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Oxford Cheetahs

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Oxford Cheetahs
Club information
Track addressOxford Stadium
Sandy Lane
Cowley, Oxford
CountryEngland
Founded1939
PromoterJamie Courtney
Team managerPeter Schroeck
Team captainScott Nicholls
LeagueSGB Premiership
SGB Championship
National Development League
WebsiteOfficial Website
Club facts
ColoursBlue and Yellow
Track size297 metres (325 yd)
Track record time56.2 seconds
Track record date13 October 1988
Track record holderHans Nielsen
Major team honours
United Kingdom Champions1964, 1985, 1986, 1989, 2001
Knockout Cup Winners1964, 1985, 1986
UK tier 3 winners1950, 2023
National Trophy tier 3 winners1950
Premier League Fours1994, 1996
Gold Cup Winners1989
League Cup Winners (Shared)1986
Premiership Winners1987
Midland Cup Winners1975, 1985, 1986
Britannia Shield Winners1964
Craven Shield Winners2005

The Oxford Cheetahs are a British speedway team[1] based at Oxford Stadium, in Oxford, England. They were founded in 1939 and are five times champions of Britain, in 1964, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 2001. The club folded in 2007 but returned to racing when participating in the SGB Championship 2022.

During their history they have run under several other names; from 1972 to 1975, they were known as Oxford Rebels[1] and from 2003 to 2005, they were known as Oxford Silver Machine. They have also run junior sides known as the Oxford Cubs, Oxford Silver Machine Academy, Oxford Lions and Oxford Chargers. For 2024 the club will run two teams in addition to the Cheetahs, one under a new guise of the Oxford Spires in the Premiership and the Chargers in the development league.

Current squads

[edit]
Spires
SGB Premiership
Cheetahs
SGB Championship
Chargers
NDL
Poland Maciej Janowski England Scott Nicholls (capt) Australia Luke Killeen
Germany Erik Riss Australia Sam Masters England Jacob Clouting
England Charles Wright England Jordan Jenkins England Jody Scott
England Chris Harris Australia Cameron Heeps England Jason Garrad
Australia Rohan Tungate England Henry Atkins England Ashton Vale
England Drew Kemp Australia Luke Killeen England Alex Spooner
England Ashton Boughen England Ashton Boughen England Senna Summers

History

[edit]

Origins and 1940s

[edit]

The Oxford Motorcycle Speedway Club moved to Oxford Stadium in 1939 from a grass circuit in Sandford-on-Thames. The Secretary Ted Mander orchestrated the move and the first individual meeting was held on Easter Saturday 8 April 1939 won by Roy Duke. The club contested team meetings against Smallford, Wisbech, High Beech and Reading.[2]

Racing resumed on 28 April 1940, with guest teams racing. This was followed by just two meetings in 1941 before Mander announced that racing would be suspended for the duration of the World War II. Despite the war ending in 1945 there was no racing from 1942 to 1948. However, during 1948 the stadium owner Leslie Calcutt unsuccessfully applied to the Speedway Control Board for a licence to race in the Third Division.[2]

Following major track renovations in 1949, the club joined the 1949 Speedway National League Division Three. The club took the nickname 'Cheetahs' following a competition for the general public, held by the local Oxford Mail newspaper. The team manager was Ron Bear and the club colours were dark blue and yellow, with the first match being an away fixture at Exeter on 18 April 1949. Oxford lost heavily 60-24 and three days later lost to Hastings 47–37 in their first home fixture.[2] The Cheetahs finished in last place during their inaugural season and used 24 different riders.

1950s

[edit]

The Cheetahs went from finishing last in 1949 to winning the division 3 league and cup double in 1950 and were subsequently promoted to Division two in 1951. Pat Clark was the team's number 1 rider, hitting a season average of 9.99.[3]

After finishing bottom of the division two in 1952 they rode in the third division called the Southern League in 1953 but following a league restructure, which included the signing of Ronnie Genz,[4] the Cheetahs returned to division two in 1954.[5]

Following a league merger the Cheetahs rode in the top tier for the first time in 1957. The team continued to race in the top tier but did not manage to gain any notable success.[6]

1960s

[edit]
Colin Gooddy in action at Oxford Stadium

The Cheetahs headed Arne Pander record a third place finish in 1960 and then after struggling in the top division for several years they dramatically won the top-tier league for the first time in 1964[7] despite finishing last the season before with many of the same riders. The winning team consisted of Ron How, Arne Pander, Jimmy Gooch, Ronnie Genz, Colin Gooddy, Jack Geran, Colin McKee, Eddie Reeves and John Bishop. They also completed a treble by winning the National Trophy and Britannia Shield.[8]

The team failed to emulate the success in the following season, primarily due to the creation of the British League and a division of 18 teams, which forced members of the team to depart under the Speedway Control Board rules. The results suffered and towards the end of the sixties, the team struggled.[5]

1970s

[edit]
Oxford in 1975, when they raced using the unpopular Rebels name.

In 1972, the club was rebranded, the Cheetahs became the Oxford Rebels and the stadium renamed as Cowley Stadium.[9] The takeover was by a new consortium, which included former riders Bob Dugard and Danny Dunton, Dave Lanning and the famous musician Acker Bilk. The team under performed badly, finishing 17th from 18 teams despite the new image and failed to make any impact in subsequent seasons.[2]

In what was to be the final year for the Rebels in 1975, the team did win the Midland Cup against Wolverhampton Wolves under the captainship of Dag Lovaas.[10] Following the threat of track closure[11] the promoters started a new team at White City Stadium called the White City Rebels leaving Oxford with no team or riders.

A new Oxford team were formed after a committee of fans had created a "Save Our Stadium" campaign over the previous winter and entered the 1976 National League season (tier 2).[12] The club dumped the unpopular name of Rebels and reverted back to the Cheetahs under new promoters Harry Bastable and Tony Allsop and the venue was known again as Oxford Stadium.[13] In 1977, Oxford Stadium was purchased by David Hawkins' Northern Sports for £250,000, ending the concern about permanent closure.[14] The team continued to compete in the second division and saw the number riders include the likes of Martin Yeates and George Hunter.[2]

1980s

[edit]
Speedway at Oxford in 1981
Hans Nielsen in Danish colours

Dave Perks topped the league averages in 1980 but the team failed to finish any higher than 12th from 1980 to 1983. Then in 1984, Oxford Cheetahs changed the face of British speedway. Northern Sports invested heavily into the stadium with a £1.5 million three tier grandstand restaurant and sports centre. David Hawkins installed Bernard Crapper and John Payne as speedway co-promoters and the team were entered for the 1984 British League season (the top league tier).[15] The Cheetahs broke all transfer fee records by signing Danish international Hans Nielsen from Birmingham for a record £30,000, Simon Wigg from Cradley Heath for £25,000,[16] Marvyn Cox for £15,000 from Rye House, Melvyn Taylor for £12,000 from King's Lynn and Dane Jens Rasmussen.[2]

After a moderate 1984 campaign the team won four trophies in 1985. They won the league, Knockout Cup,[17] Midland Cup[18] and pairs. The Oxford City council gave the team a civic reception and parade through Oxford on an open top bus.[19]

The following season, the team won a clean sweep of five trophies, winning the league, KO Cup, League Cup, Midland Cup and pairs.[20] Hans Nielsen, was arguably the world's leading rider during the period, topping the league averages a remarkable seven consecutive seasons and being crowned world champion three times in 1986, 1987 and 1989. The Cheetahs won a third league championship in 1989, with Martin Dugard supporting Nielsen and Wigg in the averages.

1990s

[edit]

Northern Sports parent company Hawkins of Harrow began to run into financial trouble and the team suffered lack of investment, Hans Nielsen left and the team applied to and raced in division two in 1993. They won the division two fours championship in 1994.[21] Northern Sports were later liquidated, meaning the team was not financed by the stadium owners. Additionally in 1995 and 1996 there was only one division of British speedway meaning the Oxford Cheetahs returned to the top division under independent promoters.[5] In 1997, another league restructure resulted in a new Elite League, with the Premier League becoming division two, Oxford competed in the latter.

The team competed in the Elite League under new promotion from 1998 and signed Todd Wiltshire as their number 1.[22]

2000s

[edit]

Promoter Steve Purchase signed Australian Leigh Adams for the 2001 season and supported by Wiltshire, Brian Andersen, Steve Johnston and the Dryml brothers Lukáš and Aleš, the Cheetahs became champions of Britain for the fifth time.[23]

The Oxford Cheetahs were renamed for three seasons as the Oxford Silver Machine from 2003 to 2005, under the promotion of Nigel Wagstaff. Again the renaming was not popular with the fans but number 1 rider Greg Hancock was.[24] However, in 2006 they reverted to their original name, which was apt because it would be their final full season as a top tier speedway team for 18 years.

Until 30 May 2007, the Cheetahs rode in the Elite League and operated a junior side known as the Oxford Lions which competed in the Conference League. In a statement issued by the British Speedway Promoters Association on 31 May 2007, their owner Colin Horton closed the club as a result of poor attendances and financial losses.[25] In June 2007, businessman Allen Trump invested in the club (also sponsoring the club via LCD Publishing) to secure the lease on the track and the Cheetahs completed the 2007 season in the Conference League, replacing the Lions.[26]

After the 2007 season, owner Allen Trump planned to bring the Cheetahs back into the Premier League for 2008.[27] However, Trump was unable to secure a deal with landlords, the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) to continue speedway racing at the Cowley and handed the promotion back to the BSPA.[28][29] Further negotiations with the GRA were unsuccessful and Oxford had no speedway for 14 years.[30] A number of committed fans keen to see the return of speedway to Oxford remained active. Two supporters groups, the Oxford Speedway Supporters Club (OSSC) and Save Oxford Speedway (SOS) held regular events and trips for Oxford fans and actively campaigned for the return of speedway to Oxford.[31]

2020s

[edit]

On 11 November 2021, it was confirmed that the Cheetahs would return for the 2022 season in the SGB Championship, after a 14-year absence from British Speedway. The stadium had been leased to Kevin Boothby, who was keen to bring back the sport.[32] Jamie Courtney would be the team promoter.[33][34] The Cheetahs also ran a junior side called the Chargers for the 2022 NDL season[35] and 2023 NDL season, winning the league title during the latter.[36]

In 2024, Oxford named three teams to compete in all three tiers of British speedway (the first time that a club had a team in each of the three leagues). The Cheetahs remained in the Championship, with the slightly odd decision being made to enter the Spires into the Premiership, with the Chargers remained in the NDL. The Cheetahs reached the play off and knockout cup finals.[37]

Previous teams (from 1949)

[edit]
Extended content

[38][39][40]

season Rider Rider Rider Rider Rider Rider Rider Rider
1949 Alex Gray Alf Elliott (capt) Alf Viccary Bert Croucher Bill Downton Bill Kemp Bill Reynolds Bob Aldridge
Bob McFarlane Cliff Ladbrooke Dennis Gray Ernie Rawlins Ernie Steers Frank Boyle Fred Vivian James Osborne
Jim Boyd Jimmy Coy Jimmy Wright Joe Peck Johnny Fry Maurice Hutchens Peter Lloyd Roy Court
1950 Bill Kemp Bill Osborne Bob McFarlane Brian Wilson Buster Brown Colin Clark Eric Irons Ernie Rawlins
Frank Boyle Frank Johnson Harry Saunders Jimmy Wright Pat Clark Ron Carvill
1951 Bill Kemp Bill Osborne Bob McFarlane Brian Wilson Colin Clark Cyril Quick Doug Ible Eric Irons
Ernie Rawlins Frank Boyle Harry Saunders Herby King Pat Clark Roger Wise
1952 Bill Kemp Bill Osborne Ernie Lessiter Ernie Rawlins Frank Boyle Harry Saunders Herby King Jim Boyd
Jim Gregory Len Glover Pat Clark Ray Terry Ron Wilson Tony Wintour Vic Taylor
1953 Benny King Bill Codling Bill Osborne Bill Kemp Bob McFarlane Frank Boyle Frank Johnson Herby King
Jim Boyd Jim Gregory Jim Tolley Peter Robinson Ray Moore Ron Wilson
1954 Bill Osborne Bill Thatcher Bob Baker Bob McFarlane Bob Wells Dennis Newton Frank Johnson Kid Curtis
Jim Gregory Jim Tebby Nobby Stock Peter Robinson Ronnie Genz
1955 Bill Thatcher Bob Baker Bob Wells Dennis Newton Kid Curtis Maury Courtnell Peter Robinson Reg Trott
Ronnie Genz Terry Courtnell
1956 Bill Thatcher Bob Baker Dennis Newton Howdy Byford Jim Tebby Maury Courtnell Pat Clark Peter Robinson
Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers Terry Courtnell Tommy Miller
1957 Danny Dunton Dennis Newton Frank Johnson Gordon McGregor Howdy Byford Jack Biggs Jimmy Squibb Maury McDermott
Ray Cresp Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers
1958 Alan Lunn Arthur Wright Brian Miller Charlie New Colin Gooddy Dave Still Dennis Newton Eric Boothroyd
Frank Johnson Gordon McGregor Howdy Byford Reg Duval Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers
1959 Arne Pander Arthur Wright Cliff Cox Colin Gooddy Gordon McGregor Howdy Byford Ken Adams Nick Nicholls
Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers
1960 Arne Pander Bob Dugard Cliff Cox Colin Gooddy Danny Dunton Dave Hankins Dave Still Eric Boothroyd
Gordon McGregor Gordon Owen Howdy Byford Jack Biggs Jimmy Gleed John Key Ken Adams Ray Liston
Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers Ted Connor
1961 Arne Pander Bengt Brannefors Danny Dunton George Major Gordon McGregor Howdy Byford Jack Biggs Jim Tebby
John Bishop Reg Duval Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers
1962 Alf Hagon Colin Gooddy Danny Dunton Gordon McGregor Jack Biggs Jack Geran John Belcher John Bishop
John Hook Per Tage Svensson Reg Duval Ronnie Genz
1963 Alf Hagon Arne Pander Chum Taylor Colin Gooddy Danny Dunton George Major Glyn Chandler Jack Geran
John Bishop Ronnie Genz Trevor Hedge
1964 Arne Pander Colin Gooddy Colin McKee Danny Dunton Eddie Reeves George Major Jack Geran Jimmy Gooch
John Bishop Ron How Ronnie Genz
1965 Arne Pander Bill Finch Danny Dunton Eddie Reeves Glyn Chandler Jimmy Gooch Jimmy Heard John Belcher
John Bishop John Hensley John Hook John Leader Ken Vale Maury McDermott Ron How Stan Stevens
Tyburn Gallows Wayne Barry
1966 Arne Pander Des Lukehurst Eddie Reeves Jimmy Gooch John Bishop Maury McDermott Pete Seaton Tony Clarke
1967 Arne Pander Colin Gooddy Des Lukehurst Eddie Reeves Joe Weichlbauer Ken Vale Leo McAuliffe Maury McDermott
Pete Seaton Rick Timmo Roy Trigg Ted Spittles Tim Bungay
1968 Arne Pander Colin Gooddy Eddie Reeves Godtfred Andreasen John Bishop John Poyser Leo McAuliffe Mick Bell
Pete Seaton Rick Timmo Ronnie Genz Ted Spittles
1969 Colin Gooddy Conny Samuelsson David Crane Eddie Reeves George Major John Bishop Ken Vale Leo McAuliffe
Mick Bell Peter Jarman Pete Saunders Pete Seaton Rick Timmo Ronnie Genz
1970 Andy Ross Colin Gooddy Eddie Reeves George Major Hasse Holmqvist Mick Bell Pat Johnson Paul O'Neil
Peter Jarman Pete Saunders Pete Seaton Rick Timmo Ronnie Genz
1971 Arthur Price Brian Clark Col Cottrell Colin Gooddy John Davis John Jackson Ken McKinlay Laurie Sims
Norman Strachan Øyvind S. Berg Pete Saunders Pete Seaton Richard Greer Rick Timmo Ronnie Genz Tommy Roper
1972 Bobby McNeil Colin Gooddy Garry Middleton Gordon Kennett John Davis Julian Wigg Ken McKinlay Laurie Sims
Malcolm Ballard Norman Strachan Øyvind S. Berg Paul Gachet Preben Rosenkilde Rick Timmo Roger Johns Svein Kaasa
1973 Bob Kilby Bobby McNeil Eddie Reeves Gordon Kennett Hasse Holmqvist John Davis John Dews Malcolm Ballard
Rick Timmo Roger Johns Tony Lomas
1974 Bob Kilby Bobby McNeil Brian Clark Gordon Kennett Henk Steman John Davis John Dews Martin Yeates
Paul Gachet Peter Jarman Richard Greer Rick Timmo Trevor Geer Ulf Lövaas
1975 Brian Clark Dag Lovaas Eddie Davidsson Gordon Kennett Hasse Holmqvist Helgi Langli John Dews Paul Gachet
Richard Greer Richard Hellsen Trevor Geer
1976 Andy Bales Brian Leonard Carl Askew Colin Meredith Harry Maclean Jim Wells Kevin Young Malcolm Corradine
Mick Handley Phil Bass Pip Lamb Roy Sizmore Steve Holden
1977 Brian Leonard Colin Meredith Gerald Smitherman Greg Joynt Kevin Poole Kevin Young Malcolm Holloway Martin Yeates
Mick Handley Paul Share Phil Bass Pip Lamb Richie Caulwell Roy Sizmore
1978 Brian Leonard Carl Askew Colin Meredith Dave Shields George Hunter James Moore John Hack John Homer
Les Sawyer Mick Blaynee Mick Handley Pip Lamb Richie Caulwell
1979 Carl Askew Colin Ackroyd Colin Meredith Dave McKenzie Denzil Kent George Hunter Gary Ainslie Greg Irving
John Barker John Grahame John Hack Keith Chapman Ken Fearon Les Rumsey Michael Holding Mick Handley
Pip Lamb Rob Dole
1980 Alan Williams Andy Passey Billy Spiers Bruce Cribb Chris Sully Colin Ackroyd Dave Perks Derek Harrison
John Grahame John Hack Kevin Bowen Mick Fletcher Mick Handley Paul Evitts Ray Caruana Steve Crockett
Trevor Geer
1981 Alan MacLean Andy Passey Arnold Haley Arthur Price Ashley Pullen Colin Ackroyd Dave Perks Derek Harrison
John Grahame Mick Fletcher Mick Handley Paul Evitts
1982 Andy Passey Ashley Pullen Bill Barrett Brian Woodward Colin Ackroyd Gary Chessell George Wells Graham Drury
John Frankland Keith Booth Kevin Lock Kevin Smart Martin Satchell Mick Fletcher Mick Handley Pete Erskine
Scott Cook Simon Cross Wayne Jackson
1983 Gary Chessell Graham Drury Ian Clark Keith Booth Kevin Smart Mark Chessell Mark Minett Mark Summerfield
Mike Wilding Nigel De'ath Nigel Sparshott Steve Crockett Wayne Jackson
1984 Andrew Silver Dave Perks David Tyler Hans Nielsen Ian Clark Jens Rasmussen Jim McMillan Kevin Smart
Klaus Lausch Mark Chessell Martin Yeates Marvyn Cox Melvyn Taylor Nigel De'ath Nigel Sparshott Simon Wigg
1985 Alastair Stevens Andy Grahame Hans Nielsen Jens Rasmussen Jon Surman Klaus Lausch Marvyn Cox
Melvyn Taylor Nigel De'ath Nigel Sparshott Simon Wigg Troy Butler
1986 Alastair Stevens Andy Grahame Hans Nielsen Jeremy Luckhurst Jon Surman Kevin Smart Marvyn Cox Nigel De'ath
Per Sorensen Simon Wigg
1987 Alastair Stevens Andy Grahame Hans Nielsen Jens Rasmussen Jon Surman Kevin Smart Mark Carlson Marvyn Cox
Neil McCarthy Nigel De'ath Nigel Greenhalgh Nigel Sparshott Peter Lloyd Troy Butler Wayne Ross
1988 Alastair Stevens Einar Kyllingstad Glenn Doyle Hans Nielsen Jon Surman Lars Munkedal Martin Dugard Marvyn Cox
Nigel De'ath Paul Muchene Peter Lloyd Simon Wigg Spencer Timmo
1989 Andy Grahame Colin White Hans Nielsen Kevin Pitts Martin Dugard Marvyn Cox Paul Dugard Paul Muchene
Simon Wigg Troy Butler
1990 Alastair Stevens Dean Barker Hans Nielsen John Bostin Jon Surman Kevin Pitts Kieran McCullagh Martin Dugard
Paul Dugard Sean McCullagh Simon Wigg Troy Butler Wayne Parker
1991 Craig Boyce Darren Grayling Dean Barker Glenn Cunningham Hans Nielsen Kieran McCullagh Jon Surman Lance Sealey
Mark Carlson Martin Dugard Peter Schroeck Spencer Timmo Tony Primmer
1992 Daz Sumner Dean Barker Glenn Cunningham Hans Nielsen Mark Carlson Martin Dugard Morten Andersen Spencer Timmo
Troy Butler
1993 Alan Grahame Andy Hackett Andy Meredith Carl Blackbird Chris Cobby Darren Andrews David Clarke David Smart
Gary Sweet Mark Blackbird Paul Blackbird Peter Glanz Rene Madsen Spencer Timmo Tony Langdon Wayne Parker
1994 Alan Grahame Andy Meredith Darren Andrews Daz Sumner David Smart Martin Goodwin Mick Poole Nikals Karlsson
Rene Madsen Spencer Timmo Stefan Ekberg Stephen Morris
1995 Armando Castagna Daniel Andersson David Steen Jimmy Nilsen Martin Goodwin Michael Coles Rene Madsen Steve Bishop
1996 Bohumil Brhel Carl Checketts Lawrence Hare Mark Frost Mark Lemon Martin Goodwin Martin Willis Marvyn Cox
Philippe Bergé Tomáš Topinka
1997 Anthony Barlow Darren Andrews Gavin Hedge Jason Bunyan Jeremy Luckhurst Krister Marsh Lawrence Hare Mikael Teurnberg
Neville Tatum Philippe Bergé Simon Wolstenholme
1998 Jan Stæchmann Jason Crump Lawrence Hare Paul Hurry Steve Johnston Steve Schofield Todd Wiltshire
1999 Alun Rossiter Craig Boyce Jan Stæchmann Lawrence Hare Paul Hurry Steve Johnston Todd Wiltshire
2000 Aleš Dryml Jr. Andrew Appleton Brian Andersen Jan Stæchmann Jimmy Nilsen Jon Underwood Lukáš Dryml Mark Lemon
Roman Povazhny Steve Johnston Todd Wiltshire
2001 Aleš Dryml Jr. Andrew Appleton Brian Andersen Davey Watt Leigh Adams Lukáš Dryml Steve Johnston Todd Wiltshire
2002 Aleš Dryml Jr. Alun Rossiter Andrew Appleton Brian Andersen Davey Watt Jamie Smith Joachim Kugelmann Leigh Adams
Lukáš Dryml Mark Lemon Steve Johnston
2003 Andy Smith Charlie Gjedde Craig Boyce Greg Hancock Jan Stæchmann Luboš Tomíček Jr. Jernej Kolenko Kai Laukkanen
Matej Ferjan Nicki Pedersen Niels K. Iversen Niklas Klingberg Sebastian Ułamek Todd Wiltshire Travis McGowan
2004 Brent Werner Craig Boyce Emil Kramer Greg Hancock Jonas Davidsson Niels K. Iversen Rafal Dobrucki Ryan Fisher
Sebastian Ułamek Tom P. Madsen Travis McGowan
2005 Stefan Andersson Tomasz Bajerski Craig Branney Lukáš Dryml Freddie Eriksson Renat Gafurov Henrik Gustafsson Billy Hamill
Greg Hancock Niels Kristian Iversen Jesper B Jensen Tobias Kroner Tom P. Madsen Travis McGowan Chris Mills Kjasts Puodžuks
Paweł Staszek Luboš Tomíček Jr.
2006 Eric Andersson Stanisław Burza Aleš Dryml Jr. Freddie Eriksson David Howe Tomasz Piszcz Adam Pietraszko Tony Rickardsson
Adam Skórnicki Luboš Tomíček Jr. Davey Watt Todd Wiltshire
2007+ Eric Andersson Aleš Dryml Jr. Freddie Eriksson Jesper B Jensen Steve Johnston Tom P. Madsen Henrik Møller Piotr Protasiewicz
Chris Schramm Andy Smith Luboš Tomíček Jr.
2007 Andrew Bargh Mattie Bates Danny Betson Dan Blake Jordan Frampton Brendan Johnson George Piper Lee Smethills
Sam Martin Scott Campos
2022 SGB Champ Troy Batchelor Cameron Heeps Josh MacDonald Kyle Newman Scott Nicholls Dillon Ruml Paul Starke Aaron Summers
Jack Thomas
2022 NDL Henry Atkins Arran Butcher Jacob Clouting Sam Hagon Ben Hopwood Jordan Jenkins Luke Killeen Jody Scott
Nathan Stoneman Sam Woods
2023 SGB Champ Henry Atkins Ashton Boughen Cameron Heeps Jordan Jenkins Lewis Kerr Luke Killeen Ryan Kinsley Sam Masters
Scott Nicholls
2023 NDL Henry Atkins Jacob Clouting Kelsey Dugard Jacob Fellows Jason Garrad Jordan Jenkins Luke Killeen Ryan Kinsley
Jody Scott
2024 SGB Prem Ashton Boughen Chris Harris Maciej Janowski Drew Kemp Lewis Kerr Nicolai Klindt Erik Riss Rohan Tungate
Charles Wright
2024 SGB Champ Henry Atkins Ashton Boughen Cameron Heeps Jordan Jenkins Luke Killeen Sam Masters Scott Nicholls
2024 NDL Jacob Clouting Jason Garrad Luke Killeen Jody Scott Alex Spooner Senna Summers Ashton Vale

+ Elite League side withdrew from league

Season summary

[edit]
Extended content

First team

Year and league League position Notes
1949 13th
1950 1st champions
1951 12th
1952 12th
1953 6th
1954 7th
1955 4th
1956 7th
1957 9th
1958 8th
1959 7th
1960 3rd
1961 9th
1962 7th
1963 7th
1964 1st champions
1965 4th
1966 15th
1967 14th
1968 15th
1969 15th
1970 13th
1971 17th
1972 17th Rebels
1973 11th Rebels
1974 17th Rebels
1975 7th Rebels
1976 14th
1977 13th
1978 7th
1979 3rd
1980 15th
1981 12th
1982 19th
1983 14th
1984 8th
1985 1st champions, KO Cup, Midland Cup, pairs
1986 1st champions, KO Cup, League Cup, Midland Cup, pairs
1987 11th pairs
1988 4th
1989 1st champions
1990 4th
1991 9th
1992 10th
1993 11th
1994 8th fours
1995 17th
1996 13th
1997 11th
1998 7th
1999 8th
2000 8th
2001 1st champions
2002 6th
2003 4th Silver Machine
2004 5th Silver Machine
2005 9th Silver Machine
2006 10th
2007 N/A withdrew
2022 9th
2023 2nd play offs
2024 5th Spires
2024 2nd Cheetahs, PO final

Season summary (juniors)

Year and league League position Notes
1997 9th Cubs
2003 3rd Silver Machine Academy
2004 3rd Silver Machine Academy
2005 1st Silver Machine Academy, (Champions)
2007 2nd Lions (then Cheetahs when 1st team folded)
2022 4th Chargers, play offs
2023 2nd Chargers, (Champions)
2024 3rd Chargers

Notable riders

[edit]

See also

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
  • The Story of Oxford Speedway. (Robert Bamford and Glynn Shailes, 2007) ISBN 978-0-7524-4161-0

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Lawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
  2. ^ a b c d e f Bamford/Shailes, Robert/Glynn (2007). The History of Oxford Speedway. Tempus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7524-4161-0.
  3. ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Bulldogs rout Oxford". Bristol Evening Post. 5 June 1954. Retrieved 19 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ a b c "UK Speedway Champions". Speedway Champions.
  6. ^ "1957 season results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  7. ^ "SPEEDWAY: Former Cheetahs star How dies at 81". Oxford Mail.
  8. ^ Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 65. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.
  9. ^ "Speedway". Reading Evening Post. 21 April 1972. Retrieved 19 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ "Speedway rider Gary Peterson killed". Reading Evening Post. 18 October 1975. Retrieved 21 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ^ Lawson,K (2018) “Rebels 1975 – The Last Season”. ISBN 978-0-244-99725-0
  12. ^ Lawson,K (2018) “The Cheetahs – The Resurrection”. ISBN 978-0-244-69934-5
  13. ^ Oakes, P (2006). Speedway Star Almanac. Pinegen Ltd. ISBN 0-9552376-1-0.
  14. ^ "Oxford Stadium Conservation Area Appraisal". Oxford City Council. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  15. ^ "Goodbye Marvyn". Hoddesdon and Broxbourne Mercury. 18 November 1983. Retrieved 28 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ "Oxford Cheetahs issue rallying call". Speedway Great Britain. 3 March 2017.
  17. ^ Bamford, Reg (2004). Speedway Yearbook. Tempus Publishing, Stroud. ISBN 978-0-7524-2955-7.
  18. ^ "Grahame's glory". Birmingham Mail. 1 November 1985. Retrieved 21 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ "SPEEDWAY: Nielsen regret at Oxford". Oxford Mail.
  20. ^ "Bees:We had fight". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 30 October 1986. Retrieved 21 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ^ "Former Oxford Cheetahs promoter Bernard Crapper dies". BBC News. 17 November 2010.
  22. ^ "Aussie Ace to join Oxford". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Oxford". wwosbackup. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Get set for the Oxford 'Silver Machine'". Oxford Mail.
  25. ^ "Oxford Closure - Full Statement". British Speedway Promoters' Association. 31 May 2007. Retrieved 28 October 2007.
  26. ^ "Oxford Saved". British Speedway Promoters' Association. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 28 October 2007.
  27. ^ "Cheetahs to return to Premier League?". WorldSpeedway.com. 1 December 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  28. ^ "Oxford Speedway: Allen Trump tells why". WorldSpeedway.com. 16 December 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  29. ^ "Major blow for Cheetahs". British Speedway Promoters' Association. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  30. ^ "Oxford Speedway - Home of the Oxford TFSuccess.com Cheetahs". Archived from the original on 23 April 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
  31. ^ Oxford Speedway Supporters Club website
  32. ^ "Oxford Cheetahs: Speedway side set for British Championship return in 2022". BBC Sport.
  33. ^ "Speedway and Oxford Cheetahs set to return to Oxford Stadium". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  34. ^ "Oxford Cheetahs: Speedway side set for British Championship return in 2022". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  35. ^ "Jenkins leads the Chargers". Official British Speedway. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  36. ^ "Chargers' win title". British Speedway. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  37. ^ "Poole Pirates crowned speedway champions". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  38. ^ "Rider Averages" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  39. ^ "2006 Elite League Greensheet Averages". Speedway Great Britain. 3 March 2017.
  40. ^ "2005 Elite League Greensheet Averages". Speedway Great Britain. 3 March 2017.