad news that former Hethersett Hawks rider Nick Bray has died. Mel Perkins MBE has sent in this tribute: “It is with great shock and sadness that cycle speedway has heard the tragic news that Nick Bray was killed in a motorcycle accident at the young age of 40. “Nick started racing at Hethersett in […]

33/18 News has learnt that former Thurrock rider Neil Lester passed away on Wednesday evening after a battle with cancer. Neil is pictured below in action in the British Under 21’s Individual Championship in 1992 Condolences go out to his family and friends at this time

Sent in by Les Gustafson A belated obituary notice, as Edmund passed away last Summer, just a few days short of his 90th birthday. He is shown above with his team, the Holy Cross Demons of Wallsend on Tyne. His name may not be known to many in the sport unless they have visited the Newcastle CS History site, but […]

33/18 News has learnt that former Hampden rider Ronnie Young passed away on Tuesday 4th January. Here’s how his death was reported by Doug Nicolson on Facebook’s I was (or still am) a Cycle Speedway rider: “Hugely saddened to post that Hampden’s Ronnie Young passed away today after a brave battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma. One of the founder members of […]

33/18 News has learnt that Stuart Howarth, long time chairman of the Bury club and father to Neil Howarth, has died. Neil posted this statement on Facebook’s “I was (or still am) a Cycle Speedway rider” page: “Some of the Cycle Speedway family are already aware that my dad, Stuart Howarth, long time Chairman of Bury Cycle Speedway, died last Thursday, […]

33/18 News has learnt of the sad news that Wednesfield club member Samuel Bentley passed away in The Manor Hospital, Walsall on Wednesday 18th August. Samuels daughter Jenna published the following statement on Facebook: “My mom myself and family would like to say a massive thank you for all the nice words, support, flowers and cards my mom is overwhelmed. […]

33/18 News has received the sad news that Ivan Wells, father of Kevin & Ian Wells, passed away on Monday 9th August Ivan was involved with the setting up and running of both Eaton CSC on Eaton Park, Norwich and the Harford track in Norwich. It was in the eighties that Harford held the inaugural Young England v Young Australia, […]

Alan Taylor has sent in this tribute to Derek Garnett: “Derek’s amazing cycle speedway career started in 1950 as one of the founder members of the Offerton Devils club. His ability soon started to show itself as he helped his fledgling team of young riders finish runners-up in the Manchester & Stockport League Division Two in 1952 and by 1954 were […]

33/18 News has just received the very sad news that one of Cycle Speedway’s greatest riders, Derek Garnett, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday 16th March after a long illness. Derek was runner-up in the 1962 World Final at Edinburgh, British Champion in 1963, 1965, 1968 and 1972 plus he was the inaugural British Over 40’s champion in […]