Milton Keynes Knights

Former Leicester and Teesside promoter Ron Wilson brought speedway to Milton Keynes in 1978{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001336/19780121/010/0010 |title=Talking Sport |website=Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph |date=21 January 1978 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2024}} with a team called the Knights who would race at the Milton Keynes Greyhound Stadium in Ashland (known in speedway circles as the Groveway). The first meeting was an individual meeting on 28 March, with the opening ceremony conducted by Johnnie Hoskins{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19780321/246/0030 |title=Join out joust with Knights of Milton Keynes |website=Daily Mirror |date=21 March 1978|via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2024}} but the first team match was on 4 April against Oxford Cheetahs.{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1978record.pdf |title=1978 season |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=29 September 2024}}

The inaugural league season ended with a 16th place finish during the 1978 National League season,{{cite web |url=http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/milton%20keynes.htm|title=Milton Keynes Speedway, Groveway|website=Defunct Speedway|access-date=1 September 2021}} The team would have finished lower had it not been for the riding of Bob Humphreys. The following season was much better with the team improving to 5th and claiming the 1979 National League Pairs, held at The Shay on 21 July, courtesy of Humphreys and Andy Grahame.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1979record.pdf |title=1979 season results |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=22 May 2023}}{{cite news |title=Diamonds out in semi finals |work=Sunday Sun (Newcastle) |date=22 July 1979 |access-date=22 May 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001723/19790722/023/0023 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}

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|Andy Grahame

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The team continued to compete in division 2 (known as the National League at the time) but lost Grahame and Derek Harrison, leaving the Knights struggling to 19th place out of 20.{{cite web|url=https://cybermotorcycle.com/archives/exeter-speedway/leagues-76.htm |title=Speedway Teams UK 1976-1981 |website=Cyber Motorcycle |access-date=29 September 2024}} A best place finish of 3rd in 1987 was the highlight of the decade.{{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=1 September 2021}} The leading Knights riders during the period was Keith White.

In November 1988, promoter Terry Cheney moved the Knights out of the Groveway following issues with the landlords.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002490/19881125/069/0069 |title=Knights call it a day at Groveway |website=Buckinghamshire Examiner |date=25 November 1988 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2024}} In early 1989 work began on a new site at Elfield Park, which already housed a speedway training school known as Bleak Hall. Terry Cheney entered into negotiations with the Milton Keynes Development Corporation and Milton Keynes Borough Council.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005371/19890112/930/0102 |title=Primmer on form |website=Milton Keynes Citizen |date=12 January 1989 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2024}} After an agreement for a two-year lease was reached, a significant sum was spent adding facilities including terrapin buildings.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005371/19890216/898/0094 |title=Welcome News |website=Milton Keynes Citizen |date=16 February 1989 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2024}} The first match at Elfield Park took place on 18 April against Peterborough Panthers.{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1989fixtures.pdf |title=1989 season |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=29 September 2024}}

Unfortunately the first season at their new home resulted in a last place 18th.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/history/leaguetables1991-present|title=BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - MODERN ERA (1991-PRESENT)|website=Official British Speedway website|access-date=1 September 2021}}

The 1990 season was worse than the last, with the Knights only managing six league wins all season. With the return of Australian Troy Butler in 1991 and Ted Jarvis coming in as promoter, the situation seemed to be improving until financial debts resulted in a temporary suspension enforced by the BSPA.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002133/19910703/195/0011 |title=Hard-up Knights forced to stop |website=Northampton Chronicle and Echo |date=3 July 1991 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2024}}

In 1992, the club was taken over by former team manager Roger Jones and Colin Hill{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005129/19920320/388/0031 |title=Speedway |website=Biggleswade Chronicle |date=20 March 1992 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2024}} but the BSPA withdrew the speedway licence following complaints over the state of the track and several days later on 24 June, the club was wound-up.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002133/19920624/345/0024 |title=Knights to ride again |website=Northampton Chronicle and Echo |date=24 June 1992 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2024}}

The Knights returned in 2012, competing in the junior/amateur Midland Development League, with home matches staged initially staged at Rye House Stadium. The Knights ontinued to track share until 2018, having raced out of Mildenhall and Peterborough. They won the league in both 2012 and 2014.

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• {{player||AUS|Troy Butler}}
• {{player||ENG|Andy Grahame}}
• {{player||ENG|Derek Harrison}}
• {{player||ENG|Bob Humphreys}}
• {{player||ENG|Keith White}}

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• List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions
• Knockout Cup (speedway)

{{Reflist}}

{{Speedway in the United Kingdom}}

{{United Kingdom Speedway Seasons}}

Category:Sport in Milton Keynes

Category:Defunct speedway teams in the United Kingdom