1974 British League season
{{Short description|British speedway season}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox speedway league
| competition = British League
| competitors = 17
| domesticcup1 = Champions
| domesticcup1 winners = Exeter Falcons
| domesticcup2 = Knockout Cup
| domesticcup2 winners = Sheffield Tigers
| domesticcup3 = Individual
| domesticcup3 winners = Peter Collins
| domesticcup4 = Midland Cup
| domesticcup4 winners = Leicester Lions
| domesticcup5 = London Cup
| domesticcup5 winners = Wimbledon Dons
| highest average = Ole Olsen
| leagues below = British League (Div 2)
| prevseason = 1973
| nextseason = 1975
}}
The 1974 British League season was the 40th season of the top tier of motorcycle speedway in the United Kingdom and the tenth season known as the British League.{{cite web|url=http://edinburghspeedway.blogspot.com/p/compet.html|title=Historic league tables|publisher=Speedway Archive}}{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/historyarchive|title=HISTORY ARCHIVE|website=British Speedway|access-date=1 July 2021}}
Summary
The 1973 Champions Reading didn't compete as they no longer had a stadium, following the closure of Reading Stadium and Hull Vikings replaced them. The league was reduced to seventeen teams when the Coatbridge Tigers dropped down to Division Two. Overseas riders that rode in other leagues abroad were banned which meant that top Swedish riders such as Anders Michanek, Bernt Persson, Tommy Jansson and Christer Löfqvist didn't compete.{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Martin|title=The Illustrated History of Speedway|year=1978|pages=129–133|publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd|isbn=0-904584-45-3}}
The Exeter Falcons won their first title. They were headed by the legendary four time world champion Ivan Mauger and backed up well by Scott Autrey (8.32), Tony Lomas (7.29) and Kevin Holden (7.26).
At the end of the season Oxford Rebels finished four points above the Hull Vikings courtesy of a protest over Hull's victory against the Rebels.{{cite book|last=Oakes|first=Peter|title=1981 Speedway Yearbook|year=1981|page=100|publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd|isbn=0-86215-017-5}} Hull were later re-awarded the points after a close season hearing and moved above the Rebels.
Final table
class=wikitable width="400"
! Pos ! Team ! PL ! W ! D ! L ! Pts |
1
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 25 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 6 | align="center" | 51 |
2
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 23 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 9 | align="center" | 46 |
3
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 22 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 9 | align="center" | 45 |
4
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 21 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 11 | align="center" | 42 |
5
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 20 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 11 | align="center" | 41 |
6
| Newport | align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 17 | align="center" | 3 | align="center" | 12 | align="center" | 37 |
7
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 14 | align="center" | 3 | align="center" | 15 | align="center" | 31 |
8
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 14 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 17 | align="center" | 29 |
9
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 13 | align="center" | 2 | align="center" | 17 | align="center" | 28 |
10
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 13 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 18 | align="center" | 27 |
11
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 13 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 18 | align="center" | 27 |
12
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 12 | align="center" | 2 | align="center" | 18 | align="center" | 26 |
13
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 12 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 19 | align="center" | 25 |
14
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 12 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 19 | align="center" | 25 |
15
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 12 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 20 | align="center" | 24 |
16
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 10 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 22 | align="center" | 20 |
17
| align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 10 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 22 | align="center" | 20 |
Fixtures and results
{{#invoke:sports results|main
|matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey
|team1=BV|team2=COV|team3=CH|team4=EX|team5=HAC|team6=HAL|team7=HV|team8=IPS|team9=KL|team10=LEI|team11=NEW|team12=OX|team13=PP|team14=SHE|team15=SWI|team16=WIM|team17=WOL
|name_BV=Belle Vue
|match_BV_COV=59–19
|match_BV_CH=50–28
|match_BV_EX=46–32
|match_BV_HAC=49–29
|match_BV_HAL=54–24
|match_BV_HV=52–26
|match_BV_IPS=48–30
|match_BV_KL=56–22
|match_BV_LEI=51–27
|match_BV_NEW=45–33
|match_BV_OX=42–36
|match_BV_PP=48–30
|match_BV_SHE=46–32
|match_BV_SWI=53–25
|match_BV_WIM=53–25
|match_BV_WOL=43–35
|name_COV=Coventry
|match_COV_BV=45–32
|match_COV_CH=43–35
|match_COV_EX=40–38
|match_COV_HAC=36–42
|match_COV_HAL=44–34
|match_COV_HV=48–30
|match_COV_IPS=36–42
|match_COV_KL=35–43
|match_COV_LEI=28–50
|match_COV_NEW=42–36
|match_COV_OX=40–35
|match_COV_PP=43–35
|match_COV_SHE=34–43
|match_COV_SWI=42–36
|match_COV_WIM=42–36
|match_COV_WOL=38–40
|name_CH=Cradley
|match_CH_BV=35–43
|match_CH_COV=43–35
|match_CH_EX=37–41
|match_CH_HAC=29–49
|match_CH_HAL=44–34
|match_CH_HV=42–36
|match_CH_IPS=35–43
|match_CH_KL=38–40
|match_CH_LEI=38–40
|match_CH_NEW=39–39
|match_CH_OX=38–40
|match_CH_PP=49–29
|match_CH_SHE=41–37
|match_CH_SWI=44–33
|match_CH_WIM=49–29
|match_CH_WOL=47–30
|name_EX=Exeter
|match_EX_BV=44–34
|match_EX_COV=50–28
|match_EX_CH=43–35
|match_EX_HAC=49–29
|match_EX_HAL=56–22
|match_EX_HV=51–24
|match_EX_IPS=42–36
|match_EX_KL=44–34
|match_EX_LEI=49–29
|match_EX_NEW=43–35
|match_EX_OX=50–28
|match_EX_PP=53–25
|match_EX_SHE=45–33
|match_EX_SWI=46–32
|match_EX_WIM=50–28
|match_EX_WOL=45–33
|name_HAC=Hackney
|match_HAC_BV=37–41
|match_HAC_COV=43–35
|match_HAC_CH=42–36
|match_HAC_EX=38–40
|match_HAC_HAL=39–39
|match_HAC_HV=48–30
|match_HAC_IPS=30–47
|match_HAC_KL=38–40
|match_HAC_LEI=47–28
|match_HAC_NEW=40–38
|match_HAC_OX=41–37
|match_HAC_PP=43–35
|match_HAC_SHE=37–41
|match_HAC_SWI=49–29
|match_HAC_WIM=49–29
|match_HAC_WOL=49–29
|name_HAL=Halifax
|match_HAL_BV=31–47
|match_HAL_COV=40–38
|match_HAL_CH=43–35
|match_HAL_EX=40–38
|match_HAL_HAC=46–32
|match_HAL_HV=42–36
|match_HAL_IPS=42–36
|match_HAL_KL=47–31
|match_HAL_LEI=42–36
|match_HAL_NEW=39–39
|match_HAL_OX=42–36
|match_HAL_PP=50–28
|match_HAL_SHE=35–43
|match_HAL_SWI=49–29
|match_HAL_WIM=52–26
|match_HAL_WOL=54–24
|name_HV=Hull
|match_HV_BV=60–09
|match_HV_COV=58–20
|match_HV_CH=37–41
|match_HV_EX=34–44
|match_HV_HAC=44–34
|match_HV_HAL=49–29
|match_HV_IPS=31–46
|match_HV_KL=36–42
|match_HV_LEI=42–36
|match_HV_NEW=51–27
|match_HV_OX=40–38
|match_HV_PP=58–20
|match_HV_SHE=45–33
|match_HV_SWI=48–30
|match_HV_WIM=38–40
|match_HV_WOL=37–41
|name_IPS=Ipswich
|match_IPS_BV=54–24
|match_IPS_COV=41–37
|match_IPS_CH=53–25
|match_IPS_EX=36–41
|match_IPS_HAC=48–30
|match_IPS_HAL=48–30
|match_IPS_HV=44–34
|match_IPS_KL=44–33
|match_IPS_LEI=44–34
|match_IPS_NEW=51–27
|match_IPS_OX=48–30
|match_IPS_PP=50–28
|match_IPS_SHE=40–38
|match_IPS_SWI=40–38
|match_IPS_WIM=56–22
|match_IPS_WOL=44–34
|name_KL=King's Lynn
|match_KL_BV=41–37
|match_KL_COV=49–29
|match_KL_CH=38–40
|match_KL_EX=40–38
|match_KL_HAC=42–36
|match_KL_HAL=51–27
|match_KL_HV=42–36
|match_KL_IPS=39–39
|match_KL_LEI=46–32
|match_KL_NEW=51–27
|match_KL_OX=42–36
|match_KL_PP=41–37
|match_KL_SHE=43–35
|match_KL_SWI=44–34
|match_KL_WIM=55–23
|match_KL_WOL=49–29
|name_LEI=Leicester
|match_LEI_BV=40–38
|match_LEI_COV=47–31
|match_LEI_CH=48–30
|match_LEI_EX=39–39
|match_LEI_HAC=42–36
|match_LEI_HAL=35–43
|match_LEI_HV=51–27
|match_LEI_IPS=37–41
|match_LEI_KL=43–35
|match_LEI_NEW=41–37
|match_LEI_OX=46–32
|match_LEI_PP=44–34
|match_LEI_SHE=23–55
|match_LEI_SWI=53–25
|match_LEI_WIM=51–27
|match_LEI_WOL=36–42
|name_NEW=Newport
|match_NEW_BV=41–37
|match_NEW_COV=52–26
|match_NEW_CH=51–27
|match_NEW_EX=37–41
|match_NEW_HAC=45–33
|match_NEW_HAL=40–38
|match_NEW_HV=45–33
|match_NEW_IPS=51–27
|match_NEW_KL=47–31
|match_NEW_LEI=50–28
|match_NEW_OX=41–37
|match_NEW_PP=57–21
|match_NEW_SHE=44–34
|match_NEW_SWI=42–36
|match_NEW_WIM=51–27
|match_NEW_WOL=48–30
|name_OX=Oxford
|match_OX_BV=32–46
|match_OX_COV=48–29
|match_OX_CH=36.5–41.5
|match_OX_EX=38–40
|match_OX_HAC=34–44
|match_OX_HAL=41–37
|match_OX_HV=50–28
|match_OX_IPS=30–48
|match_OX_KL=48–30
|match_OX_LEI=47–31
|match_OX_NEW=34–44
|match_OX_PP=52–26
|match_OX_SHE=35–43
|match_OX_SWI=36–42
|match_OX_WIM=43–34
|match_OX_WOL=47–31
|name_PP=Poole
|match_PP_BV=37–41
|match_PP_COV=36–42
|match_PP_CH=45–33
|match_PP_EX=38–40
|match_PP_HAC=44–34
|match_PP_HAL=41–37
|match_PP_HV=43–34
|match_PP_IPS=42–36
|match_PP_KL=42–36
|match_PP_LEI=43–34
|match_PP_NEW=40–38
|match_PP_OX=45–32
|match_PP_SHE=45–33
|match_PP_SWI=43–35
|match_PP_WIM=43–35
|match_PP_WOL=38–40
|name_SHE=Sheffield
|match_SHE_BV=40–38
|match_SHE_COV=44–34
|match_SHE_CH=62–16
|match_SHE_EX=51–27
|match_SHE_HAC=61–17
|match_SHE_HAL=51–27
|match_SHE_HV=42–36
|match_SHE_IPS=43–35
|match_SHE_KL=47–31
|match_SHE_LEI=56–22
|match_SHE_NEW=52–26
|match_SHE_OX=58–20
|match_SHE_PP=52–26
|match_SHE_SWI=55–23
|match_SHE_WIM=57–21
|match_SHE_WOL=53–25
|name_SWI=Swindon
|match_SWI_BV=38–40
|match_SWI_COV=45–33
|match_SWI_CH=49–29
|match_SWI_EX=38–40
|match_SWI_HAC=41–37
|match_SWI_HAL=39–39
|match_SWI_HV=49–29
|match_SWI_IPS=40–38
|match_SWI_KL=41–37
|match_SWI_LEI=44–34
|match_SWI_NEW=39–39
|match_SWI_OX=32–46
|match_SWI_PP=46–32
|match_SWI_SHE=44–34
|match_SWI_WIM=45–33
|match_SWI_WOL=44–34
|name_WIM=Wimbledon
|match_WIM_BV=35–43
|match_WIM_COV=49–29
|match_WIM_CH=45–32
|match_WIM_EX=43–35
|match_WIM_HAC=50–27
|match_WIM_HAL=55–23
|match_WIM_HV=50–27
|match_WIM_IPS=41–37
|match_WIM_KL=33–41
|match_WIM_LEI=40–38
|match_WIM_NEW=51–27
|match_WIM_OX=48–30
|match_WIM_PP=39–39
|match_WIM_SHE=46–31
|match_WIM_SWI=55–23
|match_WIM_WOL=51–27
|name_WOL=Wolverhampton
|match_WOL_BV=43–35
|match_WOL_COV=31–46
|match_WOL_CH=38.5–39.5
|match_WOL_EX=37–41
|match_WOL_HAC=39–39
|match_WOL_HAL=45–32
|match_WOL_HV=40–38
|match_WOL_IPS=36–42
|match_WOL_KL=36–42
|match_WOL_LEI=43–35
|match_WOL_NEW=33–45
|match_WOL_OX=46–32
|match_WOL_PP=39–37
|match_WOL_SHE=40–37
|match_WOL_SWI=43–35
|match_WOL_WIM=44–34
|update=complete|source={{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1974.html |publisher=Speedway Researcher |title=1974 fixtures & results |access-date=5 March 2025 }}
}}
Top ten riders (league averages)
class=wikitable
! ! Rider ! Nat ! Team ! C.M.A. |
align="center" | 1
| {{Flagicon|DEN}} | Wolverhampton | 11.21 |
align="center" | 2
| {{Flagicon|NZL}} | Exeter | 11.15 |
align="center" | 3
| {{Flagicon|AUS}} | Newport | 10.77 |
align="center" | 4
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Belle Vue | 10.73 |
align="center" | 5
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Ipswich | 10.73 |
align="center" | 6
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | King's Lynn | 10.26 |
align="center" | 7
| {{Flagicon|NOR}} | Hackney | 10.15 |
align="center" | 8
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Swindon | 10.10 |
align="center" | 9
| {{Flagicon|AUS}} | Cradley | 9.94 |
align="center" | 10
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Halifax | 9.92 |
British League Knockout Cup
The 1974 Speedway Star British League Knockout Cup was the 36th edition of the Knockout Cup for tier one teams. Sheffield were the winners.{{cite web|url=http://edinburghspeedway.blogspot.com/2014/03/british-league-division-one-ko-cup-1974.html|title=1974 British League Knockout Cup|publisher=Speedway archive}}
First round
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!width=80| Date !width=250| Team one !width=80| Score !width=250| Team two | |||
20/04 | Cradley United | 40–38 | Wolverhampton |
19/04 | Ipswich | 50–28 | Oxford |
12/04 | Wolverhampton | 48–30 | Cradley United |
21/03 | Oxford | 40–37 | Ipswich |
Second round
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!width=80| Date !width=250| Team one !width=80| Score !width=250| Team two | |||
07/06 | Wolverhampton | 36–42 | Kings Lynn |
04/06 | Wimbledon | 38–40 | Ipswich |
30/05 | Ipswich | 52–26 | Wimbledon |
29/05 | Hull | 38–40 | Sheffield |
25/05 | Coventry | 42–36 | Leicester |
22/05 | Belle Vue | 53–25 | Halifax |
18/05 | Kings Lynn | 45–33 | Wolverhampton |
17/05 | Hackney | 40–38 | Poole |
15/05 | Poole | 42–36 | Hackney |
13/05 | Halifax | 35–43 | Belle Vue |
09/05 | Sheffield | 52–26 | Hull |
07/05 | Leicester | 43–35 | Coventry |
27/04 | Swindon | 40–38 | Newport |
26/04 | Newport | 42–36 | Swindon |
|Exeter | bye | Reading |
Quarter-finals
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!width=80| Date !width=250| Team one !width=80| Score !width=250| Team two | |||
31/07 | Poole | 38–40 | Kings Lynn |
20/07 | King's Lynn | 38–40 | Poole |
16/07 | Leicester | 38–40 | Ipswich |
08/07 | Sheffield | 46–32 | Newport |
06/07 | Belle Vue | 44–32 | Exeter |
05/07 | Newport | 35–43 | Sheffield |
20/06 | Ipswich | 42–36 | Leicester |
10/06 | Exeter | 46–32 | Belle Vue |
24/08 | Kings Lynn | 42–36 | Poole |
21/08 | Poole | 45–32 | Kings Lynn |
Semi-finals
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!width=80| Date !width=250| Team one !width=80| Score !width=250| Team two | |||
09/09 | Sheffield | 46–32 | Poole |
04/09 | Poole | 37–40 | Sheffield |
29/08 | Ipswich | 50–28 | Exeter |
19/08 | Exeter | 42–36 | Ipswich |
=Final=
First leg
{{football box
|date = 6 October 1974
|team1 =Ipswich Witches
John Louis 11
Billy Sanders 10
Tony Davey 6
Mick Hines 5
Ted Howgego 3
Alan Sage 2
Trevor Jones 0
|score = 37–41
|report = {{cite news |title=Hero Haley puts Ipswich on the rack |work=Daily Mirror |date=7 October 1974 |access-date=7 December 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19741007/218/0028 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
|team2 = Sheffield Tigers
Arnie Haley 13
Bob Valentine 11
Doug Wyer 8
Reg Wilson 6
Craig Pendlebury 2
Bob Paulson 1
Carl Glover 0
|stadium = Foxhall Stadium
}}
Second leg
{{football box
|date = 7 October 1974
|team1 =Sheffield Tigers
Bob Valentine 11
Arnie Haley 8
Doug Wyer 8
Craig Pendlebury 8
Reg Wilson 7
Carl Glover 6
Bob Paulson 1
|score = 49–29
|team2 = Ipswich Witches
John Louis 13
Tony Davey 9
Billy Sanders 3
Mick Hines 2
Ted Howgego 1
Mike Lanham 1
Alan Sage 0
|stadium = Owlerton Stadium
}}
Sheffield Tigers were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 90-65.
Riders' Championship
Peter Collins won the British League Riders' Championship held at Hyde Road on 19 October.{{cite news |title=Speedway |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=21 October 1974 |access-date=2 June 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19741021/326/0031 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
class=wikitable
!width=25px|Pos. | width=200px|Rider | width=70px|Heat Scores | width=50px|Total |
align=center {{speedway color|g}}
|1 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Peter Collins | 3 3 3 3 3 | 15 |
align=center
|2 | align=left|{{flagicon|NZL}} Ivan Mauger | 2 2 3 3 2 | 12 |
align=center
|3 | align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} Phil Crump | 1 3 2 3 3 | 12 |
align=center
|4 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} John Louis | 3 2 1 2 3 | 11 |
align=center
|5 | align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} Bob Valentine | 3 1 2 2 3 | 11 |
align=center
|6 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Dave Jessup | 2 3 1 2 2 | 10 |
align=center
|7 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Martin Ashby | 1 2 2 1 2 | 8 |
align=center
|8 | align=left|{{flagicon|SCO}} George Hunter | 2 0 3 2 0 | 7 |
align=center
|9 | align=left|{{flagicon|NZL}} Barry Briggs | 0 2 EF 3 2 | 7 |
align=center
|10 | align=left|{{flagicon|SCO}} Jim McMillan | 1 3 0 1 1 | 6 |
align=center
|11 | align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} John Boulger | 2 1 2 EF 1 | 6 |
align=center
|12 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Eric Boocock | 0 1 3 0 1 | 5 |
align=center
|13 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Bob Kilby | 3 F R 1 0 | 4 |
align=center
|14 | align=left|{{flagicon|NOR}} Dag Lövaas | 0 0 1 1 1 | 3 |
align=center
|15 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Terry Betts | 1 0 1 0 0 | 2 |
align=center
|16 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Nigel Boocock | 0 1 0 0 EF | 1 |
- ef=engine failure, f=fell, x=excluded
Final leading averages
class=wikitable
! ! Rider ! Nat ! Team ! C.M.A. |
align="center" | 1
| {{Flagicon|DEN}} | Wolverhampton | 11.39 |
align="center" | 2
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Belle Vue | 10.98 |
align="center" | 3
| {{Flagicon|NZL}} | Exeter | 10.88 |
align="center" | 4
| {{Flagicon|AUS}} | Newport | 10.79 |
align="center" | 5
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Ipswich | 10.79 |
align="center" | 6
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | King's Lynn | 10.32 |
align="center" | 7
| {{Flagicon|NOR}} | Hackney | 10.17 |
align="center" | 8
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Swindon | 10.09 |
align="center" | 9
| {{Flagicon|AUS}} | Cradley | 10.06 |
align="center" | 10
| {{Flagicon|AUS}} | Sheffield | 9.92 |
align="center" | 11
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | King's Lynn | 9.78 |
align="center" | 13
| {{Flagicon|SWE}} | Belle Vue | 9.72 |
align="center" | 14
| {{Flagicon|SCO}} | Hull | 9.71 |
align="center" | 15
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Leicester | 9.66 |
align="center" | 15
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Halifax | 9.61 |
align="center" | 17
| {{Flagicon|NOR}} | Newport | 9.42 |
align="center" | 18
| {{Flagicon|AUS}} | Ipswich | 9.34 |
align="center" | 19
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Leicester | 9.34 |
align="center" | 20
| {{Flagicon|NZL}} | Wimbledon | 9.30 |
Midland Cup
Leicester won the Midland Cup. The competition consisted of six teams.{{cite news |title=Wolves beaten in cup final |work=Birmingham Daily Post |date=12 October 1974 | url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002135/19741012/549/0022 | via = British Newspaper Archive| access-date=21 October 2023 |url-access=subscription }}
First round
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!width=150| Team one !width=150| Team two !width=120| Score | ||
Oxford | Swindon | 41–37, 34–44 |
Coventry | Cradley | 39–39, 28–50 |
Semi final round
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!width=150| Team one !width=150| Team two !width=120| Score | ||
Leicester | Swindon | 41–37, 41–37 |
Cradley | Wolverhampton | 32–46, 38–40 |
=Final=
First leg
{{football box
|date = 8 October 1974
|team1 = Leicester
Ray Wilson 11
Dave Jessup 9
Frank Auffret 9
Bob Coles (guest) 4
Malcolm Brown 4
Mick Bell 3
Norman Storer 2
|score = 42–36
|report =
|team2 = Wolverhampton
John Boulger (guest) 14
George Hunter 10
Malcolm Shakespeare 8
Bengt Andersson 3
Colin Meredith 1
Tom Leadbitter 0
Tony Featherstone 0
|stadium = Leicester Stadium
|attendance =
}}
Second leg
{{football box
|date = 11 October 1974
|team1 = Wolverhampton
Eric Broadbelt (guest) 12
George Hunter 9
Malcolm Shakespeare 6
Tom Leadbitter 4
Bengt Andersson 2
Colin Meredith 2
Finn Thomsen 0
|score = 35–43
|report =
|team2 = Leicester
Dave Jessup 10
Ray Wilson 9
Arthur Price (guest) 8
Frank Auffret 6
Norman Storer 5
Mick Bell 5
Malcolm Brown 0
|stadium = Monmore Green Stadium
|attendance =
}}
Leicester won on aggregate 85–71
London Cup
Wimbledon won the London Cup but there were now only two teams remaining in London.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1974record.pdf |title=1974 fixtures and results |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=30 September 2023}}
Results
class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%"
!width=100| Team !width=70| Score !width=100| Team | ||
Wimbledon | 46–32 | Hackney |
Hackney | 39–39 | Wimbledon |
Riders & final averages
Belle Vue
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||ENG|Peter Collins}} 10.98
- {{player||SWE|Sören Sjösten}} 9.72
- {{player||ENG|Chris Pusey}} 8.68
- {{player||ENG|Paul Tyrer}} 7.47
- {{player||ENG|Chris Morton}} 7.24
- {{player||ENG|Alan Wilkinson}} 6.49
- {{player||ENG|Geoff Pusey}} 4.15
- {{player||ENG|Terry Kelly}} 3.24
- {{player||ENG|Ian Hindle}} 2.73
{{div col end}}
Coventry
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||ENG|Nigel Boocock}} 8.50
- {{player||ENG|John Harrhy}} 6.70
- {{player||ENG|Alan Jay}} 5.96
- {{player||FIN|Matti Olin}} 5.78
- {{player||SWE|Olle Nygren}} 4.97
- {{player||ENG|Roy Carter}} 4.50
- {{player||ENG|Frank Smith}} 4.34
- {{player||NZL|Robin Adlington}} 2.13
- {{player||ENG|Jeff Shirley}} 1.75
{{div col end}}
Cradley Heath
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||AUS|John Boulger}} 10.06
- {{player||WAL|Howard Cole}} (Kid Brodie) 7.70
- {{player||NZL|Bruce Cribb}} 6.19
- {{player||HUN|Sándor Lévai}} 5.79
- {{player||ENG|Arthur Price}} 5.56
- {{player||ENG|Russell Osborne}} 4.70
- {{player||ENG|Malcolm Corradine}} 4.14
- {{player||ENG|Dave Perks}} 4.00
- {{player||ENG|Dave Younghusband}} 3.33
- {{player||ENG|Steve Bastable}} 2.09
{{div col end}}
Exeter
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||NZL|Ivan Mauger}} 10.88
- {{player||USA|Scott Autrey}} 8.32
- {{player||ENG|Mike Sampson}} 7.79
- {{player||ENG|Tony Lomas}} 7.29
- {{player||ENG|Kevin Holden}} 7.26
- {{player||AUS|Steve Reinke}} 5.57
- {{player||ENG|Chris Julian}} 5.52
- {{player||NZL|Frank Shuter}} 4.76
- {{player||ENG|Peter Thompson}} 4.23
{{div col end}}
Hackney
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||NOR|Dag Lövaas}} 10.17
- {{player||ENG|Barry Thomas}} 7.78
- {{player||ENG|Dave Morton}} 6.34
- {{player||ENG|Steve Lomas}} 5.76
- {{player||ENG|Hugh Saunders}} 5.37
- {{player||ENG|Dave Kennett}} 5.33
- {{player||ENG|Laurie Etheridge}} 5.29
- {{player||ENG|Geoff Maloney}} 4.48
{{div col end}}
Halifax
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||ENG|Eric Boocock}} 9.61
- {{player||ENG|Rick France}} 7.50
- {{player||AUS|Charlie Monk}} 7.20
- {{player||ENG|Graham Plant}} 7.01
- {{player||NED|Henny Kroeze}} 5.43
- {{player||ENG|Dave Gatenby}} 4.81
- {{player||ENG|Mike Hiftle}} 4.75
- {{player||WAL|Graham Drury}} 2.77
- {{player||ENG|John Jackson}} 2.61
{{div col end}}
Hull
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||SCO|Jimmy McMillan}} 9.71
- {{player||SCO|Bobby Beaton}} 7.77
- {{player||ENG|Mitch Graham}} 5.73
- {{player||ENG|Tommy Roper}} 5.52
- {{player||ENG|Tom Owen}} 5.14
- {{player||GER|Josef Angermuller}} 5.11
- {{player||ENG|Robbie Gardner}} 5.09
- {{player||NZL|Dave Gifford}} 4.14
{{div col end}}
Ipswich
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||ENG|John Louis}} 10.79
- {{player||AUS|Billy Sanders}} 9.34
- {{player||ENG|Tony Davey}} 8.29
- {{player||SWE|Olle Nygren}} 6.19
- {{player||ENG|Mick Hines}} 5.53
- {{player||ENG|Mike Lanham}} 5.18
- {{player||ENG|Ted Howgego}} 4.80
- {{player||ENG|Trevor Jones}} 4.50
- {{player||ENG|Alan Sage}} 4.29
{{div col end}}
King's Lynn
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||ENG|Terry Betts}} 10.32
- {{player||ENG|Malcolm Simmons}} 9.78
- {{player||ENG|Ian Turner}} 6.36
- {{player||ENG|Barry Crowson}} 5.81
- {{player||ENG|Ray Bales}} 5.25
- {{player||AUS|Bob Humphreys}} 4.87
- {{player||ENG|Eddie Reeves}} 4.77
{{div col end}}
Leicester
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||ENG|Dave Jessup}} 9.66
- {{player||ENG|Ray Wilson}} 9.34
- {{player||ENG|Frank Auffret}} 6.46
- {{player||ENG|Mick Bell}} 5.77
- {{player||ENG|Norman Storer}} 5.41
- {{player||NZL|Tom Black}} 3.45
- {{player||ENG|Keith White}} 3.29
- {{player||ENG|Malcolm Brown}} 2.62
{{div col end}}
Newport
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||AUS|Phil Crump}} 10.79
- {{player||NOR|Reidar Eide}} 9.42
- {{player||AUS|Neil Street}} 7.70
- {{player||ENG|Tom Owen}} 5.26
- {{player||ENG|Bob Coles}} 5.08
- {{player||ENG|Roy Trigg}} 4.76
- {{player||AUS|Geoff Mudge}} 4.36
- {{player||ENG|Jim Tebby}} 4.15
{{div col end}}
Oxford
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||ENG|Bob Kilby}} 8.32
- {{player||ENG|Gordon Kennett}} 7.32
- {{player||NOR|Ulf Lövaas}} 6.89
- {{player||ENG|John Davis}} 6.86
- {{player||ENG|Richard Greer}} 6.76
- {{player||ENG|John Dews}} 5.18
- {{player||ENG|Bobby McNeil}} 4.15
- {{player||ENG|Trevor Geer}} 4.00
- {{player||NZL|Rick Timmo}} 3.72
- {{player||NED|Henk Steman}} 1.60
{{div col end}}
Poole
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||ENG|Eric Broadbelt}} 8.58
- {{player||ENG|Pete Smith}} 7.28
- {{player||ENG|Richard May}} 6.31
- {{player||ENG|Colin Gooddy}} 6.29
- {{player||POL|Antoni Woryna}} 5.27
- {{player||ENG|Mike Cake}} 2.54
- {{player||ENG|Martin Yeates}} 2.29
{{div col end}}
Sheffield
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||AUS|Bob Valentine}} 9.92
- {{player||ENG|Reg Wilson}} 9.23
- {{player||ENG|Doug Wyer}} 9.13
- {{player||ENG|Bob Paulson}} 7.24
- {{player||ENG|Arnold Haley}} 6.98
- {{player||ENG|Carl Glover}} 6.40
- {{player||ENG|Craig Pendlebury}} 5.91
- {{player||ENG|Rod Haynes}} 4.70
{{div col end}}
Swindon
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||ENG|Martin Ashby}} 10.09
- {{player||NOR|Edgar Stangeland}} 7.97
- {{player||ENG|Norman Hunter}} 6.37
- {{player||ENG|Bernie Leigh}} 5.10
- {{player||ENG|Mike Keen}} 4.55
- {{player||ENG|David Ashby}} 4.51
- {{player||ENG|Mick Handley}} 4.06
- {{player||ENG|Brian Leonard}} 3.58
- {{player||ENG|Geoff Bouchard}} 2.50
{{div col end}}
Wimbledon
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||NZL|Barry Briggs}} 9.30
- {{player||ENG|Trevor Hedge}} 7.09
- {{player||NZL|Graeme Stapleton}} 6.64
- {{player||SCO|Bert Harkins}} 5.84
- {{player||ENG|Roger Johns}} 5.45
- {{player||AUS|Neil Cameron}} 5.17
- {{player||ENG|Reg Luckhurst}} 5.02
- {{player||ENG|Rob Jones}} 3.03
{{div col end}}
Wolverhampton
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- {{player||DEN|Ole Olsen}} 11.39
- {{player||SCO|George Hunter}} 8.04
- {{player||ENG|Ken Eyre}} 6.53
- {{player||ENG|Tom Leadbitter}} 5.38
- {{player||DEN|Finn Thomsen}} 4.28
- {{player||ENG|Malcolm Shakespeare}} 4.04
- {{player||ENG|Colin Meredith}} 3.20
- {{player||SWE|Bengt Andersson}} 2.59
- {{player||ENG|Tony Freegard}} 2.33
{{div col end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Speedway in the United Kingdom}}
{{United Kingdom Speedway Seasons}}
{{British Speedway League seasons}}