Robert Edwards

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway The keenest fraught local derby in any sport!!!

I remember Sam Ermolenko trying to explain the Dudley Wolves Trophy rivalry to Freddie Lindgren and he could only reply ….’so this was a challenge match?’.

Impossible to explain unless you were part of it!

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway Absolutely loved Hyde Road and the fairground and zoo.

As a Cradley fan we had more than a few batterings there but then so did everyone else.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway Big Al

Top mam. Greatly missed by all.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@Stephen78857051 Totally agree.

Finn was a real enigma.

I recall him replacing tape break victim Erik Gundersen in Heat 1 at Belle Vue, winning it and then coming last in the reserves race.

Think he followed a 15 point maximum for Birmingham with a 0 the next match.

Never a dull moment.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway Let me have a guess.

From left Stan Stevens(?) , Mick Handley, Wild guess at Alan Sage, Reg Luckhurst, Christer Lofqvist, Olle Nygren and Allan Bellham.

Think I’ve got 5.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway Flyer Phil.

Best £15,000 Cradley ever spent.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway Big Al indeed! One of Cradley’s finest.

Apparently the nickname came around after a comment from Bruce Penhall about him using his Big Elbows in the first turn. A few Chinese whispers later ‘Big Al’ emerged.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway What a brilliant picture of Colin and Lee.

Really sadly missed.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@Stephen78857051 Really Miss Colin. Worked closely with him at Cradley as Stats man. Knew the sport inside out and one of the best promoters in the business.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@hansharald_66 Peter was a key part of the 1983 Cradley team who are regarded by many as the strongest the sport has ever seen. He was a reserve but averaged over 7.00. Joined Wolves the following year but he had little say in that as he was on loan from Belle Vue. We forgave him! LOL!

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@Stephen78857051 Yep Bob is away with Christer Lofqvist in White and Brian Collins in Yellow. Think that could be Chris Julien in Blue.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@hansharald_66 @UprightSpeedway Hans.

Thanks so much for the follow up picture. Obviously slightly before Erik joined the Heathens which is why I’d never seen the leathers. Great memories of a wonderful career.

Bob

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@Stephen78857051 Looks like Speedy Pete has pinched Bernie’s trade mark white jersey. Obviously lost control putting it on during the race. LOL

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway Thanks Mr Upright for your brilliant pics and snippets. Really enjoy your content and it reminds me of far better times for the sport. Congrats on reaching your landmark.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway @hansharald_66 Brilliant pic of the maestro. Have to confess I don’t recall seeing Erik in those leathers.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@Stephen78857051 You always got 100% effort from Josef.

Remember him at Cradley. Locked up on the first turn and rode straight onto the Centre Green where he hit a tarpaulin and somersaulted straight over the handlebars.

We really miss characters like that.

RIP Josef.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@markagreen72 @UprightSpeedway @TamworthBrewing That was the venue for Graham Warren’s one and only Cradley appearance. Scored a maximum. Broke the track record I think. Then got scooted off to Birmingham pronto.

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway Loved our trips to Halifax. What a track. You couldn’t walk up the banking!

Recall Penhall and Schwartz turning up in a Rolls Royce and parking it on the first bend. It was pebble dashed by the end of the night! L O L!

Also Steve Collins leading KC for 3.75 laps. Great days!

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@SpeedwayGB Still greatly missed.

We started our roles at Cradley on the same night. He was announcer and I was Timekeeper. He was really nervous and his first announcement was “four minutes for all two riders”.

Brilliant commentator, great bloke & a good friend. Can’t believe its 4 years

[Robert Edwards @BobEdwards58]

@UprightSpeedway Gunder the Wunder.

Used to love going to Coventry with him at Number 1.

Win the toss.
Gate 4.
3 points.
Nothing to see here.

One of the very best.