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After a gap of 8 years speedway
was back at Brough courtesy of Johnnie Hoskins. He installed a manageress
Phillis McQuillen. I have the supporters club journal from this era and Phyllis's
name appears on page one along with other names you might recognise.
The 1938 season saw the name "The Newcastle Diamonds" for the first time
and the team colours were red and white as per the Diamonds suit of playing
cards.
Newcastle Diamonds 1938
The fans have another hero, in Canadian George Pepper seen here on the bike.
George was a charismatic guy and was also an airplane pilot. The Diamonds
finished 1938 in 6th position out of a National League division 2 of 9
teams.
The 1939 riders
Bill Goodall, Kid Curtis, Syd Littlewood, Maurice Stobbart, Team Manager
- Reg Hay, George Pepper (Capt. on Machine), Promoter Johnnie Hoskins, Rol
Stobbart (kneeling), Ken Brett, and Norman Hargreaves.
Very Popular Newcastle 1939 riders Rol Stobbart and Kid Curtis.
George Pepper
Top Diamond 1938/39 seasons and who could have foreseen his immediate
future?
George was a great rider but also an airplane pilot. Unfortunately, the outbreak
of war in 1939, stopped speedway in its "tracks" and Brough did one of its
closing down acts.
George joined the air force swapping wheels for wings. He was a night flyer.
His Mosquito plane's 2 man crew were known as "Salt and Pepper", the plane
was shot down and both men listed as "killed in action".
George lost his life and Newcastle Speedway lost its big pre war name.
Adolf Hitler was not a speedway fan and the Second World War brought Brough
Park Speedway to a close for the duration 1939-1944/5. |
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