Bill Longley (speedway rider) explained

Bill Longley
Nationality:Australian
Birth Date:1911 11, df=yes
Birth Place:Dandenong, Victoria
Years1:1937–1939, 1947–1953
Career1:New Cross Rangers
Years2:1946
Career2:Odsal Boomerangs
Years3:1953
Career3:Bradford Tudors
Years4:1953–1954
Career4:Wimbledon Dons
Years5:1955
Career5:Rayleigh Rockets
Years6:1955
Career6:Wembley Lions
Indivhonour1:Northern Riders' Champion
Indivyear1:1946
Teamyear1:1938, 1948, 1954
Teamhonour1:National League Champion
Teamyear2:1947
Teamhonour2:London Cup
Teamyear3:1954
Teamhonour3:RAC Cup Winner

William Mowbray Longley (11 November 1911 in Dandenong, Victoria – 15 April 2005) was an Australian international speedway rider who began his British career with the New Cross Rangers in 1937,[1] where he remained until the outbreak of World War II, winning the National League Championship in 1938.[2] [3]

Career summary

In 1946 he rode for Odsal but returned to New Cross in 1947 and was again a member of the team that won the 1948 National League Championship.[1] Longley finished ninth in the Speedway World Championship in 1949[4] and remained with New Cross until they closed in 1953. He joined Bradford for a short spell with the Tudors before returning to London with the Wimbledon Dons.[5]

In 1950, he finished runner up in the Australian Championship.[6]

Longley was a member of the Wimbledon team that won the 1954 National League Championship. In 1955 he had a short spell with the Rayleigh Rockets before riding in one meeting for the Wembley Lions. He then decided to retire.

World Final Appearances

Notes and References

  1. Jacobs, N. (2008) Out of the Frying Pan, The History Press LTD
  2. Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited
  3. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 4 June 2023.
  4. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing.
  5. Jacobs, Norman (2001). Speedway in London. Stroud: Tempus Publishing
  6. Web site: Individual Australian Championship. Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. 20 January 2023.