Dai gives insight into speedway Kings

THE authors of the forthcoming book When They Were Kings - the Crewe Speedway Story, which is due out next May 2008 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of British League speedway at Earle Street, have set about interviewing the riders who rode for the Kings from 1969-75.

They visited Ironbridge to interview Dai Evans, the captain of the Kings when they won the league and cup double in 1972.

The interview, which is to appear in the final chapter of the book, gives a fascinating insight into the sport and the goings-on at the Earle Street stadium.

Dai was already somewhat of a veteran when he was signed for Crewe to replace Colin Tucker in May 1970. He had ridden for Wolverhampton (twice), Cradley, West Ham and Newport in Division One before signing for Crayford and Nelson and finally Crewe.

At the start of 1973, after leading the Kings to their best ever season, Dai shocked the management at Crewe when announcing his retirement just a few hours before their opening home match of the season versus Workington. In his time at the club he appeared in 107 league and cup matches and rode in 436 races, winning 83 and scoring 774 points (including bonus points) for a more than respectable calculated match average of 7.1.

He would later return into the speedway fold in a management capacity at nearby Stoke. Among the many questions he answered during the two-hour interview was who he thought was the best rider at Crewe while he was there.

"No question about it. Phil Crump was unbelievable during the '72 season. He first lodged with me when he first came over and I soon realised that this young Aussie was going to be someone special. He should have been World Champion, you know."

Dai still has fond memories of his time at Crewe and will be attending the book launch in May with other notable riders from the Kings. Pre-ordering details are to be announced in the next few weeks. The book is being compiled by Mark Potts, Tony Marks, Kevin Tew and Andy Scoffin.