Belle Vue Aces
Encyclopedia
The Belle Vue Aces are a British speedway
team from Manchester
in the north west of England
.
nearby on Hyde Road. The club raced there until 1987 when the stadium was demolished. The club moved to a new track at its original home and remains there to this day.
had a 40,000 capacity, and was built around an existing athletics and cycling track. It is alleged that Britain’s first open grass-track event took place here on 25 February 1928. Later, with the grass gone, it was claimed to be the first purpose built speedway track in Britain. The opening speedway meeting here was staged on 23 March 1929, when Arthur Franklyn won the Golden Helmet.
Belle Vue resigned from league racing (English Dirt Track League) in 1929, stating that it wasn’t popular enough. In 1930 they were leading members of the uncompleted Northern League. In 1931 Belle Vue reserves took over Harringay’s
fixtures, after they had withdrawn from the Southern League. This meant the Aces had a team in both the Northern and Southern Leagues although they were often referred to as Manchester in the Southern League.
Belle Vue again had two teams in 1934, one in the National League
and the other, known as the Goats, in the reserve league. Liverpool transferred their provincial league operation to Belle Vue in 1937, so again, Belle Vue had a team in both leagues.
Belle Vue was the only track to continue operating throughout the Second World War, running a total of 176 meetings during the war years, which were attended by a total of 2,816,000 people. The winners of the wartime British Individual Championships were:
After the war, team racing resumed, with the Aces taking their place in the 1946 National League
, and subsequently Division One the following year. There was sadness on 13 September 1947 however, when manager E.O. Spence died. Johnnie Hoskins
took over from Alice Hart as promoter in 1953.
With so few tracks running, the Aces found themselves in the 11 team National League in 1957. A change in promoter occurred in 1960 with Ken Sharples taking charge. Harold Jackson took over as Speedway Manager in 1964, prior to the Aces becoming founder members of the British League
in 1965
. Dent Oliver
became Speedway Manager in 1967, and remained in that position until 1973.
Frank Varey
took over as Speedway Manager in 1974, before Jack Fearnley took up the reins in 1974. In 1982, former World Stock-Car Champion Stuart Bamforth became promoter. The stadium was also used for Stock Car
racing right up to its closure in 1987.
Following the announcement that Bamforth had sold the stadium for redevelopment, the last speedway meeting was staged on 1 November 1987, when a double header took place. Firstly, Belle Vue defeated the Coventry Bees
in a replay of the League Cup before losing to the Cradley Heath Heathens
in the final league match ever raced at Hyde Road.
The greyhound
track at Belle Vue Stadium (Kirkmanshulme Lane) was the first to open in Britain when, on 24 July 1927, some 1,700 enthusiasts witnessed a dog called Mistley win the very first race. A grass-track meeting took place here on 5 May 1928, with Sid Jackson emerging as the winner. The dirt track was stated to be similar in size and shape to Wimbledon and Harringay, with the first meeting going ahead on 28 July 1928, when Frank Arthur won the Golden Helmet.
When the stadium at Hyde Road was sold in 1987, the Aces moved back to the Greyhound Stadium, under the promotion of Peter Collins
, John Perrin and Don Bowes. The opening meeting of the new era of the Aces was held on 1 April 1988, and saw Belle Vue take on Bradford Dukes
in the Frank Varey Northern Trophy. However, the match was abandoned after just two heats due to a waterlogged track (rain), with the Aces leading the match.
Due to other commitments, Peter Collins
resigned from his promotional position in 1989, leaving Perrin and Bowes in charge of the Aces. With the amalgamation of the two leagues, Belle Vue became members of the British League Division One in 1991.
A further management change in 1994 saw George Carswell link with Perrin and Bowes as co-promoter. Both divisions of the British League joined together to form a 21 team Premier League in 1995, with the Aces becoming founder members.
A further promoting change in 1995 saw John Hall replace Don Bowes, to link up with Perrin and Carswell. The Premier League broke in two at the end of 1996, with the Aces becoming members of the new Elite League
, where they have remained up until the present day.
A change of promotion occurred in late 2004 as John Perrin sold the club to Workington
Promoters Tony Mole and Ian Thomas. This was Thomas's second stint in charge of The Aces. A further change in ownership occurred in December 2006 as ex-captain Chris Morton
along with David Gordon and Gordon Pairman bought the club from Tony Mole and Ian Thomas.
Belle Vue still ride at Kirkmanshulme Lane and race nights are nearly always on Monday nights with an occasional Wednesday meeting.
Throughout its history the team has produced five world Speedway World Champions
.
covering for Kyle Legault
, having previously doubled up with Berwick Bandits
) (Doubling up with Rye House Rockets
) (Doubling up with Edinburgh Monarchs
) (Doubling up with Berwick Bandits
)
Also Rode; (Doubling up with Newcastle Diamonds
)
Also Rode (Temporary cover for Billy Forsberg)
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Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
team from Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in the north west of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Brief history
Racing first took place in 1928 at the Belle Vue greyhound stadium in Kirkmanshulme Lane before moving the following year to a specially built stadiumHyde Road (speedway)
Hyde Road Stadium was the home of the Belle Vue Aces speedway team. The stadium's` capacity was 40,000 and it was built in 1928 and used until demolished in 1987. It was claimed to have been the first purpose built speedway track in Britain....
nearby on Hyde Road. The club raced there until 1987 when the stadium was demolished. The club moved to a new track at its original home and remains there to this day.
Hyde Road Stadium
Hyde RoadHyde Road (speedway)
Hyde Road Stadium was the home of the Belle Vue Aces speedway team. The stadium's` capacity was 40,000 and it was built in 1928 and used until demolished in 1987. It was claimed to have been the first purpose built speedway track in Britain....
had a 40,000 capacity, and was built around an existing athletics and cycling track. It is alleged that Britain’s first open grass-track event took place here on 25 February 1928. Later, with the grass gone, it was claimed to be the first purpose built speedway track in Britain. The opening speedway meeting here was staged on 23 March 1929, when Arthur Franklyn won the Golden Helmet.
Belle Vue resigned from league racing (English Dirt Track League) in 1929, stating that it wasn’t popular enough. In 1930 they were leading members of the uncompleted Northern League. In 1931 Belle Vue reserves took over Harringay’s
Harringay Racers (speedway)
The Harringay Racers were a motorcycle speedway team who raced at the Harringay Stadium from 1947 until 1954 in the National League Division One....
fixtures, after they had withdrawn from the Southern League. This meant the Aces had a team in both the Northern and Southern Leagues although they were often referred to as Manchester in the Southern League.
Belle Vue again had two teams in 1934, one in the National League
Speedway National League
The National League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1932 until 1965 when it became known as the British League. Prior to 1932 there were only small regional leagues competing within the sport in the UK. The National League was re-incarnated in 1975 as the second division...
and the other, known as the Goats, in the reserve league. Liverpool transferred their provincial league operation to Belle Vue in 1937, so again, Belle Vue had a team in both leagues.
Belle Vue was the only track to continue operating throughout the Second World War, running a total of 176 meetings during the war years, which were attended by a total of 2,816,000 people. The winners of the wartime British Individual Championships were:
- 1940 Eric ChittyEric ChittyEric Stevenson Chitty was a speedway rider who won the London Riders' Championship in 1938.-Early days:...
- 1941 Eric ChittyEric ChittyEric Stevenson Chitty was a speedway rider who won the London Riders' Championship in 1938.-Early days:...
- 1942 Eric ChittyEric ChittyEric Stevenson Chitty was a speedway rider who won the London Riders' Championship in 1938.-Early days:...
- 1943 Ron ClarkeRon Clarke (speedway rider)Ronald Clarke was a former international speedway who qualified for the Speedway World Championship finals twice.-Career summary:...
- 1944 Frank VareyFrank VareyFrank Varey was a former international speedway rider who featured in the Speedway World Championship finals in 1937 and 1938...
- 1945 Bill KitchenBill Kitchen (speedway rider)William Kitchen is a former international speedway rider who started his career with the Belle Vue Aces in 1933.-Career summary:...
After the war, team racing resumed, with the Aces taking their place in the 1946 National League
1946 Speedway National League
The 1946 National League Division One was the eighth season of the highest tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain and the first post-war season. Wembley Lions won their second title.-Final table:...
, and subsequently Division One the following year. There was sadness on 13 September 1947 however, when manager E.O. Spence died. Johnnie Hoskins
Johnnie Hoskins
Johnnie S. Hoskins MBE is the man who is considered to have 'invented' motorcycle speedway. If it cannot be established he invented the sport, he certainly played the largest role in promoting the sport in the United Kingdom.-Early life:He left school at thirteen and worked on a farm and then as...
took over from Alice Hart as promoter in 1953.
With so few tracks running, the Aces found themselves in the 11 team National League in 1957. A change in promoter occurred in 1960 with Ken Sharples taking charge. Harold Jackson took over as Speedway Manager in 1964, prior to the Aces becoming founder members of the British League
Speedway British League
The British League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1995 when it became known as the Premier League. Prior to 1965 the division had been known as the National League....
in 1965
1965 British Speedway League
The British Speedway League was formed in 1965 along with the British Speedway Promoters Association . It created a tier above the National League structure, and the 18 team League was founded.-Final table:...
. Dent Oliver
Dent Oliver
John Walter Denton Oliver was a former international speedway who qualified for the Speedway World Championship finals three times.-Career summary:...
became Speedway Manager in 1967, and remained in that position until 1973.
Frank Varey
Frank Varey
Frank Varey was a former international speedway rider who featured in the Speedway World Championship finals in 1937 and 1938...
took over as Speedway Manager in 1974, before Jack Fearnley took up the reins in 1974. In 1982, former World Stock-Car Champion Stuart Bamforth became promoter. The stadium was also used for Stock Car
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
racing right up to its closure in 1987.
Following the announcement that Bamforth had sold the stadium for redevelopment, the last speedway meeting was staged on 1 November 1987, when a double header took place. Firstly, Belle Vue defeated the Coventry Bees
Coventry Bees
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway team based at Brandon near Coventry, England. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane...
in a replay of the League Cup before losing to the Cradley Heath Heathens
Cradley Heath Heathens
Cradley Heath Heathens are a defunct motorcycle speedway team from Dudley, England.-History:Cradley Heath speedway team was formed in 1947 and first raced at Dudley Wood Stadium on 21 June 1947 after a number of away appearances prior to the opening of the newly built stadium...
in the final league match ever raced at Hyde Road.
Kirkmanshulme Lane
Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
track at Belle Vue Stadium (Kirkmanshulme Lane) was the first to open in Britain when, on 24 July 1927, some 1,700 enthusiasts witnessed a dog called Mistley win the very first race. A grass-track meeting took place here on 5 May 1928, with Sid Jackson emerging as the winner. The dirt track was stated to be similar in size and shape to Wimbledon and Harringay, with the first meeting going ahead on 28 July 1928, when Frank Arthur won the Golden Helmet.
When the stadium at Hyde Road was sold in 1987, the Aces moved back to the Greyhound Stadium, under the promotion of Peter Collins
Peter Collins (speedway rider)
Peter Spencer Collins MBE is a former Speedway rider who spent his whole career with the Belle Vue Aces, the team he supported as a child...
, John Perrin and Don Bowes. The opening meeting of the new era of the Aces was held on 1 April 1988, and saw Belle Vue take on Bradford Dukes
Bradford Dukes
The Bradford Dukes were a British motorcycle speedway team which operated from the Odsal Stadium in Bradford from 1986 until their closure in 1997.-History:...
in the Frank Varey Northern Trophy. However, the match was abandoned after just two heats due to a waterlogged track (rain), with the Aces leading the match.
Due to other commitments, Peter Collins
Peter Collins (speedway rider)
Peter Spencer Collins MBE is a former Speedway rider who spent his whole career with the Belle Vue Aces, the team he supported as a child...
resigned from his promotional position in 1989, leaving Perrin and Bowes in charge of the Aces. With the amalgamation of the two leagues, Belle Vue became members of the British League Division One in 1991.
A further management change in 1994 saw George Carswell link with Perrin and Bowes as co-promoter. Both divisions of the British League joined together to form a 21 team Premier League in 1995, with the Aces becoming founder members.
A further promoting change in 1995 saw John Hall replace Don Bowes, to link up with Perrin and Carswell. The Premier League broke in two at the end of 1996, with the Aces becoming members of the new Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
, where they have remained up until the present day.
A change of promotion occurred in late 2004 as John Perrin sold the club to Workington
Workington Comets
Workington Comets is a speedway club based in Workington, Cumbria. Their track is at Derwent Park Stadium, which they share with Workington Town Rugby League Football Club.They compete in the Premier League...
Promoters Tony Mole and Ian Thomas. This was Thomas's second stint in charge of The Aces. A further change in ownership occurred in December 2006 as ex-captain Chris Morton
Chris Morton
Christopher John Morton MBE is a former motorcycle speedway rider. He rode bikes from a young age at the farm of Peter Collins' parents.-Brief career summary:...
along with David Gordon and Gordon Pairman bought the club from Tony Mole and Ian Thomas.
Belle Vue still ride at Kirkmanshulme Lane and race nights are nearly always on Monday nights with an occasional Wednesday meeting.
Throughout its history the team has produced five world Speedway World Champions
Speedway World Championship
The World Championship of Speedway is an international competition between the highest ranked motorcycle speedway riders of the world. Today, it is organised as a series of Speedway Grand Prix events, where points are awarded according to performance in the event and tallied up at the end of each...
.
2011 team
(Doubling up with Newport WaspsNewport Wasps
Newport Wasps are a British motorcycle speedway team based in Newport, South Wales. They were the 1999 Conference League champions.-History:The Wasp logo incorporates the traditional black and amber colours of the City of Newport...
covering for Kyle Legault
Kyle Legault
Kyle Patrick Legault is a Canadian speedway rider riding for British Premier League team Newport Wasps.-Career:Legault is a three-time Canadian individual speedway champion; winning in 2003, 2004 and 2006...
, having previously doubled up with Berwick Bandits
Berwick Bandits
The Berwick Bandits are a speedway team based at Shielfield Park, Berwick upon Tweed, the club competes in the British Premier League.-Brief history:...
) (Doubling up with Rye House Rockets
Rye House Rockets
The Rye House Rockets are a Speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, Hoddesdon, England. They currently compete in the British Premier League.The club is promoted by Len Silver who previously ran the Hackney Hawks promotion at Hackney Wick Stadium....
) (Doubling up with Edinburgh Monarchs
Edinburgh Monarchs
The Edinburgh Monarchs are a Scottish Speedway team, currently based in Armadale. They compete in the Speedway Premier League, racing on Friday nights during the Speedway season. The club is run by a Board of Directors, chaired by Alex Harkess. The team manager is Alan "Doc" Bridgett...
) (Doubling up with Berwick Bandits
Berwick Bandits
The Berwick Bandits are a speedway team based at Shielfield Park, Berwick upon Tweed, the club competes in the British Premier League.-Brief history:...
)
Also Rode; (Doubling up with Newcastle Diamonds
Newcastle Diamonds
Newcastle Diamonds are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Premier League. The club has a reputation of importing young foreign talent and have given starts to the British careers of six times World Champion Ivan Mauger, three times World Champion Ole Olsen, 1974 World Champion...
)
2009 team
(doubling up) (doubling up w/ Edinburgh Monarchs) (No. 8)Also Rode (Temporary cover for Billy Forsberg)
2006 team
The 2006 team who finished 5th in the British Elite League, one point outside the 4th placed Playoff position.Famous riders
World Champion 1976 World Champion 1955, 1962 World Champion 2004, 2006, 2009 World Champion 1967 World Champion 1969, 1970, 1972Club honours
- League Champions - 1930^ 1931 1933 1934 1935 1936 1963 1970 1971 1972 1982 1993
- Knock Out Cup Winners - 1931 1972 1973 1975 2005
- Premiership Trophy - 1983
- League Cup Winners - 1983
- Inter-League Cup Winners - 1975
- National League - 1933 1934 1935 1936 1963
- National Trophy - 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1946 1947 1949 1958
- Daily Mail National Trophy Winners - 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1946 1947 1949 1958
- English Cup Winners (Reserves) - 1938
- ACU Cup - 1934 1935 1936 1937 1946
- British Speedway Cup - 1939 1947
- British League Division Two Winners-Colts - 1968 1969
- Britannia Shield - 1957 1958 1960
- Northern League Champions - 1930 1931
- British League Division Two KO Cup Winners-Colts - 1969
- Northern KO Cup - 1931
- Four Team Championship Winners - 1992
- Youth Development League Winners - 2001
- Elite League Pairs Winners - 2006 (Simon SteadSimon SteadSimon Stead is an international Speedway rider. Simon currently rides for the Swindon Robins in the British Elite League, Masarna in the Swedish League and for Intar Ostrów in the Polish League.-Career Summary:...
& Jason CrumpJason CrumpJason Phillip Crump is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider. He is a three-time Speedway World Champion, a World Cup winner and a former World Under-21 Champion.-Family:...
) - League Riders Winners - Ivan MaugerIvan MaugerIvan Mauger, OBE, MBE, is a retired motorcycle speedway rider. He won a record six World Championships, a feat only equalled by Tony Rickardsson of Sweden...
1971 Peter CollinsPeter Collins (speedway rider)Peter Spencer Collins MBE is a former Speedway rider who spent his whole career with the Belle Vue Aces, the team he supported as a child...
1974 1975 Chris MortonChris MortonChristopher John Morton MBE is a former motorcycle speedway rider. He rode bikes from a young age at the farm of Peter Collins' parents.-Brief career summary:...
1984 Shawn MoranShawn MoranShawn Moran is a retired former professional speedway rider who was one of the most popular and talented riders ever to race for Sheffield Tigers who also represented USA....
1989 Joe ScreenJoe ScreenJoseph 'Joe' Screen , is a British international speedway rider who rides for the Glasgow Tigers in the British Premier League. In 2011 While pairing with James Grieves he won the Premier league Pairs For the Tigers...
1992 Jason CrumpJason CrumpJason Phillip Crump is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider. He is a three-time Speedway World Champion, a World Cup winner and a former World Under-21 Champion.-Family:...
2006 2008 Rory SchleinRory SchleinRory Robert Schlein is an Australian international speedway rider. Schlein was signed by the Edinburgh Monarchs in 2001 and has since won the British Conference League championship while on loan at Sheffield Tigers in 2001, the British Premier League championship with the Monarchs in 2003 and the...
2011
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