1956 Speedway National League Division Two

Summary

With the number of sides competing at national level diminishing from 37 at the start of 1951 to just 14 in 1956, only a single national division would be in existence by 1957. Poole Pirates had been promoted to Division One and Exeter Falcons had closed leaving seven entrants.

Swindon Robins captured the title by a single point.

Southampton's 34-year-old captain Ernie Rawlins died in Southampton Hospital on 22 September 1956, following an accident in the match against Birmingham on 18 September.

Final table

Fixtures & results

A Fixtures

B Fixtures

Top Five Riders (League only)

National Trophy Stage One

• For Stage Two - see Stage Two The 1956 National Trophy was the 19th edition of the Knockout Cup. The Trophy consisted of two stages; stage one was for the second-tier clubs, stage two was for the top-tier clubs. Southampton won stage one and qualified for second and final stage.

Division Two First round

Division Two semifinals

Division Two final

First leg Dick Bradley 15 Brian Hanham 13 Ernie Rawlins 12 Johnny Hole 7 Frank Bettis 6 Alby Golden 5 Maurie Mattingley 4 Ron Sharp 2 Ken McKinlay 14 Ron Phillips 11 Charlie Barsby 5 Len Williams 5 Bryan Elliott 3 Barrie East 3 Gordon McGregor 2 Ivor Brown 0 Second leg Len Williams 12 Ken McKinlay 9 Ron Phillips 8 Gordon McGregor 7 Charlie Barsby 6 Barrie East 4 Ivor Brown 4 Dennis Parker 4 Ernie Rawlins 14 Dick Bradley 13 Brian Hanham 9 Maurie Mattingley 7 Alby Golden 5 Johnny Hole 2 Frank Bettis 2 Ron Sharp 2

Riders & final averages

Coventry

• 11.74
• 7.50
• 8.04
• 6.53
• 6.40
• 5.98
• 5.05
• 4.41

Ipswich

• 9.21
• 8.93
• 8.70
• (George Snailum) 6.40
• 5.31
• 4.56
• 3.54
• 3.05
• 2.76
• 2.33

Leicester

• 10.25
• 8.21
• 5.92
• 5.89
• 5.61
• 4.73
• 3.61
• 2.42
• 2.09
• 1.33
• 1.33

Oxford

• 8.53
• 6.20
• 5.90
• 5.60
• 5.55
• 5.07
• 4.70
• 4.29
• 4.00
• 4.00
• 3.69
• 2.46

Rayleigh

• 9.50
• 8.25
• 7.78
• 7.17
• 6.99
• 6.40
• 5.38
• 5.33

Southampton

• 10.22
• 8.48
• 8.41
• 8.36
• 5.75
• 5.43
• 5.25
• 5.17
• 4.59
• 3.20

Swindon

• 9.53
• 9.52
• 9.15
• 5.69
• 4.76
• 4.13
• 3.83
• 3.58
• 3.08

References

References

1. "Home".
2. "Historic league tables". Speedway Archive.
3. "BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - POST-WAR ERA (1946-1964)".
4. "Year by Year".
5. Rogers, Martin. (1978). "The Illustrated History of Speedway". Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd.
6. (23 September 1956). "Speedway Star Dies". Sunday Sun (Newcastle).
7. "1956 fixtures & results". Speedway Researcher.
8. "1956 fixtures & results". Speedway Researcher.
9. "1956 National Trophy". Speedway archive.
10. "1956 Southampton results".
11. (23 June 1956). "Hunters' Draw was not enough:Exit".