Sunderland Stars
{{Short description|British motorcycle speedway team}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox motorcycle speedway team
|clubname = Sunderland Stars
|image = File:Sunderland stars.jpg
|caption = Sunderland Stars Speedway Badge
|track = Sunderland Greyhound Stadium
Newcastle Road
East Boldon
Durham
|country = England
|founded = 1971
|closed = 1974
|manager =
|captain =
|league =
|website =
|colours = Red, white and gold
|tracksize = {{convert|310|yd|m}}
|track record time=
|track record date=
|track record holder=
|honour1 =
|year1 =
}}
The Sunderland Stars were a motorcycle speedway team who raced at the Sunderland Greyhound Stadium from 1971 until 1974 in the British League Division Two.Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). Homes of British Speedway. {{ISBN|0-7524-2210-3}}{{cite web |url=http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Sunderland.htm|title=Sunderland Speedway|website=Defunct Speedway|access-date=31 August 2021}}
History
Speedway arrived in Sunderland for the 1964 Provincial Speedway League season under the promotion of Mike Parker.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000726/19640115/284/0016 |title=Sunderland Only One of Three New Speedway Tracks |website=Newcastle Evening Chronicle |date=15 January 1964 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 February 2025 }} The team was operational at the venue for part of one season only, when eight meetings were staged in 1964 under the "Saints" nickname. The Saints introduced Aussies Jim Airey and Gordon Guasco to British Speedway during 1964.{{cite web |url=https://wwosbackup.proboards.com/thread/144/jim-airey|title=Jim Airey|website=wwosbackup|access-date=31 August 2021}}
In 1971, Len Silver acting as promoter on behalf of Allied Presentations Ltd brought speedway back to Sunderland.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000637/19710316/259/0016 |title=Speedway Returns to Sunderland |website=Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail |date=16 March 1971 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 February 2025 }} The Stars competed in the 1971 British League Division Two season but finished 17th out of 17.{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Martin|title=The Illustrated History of Speedway|year=1978|page=129|publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd|isbn=0-904584-45-3}} This was followed by two seasons with 12th and 11th place finishes.{{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=31 August 2021}}
In 1974, the club came under the ownership of the Felton Speedway Promotions, set up by Mr & Mrs Fell and Alan Chorlton. The team nickname was changed from the Stars to the "Gladiators".{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000726/19740308/427/0032 |title=Sunderland under new management |website=Newcastle Evening Chronicle |date=8 March 1974 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 February 2025 }} It was also their final season before closure.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/yearbyyear.html|title=Year by Year|website=Speedway Researcher|access-date=31 August 2021}} In November 1974, Ian Thomas bought the defunct Sunderland licence and transferred it to re-form the Newcastle Diamonds.{{cite news |title=Ian Thomas buys out Sunderland |work=Hull Daily Mail |date=28 November 1974|access-date=4 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19741128/024/0024 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
Season summary
| class="wikitable" | ||
| width=350|Year and league
!width=50|Position !width=350|Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| align=center
|align="left"| 1964 Provincial Speedway League | N/A | Saints, withdrew results expunged |
| align=center
|align="left"| 1971 British League Division Two season | 17th | Stars |
| align=center
|align="left"| 1972 British League Division Two season | 12th | Stars |
| align=center
|align="left"| 1973 British League Division Two season | 11th | Stars |
| align=center
|align="left"| 1974 British League Division Two season | 18th | Gladiators |
Notable riders
- {{flagicon|AUS}} Jim Airey
- {{flagicon|ENG}} George Barclay
- {{flagicon|ENG}} Russ Dent
- {{flagicon|AUS}} Gordon Guasco
- {{flagicon|ENG}} Brian Havelock
- {{flagicon|ENG}} Vic Harding
- {{flagicon|ENG}} Jack Millen
References
{{Reflist}}
Category:Defunct speedway teams in the United Kingdom
{{England-sport-team-stub}}
{{motorcycle-speedway-team-stub}}