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Great Britain national speedway team

British motorcycle speedway nation


Summary

British motorcycle speedway nation

FieldValue
clubnameGreat Britain
imageFlag of the United Kingdom.svg
imagesize250px
managersSimon Stead and Oliver Allen
captainTai Woffinden
colourBlue
swcwins10 (inc SON) (1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1989, 2021, 2024)
squad1Robert Lambert
squad2Dan Bewley
squad3Tom Brennan
squad4Tai Woffinden

The Great Britain national speedway team (formerly the England speedway team) is one of the major teams in international motorcycle speedway. The team is managed by former Great Britain riders Oliver Allen and Simon Stead, and captained by the Tai Woffinden.

The team raced as England from 1928 to 1961 and again from 1974 to 2000. They have raced as Great Britain from 1962 to 1973 and since 2001.

History

The national speedway team held test matches against the Australia as early as 1928, although the first official test match is listed as 30 June 1930 at Wimbledon Stadium.

The team won the Speedway World Team Cup on five occasions as England and four times as Great Britain from 1968 to 1989. They were a major force in the 1970s, winning five consecutive tournaments, two as England and three as Great Britain. Key riding members of the title wins include Peter Collins (five wins), Malcolm Simmons (four wins), New Zealand born Ivan Mauger and Ray Wilson (all three wins). Prior to 1974, the Great Britain team often consisted of riders from other Commonwealth Nations including Australia and New Zealand.

The cup eluded the team after 1989, although they came close in 2000, missing out when Mark Loram fell in a race-off and 2004 where a team of Mark Loram, Lee Richardson, Gary Havelock, David Norris and Scott Nicholls missed out by one point. Both the 2000 and 2004 narrow defeats were at the hands of Sweden and both in somewhat controversial fashion.

In June 2018, Great Britain competed as one of 15 nations in the inaugural Speedway of Nations tournament and in August 2018, Great Britain hosted a top-level international test match for the first time in over 15 years when they took on Australia at Glasgow's Peugeot Ashfield Stadium.

At the 2021 Speedway of Nations in Manchester, Team GB ended a 32 years drought. After finishing third in qualifying, they beat Denmark 6–3 in the Grand Final qualifier and then beat Poland in the Grand Final 5–4. The winning team included Robert Lambert, Dan Bewley and Tai Woffinden. The team subsequently won the 2024 Speedway of Nations.

Major tournament wins

World Team Championships

YearVenueStandings (Pts)RidersPts
1968ENG
London
Wembley Stadium1. GBR Great Britain (40)
2. SWE Sweden (30)
3. POL Poland (19)
4. TCH Czechoslovakia (7)Ivan Mauger (NZ)12
Nigel Boocock10
Martin Ashby8
Barry Briggs (NZ)7
Norman Hunter3
1971POL
Wrocław
Stadion Olimpijski1. GBR Great Britain (37)
2. Soviet Union Soviet Union (22)
3. POL Poland (19)
4. SWE Sweden (18)Ray Wilson12
Ivan Mauger (NZ)10
Jim Airey (AUS)9
Barry Briggs (NZ)6
Ronnie Moore (NZ)dnr
1972FRG
Olching
Olching Speedwaybahn1. GBR Great Britain (36)
2. Soviet Union Soviet Union (21)
3. POL Poland (21)
4. SWE Sweden (18)Ivan Mauger (NZ)11
John Louis9
Terry Betts9
Ray Wilson8
Ronnie Moore (NZ)dnr
1973ENG
London
Wembley Stadium1. GBR Great Britain (37)
2. SWE Sweden (31)
3. Soviet Union Soviet Union (20)
4. POL Poland (8)Peter Collins12
Terry Betts9
Malcolm Simmons8
Ray Wilson8
Dave Jessupdnr
1974POL
Chorzów
Stadion Śląski1. ENG England (42)
2. SWE Sweden (31)
3. POL Poland (13)
4. Soviet Union Soviet Union (10)Peter Collins12
John Louis12
Dave Jessup10
Malcolm Simmons8
Ray Wilsondnr
1975GER
Norden
Motodrom Halbemond1. ENG England (41)
2. Soviet Union Soviet Union (29)
3. SWE Sweden (17)
4. POL Poland (9)Peter Collins12
Malcolm Simmons11
Martin Ashby10
John Louis8
Dave Jessupdnr
1977POL
Wrocław
Stadion Olimpijski1. ENG England (37)
2. POL Poland (25)
3. TCH Czechoslovakia (23)
4. SWE Sweden (11)Peter Collins10
Michael Lee9
Dave Jessup9
John Davis6
Malcolm Simmons3
1980POL
Wrocław
Stadion Olimpijski1. ENG England (40)
2. USA United States (29)
3. POL Poland (15)
4. CZE Czechoslovakia (12)Michael Lee11
Chris Morton11
Peter Collins10
Dave Jessup8
John Davisdnr
1989ENG
Bradford
Odsal Stadium1. ENG England (48)
2. DEN Denmark (34)
3. SWE Sweden (30)
4. USA United States (8)Jeremy Doncaster13
Paul Thorp12
Kelvin Tatum12
Simon Wigg11
Simon Cross0
2021ENG
Manchester
National Speedway Stadium1. GBR Great Britain (64+6+5)
2. POL Poland (74+4)
3. DEN Denmark (68+3)
4. AUS Australia (49)
5. FRA France (47)
6. LAT Latvia (42)
7. SWE Sweden (30)Robert Lambert32+4+3
Dan Bewley11+2+2
Tai Woffinden14
Tom Brennan7
2024ENG
Manchester
National Speedway Stadium1. GBR Great Britain (35+5+7)
2. AUS Australia (36+2)
3. SWE Sweden (27+4)
4. GER Germany (26)
5. POL Poland (24)
6. DEN Denmark (21)
7. LAT Latvia (20)Robert Lambert22+3+4
Dan Bewley13+2+3
Tom Brennandnr

Titles

1972 (3rd title) 1973 (4th title) 1974 (5th title) 1975 (6th title)

World Pairs Championship

YearVenueStandings (Pts)RidersPts
1972SWE
Borås
Ryavallen1. ENG England (24)
2. NZL New Zealand (24)
3. SWE Sweden B (22)
4. SWE Sweden A (22)
5. POL Poland (15)
6. TCH Czechoslovakia (12)
7. HUN Hungary (6)Ray Wilson15+3
Terry Betts9
1976SWE
Eskilstuna
Snälltorpet1. ENG England (27)
2. DEN Denmark (24)
3. SWE Sweden (22)
4. AUS Australia (16)
5. NZL New Zealand (15)
6. SCO Scotland (12)
7. POL Poland (10)John Louis17
Malcolm Simmons10
1977ENG
Manchester
Hyde Road1. ENG England (28)
2. SWE Sweden (18)
3. FRG West Germany (18)
4. CZE Czechoslovakia (17)
5. NZL New Zealand (17)
6. FIN Finland (14)
7. AUS Australia (12)Peter Collins15
Malcolm Simmons13
1978POL
Chorzówr
Stadion Śląski1. ENG England (24)
2. NZL New Zealand (24)
3. DEN Denmark (21)
4. CZE Czechoslovakia (18)
5. POL Poland (15)
6. FRG West Germany (13)
7. SWE Sweden (11)Malcolm Simmons15+3
Gordon Kennett9
1980YUG
Krsko
Matija Gubec Stadium1. ENG England (29)
2. POL Poland (22)
3. DEN Denmark (21)
4. SWE Sweden (18)
5. NZL New Zealand (16)
6. FIN Finland (14)
7. YUG Yugoslavia (6)Dave Jessup15
Peter Collins14
1983SWE
Göteborg
Ullevi1. ENG England (25)
2. AUS Australia (24)
3. DEN Denmark (19)
4. USA United States (18)
5. SWE Sweden (16)
6. FRG West Germany (12)
7. NZL New Zealand (11)Kenny Carter15
Peter Collins10
1984ITA
Lonigo
Santa Marina Stadium1. ENG England (27)
2. DEN Denmark (25)
3. NZL New Zealand (25)
4. USA United States (19)
5. AUS Australia (14)
6. TCH Czechoslovakia (10)
7. ITA Italy (6)Chris Morton14
Peter Collins13

International caps (as of 2022)

Since the advent of the Speedway Grand Prix era, international caps earned by riders is largely restricted to international competitions, whereas previously test matches between two teams were a regular occurrence. This means that the number of caps earned by a rider has decreased in the modern era.

RiderCaps for EnglandCaps for Great BritainTotal
Abbott, Joe30-30
Airey, Jim AUS-1717
Allen, Oliver-22
Andrew, Bill NZL-77
Andrews, Bob211233
Ashby, Martin492170
Ashworth, Ricky-11
Atkinson, Arthur30-30
Auffret, Frank6-6
Bales, Billy12113
Barker, Ben-55
Barker, Dean14418
Bastable, Steve18-18
Beaton, Bobby SCO-11
Betts, Terry551974
Bird, Danny-11
Blackbird, Carl8-8
Boocock, Eric533790
Boocock, Nigel9064154
Boothroyd, Eric213
Boss, Chris WAL5-5
Boulger, John AUS-55
Bounds, Reg2-2
Bradley, Dick24-24
Brett, Brian347
Bridger, Lewis-55
Briggs, Barry NZL-5757
Brine, Cyril12-12
Broadbank, Mike28836
Broadbelt, Eric171431
Brown, Ivor1-1
Burton, Squib7-7
Bush, Arthur5-5
Byers, Gordon3-3
Byford, Howdy6-6
Carr, Peter12-12
Carter, Kenny51-51
Cartwright, Ian6-6
Clarke, Tony11213
Clarke, Phil5-5
Clarke, Ron9-9
Clark, Pat2-2
Clibbett, Bill1-1
Close, Derick2-2
Cole, Howard WAL10111
Coles, Bob1-1
Coles, Michael2-2
Collins, Les31-31
Collins, Neil19-19
Collins, Peter1189127
Collins, Phil55156
Cottrell, Col1-1
Courtney, Mark5-5
Cox, Marvyn25-25
Craven, Gil1-1
Craven, Malcolm11-11
Craven, Peter481260
Cresp, Ray AUS-66
Cribb, Bruce NZL-33
Croombs, Tommy30-30
Cross, Simon33-33
Crutcher, Brian23-23
Cunningham, Glenn2-2
Davey, Tony11-11
Davis, John64-64
Dent, Russ1-1
Doncaster, Jeremy52-52
Drury, Graham WAL1-1
Dugard, Martin41-41
Edwards, Bert7-7
Elliott, Bryan6-6
Erskine, Jon123
Etheridge, Laurie1-1
Evans, Norman1-1
Evitts, Neil27-27
Farndon, Tom21-21
Featherby, Clive-11
Fisher, Dick145
Forrest, Arthur26-26
France, Rick145
Francis, Joe6-6
French, Eric8-8
Frogley, Roger3-3
Galvin, Andy1-1
Gamble, Tommy1-1
Genz, Ronnie718
Gifford, Dave NZL-22
Gilbert, Bill6-6
Glover, Carl1-1
Gofffe, Lloyd1-1
Golden, Alby-11
Gooch, Jimmy10313
Gooddy, Colin1-1
Goulden, Frank1-1
Grahame, Alan42-42
Grahame, Andy16-16
Gray, Dennis1-1
Greatrex, Stan5-5
Green, Richard1-1
Green, Wally6-6
Greenwood, George2-2
Greer, Richard4-4
Gregory, Eric2-2
Gregory, Les1-1
Grifiths, Syd WAL1-1
Hagon, Alf4-4
Haigh, Dusty15-15
Haley, Arnie33639
Harkins, Bert SCO7411
Harris, Chris-2222
Harris, Dick5-5
Harrison, Bob10-10
Hart, Oliver16-16
Havelock, Gary541266
Hedge, Trevor161733
Hemus, Dave-11
Herbert, Hal1-1
Hill, Roger1-1
Holden, Kevin5712
How, Ron441256
Howe, Ben8-8
Howe, David-44
Hull, Wally2-2
Hunt, Alan26-26
Hunt, Tim1-1
Hunter, George SCO171633
Hunter, Norman91322
Hurry, Paul12517
Hussey, Gerry2-2
Jackson, Syd8-8
Jay, Alan1-1
Jervis, Arthur2-2
Jessup, Dave97-97
Johns, Roger2-2
Jolly, Kevin6-6
Jones, Graham3-3
Kelly, Peter1-1
Kempster, Jim4-4
Kennett, Edward-1010
Kennett, Gordon53-53
Kentwell, Greg AUS-11
Key, Nobby11-11
Kilby, Bob37542
King, Danny-66
Kitchen, Bill41-41
Kitchen, Jack-22
Knight, Richard20-20
Kuhn, Gus4-4
Landels, Bill SCO189
Langton, Eric44-44
Langton, Oliver1-1
Lawson, Louis7-7
Leadbitter, Tom2-2
Lee, Michael72-72
Lees, Ginger22-22
Levai, Sandor HUN112
Lightfoot, Jim134
Lloyd, Jeff5-5
Lloyd, Wally8-8
Lomas, Tony12-12
Loram, Mark361046
Louis, Chris41344
Louis, John54458
Luckhurst, Reg4711
McAuliffe, Leo WAL-11
McGillivray, Les2-2
McGregor, Gordon SCO19120
McKinlay, Ken SCO9223115
McMillan, Jim SCO283159
Maidment, Cyril61622
Mardon, Geoff NZL-11
Mauger, Ivan NZL-4747
Mear, Robert-22
Middleditch, Ken5-5
Middleditch, Neil7-7
Miller, Tommy SCO5-5
Milner, Keith1-1
Molyneux, Alan1-1
Monk, Charlie AUS-1515
Moore, Peter AUS-33
Moore, Ronnie NZL-2121
Morton, Chris1157122
Morton, Dave18-18
Morton, Ray1-1
Mountford, Ron25429
Mudge, Geoff AUS-11
Mullett, Dave3-3
Neath, Chris-11
Newton, George12-12
Nicholls, Nick5-5
Nicholls, Scott82735
Norris, David20828
Oakley, Bob1-1
Oliver, Dent19-19
Ormston, Jack14-14
Owen, Joe3-3
Owen, Les213
Owen, Tom1-1
Parker, Dennis5-5
Parker, Jack89-89
Parker, Norman36-36
Parkinson, Cliff17724
Paulson, Bob3-3
Pawson, Fred5-5
Phillips, Wal27-27
Pitcher, Bill7-7
Plant, Graham516
Pratt, Colin14721
Price, Arthur3-3
Price, Tommy23-23
Pusey, Chris51-51
Pymar, Geoff12-12
Richardson, Colin1-1
Richardson, Lee12526
Rigg, Eddie14-14
Roger, Bert11-11
Roger, Cyril25-25
Rogers, Fred1-1
Roper, Tommy4-4
Rossiter, Alun8-8
Roynon, Adam-11
Rye, Claude4-4
Schofield, Steve12-12
Scott, Jack AUS-11
Screen, Joe37744
Sharpe, Les AUS-22
Sharples, Ken8-8
Silver, Andrew22-22
Simmons, Malcolm73578
Small, Terry1-1
Smith, Andy29-29
Smith, Kevin3-3
Smith, Pete729
Squibb, Jimmy448
Standing, Dean4-4
Statham, Alec22-22
Stead, Simon-1111
Stevenson, Tiger27-27
Stobbart, Rol2-2
Stonehewer, Carl7512
Street, Neil AUS-11
Sweetman, Tommy6-6
Tatum, Kelvin65-65
Taylor, Chum AUS-11
Thomas, Barry26-26
Thorp, Paul31-31
Trigg, Roy31536
Trott, Reg1-1
Tyrer, Paul1-1
Unstead, Jack2-2
Varey, Frank21-21
Warwick, Arthur7-7
Waterman, Split32-32
Watkin, Mike112
Watson, Colin9-9
White, George19-19
White, Keith7-7
Whitfield, Harry1-1
Wigg, Simon57-57
Wilkinson, Alan12-12
Wilkinson, Fred2-2
Wilks, George9-9
Williams, Eric WAL23-23
Williams, Freddie WAL28-28
Williams, Ian WAL8-8
Wilson, Ray7236108
Wilson, Reg71623
Wilson, Sean23225
Woffinden, Tai-1111
Woods, Paul2-2
Wotton, Les13-13
Wright, Arthur7-7
Wyer, Doug461460
Young, Jack-11
Younghusband, Dave8311

Managers

  • 1975–1975 (Reg Fearman)
  • 1975–1976 (John Berry)
  • 1976–1976 (Len Silver)
  • 1977–1978 (John Berry)
  • 1979–1980 (Colin Pratt)
  • 1980–1980 (Ian Thomas)
  • 1981–1981 (Len Silver)
  • 1982–1982 (Eric Boocock)
  • 1983–1984 (Wally Mawdsley)
  • 1984–1984 (Carl Glover)
  • 1984–1985 (John Berry)
  • 1982 & 1986–1993 (Eric Boocock)
  • 1986–1993 (Colin Pratt)
  • 1994–1998 (John Louis)
  • 1994–1994 (James Easter)
  • 1998–2001 (Dave Jessup)
  • 2001–2008 (Neil Middleditch)
  • 2009–2010 (Rob Lyon)
  • 2011–2013 (Neil Middleditch)
  • 2014–2019 (Alun Rossiter)
  • 2019– (Oliver Allen)
  • 2019– (Simon Stead)

References

References

  1. "United Kingdom international matches".
  2. Rogers, Martin. (1978). "The Illustrated History of Speedway". Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd.
  3. Oakes, Peter. (1981). "1981 Speedway Yearbook". Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd.
  4. Bott, Richard. (1980). "The Peter Collins Speedway Book No.4". Stanley Paul & Co Ltd.
  5. "Speedway: Great Britain claim first world title since 1989 with win over Poland".
  6. "Great Britain wins FIM Speedway of Nations World Title in manchester Thriller".
  7. "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022".
  8. (26 November 1993). "Boocock quits". Nottingham Evening Post.
  9. (21 March 1998). "New boy dave aims to heal the old wounds". Coventry Evening Telegraph.
  10. "Lyon named GB Boss".
  11. "Alun Rossiter: Great Britain Speedway boss leaves role".
  12. "Team Managers revealed".
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