1991 British League season

Summary

Wolverhampton Wolves won the league for the first time in their history. The club which was first founded in 1928 had only ever won the Provincial Midland League in 1962 and the Provincial League in 1963. They were led by their American star Sam Ermolenko, who became the first rider to push Hans Nielsen from the top of the averages after eight consecutive years at the top. The Wolves team relied on two more American riders, Ronnie Correy and Sam's younger brother Charles Ermolenko, in addition to Englishman Graham Jones to seal the title from Bradford. Bradford gained consolation by winning the Knockout Cup, led by English international pair Simon Wigg and Gary Havelock.

Wimbledon Dons started the season and managed to complete their Gold Cup fixtures but only ran until June before withdrawing from the league. The entire team was relocated to Arlington Stadium and raced as the Eastbourne Eagles for the remainder of the season.

Final table

Fixtures and results

British League Knockout Cup

The 1991 British League Knockout Cup was the 53rd edition of the Knockout Cup for tier one teams. Bradford Dukes were the winners.

First round

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

First leg Simon Wigg 14 Gary Havelock 10 Glenn Doyle 10 Craig Hodgson 8 Paul Thorp 7 Sean Wilson 1 Michael Graves 0 Jan O. Pedersen 10 Billy Hamill 8 Alan Grahame 7 Simon Cross 7 Greg Hancock 3 Scott Smith 3 Wayne Garratt 2 Second leg Jan O. Pedersen 11 Billy Hamill 10 Greg Hancock 9 Wayne Garratt 6 Simon Cross 5 Alan Grahame 2 Scott Smith 0 Simon Wigg 14 Gary Havelock 10 Paul Thorp 8 Glenn Doyle 5 Michael Graves 4 Craig Hodgson 3 Sean Wilson 3

Bradford Dukes were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 97-83.

Gold Cup

North Group

** South Group**

North

South

Final

Berwick won 93–87 on aggregate.

Riders' Championship

Sam Ermolenko won the British League Riders' Championship, sponsored by Dunlop Tyres. It was the held at Odsal Stadium on 20 October.

• ef=engine failure, f=fell, x=excluded r-retired

Leading final averages

Riders and final averages

Belle Vue

• 8.45
• 8.28
• 7.60
• 7.59
• 7.32
• 6.09
• 5.22
• 5.09
• 3.88
• 3.31

Berwick

• 9.92
• 9.63
• 7.85
• 5.86
• 4.73
• 4.56
• 3.89
• 2.65
• 1.70
• 1.33

Bradford

• 9.89
• 8.43
• 8.32
• 6.94
• 6.79
• 6.61
• 3.51

Coventry

• 8.64
• 7.90
• 7.56
• 6.77
• 6.76
• 4.84
• 4.39
• 3.38
• 2.77
• 0.19

Cradley Heath

• 9.54
• 8.77
• 8.24
• 8.20
• 6.56
• 5.29
• 4.46
• 3.15
• 3.07

Eastbourne/Wimbledon

• 9.44
• 8.48
• 6.67
• 6.59
• 5.88
• 4.98
• 4.75
• 4.29
• 3.59

Ipswich

• 8.44
• 8.15
• 7.33
• 6.96
• 6.39
• 6.25
• 5.17
• 3.74

King's Lynn

• 9.06
• 8.28
• 7.08
• 5.51
• 4.50
• 4.23
• 4.13

Oxford

• 10.50
• 9.12
• 7.17
• 7.13
• 4.00
• 2.95
• 2.93
• 2.64
• 1.91

Poole

• 8.67
• 8.00
• 6.43
• 6.32
• 6.21
• 4.78
• 4.08
• 2.06

Reading

• 8.47
• 8.43
• 8.41
• 7.67
• 6.78
• 6.50
• 4.47
• 2.38
• 1.41

Swindon

• 8.55
• 8.47
• 7.75
• 7.12
• 6.36
• 5.87
• 4.49
• 4.38
• 4.00

Wolverhampton

• 10.74
• 9.58
• 7.25
• 6.57
• 5.32
• 5.32
• 4.29
• 3.75

References

References

1. "Historic league tables". Speedway Archive.
2. "HISTORY ARCHIVE".
3. "1991 league tables". Speedway GB.
4. "1991 Season Review". Cradley Speedway.
5. "1991 fixtures and results".
6. (5 July 1991). "Dons say farewell to Wimbledon Stadium".
7. "1991 fixtures & results". Speedway Researcher.
8. "1991 British League Knockout Cup". Speedway archive.
9. "1991 fixtures & results". Speedway Researcher.
10. "1991 fixtures & results". Speedway Researcher.
11. (21 October 1991). "Speedway". Nottingham Evening Post.