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1977 National League season

The 1977 National League was contested as the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom.

Summary

Newport had moved down from the British League. Their riders were transferred to Bristol Bulldogs but they acquired new riders and were renamed Newport Dragons. Paisley Lions dropped out so the league had 19 teams, the same as the previous season. Part way through the season, Coatbridge Tigers relocated and changed name to Glasgow Tigers after being kicked out of Cliftonhill.

Eastbourne Eagles won the National League title, completing a league and cup double. Eastbournes's star rider was Colin Richardson, who won the Riders' Championship and averaged 10.70 for the season. He was backed up by Mike Sampson, who also surpassed a 10 average and Dave Kennett (8.37 average) and a member of Eastbourne's 1971 winning team.

Joe Owen, the leading rider of 1976 had moved from champions Newcastle Diamonds to join British League side Hull Vikings. Newcastle were unable to compensate for the loss and finished in 6th place, despite Joe's brother Tom Owen finishing top of the averages.

Final table

Fixtures and results

Top five riders (league averages)

National League Knockout Cup

The 1977 National League Knockout Cup was the tenth edition 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 98–57.

Riders' Championship

Colin Richardson won the Riders' Championship, sponsored by Gauloises and held at Wimbledon Stadium on 24 September.

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

Pairs

The National League Pairs was held at Hyde Road on 4 June and was won by Boston Barracudas.

Semi finals

  • Boston bt Canterbury
  • Newport bt Oxford

Final

  • Boston bt Newport

Fours

Peterborough won the fours championship final, held at the East of England Arena on 7 August.

Semi finals

  • SF1 = Eastbourne 21, Stoke 12, Ellesmere Port 8, Boston 7
  • SF2 = Canterbury 18, Peterborough 14, Newcastle 9, Oxford 7

Final

Leading final averages

Riders & final averages

Berwick

Boston

Canterbury

Coatbridge/Glasgow

  • Brian Collins 8.94
  • Mick McKeon 7.95
  • Grahame Dawson 7.65
  • Rob Maxfield 7.13
  • Derek Richardson 5.41
  • Merv Janke 4.75
  • Benny Rourke 4.57
  • Jimmy Gallacher 4.35
  • Nicky Hollingworth 2.87

Crayford

  • Laurie Etheridge 9.41
  • Alan Sage 8.63
  • Colin Gooddy 8.53
  • Alan Johns 5.47
  • John Hooper 4.63
  • Mike Bessant 4.18
  • Richard Davey 4.17
  • Garry May 3.78

Eastbourne

Edinburgh

Ellesmere Port

Mildenhall

Newcastle

Newport

Oxford

Peterborough

Rye House

Scunthorpe

  • Nicky Allott 8.29
  • Arthur Browning 7.69
  • John McNeill 7.22
  • Sid Sheldrick 5.86
  • Dave Baugh 5.76
  • Trevor Whiting 5.09
  • Paul Cooper 4.80
  • Phil White 4.75
  • Danny Young 4.21

Stoke

  • Stuart Mountford 8.15
  • Tim Nunan 7.3
  • Ian Gledhill 6.67
  • Carl Askew 6.49
  • Ian Robertson 6.26
  • Mick Fishwick 5.65
  • Steve McDermott 5.29
  • Rob Dole 4.50
  • Colin Farquharson 4.11
  • Ian Jeffcoate 3.86
  • Trevor Vincent/Charley 3.37

Teesside

Weymouth

Workington

See also

References