Cycle Speedway in Bermondsey

Hello, I was about twelve during the cycle speedway days. My brother James ( Jim ) Longbon was the captain of the " Lynton Lynxs' " team in Lynton Rd Bermondsey.
The home made track was built by the local lads and was right next to the Bricklayer's Arms Railway yard.
I have some photos of the team and some action shots and in the background you can see the railway trucks and a couple of murky shunting engines.
One photo shows the complete " Verney Lions " team and another some action with riders sporting  " clubs " logo on their colours.
One pic shows the starting gate aparatus built by my brothers Albert & Fred.

I will try to send some pics but have to learn how to do it on this site.

Another big family there had a Barber shop business named " MENDITTA " on the corner of Monnow Rd & Lynton Rd S.E.16. Some of the Mendittas were in the team and are in the photos.

I remember the  "Bermondsey Greyhounds " they were very good and raced at Lynton Rd.
My brother Jim attended Riley Rd school.

Alan.

lonny

What a small world I used to go to school with Jim am I right in saying you Lived in Southwark park Road with the Bus Stop right outside the door.

As I understand Jim now lives in the States am I rght or am I thinking of the Wrong person perhaps you can let me know before I go any further

Joe Foster

Hello Joe,
your name rings a bell, yes, you are right we lived at 130 Southwark Park Road. The bus stop was right outside the front door. Jim is alive and well and living in Cleveland Ohio USA. I think he went to the pictures so much that he became  "americanized ." We keep in touch on the computer using " skype " and make contact every fortnight and speak " face to face " I'm living in Perth  Western Australia and have two sons. The eldest has done well and has married and lives in Germany. The youngest works in the mining industry here and at the moment it is booming, There were eight boys and two girls by our mum and dad but sadly four boys and one sister have passed on. I have used " Google Earth " and have had a good look around bermondsey using street cam and it looks pretty good. There used to be a skinny little tree outside the old house, but now it is huge. I remember as kids we used to ride our home made scooters " ball bearing wheels " under Lindsey St Railway Bridge yelling and making echos! I will tell Jim about you next time I speak with him.......( he is 76 years old!! )

Alan

Hi lonny

So I was right you are Jims brother I think I first met Jim if my memory is right at Monnow Rod school when it was a mixed school then all the boys were shoved off to Riley Road ( have a look at the pictures of Riley Road on this forum ) when the Secondary Modern started and I can remember him again at Riley Road .   I did not realise that he was in the Lynton Lynx team which all folded in the early fifities when all the lads started getting called up for thye Army.  The club was reformed in the early fiftie and I was in it with one of the Mendittas but again closed down when all the lads were called up and that was the end of an era for cycle in South London.  An interesting wed site for you to have a look at is theThe veteran Cycle speedway riders Association with loads of photos from that era.

I understand you have some photo of the teams for that period if possible could you email them to me and I will get them put on the web site my email is fosney@talk21.com

And for you I have a picture of the Lynton teal taken in the late 40s and other than the manager Fred ross I cant put names to any of them so perhaps you can help (Individual riders trothy)

Joe Foster

Another picture of the Lynton Lynx cycle speedway team from the late 1940s early 1950s
the track was on the site of the now  Paterson Park and was still a bomb site at this time  from the war and was in Lynton Road behind the Sulton pub which is in the background the old houses that lead up to the Railway bridge can be seen  the other team looks like Verney Lions who were based in Verney Road

Joe Foster

Another picture taken at the Lynton Lynx track at the rear of the Sultan Public House in Lytnton Road

taken about 1950 and was a bomb site.  This site is now Paterson Park

Another picture from the Lynton Road track Terry Highfield leads the pack taken about 1950

Note the old houses in Lynton Road and the start of the prefabs up to Monnow Road

Joe Foster

Pictures from the Bermondsey Greyhound Track 1950  in Stanwortth Street and Larnaca Street note in the back ground on the bottom picture the Metal Box Company factoy and Old Printing Works
Look how many people watched the event

All history now

My dad was in the Peckham All Stars in the 50's i fink they was called!!.. hes still got loads of medals from them days and he had the colours for years until he lent them to a geezer in Kent who was gonna set up a cycle speedway club but run off with them .. my dad was guttered about that!! .. he loved them days and i will show him these fotos he may remember some from the fotos!!..

skinabilly

Peckham all Stars for your dad to look at

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Hi all,

Here is an image of cycle speedway team, Bermondsey Greyhounds from 1950.

From left to right (cyclists): Dickie Digby, Jimmy King, Derek Morbin, Charlie Dale, Billy Fay, Lenny Young, Johnny Green (Me), Patsy Gore, little guy at the front was the mascot for the team Johnny Ransom (my cousin).

The team orginally started from Dunton Road near Greyhound Bridge, hence the name Bermondsey Greyhounds.

Johnny Green from Abbey Street