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]
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.