Broncho Dixon
{{Short description|English speedway rider}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox Speedway rider
| image = File:Broncho_Dixon_motorcycle_speedway_rider,_John_Player_and_Sons_1937_cigarette_card.png
| name= Broncho Dixon
| nationality = British (English)
| birth_date = {{birth-date|17 October 1907}}
| death_date = 1986
| birth_place = Darlington, England
| death_place =
| years1 = 1929
| career1 = Middlesbrough
| years2 = 1930–1931, 1939
| career2 = Sheffield Blades
| years3 = 1932–1933
| career3 = Belle Vue Aces
| years4 = 1934, 1936–1938
| career4 = West Ham Hammers
| years5 = 1935
| career5 = Wembley Lions
| years6 = 1936
| career6 = Hackney Wick Wolves
| teamhonour1 = National League
| teamyear2 = 1933
| teamhonour2 = National Trophy
| teamyear3 = 1938
| teamhonour3 = ACU Cup
}}
John William Dixon (17 October 1907 – 1986) was an international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the early days of speedway in the United Kingdom. He rode under the nickname Broncho Dixon.{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022, Broncho Dixon |website=British Speedway |access-date=29 July 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://customhousekid.webs.com/theriders.htm |title=Custom House Years West Ham Speedway |website=Custom HouseKid |access-date=29 July 2023}}
Career
Dixon rode for Middlesbrough during the inaugural season of speedway in the United Kingdom, in the 1929 Speedway English Dirt Track League{{cite news |title=Exciting Finishes |work=Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer |date=1 July 1929 |access-date=29 July 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19290701/449/0017 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} and gained a reputation as a wild rider, which led to his nickname of Broncho; he would be involved in multiple crashes and lost the tops of two fingers.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaymuseumonline.co.uk/playerscigarettecards3.html |title=Speedway Riders |website=Speedway Museum Online |access-date=29 July 2023}}
He spent the next two seasons with Sheffield.{{cite news |title=Owlerton Speedway reopens |work=Sheffield Daily Telegraph |date=14 April 1932 |access-date=29 July 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000250/19320414/221/0008 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/specialfeaturesrideraverages.pdf |title=Rider averages 1929 to 2009 |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=29 July 2023}} In 1932, he then switched to Belle Vue Aces, after the formation of the National League. He was still a member of the Manchester-based team when they won the league and cup double during the 1933 Speedway National League.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/history/leaguetables1929-1939|title=BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - PRE-WAR ERA (1929-1939)|website=Official British Speedway website|access-date=29 July 2023}}
He went on to ride for West Ham Hammers, Wembley Lions and Hackney Wick Wolves until his last season in 1939. He won a second league title with West Ham in 1937 and the A.C.U Cup in 1938.{{cite news |title=Free Art Plate of Broncho Dixon |work=Newcastle Evening Chronicle|date=9 May 1939 |access-date=29 July 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000726/19390508/338/0012 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
Players cigarette cards
Dixon is listed as number 12 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dixon, Broncho}}
Category:British speedway riders
Category:Belle Vue Aces riders
Category:Middlesbrough Bears riders
Category:Hackney Wick Wolves riders