Hethersett Hawks Statistics 1976-2019
One of Mel’s missions during the lockdown is to collate all of the Hethersett Hawks rider records back to 1966 when he founded the club. Statistics for 1980-2019 can be viewed under the Club Information tab – https://www.hethersetthawks.co.uk/club-information/hawks-team-records/ and https://www.hethersetthawks.co.uk/club-information/appearance-and-points/
The Norfolk Individual Championship records going back to 1966 have also been added to our website – Norfolk Individual Championships
Here’s some of Mel’s comments for the 1976-1985 years:
1985 – Another year completed and stats and records updated….good this isolation lark!!
Interesting year – first year the Aussies travelled to UK and the four of them raced in our Charity Cup!!!
Also the final season of another Cromwell Close legend….I also found a list of former Norfolk Senior Champions and guess what – the first one was held in 1950 and won by Ted Eagle from Hethersett, which makes 2020 the 70th anniversary!
1984 – Surreally I noticed that one of the British weekend semi-finals was staged at Trimley run by the Orwell Club…in 1984!
1983 – Another year completed and stats and records updated….good this isolation lark!!
Interesting year – first year the Aussies travelled to UK and the four of them raced in our Charity Cup!!!
Also the final season of another Cromwell Close legend….
I also found a list of former Norfolk Senior Champions and guess what – the first one was held in 1950 and won by Ted Eaglen from Hethersett. If we get to stage it in the autumn I guess we should make something of the 70th anniversary?
1982 – A memorable year – lots of members and the final season for a group of friends who were great fun for a number of years – they certainly knew how to party. Led by the long-term captain Alan Edwards who gained fame as the man who saved the beer – a leading figure in starting CAMRA and ran the Norwich Beer Festival for over 20 years. And Glyn’s last season at his prime – or is that still to come!!!
Also note we did some racing at Lea Bridges Park – the track was only discovered by people going past the new playing field at Lakenham on the train – the City Council just built it and did not tell anyone!!! Unfortunately, no facilities or car parking there so despite Eaton’s efforts to get it going it eventually became an eyesore and was levelled and grassed over several years later.
We may discover that this was the first year we had female riders – time will tell.
1980-1981
Finally made it through the busiest two years in the Club’s history!!!
We added 58 riders to the list in those two seasons – and that is without those who only raced in the Hethersett & District Junior League!!!
June 5th 1980 was an important date in the sport’s history – it was on that evening that a young lad was dragged off the park by his mates to make up the Giants team in the Hethersett & District Junior Motorcycle Speedway League. He scored 7 points, became a key rider in the following few years before moving on to further his career. He then won British, European and World Championships. His name – Andre Cross.
1979
More like a normal season before the manic early 80’s.
Two things of note –
Last season for another Hawks legend – Graham Ringer.
First (and only) season we used foreign riders – three exchange students were given the chance to race in a local match!!!
Also takes number of riders to represent the Club in team matches over 400 for 1979 to present time!
1978
Check out the number of League matches we rode!!! And Danny Stevenson rode in 56 team matches – not sure if that is a record but a hell of a lot!!
1976
Another busy year – one rider rode 49 team matches!! Not sure an internal match between teams called Thugs and Vandals portrayed the right image!!!