Christopher John Boss (12 June 1928 – 30 May 2011) was an international motorcycle speedway rider from Wales. He earned five international caps for the England national speedway team.[1]
 Chris Boss in 1951 | |
| Born | 12 June 1928 Barry, Wales |
|---|---|
| Died | 30 May 2011 (aged 82) Bristol, England |
| Nationality | British (Welsh) |
| Career history | |
| 1949-1955 | Bristol Bulldogs |
| Team honours | |
| 1949, 1954 | National League Div 2 Champion |
| 1949 | National Trophy |
| 1954 | Southern Shield Winner |
Biography
editBoss was born in 1928 in Barry, Wales and competed in grasstrack meetings in his teens. In 1949, he joined the Bristol Bulldogs after the Knowle Stadium manager George Allen signed him on the recommendation of team manager Bill Hamblin.[2] He rode for Bristol in the reserve berth during the 1949 Speedway National League Division Two season.[3] He experienced immediate success winning the league and National Trophy (Div 2 final) with the club.[4] In April 1951, he crashed heavily in a fixture in Ireland against Dublin Eagles and was taken to hospital after being unconscious for ten minutes. He would later guest ride in Ireland for the Chapelizod speedway team.[5]
His form improved dramatically from his early seasons to the point that he was selected to represent England in New Zealand during January 1953. With no Welsh national team, Welsh riders were eligible to ride for England.[6]
He would remain at Bristol throughout his entire career and was left without a club following the demise of Bristol speedway during the 1955 Speedway National League Division Two season.[7] However, he did compete in some meetings when Bristol operated under an open licence during 1959.[8]
At retirement he had earned 5 international caps for the England national speedway team.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "England may select new riders". Western Daily Press. 2 June 1949. Retrieved 29 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "1949 season results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "Chris Boss injured in Dublin crash". Bristol Evening Post. 12 April 1951. Retrieved 29 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Notes". Bristol Evening Post. 15 January 1953. Retrieved 29 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "1949 season results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "Former Bulldog Chris Boss back on track". Post Green 'un (Bristol). 16 May 1959. Retrieved 29 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.