Bob Paulson (speedway rider)
| Born | 27 March 1942 Basford, Nottingham, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 3 November 1982 (aged 40) South Leverton, England |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1965–1974 | Sheffield Tigers |
| Team honours | |
| 1974 | Knockout Cup |
| 1973, 1974 | Northern Trophy |
Robert Paulson (27 March 1942 – 3 November 1982) was an international motorcycle speedway rider from England. He earned three international caps for the England national speedway team.[1]
Biography
[edit]Paulson, born in Basford, Nottingham, began his British leagues career riding for Sheffield Tigers during the 1965 British League season, which was the inaugural season of the new British league.[2] He made a significant impact, averaging 4.54 and becoming a Sheffield regular in his first season.[3]
In just his second season he was called up by the England team to represent them against Scotland in an international fixture[4] and finished the season second in the Sheffield team averages.
He remained a Sheffield rider for his entire career from 1965 to 1974, spending ten seasons with them and becoming the club captain.[5][6] During his last season with Sheffield he finally won a trophy, helping his team to the 1974 Knockout Cup win.[7]
On 3 November 1982, Paulson died by suicide (carbon monoxide poisoning). This followed depression caused by the bankruptcy of a company that owed him money for a contract.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "1965 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Boocock rides for England on May 11". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 27 April 1966. Retrieved 28 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Bob Paulson". WWOS backup. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.
- ^ "Bousiness worries led to suicide". Retford, Gainsborough & Worksop Times. 26 November 1982. Retrieved 28 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.