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1975 New National League season

The 1975 New National League was contested as the second division/tier of Speedway in the United Kingdom when British League Division Two was renamed. It was subsequently named the National League. The change came about following unrest between some of the clubs and the speedway authorities in previous seasons.

Summary

The league increased by one team for the fourth season in a row, despite the loss of three teams; the Barrow Bombers, Long Eaton Archers and Sunderland Gladiators. Sunderland closed for good but in November 1974, Ian Thomas bought the defunct Sunderland licence and transferred it to re-form the Newcastle Diamonds. Three other new teams entered, in addition to the Newcastle Diamonds and they were Crayford Kestrels (returning for their first season since 1970), while Mildenhall Fen Tigers and Paisley Lions both competed in their inaugural seasons. Paisley would race at a new track constructed around Love Street, home of St Mirren F.C..

Birmingham Brummies, winners of the last British League Division Two, retained their title and were promoted to the British League for 1976. Birmingham won the league by 5 points despite losing their leading rider Phil Herne to Newport in division 1. Birmingham relied heavily on Arthur Browning, Alan Grahame and Keith White, improved performances by Ricky Day and Carl Askew and solid seasons once again from John Hart and George Major.

Newcastle finished runner-up on their return to league action, with the Owen brothers Joe Owen and Tom Owen topping the league averages.

Final table

Fixtures and results

Top five riders (league averages)

National League Knockout Cup

The 1975 National League Knockout Cup was the eighth edition (first under its new name) of the Knockout Cup for tier two teams. Eastbourne Eagles were the winners of the competition.

First round

Second round

Quarter-finals

Semi-finals

Final

First leg

Second leg

Eastbourne were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 83–72.

Riders' Championship

Laurie Etheridge won the Riders' Championship, held at Wimbledon Stadium on 27 September.

  • f=fell, r-retired, ex=excluded, ef=engine failure

Pairs

The National League Pairs was held at Hyde Road on 17 May and was won by Newcastle Diamonds.

Semi finals

  • Ellesmere Port bt Eastbourne
  • Newcastle bt Crayford

Final

  • Newcastle bt Eastbourne

Leading final averages

Riders & final averages

Berwick

Birmingham

Boston

Bradford

  • Tony Featherstone 8.34
  • Colin Meredith 7.92
  • Dave Baugh 7.42
  • Tony Boyle 7.11
  • Steve Wilcock 5.75
  • Andy Cowan 5.55
  • Alan Knapkin 5.48
  • Mick Fielding 4.49
  • Brenton Langlois 4.34
  • Dave Parkin 3.06
  • Barry Weaver 1.82

Canterbury

Coatbridge

Crayford

  • Laurie Etheridge 9.74
  • Alan Sage 8.51
  • Trevor Barnwell 7.72
  • Pete Wigley 6.26
  • Bob Young 5.86
  • Les Ott 5.78
  • Alan Johns 5.68
  • George Barclay 5.34
  • Dave Shepherd 4.92
  • Bill Archer 4.11

Crewe

Eastbourne

Ellesmere Port

Mildenhall

Newcastle

Paisley

  • Sid Sheldrick 8.00
  • Mike Fullerton 7.20
  • Alan Bridgett 7.12
  • Chris Roynon 6.00
  • Tom Davie 5.26
  • Bernie Foot 5.20
  • Stuart Mountford 4.47
  • Mick Sheldrick 4.00
  • Geoff Snider 4.00

Peterborough

Rye House

Scunthorpe

  • Tony Childs 8.35
  • Keith Evans 7.52
  • Ken McKinlay 6.46
  • Andy Hines 5.99
  • Colin Cook 5.91
  • Tony Gillias 5.55
  • Andy Sims 5.38
  • Ray Watkins 4.24
  • Chris Emery 4.13
  • Ian Silk 2.09

Stoke

Teesside

Weymouth

Workington

See also

References