Johnny Hole
| Born | 18 December 1924 Bath, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 8 May 2016 (aged 91) |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1946–1955, 1960 | Bristol Bulldogs |
| 1956–1960 | Southampton Saints |
| Team honours | |
| 1948, 1949, 1954 | League champion (tier 2) |
| 1949, 1956 | National Trophy (tier 2) |
John Derrick Hole (18 December 1924 – 8 May 2016) was an English motorcycle speedway rider.[1]
Biography
[edit]Hole, born in Bath, England, began his speedway career after signing for Bristol Bulldogs in 1947. Hole's brother-in-law Eric Salmon was also a Bristol rider and brothers Billy Hole and Graham Hole also signed for Bristol, despite interest for all three brothers from London clubs.[2]
During his rookie league campaign for Bristol, during the 1948 Speedway National League Division Two season[3] he contributed to a league title success.[4] The following season in 1949, the Bulldogs, which still contained all four family members, sealed a league and National Trophy double.[5] Johnny improved his average that season to 6.31 and rode 60 matches throughout the season.[6]
In 1950, Bristol entered the top division of speedway in Britain, competing in the National League division 1 from 1950 to 1953. Hole was ever-present.[7] A return to division 2 was instantly followed by another league title.[8] The Bulldogs withdrew after starting the 1955 season, leaving Hole without a club[9] but in 1956, he signed for Southampton Saints and won another National Trophy that season.[10] He continued to represent the Saints in division 1 from 1957 to 1959.
Arguably his standout season as a rider was in the 1960 Provincial Speedway League and on his return to Bristol, where he recorded an impressive 10.00 average.[6] He was the first holder of the Provincial League's Silver Sash.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Speedway Items". Somerset Guardian and Radstock Observer. 7 March 1947. Retrieved 20 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "1948 season". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Oakes, Peter (1978). 1978 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 978-0904584509.
- ^ "Speedway Teams UK 1946-1951". Cyber Motorcycle. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Johnny Hole the hero as Bulldogs show their teeth". Bristol Evening Post. 20 July 1953. Retrieved 20 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 65. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.
- ^ "Poor response to speedway support appeal". Bristol Evening Post. 2 October 1954. Retrieved 20 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Hunters' Draw was not enough:Exit". Leicester Evening Mail. 23 June 1956. Retrieved 20 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Johnny Hole first to hold Silver Sash". Bristol Evening Post. 5 April 1960. Retrieved 20 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.