Cycle Speedway Teams Down the Ages
London North West: Hendon Pirates
About the team
Team was formed around 1946 by Ron Cooper, with the help of Jimmy Howes and Peter Richardson.
They built a track on a old bomb site on a farm at the back of the houses in Sturgess Avenue, Hendon.
Another track was at the back of Brent Bridge Hotel, Golders Green(awaiting confirmation on this).
Raced in the Wembley & District Winter League Section 'B'(1948).
Raced in the First Round of the "World" Cup in 1949, losing 61 - 35 to Verney Lions(London South East) in the 1st leg. Top Scorer: Peter Richardson 10.
Club Manager/Secretary: J.S. Johnson, 57 Galsworthy Road, Cricklewood.
Interesting Facts:
Ron Cooper, like many of the riders, made his handlebars from old gas piping, this being bent to shape by wedging the pipe in a road drain. His crash helmet was a cut down British Army helmet, and under his left shoe he wore an aluminium shoe sole, very much like the Speedway Riders of the day.
Riders
- Bill Bratby
- Ron Cooper
- Jimmy Howes
- Sonny Howes
- Bob Lawrence
- Johnny Pamplin
- Peter Richardson
- David Simana