Garry Middleton

{{Infobox Speedway rider

| image = Gary middleton.jpg

| nationality = Australian

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1948|7|19}}

| birth_place = Corowa, New South Wales, Australia

| death_date = {{death date and age|1994|11|23|1948|7|19|df=y}}

| years1 = 1967, 1975

| career1 = King's Lynn Stars

| years2 = 1967

| career2 = Belle Vue Aces

| years3 = 1967-1968

| career3 = Wimbledon Dons

| years4 = 1969

| career4 = Newcastle Diamonds

| years5 = 1969-1971

| career5 = Hackney Hawks

| years6 = 1972

| career6 = Oxford Rebels

| years7 = 1973

| career7 = Coventry Bees

| years8 = 1976

| career8 = Birmingham Brummies

| years9 = 1977

| career9 = Leicester Lions

| teamyear1 = 1976

| teamhonour1 = World Team Cup

| teamyear2 = 1968, 1971

| teamhonour2 = British League KO Cup

| teamyear3 = 1968, 1971

| teamhonour3 = London Cup Winner

}}

Garry David Middleton (born 19 July 1948 Corowa, New South Wales - 23 November 1994){{cite book | last = Oakes | first = Peter |author2=Mauger, Ivan OBE, MBE |authorlink2=Ivan Mauger | title = Who's Who of World Speedway | publisher = Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd | year = 1976 | isbn = 0-904584-04-6 }} was an Australian motorcycle speedway rider.{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 |website=British Speedway |access-date=11 August 2023}}

Career

He first came to Britain in 1967 and rode for a short time with the Belle Vue Aces and the King's Lynn Stars before getting a permanent ride with the Wimbledon Dons. He stayed with the Dons for the 1968 season, but in 1969 he moved to the Hackney Hawks. He rode for the Hawks from 1969 until 1971.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002471/19720318/441/0017 |title=Reading Racers get ready for the off |website=Reading Evening Post |date=18 March 1972

|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription |access-date=23 August 2024}} In 1972, he moved to the Oxford Rebels following a contract dispute with promoter Len Silver. Middleton also raced as an International rider for Australia. After a season with Coventry Bees in 1973, the Midlands club were unable to locate him for the 1974 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001934/19740308/366/0025 |title=... but Garry goes missing down under |website=Rugby Advertiser |date=8 March 1974 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 September 2024}}

In 1975 he re-signed for King's Lynn despite efforts from another of his former clubs Coventry to sign him.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19750821/117/0011 |title=Bees aiming to wipe out snatched stars |website=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=21 August 1975 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 August 2024}}

Middleton incidents

He was nicknamed 'Cass the Gas' as he was a real showman and made his feelings known about a variety of subjects.

In 1969, he was involved in an incident with Roy Trigg at Cradley Heath. Garry tried to forcefully dive under Roy but Roy saw him and slowed down, leaving Middleton to shoot straight past him into the safety fence. Middleton then went into the pits into his toolbox and pulled out a handgun. He had to be dragged from the pits to avoid further trouble.Fenn, C.(2003). Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight. {{ISBN|0-7524-2737-7}} He nursed a broken shoulder during the 1969 season{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000726/19690421/414/0020 |title=Guest Diamond is on form |website=Newcastle Evening Chronicle |date=21 April 1969

|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription |access-date=23 August 2024}} and was involved in several high profile incidents.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003126/19690811/351/0025 |title=Punch up on speedway |website=Wolverhampton Express and Star |date=11 August 1969

|via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription |access-date=23 August 2024}}

In 1971, in a meeting against then World Champion Ole Olsen, Olsen was riding so well that he was unbeaten, passing people almost for fun. In the second half of the meeting, Middleton, to entertain the crowd, jokingly strapped two broom handles to his handlebar to stop Olsen passing him. The match referee did not share his sense of humour and fined him.