|
Dale Aitken
Gordon’s younger brother, whose laid back attitude and zany approach made it hard
to say how committed he was. He certainly had a knack of being in the right place at the right time, witness his double figure
debut in the “battle” with Shields and his maximum against Mill.
Gordon
Aitken
One of
the original Hawks, but despite never being a regular, was always prepared to turn out when required, none more so than our
KO Cup win in 1969, when he was a last minute call up and his valued 3 paid 4 went a long way to ensuring the cup came to
Hampden
Dick
Barrie
Hawks top rider from 1969 –1972, during which time he won the Glasgow Individual
title twice, one of only a handful of riders o have achieved this. A regular in the Glasgow team and was unlucky not to qualify for the NACSA
individual final at Hampden in 1970. Started his career with Craigton and moved on to Eastwood before the sport folded. Thereafter,
joined Scottish Rangers in Edinburgh where he was capped for Scotland
Mike
Blair
A founder
member, and an organiser during the earlier non league era, when he co-produced programs with Alec Norrie. Took part in Hawks
first ever heat and is Hawks top bonus pint scorer. Was reserve at the NACSA junior Individual Final at Hampden in 1970 and
raced for Glasgow against Bristol
that year. Unlucky not to gain a place on the rostrum in the 1097 Glasgow Individual, being pipped by John Speirs in a run-off.
Was both club and league secretary and wrote a column for the Spokesman magazine. Was instrumental in getting press coverage
from the Rutherglen Reformer
Alan
Brown
A Newlands
boy who took part in our opening meeting when we were struggling to field a team. This was his only meeting although his younger
brother Doug went on to become a stalwart member of the Mill team
Colin
Caffrey
Joined the Hawks after Corkerhill folded and was a virtual ever present. Won the Glasgow
Individual title in 1970 before leaving the Hawks for Shields at the end of that season – apparently due to the travelling!
A member of Shields historic NACSA Senior Team winning squad in 1971 and capped for Scotland that year. Would later rejoin Hampden in the mid 70s revival of the sport.
Took up speedway and went on to ride for Paisley Lions and Berwick Bandits, before joining the Glasgow Tigers, being one of
a select band to score over 1000 points in their colours.
Gordon
Campbell
Rode for us early in the 1969 season and topscored in our heavy defeat at Kingsway
David
Earley Lived in the high
flats at Mount Florida,
from which you could see both the Hampden and Kingsway tracks. A solid clubman who went on to become a leading light and elder
statesman of the late 70s team. Sadly passed away a few years ago – a full tribute appears under The Chequered Flag
section
Pete
Gentles
One
of the original Hawks who lived just around the corner from Kingsway and who usually reserved his best performances for visits
there. Member of our KO Cup and Les Whaley cup winning teams in 1969. Took a number of photos, many of which are used on this
website. Now lives just around the corner from the track.
Alan
Gibson
One
of the youngest and smallest riders to wear our colours, nick named “Genius” for his ready replies. Made his debut
in 1970 in our KO Cup tie, and went on to make a number of appearances fur us the following ear before his family moved south.
Colin
Grant
Younger
brother of Neil, he made his debut against us and scored four points! but was soon signed up. Was one of the main movers in
reviving the sport in the mid 70s and went on to be a leading light in the late 70s ASC National League winning squad.
Neil
Grant
A classmate of Moosh Nicolson, he first saw speedway when the Tigers moved to Hampden in 1969
and quickly got interested in cycle speedway thereafter. Started off as a reserve but quickly worked his way to be a heatleader
and team manager by 1971. Won both the Senior and Junior Sashes in 1971. Rode in two NACSA Junior finals at Uxbridge and Rye
House and went on to be capped for Scotland. Was the inspiration behind Hampden’s ASC National
League success.
David
Grier
Gordon
Campbell’s cousin, who made one appearance for us at Corkerhill. Never rode at Hampden though he had performed with
distinction on the tennis courts on which the tack was built.
Sandy
Hyslop
A
junior who rode n a number of occasions in 1969, including our memorable comeback win against Ralston, in which he starred
in a second last heat 5-1. Also appeared in the team which featured in the Rutherglen Reformer article in August 1969.
Gerry
McColl
Joined
the Hawks at the tail end of 1969 and rode sporadically throughout the following season. Had a job at Parkhead on Saturdays,
which precluded him turning out at a lot of home fixtures. Probably the only rider of the time to have his bike insured….
And yes it was stolen! A fast gating rider who
was our only success in a heavy defeat by Shields in 1970.
Frank
McKinnon
A
young junior, who had the biggest handlebars in the team, and was getting established just as the sport folded. Entered the
NACSA junior competition in 1971 bu was the only rider drawn in the Birmingham round and had to withdraw.
Calum
MacAulay
A
junior, who made a couple of appearances for us before joining Mill for whom he was a stalwart clubman. Had a dabble at speedway
Moosh
Nicolson
A
founder member, who scored our first ever point. Was instrumental in starting the sport in Kings Park and was a leading light of the non league era. Starred in our amazing comeback
against Ralston, scoring the clinching last heat 5-1, partnered by buddy Mike Blair.Has two NACSA Junior Individual trophies
on his mantle piece from the 1970 and 1971 events. Won both the Senior and Junior Sashes in 1971.Heavily involved in running
the team in 1971/2 and was the league secretary during this time.
Nicky Nicolson was a founder member and the Hawks first captain. He worked and lived in Edinburgh durinmg
the week and travelled back for meetings. Rode for Glasgow in the Manchester 21st Anniversary weekend and against East Anglia
in 1970. Possibly helped by only riding in one away meeting, he topped the Hawks averages in 1971although it should be pointed
out that he generally only rode in the meetings against Shields and never raced against Mill.
Alex Norrie was a leading light in the non league era, when he also produced our programs. A spell in
hospital with a collapsed lung curtailed his on track activity but he took up the team managers role with some relish and
would always look after "his boys". Represented the Hawks at Control Board meetings and was one of the few not to be out drunk
by Jimmy Cobain! An average of around eight points a meeting from the few meetings in which he rode shows what a useful performer
he could have been
Ian Welsh was perhaps the man who started it all. Had it not been for him, it is doubtful that we would
have got permission to build our track from McTaggart and Mickel and his letter to NACSA requesting a rulebook alerted Jimmy
Cobain to the resurgence of cycle speedway in Kings Park. He made our racejackets and was the league's PRO. went on to
found Mill Wheelers
|
