Norman Strachan

Last updated

Norman Strachan
Born (1934-09-18) 18 September 1934 (age 89)
Poole, Dorset, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1953–1956, 1958–1967 Poole Pirates
1968–1970 Newport Wasps
1971–1972 Oxford Cheetahs/Rebels
1973–1974 Coatbridge Tigers
1973 Long Eaton Rangers
Team honours
1955, 1961, 1962 League champion (tier 2)
1955 Knockout Cup (tier 2)

Norman Edward Strachan (born 18 September 1934) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. [1] [2]

Biography

Strachan, born in Poole, was a cycle speedway rider before he learned how to ride speedway at the Matcham's Park training facilities. [2] He began his British leagues career riding for Poole Pirates during the 1953 Speedway National League Division Two season. [3]

Strachan built up his reputation at Poole and would become a fan's favourite at the club and helped the Pirates win the double of league and Knockout Cup in 1955 [4] but suffered a serious hand injury working in a local sawmill in 1956. [2]

The injury affected his speedway career for the next few seasons and it was not until 1960 that he returned to regular action. In 1962, he was described as an enigma because of his contrasting form [5] and contributed towards Poole's two consecutive Provincial League titles in 1961 and 1962. [6]

He made 303 appearances for Poole from 1953 to 1967 and was inducted into the Hall of fame in 1994. [2] In 1968, he left Poole when he was allocated to the Newport Wasps [7] and rode for them for three seasons before moving on to Oxford Cheetahs in 1971. [8]

He retired after the 1974 season, by which time he had also ridden for Coatbridge Tigers and Long Eaton Rangers. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Norman Strachan". Poole Speedway. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  3. ↑ "1953 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  4. ↑ "1952 to 1957". Cyber Morotcycles. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  5. ↑ "The Pirates from Poole are all-conquering" . Porthcawl Guardian. 25 May 1962. Retrieved 3 May 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "League speedway gets going" . Wolverhampton Express and Star. 4 April 1968. Retrieved 3 May 2024– via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ↑ "Norman Strachan". WWOS backup. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
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