Crystal Palace Glaziers Explained

Clubname:Crystal Palace Glaziers
Track:Crystal Palace Exhibition Grounds
Sydenham
South London
Country:England
Founded:1928
Closed:1939
League:Southern League
National League
Honour1:London Cup
Year1:1931

Crystal Palace Glaziers were a British speedway team that existed from 1928 to 1939.[1]

History

Speedway at Crystal Palace was first held on 19 May 1928 during the pioneers days of the sport which had been brought over from Australia that year.[2] The track was constructed around the former football pitch, which was located in the grounds of The Crystal Palace in Sydenham and was famous for hosting FA Cup finals.[3] Organised by the London Motor Sports Ltd, speedway fixtures were held throughout 1928 at Crystal Palace before the Southern League and Northern Leagues were inaugurated the following year in 1929.

A team known as the Glaziers (because of the glass buildings) were formed and they competed in the 1929 Speedway Southern League, which was the first season conssiting of a league system.[4] The Glaziers star riders included Joe Francis and Triss Sharp and the first home fixture took place on 4 May 1929 against Wimbledon Dons.[5]

The Glaziers continued to compete in the Southern League for the three seasons and won their first and only honours when winning the London Cup in 1931, beating Wembley Lions in the final.[6] Other rider to beome stars at the track were Roger Frogley, Ron Johnson, Nobby Key and Tom Farndon.

In 1932, the league changed its format, becoming the National League following the merger with the Northern league. The Glaziers performed well and finished as the league runner-up behind Wembley.[7]

At the end of the 1933 season under the promotion of Fred Mockford, the entire team relocated to New Cross speedway, with the reason being that Mockford believed attendances would be larger.[8] [9]

Crystal Palace open meetings were staged at various times in subsequent years until the Glaziers returned for the 1939 Speedway National League Division Two. However the team withdrew mid-season and had their records expunged.[10] [11]

The last speedway meeting at Crystal Palace was on Sunday, 13 May 1940 but did not involve the Glaziers.[4]

Notable riders

Season summary

width=350Year and leaguewidth=50Positionwidth=350Notes
4th
7th
4th London Cup winners
2nd
4th
N/A withdrew records expunged

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - PRE-WAR ERA (1929-1939). Official British Speedway website. 14 August 2021.
  2. Web site: 1928 fixtures and results . Speedway Researcher . 3 November 2024 .
  3. News: Dirt Track Racing . Streatham News . 4 May 1928 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 3 November 2024 .
  4. Web site: Crystal Palace Speedway. Defunct Speedway. 14 August 2021.
  5. News: Crystal Palace Speedway . Daily Mirror . 3 May 1929 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 3 November 2024 .
  6. News: Wembley lose London Cup . Bayswater Chronicle . 26 September 1931. British Newspaper Archive. 15 September 2023 . subscription .
  7. Book: Oakes, Peter . 1981 Speedway Yearbook . 1981 . Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd . 0-86215-017-5.
  8. Web site: CRYSTAL PALACE GLAZIERS. Greyhound Derby. 14 August 2021.
  9. News: New Track for London . Reynolds's Newspaper . 15 October 1933 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 3 November 2024 .
  10. Web site: Year by Year. Speedway Researcher. 14 August 2021.
  11. News: Crystal Palace Season . Lewisham Borough News . 4 April 1939 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 3 November 2024 .