SPEEDWAY in Southampton is almost a forgotten sport and for the younger generation its existence to many of them is unknown.

But for those who can remember those shale-shifting days at the Banister Court Stadium, there is a determination that the sport should become a major attraction in the city once again.

And with the co-operation of Poole promoters Mike Golding and Matt Ford, the Saints of Southampton are set to ride again - at Poole - on Wednesday, August 18, in a special six-heat match against the Forest Fliers from Fordingbridge.

To see the Saints back on track has been a life-long ambition of Andy Scorey from Pilley, near Lymington in the New Forest. Although he never got to see the Saints ride at their old Banister Court Stadium, he along with other supporters have been working towards seeing the famous red and white colours in action.

Now, Andy's dream is about to come true. David Croucher, son of former Saint, Bert Croucher, along with Jim Knott, whose son was once the Saints mascot, will present new race jackets to the team, exactly the same as were worn by the Saints in 1963.

It is also hoped that some former Saints riders will attend. Brian Crutcher, Ross Gilbertson, Alby Golden, Norman Strachan, Brian Hannam and Stuart Wallace, still live in the area and "it would be nice to have them along", said Andy.

Just as Cradley Heath and Rayleigh have managed to start competing again without a track of their own, the rebirth of the Saints will be along similar lines and fielding a side of near Conference League standard.

But the intention is clearly to awaken interest again in Southampton itself. The football team have recently managed to find a new site for their new stadium, so optimistically, why not for speedway

Elite League matches are now a weekly feature on Sky TV and the recent match from Poole had the Tourism Board and Council thrilled by the exposure given to the town.

If enthusiasm counts for anything, then those former Saints fans who travel to Swindon, Oxford, Reading, Poole and the Isle of Wight, deserve a track of their own to support.

So many of the big clubs that pioneered the sport from 1928 onwards are now sadly just resigned to history.

Big centres like Wembley, Wimbledon, Harringay, New Cross, West Ham, Bristol, Bradford and Southampton, used to play to packed houses just after the war, but mainly for development purposes, the stadiums disappeared and those areas were lost to speedway.

Last year saw interest aroused with the 'Saints Alive Reunion' to celebrate 70 years with the region's media taking a lively interest.

South Today presenter Sally Taylor admitted on air that she had never heard of speedway's existence in Southampton and seemed to be genuinely pleased to have seen the 'marvellous archive footage.' In 1962, the Knott family, who were the promoters at Southampton and Poole and pulled off a unique double by winning the National and Provincial Leagues in the year that Charles Knott (known as the Gov'nor) and his wife celebrated their Golden Wedding.

It was Charles Knott senior who had revived the Saints fortunes in 1952 and was also instrumental in saving Poole in 1960 along with his sons Charles Jnr, and Jack.

But the following year, despite the Saints success, the stadium and the ice rink fell to the developers and the roar of bikes was silenced.

Southampton's team to ride against Forest Fliers will be: Colin Crook, Chris Courage, Glenn Phillips, Geoff Batt and Steve Tarrgett with Andy Scorey as team manager. The Fliers, who are promoted by Peter Barnaby, expect to include: Tony Dart, Mike Topliss, Barry Bishop, Richard Ford and Graham Ridlage.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.