I worked at The Shay in the late 60s...track raking...did the top bend near the terracing... When Boocock Boothroyd Younghusband Kingston..Roper...etc.... Great days....legends of speedway...
We used to go in the 60's i seem to remember Elsie Tanner from Coronation street performed the opening, they used to get a far bigger crowd than the Football that's for sure, great days i was just a kid soon learned not to stand on the bends. the crashes well, those fences were solid metal ouch|
Dave Gatenby rode speedway for Sunderland Stars in what was in the early 70's British League division 2 after which I think he signed for Halifax in division 1 before coming to Teesside back in the second division. I think he was from Darlington I do know he had a motorcycle business there. I have no idea what happened to him after the end of his racing career but if you live in the North East you should visit Redcar Bears speedway on a Thursday night there will be lots of people there who remember him, as he is your Granddad I suppose family have told you all of that but it was a name from the past that brought back some memories for me.
Dave passed away recently if you go to facebook and type in ''speedway on teesside appreciation society'' and Sunderland speedway these are two groups with photos of him and any Halifax group. Gary is correct he started at Sunderland then moved to Halifax 1975 until 1978 when he joined Teesside for his last season in the sport. Speedway researcher website and there are links on the official Speedway GB site to numerous sites and of course wikipedia ....
I remember watching Dave Gatenby ride for Halifax at the Boulevard stadium Hull, and at the Shay. I vaguely remember a photo of him in either s book or a magazine where he is pulling a wheelie out of a bend and tips it right over...
Back in the days when there was some dirt on the tracks and a rider could hold a racing line all through a corner. When a track is well prepared, the racing is always better. There was none of this hitting a bend too fast and then drifting from the pole line almost up to the fence because the track is too slick - and nowadays all of the tracks are too slick!
The Dukes were named for the Duke of Wellington’s (West Yorkshire) Regiment which was garrisoned in Halifax back in the day. The regimental emblem was an Indian elephant
fantastic times down at The Shay on Sat'dy nights.....
Went a few times in the early 70's when Sheffield rode there and the steep bankings made for some spectacular racing.
I worked at The Shay in the late 60s...track raking...did the top bend near the terracing...
When Boocock Boothroyd Younghusband Kingston..Roper...etc....
Great days....legends of speedway...
We used to go in the 60's i seem to remember Elsie Tanner from Coronation street performed the opening, they used to get a far bigger crowd than the Football that's for sure, great days i was just a kid soon learned not to stand on the bends. the crashes well, those fences were solid metal ouch|
Hi have u ever heard of David Gatenby Halifax speed way ( England ) he is my granddad! I would like info
Dave Gatenby rode speedway for Sunderland Stars in what was in the early 70's British League division 2 after which I think he signed for Halifax in division 1 before coming to Teesside back in the second division.
I think he was from Darlington I do know he had a motorcycle business there.
I have no idea what happened to him after the end of his racing career but if you live in the North East you should visit Redcar Bears speedway on a Thursday night there will be lots of people there who remember him, as he is your Granddad I suppose family have told you all of that but it was a name from the past that brought back some memories for me.
Dave passed away recently if you go to facebook and type in ''speedway on teesside appreciation society'' and Sunderland speedway these are two groups with photos of him and any Halifax group. Gary is correct he started at Sunderland then moved to Halifax 1975 until 1978 when he joined Teesside for his last season in the sport. Speedway researcher website and there are links on the official Speedway GB site to numerous sites and of course wikipedia ....
My uncle Tommy Roper rode for Halifax Belle Vue and Oxford
I remember watching Dave Gatenby ride for Halifax at the Boulevard stadium Hull, and at the Shay. I vaguely remember a photo of him in either s book or a magazine where he is pulling a wheelie out of a bend and tips it right over...
Great stuff if only we could turn the clock
back I liked Greg Kentwell 😊
My brother Paul Spence rode at the Shay and over at Sheffield. He couldnt quite get in the team ... lack of finance unfortunately
Back in the days when there was some dirt on the tracks and a rider could hold a racing line all through a corner. When a track is well prepared, the racing is always better. There was none of this hitting a bend too fast and then drifting from the pole line almost up to the fence because the track is too slick - and nowadays all of the tracks are too slick!
Met gordon 1T whitaker there. Nice lad
Why did they have an elephant as their emblem?
The Dukes were named for the Duke of Wellington’s (West Yorkshire) Regiment which was garrisoned in Halifax back in the day. The regimental emblem was an Indian elephant
Dave Paul Mick and big Frank 1976