Wikipedia

1953 Speedway National League Division Two

The 1953 National League Division Two was the eighth post-war season of the second tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain.[1]

1953 Speedway National League Division Two
LeagueNational League Division Two
No. of competitors9
ChampionsCoventry Bees
Highest averageTommy Miller
Division/s aboveNational League (Div 1)
Division/s belowSouthern League

Summary

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The League was reduced at the start of the season again to 10 teams with Oxford Cheetahs dropping down to the Southern League whilst Ashfield Giants closed[2] and Liverpool Chads folded mid-season.

Cradley Heath disbanded following the withdrawal of the promoter Eli Sumner due to financial issues,[3] with the team moving to join the Wolverhampton Wasps (formerly of the Southern League).[4][5]

Coventry Bees clinched their first title by a single point.[6]

Wolverhampton rider Mike Rogers died on 6 June 1953, the day after receiving critical injuries at Monmore Green Stadium racing against Liverpool. The 22-year-old lost control of his bike and fell heavily before being transported to the Royal Hospital in Wolverhampton.[7]

Final table

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Pos Team PL W D L Pts
1 Coventry Bees 32 19 1 12 39
2 Poole Pirates 32 18 2 12 38
3 Yarmouth Bloaters 32 18 0 14 36
4 Glasgow White City Tigers 32 16 2 14 34
5 Edinburgh Monarchs 32 15 1 16 31
6 Motherwell Eagles 32 15 0 17 30
7 Wolverhampton Wasps 32 13 1 18 27
8 Leicester Hunters 32 13 1 18 27
9 Stoke Potters 32 12 2 18 26

Liverpool Chads withdrew mid-season - record expunged.

Top Five Riders (League only)

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Rider Nat Team C.M.A.
1 Tommy Miller   Glasgow 10.81
2 Don Cuppleditch   Edinburgh 10.36
3 Fred Brand   Yarmouth 9.97
4 Derick Close   Motherwell 9.92
5 Len Williams   Leicester 9.78

National Trophy

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For the National Trophy see the 1953 Speedway National League.

Midland Cup

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For the Midland Cup see the 1953 Speedway National League.

Riders & final averages

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Coventry

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Leicester

Liverpool (withdrew)

Motherwell

Poole

Stoke

  •   Ken Adams 8.44
  •   Reg Fearman 7.90
  •   Don Potter 7.68
  •   Jack Hughes 7.41
  •   Les Jenkins 6.31
  •   Ron Peace 6.17
  •   Johnny Fitzparick 6.08
  •   Fred Wills 5.60
  •   Ray Harris 5.05
  •   Bill Dalton 4.85
  •   Alf Parker 4.00
  •   Paddy Mills 3.71
  •   Allan Hailstone 2.21
  •   Joey Peck 1.26

Wolverhampton

  •   Harry Bastable 8.04
  •   Brian Shepherd 8.00
  •   Jim Tolley 7.75
  •   Derek Braithwaite 6.78
  •   Ivor Davies 6.38
  •   Eric Irons 5.77
  •   Les Tolley 5.59
  •   Benny King 4.54
  •   Phil Malpass 3.17
  •   Harry Saunders 2.86
  •   Bill Jemison 2.22
  •   Harry Wardropper 1.67

Yarmouth

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Historic league tables". Speedway Archive.
  2. ^ "Scots speed captain in £1500 transfer". Daily Record. 12 November 1952. Retrieved 20 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "Cradley Heath Speedway Closing". Evening Despatch. 10 February 1953. Retrieved 15 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  5. ^ "BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - POST-WAR ERA (1946-1964)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  6. ^ Rogers, Martin (1978). The Illustrated History of Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 129. ISBN 0-904584-45-3.
  7. ^ "Speedway rider dies after fall". Birmingham Daily Gazette. 8 June 1953. Retrieved 13 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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