1954 Southern Area League

Last updated

1954 Southern Area League
League Southern Area League
No. of competitors5
Champions California Poppies
Riders' Championship Alby Golden
Highest average Ernie Lessiter
Division/s above National League Div 1
National League Div 2

The 1954 Southern Area League was the first season of the newly named regional third tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom for Southern British teams. It replaced the defunct Southern League. With most of the Southern League teams moving up to Speedway National League Division Two, six new teams started the season—many of them making their debut in league speedway. [1]

Contents

Summary

Three teams finished equal on points at the top but California Poppies from California, Berkshire were champions by the slenderest possible margin of a single race point with all their rivals having an fixture in hand that was never ridden.

Aldershot Shots withdrew mid-season. [2] Ernie Lessiter of Ringwood topped the averages. [3]

Final table

PosTeamPLWDLPts
1 California Poppies 1690718
2 Ringwood Turfs 1590618
3 Rye House Roosters 1590618
4 Brafield Flying Foxes 1580716
5 Eastbourne Eagles 1530126

Withdrawal (Record expunged) : Aldershot Shots

Leading Averages

RiderTeamC.M.A.
1 Ernie Lessiter Ringwood10.86
2Gil GoldfinchCalifornia10.48
3Jimmy GleedCalifornia10.21
4Peter MouldCalifornia9.83
5Vic HallBrafield9.46

Riders' Championship

Alby Golden won the Riders' Championship. The final was held at Rye House Stadium on 3 October. [4] [5]

Pos.RiderClubPts
1 Alby Golden Ringwood14+3
2 Ernie Lessiter Ringwood14+2
3Vic RidgeonRye House12
4Dave SlaterRye House10
5Fran GreasleyBrafield10
6Vic HallBrafield8
7Jimmy GleedCalifornia7
8Jack TaylorEastbourne7
9Pete MouldCalifornia6
10Geoff WoodgerRye House6
11Gil GoldfinchCalifornia6
12Bob BunneyAldershot/Eastbourne5
13Bill Simpson (res)Rye House5
14Ron BurnettAldershot4
15Syd GeorgeBrafield2
16Eric HockadayCalifornia2
17Harry WilsonEastbourne2
18Gordon Richards (res)Eastbourne/Ringwood0


Riders & final averages

Aldershot (withdrew)

Brafield

California

Eastbourne

Ringwood

Rye House

See also

Related Research Articles

The 1965 British League season was the 31st season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom. It was also first known as the new British League which was formed in 1965, along with the British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA). The league was an amalgamation of the National League and the Provincial League.

The 1966 British League season was the 32nd season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the second season known as the British League. Halifax Dukes won the league and then secured the league and cup double.

The 1967 British League season was the 33rd season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the third season known as the British League.

The 1969 British League season was the 35th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the fifth season known as the British League.

The 1950 National League Division Three was the fourth season of British speedway's National League Division Three

The 1957 National League was the 23rd season and the twelfth post-war season of the highest tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain.

The 1954 National League Division Two was the ninth post-war season of the second tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain.

The 1955 National League Division Two was the tenth post-war season of the second tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain.

The 1960 Provincial Speedway League was the first season of the Provincial League, ten motorcycle speedway teams took part.

The 1961 Provincial Speedway League was the second season of the Provincial League.

The 1962 Provincial Speedway League was the third season of the Provincial League.

The 1963 Provincial Speedway League was the fourth season of the Provincial League in the United Kingdom. Thirteen speedway teams took part.

The 1958 National League was the 24th season and the thirteenth post-war season of the highest tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain.

The 1960 National League was the 26th season and the fifteenth post-war season of the highest tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain.

The 1953 Southern League was the second season of the regional third tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom for Southern British teams. It was the final season before being replaced by the Southern Area League.

The 1955 Southern Area League was the second season of the regional third tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom for Southern British teams. The season started with the same five teams that finished the previous season.

The 1956 Southern Area League was the third season of the regional third tier/division of speedway racing in the United Kingdom British teams. Brafield Flying Foxes were no longer competitors with Southern Rovers taking their place. Southern Rovers had no track and raced all their 'home' fixtures on away tracks.

The 1957 Southern Area League was the fourth season of the Southern Area League but the first as the regional second tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom for Southern British teams.

1956 was the final season of the Speedway National League Division Two.

The 1959 Southern Area League was the final season of the Southern Area League as the regional second tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom for Southern British teams. With no league in 1958, a set of 6 new teams competed in 1959.

References

  1. "Major League Competitions". Speedway Archive.
  2. http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/docs/1954/leaguetables.pdf%5B%5D
  3. "Southern Area League 1954" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  4. "Motor Cycling" . Daily Herald. 4 October 1954. Retrieved 10 June 2023 via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. "Southern Area League Riders Championship". Edinburgh Speedway. Retrieved 10 June 2023.