Monday 25th August saw the Brummie Bears take part in their final Speedway race meeting at Perry Barr. Unlike the Greyhound racing, which shared the stadium and has found a new home at Dunstall Park, in Wolverhampton, the Speedway has not been so lucky. The search goes on but for the mean time it is the end for the Brummie Bears.
The final night was a packed, sold-out occasion, I know this because my wife and nephew struggled to get in, despite having pre-booked tickets. They were told the venue was absolutely full. Fortunately, I had got them the VIP tickets and after some discussion they were allowed in.
I’m embarrassed to say I had been meaning to attend a Speedway meeting at Perry Barr ever since I came to Birmingham eight years ago, but like so many people I didn’t get around to it until it was almost too late.
Sadly, there was no fairytale ending and the race meet went the same way as the rest of the season with the Bears underperforming: going down 53 to 37. They ended the season bottom of the premiership, with just 3 wins from 24 matches. A rather sorry return but as anyone who follows a struggling team knows, it is the taking part and supporting the team that matters.
Speedway has a proud history in Birmingham, since it was introduced in 1928 using the following tracks:
(Please note the information below is a best estimate, my research produced a lot of conflicting information)
Tracks Dates At:
- Alexander Stadium Perry Barr: 1928
- Hall Green: 1928 – 1938 (a rival if short lived speedway team called the Hall Green Bulldogs)
- Ladbrook Stadium Perry Green: 1929 – 1931
- No racing: 1938 – 1945
- Alexander Stadium Perry Barr: 1946 – 1957
- No racing: 1958 – 1959
- Alexander Stadium Perry Barr 1960
- No Racing: 1961 – 1970
- Ladbrook Stadium Perry Green: 1971 – 1983
- Bordesley Green: 1985 -1986
- Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium: 2006 – 2025
Honours
- Division 2 champions: 1974, 1975
- Division 2 KOC Winers: 1974
- Division 2 Pairs Champions: 2009
- Division 2 Fours Champions: 2010
- Division 2 Anniversary Cup Winners: 1948
- Midlands Cup Winners: 1953, 954, 1955
- Midland Shield Winners: 2007
The evening was a celebration of a fun, frantic sport, tinged with sadness, especially for those who attended regularly and the many people who supported the sport, setting up and marshalling the events. History has shown that the Brummies’ have risen from the ashes on a number of occasions*. I for one hope that it is not too long into the future before the phoenix rises once more.
*. The second world war hiatus is understandable, I’m placing the blame for the 1961 to 1970 period on The Beatles, as this pretty much covers their recording career, a shade early but, as lunatic conspiracy theories go, not bad. The break from 1987 to 2006 is a little harder to explain. If anyone has any wacky theories, they would like to share I would be fascinated to hear .
Niel Black
JQ resident and snapper of some vaguely interesting things
Instagram – BlackLOG65
