John William Dixon (17 October 1907 – 1986) was an international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the early days of speedway in the United Kingdom. He rode under the nickname Broncho Dixon.[1][2]
 | |
| Born | 17 October 1907 Darlington, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 1986 |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1929 | Middlesbrough |
| 1930–1931, 1939 | Sheffield Blades |
| 1932–1933 | Belle Vue Aces |
| 1934, 1936–1938 | West Ham Hammers |
| 1935 | Wembley Lions |
| 1936 | Hackney Wick Wolves |
| Team honours | |
| 1933, 1937 | National League |
| 1933 | National Trophy |
| 1938 | ACU Cup |
Career
editDixon rode for Middlesbrough during the inaugural season of speedway in the United Kingdom, in the 1929 Speedway English Dirt Track League[3] and gained a reputation as a wild rider, which led to his nickname of Broncho; he would be involved in multiple crashes and lost the tops of two fingers.[4]
He spent the next two seasons with Sheffield.[5][6] In 1932, he then switched to Belle Vue Aces, after the formation of the National League. He was still a member of the Manchester-based team when they won the league and cup double during the 1933 Speedway National League.[7]
He went on to ride for West Ham Hammers, Wembley Lions and Hackney Wick Wolves until his last season in 1939. He won a second league title with West Ham in 1937 and the A.C.U Cup in 1938.[6][1][8]
Players cigarette cards
editDixon is listed as number 12 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022, Broncho Dixon" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Custom House Years West Ham Speedway". Custom HouseKid. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Exciting Finishes". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 1 July 1929. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "Speedway Riders". Speedway Museum Online. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Owlerton Speedway reopens". Sheffield Daily Telegraph. 14 April 1932. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - PRE-WAR ERA (1929-1939)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ "Free Art Plate of Broncho Dixon". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 9 May 1939. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.