1/3/2024 0 Comments Umark bill holdenIn 1952 he Poole team remained unchanged in their challenge for the Division II title. Initially partnered with Holden, the manager Don Gould gave the distinct order for the senior man to look after ‘the nipper’ of which he duly obliged but later admitted that he ‘couldn’t see him for dust’. At Poole the 1951 season was made all the more memorable by the introduction of the 16 year-old Brian Crutcher into the Poole team. Later test appearances followed against Sweden. In August, Holden, described in the match programme as ‘one of the most promising riders in the country’ made his test debut for England C against New Zealand taking 5+2 in an exciting two point home victory at Cardiff. In his first season in the National League Division III he achieved a very creditable 8.26 average which generously contributed to the team’s overall achievement as champions. ĭespite Coventry Bees interest it was Poole who signed Holden for £100 (10% going to the rider himself). Before Charles Knott signed off the last Southampton programme of July 1951 with ‘this is not “Good-bye” but only “Au Revoir”’ - Holden was already riding second halves at Poole. Brook encouraged fans to write to their MP in protest of the 1/1 tax on a 2/6 speedway ticket against 3d for any other non-betting sport. Being recalled to the squad Holden took a two ride reserve maximum the week after versus Walthamstow and retained his first team place until July when Southampton speedway itself became the victim of what Charles Knott described as the ‘crippling Entertainment Tax’ - so controversial was this tax that the Chairman of the Speedway Control Board, R. In the traditional season opener The Charles Knott Trophy (won by Hugh Edwards of Walthamstow) Holden scored 4 points in a good quality field. The purchase of Bob Oakley’s bike for £150 may well have had some bearing on his fine start however despite being a regular for the next couple of months points proved hard to find and after 11 meetings and a disappointing 17+2 points the veteran Les Wotton reclaimed his team place.Īfter a good pre-season practice day things looked promising for the start of the 1951 season. His Southampton first team debut was on 1 August 1950 against Norwich - coincidently the same day that his mentor Bob Oakley was transferred to Wembley - scoring a very creditable 7+1 from 4 rides. Perhaps overstating his achievement Saints team manager Jimmy Baxter wrote in the follow week’s match programme editorial ‘If Bill’s progress continues at the present rate, perhaps he will be a World ‘s Championship contestant in 1951’. The meeting sponsor reported, was ‘Riding more like a veteran than a novice’. In July 1950 he won the Speedway World ‘Stars of the Future’ trophy at Banister Court stadium, Southampton. After several second half appearances at Plymouth in 1950, he signed for Southampton. His early promise was spotted by Bob Oakley, then captain of second division Southampton, and the raw novice was put through his paces in field overlooking the city. After the war he took up taxi-driving and in 1949 he was approached by a fellow taxi-driver ‘to make up the numbers’ on a speedway training school at Earl’s Barton. Bill was uncle to Kevin Holden who rode for Romford, West Ham, Exeter, Poole and England in the 1970s.Īfter a tool-makers apprenticeship Bill served in the Royal Air Force. He is still regarded by some as one of the best riders ever to don the distinctive blue and white skull and crossbones race jacket. Between 19 he raced speedway for Southampton Saints, Poole Pirates and England – for Poole Pirates alone he scored 1,676 points in 214 appearances making him one of the highest ever scorers for which he secured a place in the Poole speedway Hall of Fame. Script error: No such module "AfC topic".īill Holden was born in Blackburn in 1923. Script error: No such module "Draft topics".
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