Sheffield Speedway Memorabilia

From Tiger Stevenson's programme notes; "The Yorkshiremen have a new star in their line-up, Les Howe, transferred from First Division club, Harringay. In his first meeting against us at Sheffield, Les had not had sufficient time to settle down but managers Frank Varey and Eric Langton know a budding star when they see one, so fireworks can be expected from the new "Tiger".

The following proved to be critically important; "Many of you have written to tell me that you have protested to your local M.P.'s over the unfair taxation on Speedway racing. We must make an all out effort this week folks - before the debate on the Budget comes up in the House. Write now to your local M.P. pointing out that Speedway is not a test of speed but a test of skill and it should be reclassified.

Speedway racing, as everybody who understands it will know, is very much a live sport. It is the men and not the machines who win races. All engines are standard in size and cubic capacity (500 c.c.) and are all made by the one factory. Why therefore is Les Jenkins better than Bill Bridgett? Not because Les has a better and faster bike but because Les has more skill and experience. Surely that must be obvious even to Mr. Gaitskell. Speedway is the only true all-family sport in the country and equally, there is no betting. Let us all pull together NOW, to save our sport from this crippling tax before it is too late. The entertainment tax on Speedway should be the same level as that for Football or Cricket, namely 15 per cent. Already we are paying the extraordinary high figure of 48 per cent - now, under the new Budget proposals, this is to be increased. So please folks, don't delay, do it today, otherwise if the new proposals are passed and become law, you will all be paying more for Speedway."

There followed a list of names of the local Members of Parliament. The Tigers rode against Cradley at Dudley Wood on Monday, and the following week against Long Eaton at Station Road before Frank Varey and Eric Langton reluctantly withdrew the Tigers from the League.