Cycle Speedway Teams Down the Ages
Norfolk: Norwich Red Devils
About the team
Team was formed by Basil Cannel, Alan Hellesdon, Henry Baker, Russell Playford, Brian Berry, Alfie Lark, Dickie Dawes and Bryan Horth in either 1946 or 1947.
The first track was on a bombsite in Brunswick Road, behind the Norfolk and Norwich hospital, near to the nurses quarters.
Old second hand bikes were made into cycle speedway machines, with spares bought from Dodgers bike shop in Easex Street.
When the tyres got holes in them, old tyres were cut up and put on the inside.
Team colours were red and white, with a devil portrayed on them.
A vertical rising starting gate was attempted in these early days, but with little success, so the pull across elastic was used.
Club Manager: D.G. Allison, 59 York Street, Norwich.
2nd track was in Hall Road, Norwich.
Riders
- Henry Barker
- Brian Berry
- Basil Cannel
- Tony Coe
- Dickie Dawes
- Alan Hellesdon
- Bryan Horth
- Alfie Lark
- Brian Lark
- .... Marshall
- Russell Playford