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There was no speedway for the
duration of the Second World War but, our sport was back at Brough Park in
1945.
Post-war crowds were great and on one occasion it is rumoured that 21 thousand
Tynesiders came through the turnstiles.
Newcastle had many decent riders during this period, albeit without a world
championship great.
Here are a few of Newcastle's best...
Charlie Spinks
Syd Littlewood and Jeff Lloyd
Syd Littlewood and Charlie Spinks
Red and White Diamonds
Post war Newcastle became known as the Diamonds for the first time and originally
rode in red and white race jackets.
These two photographs are the only red and white photos that I know of, Thanks
to riders Norman Evans and Ken Le Breton for modelling them for us. Poor
quality pictures maybe but important nevertheless.
 Ken
Le Breton - The White Ghost
Australian Ken Le Breton came to Newcastle in 1947, he became an overnight
success mainly due to his charismatic appearance, and his White leathers
were very different amongst the shades of grey and black leathers in use
at the time.
This photo was taken by my Uncle George which shows him in a pensive pose.
Ken became the White Ghost and took the sport at Brough Park to another
level.
He never achieved star status until he left Newcastle for Glasgow in 1949.
Oliver Hart and Ken Le Breton
Newcastle Speedway had three riders for far, worthy of mention. Gordon Byers,
George Pepper and Ken Le Breton. There were many more who might have won
more races but these three stick in the memory.
Newcastle reached 1949 and this is the side that was transferred to Glasgow,
including fans favourite Ken Le Breton in the white leathers.
1949 incoming side from Middlesbrough. From the men in black to the men in
Bri-Nylon! N stands for Newcastle (what imagination!) and these were the
Newcastle Magpies - 1949, The St. John Ambulance men were better turned out!
Ken Le Breton would have found it tough wearing such naff gear!
1950
1951
The post war era came to an end partly due to the British Government introducing
the Entertainment Tax. The new taxation put great pressure on speedway and
many tracks closed in the early 1950's. |
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