1981 National League season#National League Knockout Cup
{{Short description|British motorcycle speedway season}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox speedway league season
| competition = National League
| competitors = 19
| domesticcup1 = Champions
| domesticcup1 winners = Middlesbrough Tigers
| domesticcup2 = Knockout Cup
| domesticcup2 winners = Edinburgh Monarchs
| domesticcup3 = Individual
| domesticcup3 winners = Mike Ferreira
| domesticcup4 = Pairs
| domesticcup4 winners = Canterbury Crusaders
| domesticcup5 = Fours
| domesticcup5 winners = Edinburgh Monarchs
| highest average = Mike Ferreira
| league above = 1981 British League
| prevseason = 1980
| nextseason = 1982
}}
The 1981 National League was contested as the second division/tier of Speedway in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=http://edinburghspeedway.blogspot.com/p/compet.html|title=Historic league tables|publisher=Speedway Archive}}
Summary
The league started with 20 teams with Nottingham Outlaws dropping out after the BSPA refused an application by promoter Maurice Jones to run during 1981.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002508/19810219/023/0023 |title=Hopes of racing at Long Eaton dim to flicker |website=Long Eaton Advertiser |date=19 February 1981 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 September 2024}} However, Wolverhampton Wolves joined having moved down from the British League. Wolves promoter Mike Parker was replaced by Dan McCormick for the 1981 season.{{cite news |title=Parker is back - now he needs a team |work=Birmingham Mail |date=10 December 1981 |access-date=8 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002139/19811210/051/0051 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
Berwick Bandits were forced to quit after 26 league meetings, their record being expunged. Middlesbrough Tigers comfortably won their first ever title.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/history/leaguetables1965-1990|title=BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - BRITISH LEAGUE ERA (1965-1990)|website=Official British Speedway website|access-date=11 September 2021}}{{cite book|last=Oakes|first=Peter|title=1981 Speedway Yearbook|year=1981|page=101|publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd|isbn=0-86215-017-5}}
Exeter Falcons rider Tony Sanford died following an accident at the County Ground Stadium on 7 September. He was racing in a match against Milton Keynes when he hit a barrier near the final bend.{{cite web |url=http://motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ms&n=3095|title=Tony Sanford|website=Motorsport memorial|access-date=30 July 2021}} A memorial trophy was held in subsequent years in his memory.{{cite web |url=http://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.22562|title=PLYMOUTH: TONY SANFORD MEMORIAL TROPHY - PREVIEW|website=Speedway GB|access-date=30 July 2021}}
Final table
class=wikitable width="400"
! Pos ! Team ! PL ! W ! D ! L ! Pts |
1
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 30 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 5 | align="center" | 61 |
2
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 26 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 9 | align="center" | 53 |
3
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 25 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 10 | align="center" | 51 |
4
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 25 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 11 | align="center" | 50 |
5
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 24 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 12 | align="center" | 48 |
6
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 22 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 14 | align="center" | 44 |
7
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 22 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 14 | align="center" | 44 |
8
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 20 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 16 | align="center" | 40 |
9
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 19 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 16 | align="center" | 39 |
10
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 19 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 17 | align="center" | 38 |
11
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 18 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 17 | align="center" | 37 |
12
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 18 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 17 | align="center" | 37 |
13
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 14 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 21 | align="center" | 29 |
14
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 14 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 21 | align="center" | 29 |
15
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 14 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 22 | align="center" | 28 |
16
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 11 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 25 | align="center" | 22 |
17
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 6 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 29 | align="center" | 13 |
18
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 6 | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 29 | align="center" | 13 |
19
| align="center" | 36 | align="center" | 4 | align="center" | 0 | align="center" | 32 | align="center" | 8 |
Fixtures and results
{{#invoke:sports results|main
|matches_style=FBR|solid_cell=grey
|team1=BER||team2=BOS|team3=CAN|team4=CRY|team5=ED|team6=EP|team7=EX|team8=GLA|team9=MID|team10=MIL|team11=MK|team12=NEW|team13=OX|team14=PET|team15=RH|team16=SCU|team17=STO|team18=WEY|team19=WOL|team20=WOR
|name_BER=Berwick
|match_BER_BOS=n/a
|match_BER_CAN=n/a
|match_BER_CRY=44–34
|match_BER_ED=n/a
|match_BER_EP=n/a
|match_BER_EX=44–34
|match_BER_GLA=n/a
|match_BER_MID=n/a
|match_BER_MIL=n/a
|match_BER_MK=46–32
|match_BER_NEW=37–41
|match_BER_OX=n/a
|match_BER_PET=46–31
|match_BER_RH=55–23
|match_BER_SCU=57–21
|match_BER_STO=n/a
|match_BER_WEY=37–41
|match_BER_WOL=n/a
|match_BER_WOR=n/a
|name_BOS=Boston
|match_BOS_BER=45–33
|match_BOS_CAN=47–30
|match_BOS_CRY=57–21
|match_BOS_ED=47–31
|match_BOS_EP=51–27
|match_BOS_EX=48–30
|match_BOS_GLA=53–25
|match_BOS_MID=40–38
|match_BOS_MIL=50–28
|match_BOS_MK=53–25
|match_BOS_NEW=43–35
|match_BOS_OX=51–27
|match_BOS_PET=42–36
|match_BOS_RH=47–31
|match_BOS_SCU=52–26
|match_BOS_STO=51–27
|match_BOS_WEY=51–27
|match_BOS_WOL=40–38
|match_BOS_WOR=55–23
|name_CAN=Canterbury
|match_CAN_BER=38–40
|match_CAN_BOS=36–42
|match_CAN_CRY=40–38
|match_CAN_ED=39–38
|match_CAN_EP=35–43
|match_CAN_EX=43–35
|match_CAN_GLA=41–37
|match_CAN_MID=31–46
|match_CAN_MIL=35–43
|match_CAN_MK=43–35
|match_CAN_NEW=34–44
|match_CAN_OX=41–37
|match_CAN_PET=44–34
|match_CAN_RH=45–33
|match_CAN_SCU=53–25
|match_CAN_STO=36–42
|match_CAN_WEY=35–43
|match_CAN_WOL=32–45
|match_CAN_WOR=60–18
|name_CRY=Crayford
|match_CRY_BER=42–36
|match_CRY_BOS=44–34
|match_CRY_CAN=47–31
|match_CRY_ED=37–40
|match_CRY_EP=47–30
|match_CRY_EX=54–24
|match_CRY_GLA=40–38
|match_CRY_MID=25–52
|match_CRY_MIL=50–28
|match_CRY_MK=44–34
|match_CRY_NEW=39–38
|match_CRY_OX=42–36
|match_CRY_PET=43–35
|match_CRY_RH=55–23
|match_CRY_SCU=60–18
|match_CRY_STO=39–38
|match_CRY_WEY=40–37
|match_CRY_WOL=51.5–26.5
|match_CRY_WOR=63–15
|name_ED=Edinburgh
|match_ED_BER=42–36
|match_ED_BOS=50.5–27.5
|match_ED_CAN=41–35
|match_ED_CRY=47–30
|match_ED_EP=49–29
|match_ED_EX=47–31
|match_ED_GLA=48–29
|match_ED_MID=37–41
|match_ED_MIL=58–20
|match_ED_MK=53–13
|match_ED_NEW=36–42
|match_ED_OX=42–36
|match_ED_PET=51–27
|match_ED_RH=50–27
|match_ED_SCU=43–30
|match_ED_STO=41–37
|match_ED_WEY=46–32
|match_ED_WOL=49–29
|match_ED_WOR=62–16
|name_EP=Ellesmere Port
|match_EP_BER=44–34
|match_EP_BOS=40–38
|match_EP_CAN=48–30
|match_EP_CRY=56–22
|match_EP_ED=45–33
|match_EP_EX=51–26
|match_EP_GLA=37–41
|match_EP_MID=30–48
|match_EP_MIL=55–23
|match_EP_MK=60–18
|match_EP_NEW=50–8
|match_EP_OX=39–39
|match_EP_PET=43–34
|match_EP_RH=51–27
|match_EP_SCU=57–21
|match_EP_STO=52–26
|match_EP_WEY=37–41
|match_EP_WOL=55–22
|match_EP_WOR=63–14
|name_EX=Exeter
|match_EX_BER=47–31
|match_EX_BOS=44–34
|match_EX_CAN=48–30
|match_EX_CRY=62–16
|match_EX_ED=45–33
|match_EX_EP=43–35
|match_EX_GLA=47–31
|match_EX_MID=49–29
|match_EX_MIL=47–31
|match_EX_MK=58–20
|match_EX_NEW=44–34
|match_EX_OX=51–27
|match_EX_PET=53–25
|match_EX_RH=57–21
|match_EX_SCU=59–19
|match_EX_STO=40–35
|match_EX_WEY=43–35
|match_EX_WOL=51–27
|match_EX_WOR=52–26
|name_GLA=Glasgow
|match_GLA_BER=46–32
|match_GLA_BOS=44–34
|match_GLA_CAN=46–32
|match_GLA_CRY=58–20
|match_GLA_ED=52–25
|match_GLA_EP=58–20
|match_GLA_EX=50–28
|match_GLA_MID=40–38
|match_GLA_MIL=41–34
|match_GLA_MK=47–31
|match_GLA_NEW=41–35
|match_GLA_OX=41–37
|match_GLA_PET=47–30
|match_GLA_RH=46–32
|match_GLA_SCU=55–23
|match_GLA_STO=55–22
|match_GLA_WEY=40–38
|match_GLA_WOL=54.5–23.5
|match_GLA_WOR=55–23
|name_MID=Middlesbrough
|match_MID_BER=48–30
|match_MID_BOS=57–21
|match_MID_CAN=55–23
|match_MID_CRY=51–27
|match_MID_ED=51–27
|match_MID_EP=55–22
|match_MID_EX=45–33
|match_MID_GLA=48–29
|match_MID_MIL=42–36
|match_MID_MK=58–19
|match_MID_NEW=43–35
|match_MID_OX=54–24
|match_MID_PET=55–23
|match_MID_RH=44–34
|match_MID_SCU=59–19
|match_MID_STO=41–37
|match_MID_WEY=46–32
|match_MID_WOL=55–23
|match_MID_WOR=63–15
|name_MIL=Mildenhall
|match_MIL_BER=42–36
|match_MIL_BOS=38–40
|match_MIL_CAN=41–37
|match_MIL_CRY=50–28
|match_MIL_ED=34–44
|match_MIL_EP=44–34
|match_MIL_EX=46–32
|match_MIL_GLA=53–25
|match_MIL_MID=38–40
|match_MIL_MK=45–33
|match_MIL_NEW=38.5–39.5
|match_MIL_OX=40–38
|match_MIL_PET=48–28
|match_MIL_RH=41–37
|match_MIL_SCU=47–31
|match_MIL_STO=48–30
|match_MIL_WEY=53–25
|match_MIL_WOL=57–20
|match_MIL_WOR=48–30
|name_MK=Milton Keynes
|match_MK_BER=43–35
|match_MK_BOS=38–40
|match_MK_CAN=41–37
|match_MK_CRY=35–43
|match_MK_ED=34–44
|match_MK_EP=37–41
|match_MK_EX=38–40
|match_MK_GLA=38–40
|match_MK_MID=32–46
|match_MK_MIL=34–44
|match_MK_NEW=36–42
|match_MK_OX=37–41
|match_MK_PET=33–45
|match_MK_RH=40–38
|match_MK_SCU=34–41
|match_MK_STO=37–40
|match_MK_WEY=27–51
|match_MK_WOL=36–42
|match_MK_WOR=52–26
|name_NEW=Newcastle
|match_NEW_BER=45–32
|match_NEW_BOS=45–32
|match_NEW_CAN=44–34
|match_NEW_CRY=55–23
|match_NEW_ED=44–34
|match_NEW_EP=58–20
|match_NEW_EX=50–27
|match_NEW_GLA=51–27
|match_NEW_MID=39–39
|match_NEW_MIL=60–18
|match_NEW_MK=53–24
|match_NEW_OX=49–29
|match_NEW_PET=50–28
|match_NEW_RH=52–26
|match_NEW_SCU=54–24
|match_NEW_STO=47–31
|match_NEW_WEY=44–34
|match_NEW_WOL=42–36
|match_NEW_WOR=53–25
|name_OX=Oxford
|match_OX_BER=44–34
|match_OX_BOS=42–36
|match_OX_CAN=37–40
|match_OX_CRY=44–34
|match_OX_ED=43–35
|match_OX_EP=46–30
|match_OX_EX=41–37
|match_OX_GLA=42–36
|match_OX_MID=33–45
|match_OX_MIL=35–43
|match_OX_MK=49–29
|match_OX_NEW=36–42
|match_OX_PET=42–36
|match_OX_RH=43–35
|match_OX_SCU=43–35
|match_OX_STO=44–34
|match_OX_WEY=34–43
|match_OX_WOL=44–34
|match_OX_WOR=62–15
|name_PET=Peterborough
|match_PET_BER=40–38
|match_PET_BOS=52–26
|match_PET_CAN=44–33
|match_PET_CRY=54–24
|match_PET_ED=34–44
|match_PET_EP=44–34
|match_PET_EX=43–35
|match_PET_GLA=48–30
|match_PET_MID=48–29
|match_PET_MIL=44–34
|match_PET_MK=56–22
|match_PET_NEW=43–35
|match_PET_OX=52–26
|match_PET_RH=42–36
|match_PET_SCU=47–31
|match_PET_STO=54–24
|match_PET_WEY=45–33
|match_PET_WOL=44–33
|match_PET_WOR=58–20
|name_RH=Rye House
|match_RH_BER=42–36
|match_RH_BOS=42–35
|match_RH_CAN=48–30
|match_RH_CRY=43–35
|match_RH_ED=33–44
|match_RH_EP=45–33
|match_RH_EX=34–44
|match_RH_GLA=31–46
|match_RH_MID=37–41
|match_RH_MIL=38–39
|match_RH_MK=51–27
|match_RH_NEW=45–33
|match_RH_OX=37–41
|match_RH_PET=59–19
|match_RH_SCU=55–22
|match_RH_STO=41–36
|match_RH_WEY=34–44
|match_RH_WOL=37–41
|match_RH_WOR=63–15
|name_SCU=Scunthorpe
|match_SCU_BER=n/a
|match_SCU_BOS=24–54
|match_SCU_CAN=38–40
|match_SCU_CRY=36–42
|match_SCU_ED=35–43
|match_SCU_EP=42–36
|match_SCU_EX=35–43
|match_SCU_GLA=44–34
|match_SCU_MID=31–47
|match_SCU_MIL=40–38
|match_SCU_MK=49–29
|match_SCU_NEW=38–40
|match_SCU_OX=34–43
|match_SCU_PET=39–39
|match_SCU_RH=28–49
|match_SCU_STO=31–47
|match_SCU_WEY=26–52
|match_SCU_WOL=33–45
|match_SCU_WOR=44–33
|name_STO=Stoke
|match_STO_BER=42–36
|match_STO_BOS=43–35
|match_STO_CAN=38–40
|match_STO_CRY=35–39
|match_STO_ED=38–40
|match_STO_EP=37–41
|match_STO_EX=40–37
|match_STO_GLA=37–41
|match_STO_MID=23–54
|match_STO_MIL=28–50
|match_STO_MK=48–30
|match_STO_NEW=40–38
|match_STO_OX=41–37
|match_STO_PET=37–4`
|match_STO_RH=48–30
|match_STO_SCU=56–22
|match_STO_WEY=37–41
|match_STO_WOL=45–33
|match_STO_WOR=57–21
|name_WEY=Weymouth
|match_WEY_BER=42–36
|match_WEY_BOS=49–29
|match_WEY_CAN=44–34
|match_WEY_CRY=43–35
|match_WEY_ED=40–38
|match_WEY_EP=52–26
|match_WEY_EX=50–28
|match_WEY_GLA=51–27
|match_WEY_MID=45–33
|match_WEY_MIL=54–24
|match_WEY_MK=56–22
|match_WEY_NEW=48–30
|match_WEY_OX=44–34
|match_WEY_PET=47–31
|match_WEY_RH=54–24
|match_WEY_SCU=47–31
|match_WEY_STO=53–25
|match_WEY_WOL=39–39
|match_WEY_WOR=63–15
|name_WOL=Wolverhampton
|match_WOL_BER=45–32
|match_WOL_BOS=42–36
|match_WOL_CAN=36–42
|match_WOL_CRY=48–29
|match_WOL_ED=35–43
|match_WOL_EP=44–34
|match_WOL_EX=46–32
|match_WOL_GLA=32–45
|match_WOL_MID=28–50
|match_WOL_MIL=48–30
|match_WOL_MK=41–37
|match_WOL_NEW=31–46
|match_WOL_OX=36–39
|match_WOL_PET=44–34
|match_WOL_RH=55–23
|match_WOL_SCU=60–18
|match_WOL_STO=38–40
|match_WOL_WEY=37–41
|match_WOL_WOR=51–27
|name_WOR=Workington
|match_WOR_BER=32–45
|match_WOR_BOS=46–32
|match_WOR_CAN=39–39
|match_WOR_CRY=41–35
|match_WOR_ED=29–49
|match_WOR_EP=36–42
|match_WOR_EX=36–42
|match_WOR_GLA=28–49
|match_WOR_MID=24–54
|match_WOR_MIL=33–45
|match_WOR_MK=36–42
|match_WOR_NEW=36–40
|match_WOR_OX=37–41
|match_WOR_PET=42–36
|match_WOR_RH=49–29
|match_WOR_SCU=47–31
|match_WOR_STO=34–44
|match_WOR_WEY=36–42
|match_WOR_WOL=41–36
|update=complete|source={{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1981.html |publisher=Speedway Researcher |title=1981 fixtures & results |access-date=25 March 2025 }}
}}
National League Knockout Cup
The 1981 National League Knockout Cup was the 14th edition of the Knockout Cup for tier two teams. Edinburgh Monarchs were the winners of the competition.{{cite web|url=http://edinburghspeedway.blogspot.com/2013/07/national-league-ko-cup-1981.html|title=1981 National 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 | |||
29/03 | Mildenhall | 58-38 | Canterbury |
04/04 | Canterbury | 52-44 | Mildenhall |
17/04 | Ellesmere Port | 47-49 | Wolverhampton |
19/04 | Wolverhampton | 43-53 | Ellesmere Port |
23/04 | Middlesbrough | 69-27 | Glasgow |
29/05 | Glasgow | 55-40 | Middlesbrough |
11/04 | Stoke | 51-45 | Milton Keynes |
07/04 | Milton Keynes | 38-58 | Stoke |
Second round
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!width=80| Date !width=250| Team one !width=80| Score !width=250| Team two | |||
29/05 | Edinburgh | 65-31 | Exeter |
01/06 | Exeter | 56-40 | Edinburgh |
04/06 | Oxford | 59-34 | Scunthorpe |
01/06 | Scunthorpe | 46-49 | Oxford |
07/06 | Mildenhall | 76-20 | Ellesmere Port |
29/05 | Ellesmere Port | 30-64 | Mildenhall |
29/05 | Peterborough | 70-26 | Rye House |
07/06 | Rye House | 32-64 | Peterborough |
06/06 | Berwick | 53-42 | Newcastle |
08/06 | Newcastle | 52-44 | Berwick |
09/06 | Weymouth | 74-20 | Workington |
29/05 | Workington | 31-59 | Weymouth |
07/06 | Boston | 69-27 | Crayford |
02/06 | Crayford | 42-51 | Boston |
07/06 | Middlesbrough | 55-41 | Stoke |
06/06 | Stoke | 48-48 | Middlesbrough |
Quarter-finals
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!width=80| Date !width=250| Team one !width=80| Score !width=250| Team two | |||
14/08 | Edinburgh | 65-31 | Oxford |
13/08 | Oxford | 41-54 | Edinburgh |
05/07 | Mildenhall | 61-35 | Peterborough |
26/06 | Peterborough | 49-47 | Mildenhall |
17/07 | Berwick | 51-45 | Weymouth |
14/07 | Weymouth | 48-48 | Berwick |
02/08 | Boston | 57-39 | Middlesbrough |
? | Middlesbrough | 45-51 | Boston |
Semi-finals
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
!width=80| Date !width=250| Team one !width=80| Score !width=250| Team two | |||
27/09 | Edinburgh | 64-32 | Mildenhall |
11/09 | Mildenhall | 46-50 | Edinburgh |
14/10 | Berwick | 64-32 | Boston |
27/09 | Boston | 58½-37½ | Berwick |
=Final=
First leg
{{footballbox
|date = 21 October 1981
|team1 = Berwick Bandits
Steve McDermott 13
Wayne Brown 11
Mike Caroline 9
Rob Grant 6
Brett Saunders 5
Brian Collins 3
Jim Beaton 2
|score = 49 – 46
|team2 = Edinburgh Monarchs
Dave Trownson 10
Neil Collins 9
Ivan Blacka 9
Chris Turner 8
George Hunter 7
Scott Robson 3
Ian Westwell 0
|stadium = Shielfield Park
}}
Second leg
{{footballbox
|date = 6 November 1980
|team1 = Edinburgh Monarchs
George Hunter 13
Dave Trownson 11
Ivan Blacka 11
Neil Collins 7
Chris Turner 7
Roger Lambert 6
Ian Westwell 0
|score = 55 – 40
|team2 = Berwick Bandits
Charlie McKinna (guest) 14
Steve McDermott 9
Mike Caroline 7
Rob Grant 5
Brett Saunders 3
Brian Collins 2
Jim Beaton 0
|stadium = Powderhall Stadium
}}
Edinburgh were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 101–89.
Riders' Championship
Mike Ferreira won the Riders' Championship, held at Wimbledon Stadium on 26 September 1981.{{cite news |title=Tigers crash out |work=Cambridge Daily News |date=28 September 1981 |access-date=20 June 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003740/19810928/012/0012 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
class=wikitable
!width=25px|Pos. | width=180px|Rider | width=100px|Pts | width=50px|Total |
align=center {{speedway color|g}}
|1 | align=left|{{flagicon|ZIM}} Mike Ferreira | 3 3 3 3 3 | 15 |
align=center
|2 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Simon Wigg | 1 3 3 3 3 | 13 |
align=center
|3 | align=left|{{flagicon|NZL}} Bruce Cribb | 3 3 2 0 3 | 11 |
align=center
|4 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Dave Perks | 3 1 2 2 2 | 10 |
align=center
|5 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Neil Collins | 2 3 2 2 1 | 10 |
align=center
|6 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Steve Wilcock | 2 2 1 2 2 | 9 |
align=center
|7 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Steve Lawson | 2 0 3 3 | 8 |
align=center
|8 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Barry Thomas | 2 0 3 2 1 | 8 |
align=center
|9 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Kelvin Mullarkey | 0 2 1 3 2 | 8 |
align=center
|10 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Steve Finch | 0 2 2 1 | 6 |
align=center
|11 | align=left|{{flagicon|NZL}} Wayne Brown | 3 2 | 5 |
align=center
|12 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Ian Gledhill | 0 2 1 1 | 4 |
align=center
|13 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Rob Maxfield | 1 1 1 1 0 | 4 |
align=center
|14 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} David Gagen | 2 0 1 0 | 3 |
align=center
|15 | align=left|{{flagicon|NZL}} David Bargh | 1 1 1 0 | 3 |
align=center
|16 | align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} Bob Humphreys | 1 0 0 | 1 |
align=center
|17 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} John Barclay | 1 | 1 |
align=center
|18 | align=left|{{flagicon|ENG}} Neville Moore | 0 | 0 |
- f=fell, r-retired, ex=excluded, ef=engine failure
Pairs
The National League Pairs was held at The Shay on 18 July and was won by Canterbury Crusaders.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1980record-1.pdf |title=1981 season results |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=22 May 2023}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-4}}
class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"|Group A | ||
width=20|Pos
!width=80|Team !width=20|Pts !width=100|Riders | ||
---|---|---|
style="background:#ACE1AF;"
!1 |Mildenhall | 13 | Gledhill 9 Bales 4 |
2
|Middlesbrough ||11||Wilcock 8 | ||
3
|Rye House||6||Mullarkey 6 | ||
4
|Edinburgh|| 5||Turner 4 |
{{col-4}}
class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"|Group B | ||
width=20|Pos
!width=80|Team !width=20|Pts !width=100|Riders | ||
---|---|---|
style="background:#ACE1AF;"
!1 |Wolverhampton | 13 | Cribb 8 Evitts 5 |
2
|Glasgow||10||Lawson 8 | ||
3
|Oxford||7||Perks 5 | ||
4
|Peterborough||6||Greer 6 |
{{col-4}}
class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"|Group C | ||
width=20|Pos
!width=80|Team !width=20|Pts !width=100|Riders | ||
---|---|---|
style="background:#ACE1AF;"
!1 |Berwick | 11 | Brown 9 McDermott 2 |
2
|Newcastle||11||Hunter 7 | ||
3
|Weymouth||8||Yeates 5 | ||
4
|Exeter||6||Maxfield 6 |
{{col-4}}
class="wikitable"
!colspan="4"|Group D | ||
width=20|Pos
!width=80|Team !width=20|Pts !width=100|Riders | ||
---|---|---|
style="background:#ACE1AF;"
!1 |Canterbury | 12 | Ferreira 9 Kent 5 |
2
|Crayford||12||Thomas 7 | ||
3
|Boston||7||Gagen 4 | ||
4
|Ellesmere P||3||Jackson 2 |
{{col-end}}
Semi finals
- Canterbury bt Wolverhampton
- Berwick bt Mildenhall
Final
- Canterbury bt Berwick
Fours
Edinburgh Monarchs won the fours championship final, held at the East of England Arena on 26 July.{{cite news |title=Tigers miss the boat in four teams final |work=Cambridge Daily News |date=27 July 1981 |access-date=23 May 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003740/19810727/015/0015 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1980record-1.pdf |title=1981 full season results |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=23 May 2023}}
Semi finals
- SF1 = Wolverhampton 16, Edinburgh 16, Mildenhall 13, Crayford 3
- SF2 = Middlesbrough 16, Newcastle 16, Peterborough 11, Weymouth 4
Final
class=wikitable style="font-size:93%;"
!width=25px|Pos | width=150px|Team | width=50px|Pts | width=400px|Riders |
align=center
|1 | align=left|Edinburgh Monarchs | 15 | Turner 4, Collins 4, Trownson 4, Blacka 3 |
align=center
|2 | align=left|Newcastle Diamonds | 13 | Bargh 5, Emerson 3, Hunter 3, Blackadder 2 |
align=center
|3 | align=left|Middlesbrough Tigers | 11 | Courtney 5, Pusey 3, Wilcock 2, Havelock 1 |
align=center
|4 | align=left|Wolverhampton Wolves | 9 | Burton 5, Evitts 2, Stead 2, Cribb 0 |
Leading final averages
class=wikitable
! ! Rider ! Nat ! Team ! C.M.A. |
align="center" | 1
| {{Flagicon|ZIM}} | 10.87 |
align="center" | 2
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | 10.55 |
align="center" | 3
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | 10.44 |
align="center" | 4
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | Weymouth | 10.19 |
align="center" | 5
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} | 10.13 |
Riders & final averages
Berwick (withdrew from league)
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Wayne Brown 9.24
- Steve McDermott 8.40
- Rob Grant Sr. 6.95
- Mike Caroline 5.94
- Brian Collins 5.38
- Brett Saunders 5.05
- Roger Wright 4.92
- Graham Jones 4.61
- Jim Beaton 4.00
- Ian Anderson 1.26
{{div col end}}
Boston
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- David Gagen 8.84
- Steve Lomas 8.84
- Steve Regeling 8.47
- Rob Hollingworth 8.45
- Dennis Mallett 6.35
- Mike Spinks 5.95
- Michael Holding 5.23
- Keven Dye 4.31
- Chris Cole 3.45
{{div col end}}
Canterbury
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Mike Ferreira 10.87
- Denzil Kent 7.75
- Barney Kennett 6.81
- Mark Martin 4.69
- Darryl Simpson 4.43
- Kevin Brice 4.21
- Brendan Shiletto 4.07
- Jamie Luckhurst 3.78
- Rob Dolman 3.30
- Graham Knowler 2.67
{{div col end}}
Crayford
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Barry Thomas 9.02
- Alan Sage 7.88
- Laurie Etheridge 6.90
- Mike Pither 5.72
- Trevor Barnwell 5.70
- Mike Spinks 4.83
- Paul Hollingsbee 4.47
- Keith Pritchard 4.15
- Paul Bosley 2.24
{{div col end}}
Edinburgh
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Neil Collins 9.68
- Dave Trownson 8.57
- George Hunter 8.45
- Chris Turner 7.49
- Ivan Blacka 7.07
- Benny Rourke 5.85
- Roger Lambert 5.27
- Guy Robson 2.77
- Ian Westwell 2.27
{{div col end}}
Ellesmere Port
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Billy Burton 8.63
- Steve Finch 8.14
- Peter Carr 7.49
- John Jackson 7.34
- Rob Ashton 6.51
- Phil Alderman 5.98
- Eric Monaghan 5.98
- Paul Embley 4.81
- Paul Price 3.11
- Andrew Reeves 1.68
{{div col end}}
Exeter
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Rob Maxfield 9.07
- Bob Coles 8.24
- Martin Hewlett 8.10
- John Barker 7.85
- Les Sawyer 7.68
- Andy Campbell 6.53
- Keith Wright 6.00
- John Williams 5.99
- Keith Millard 4.30
- Tony Sanford 3.20
{{div col end}}
Glasgow
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Steve Lawson 10.55
- Charlie McKinna 8.04
- Kenny McKinna 7.57
- Nigel Close 7.08
- Harry Maclean 6.02
- Colin Caffrey 5.80
- Andy Reid 5.52
- Ray Palmer 4.44
- Alan Mason 2.74
{{div col end}}
Middlesbrough
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Mark Courtney 10.44
- Steve Wilcock 9.95
- Martin Dixon 8.28
- Brian Havelock 7.20
- Mike Spink 7.18
- Geoff Pusey 6.71
- Bernie Collier 5.05
- Peter Tarrant 3.60
- Alan Armstrong 3.54
{{div col end}}
Mildenhall
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Robert Henry 8.59
- Ray Bales 8.35
- Mick Bates 8.25
- Ian Gledhill 7.89
- Richard Knight 7.24
- Carl Baldwin 4.48
- Andy Warne 3.78
- Mark Bilner 3.73
- Carl Blackbird 2.77
{{div col end}}
Milton Keynes
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Bob Humphreys 9.14
- Graham Plant 6.38
- Andy Hibbs 6.00
- Mick Blaynee 4.77
- Barry Allaway 4.41
- Mark Baldwin 4.36
- Steve Payne 4.30
- Nigel Davis 4.20
- Brett Alderton 4.15
{{div col end}}
Newcastle
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- David Bargh 9.04
- Rod Hunter 8.68
- Robbie Blackadder 8.40
- Alan Emerson 8.07
- Keith Bloxsome 6.87
- Glenn MacDonald 5.54
- Kym Mauger 2.92
{{div col end}}
Oxford
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Dave Perks 10.13
- Derek Harrison 9.40
- Colin Ackroyd 8.12
- Paul Evitts 5.31
- Arthur Price 4.51
- John Grahame 4.14
- Mick Handley .4.04
- Mick Fletcher 3.94
- Alan MacLean 1.44
{{div col end}}
Peterborough
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Richard Greer 8.20
- Andy Hines 8.04
- Dave Allen 7.69
- Mick Hines 7.58
- Andy Fisher 6.08
- Nigel Couzens 5.97
- Andy Buck 5.32
- Ian Barney 4.91
{{div col end}}
Rye House
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Bobby Garrad 8.85
- Kelvin Mullarkey 8.27
- Steve Naylor 7.67
- Kevin Bowen 5.05
- Peter Johns 4.71
- Peter Tarrant 4.62
- Marvyn Cox 4.57
- Garry Monk 4.51
- Barry King 4.20
- Tony Garard 2.18
{{div col end}}
Scunthorpe
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Kevin Teager 7.56
- Nicky Allott 7.51
- Mark DeKok 5.71
- Tony Featherstone 5.33
- Rob Woffinden 5.19
- Tony Childs 3.62
- Graeme Beardsley 3.45
- Julian Parr 2.99
- Phil Kynman 2.73
{{div col end}}
Stoke
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Pete Smith 8.28
- Mike Sampson 7.97
- Arthur Browning 6.68
- Rob Lightfoot 6.55
- Mark Collins 6.29
- Rod North 6.11
- Steve Sant 6.06
- Ian Robertson 3.87
{{div col end}}
Weymouth
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Les Rumsey 10.19
- Martin Yeates 10.12
- Simon Wigg 10.07
- Brian Woodward 7.11
- Malcolm Shakespeare 7.02
- Terry Tulloch 5.91
- Steve Crockett 5.68
- Steve Schofield 5.64
- Bob Coles 5.22
{{div col end}}
Wolverhampton
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Bruce Cribb 9.99
- Les Rumsey 8.77
- Neil Evitts 7.80
- Billy Burton 6.74
- Tony Boyle 5.95
- Paul Stead 5.51
- Mike Wilding 4.11
- Rob Carter 3.55
- John Hough 3.49
- Steve Crockett 1.41
{{div col end}}
Workington
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Terry Kelly 6.97
- Wayne Jackson 6.22
- Mark Dickinson 5.67
- Guy Wilson 4.47
- Des Wilson 4.42
- Kevin Clapham 3.67
- David Blackburn 3.51
- John Frankland 2.69
- Michael Irving 0.89
{{div col end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Speedway British League Division Two seasons}}
{{Speedway in the United Kingdom}}
{{United Kingdom Speedway Seasons}}
Category:Speedway British League Division Two / National League