Wally Little (speedway rider) explained

Wally Little
Nationality:Australian
Birth Date: 20 November 1909
Birth Place:Woollahra, Sydney
Death Place:Australia
Career1:Wembley Lions
Years1:1934, 1937
Career2:Wimbledon Dons
Years2:1934, 1937–1938
Indivyear1:1932
Indivhonour1:Australian Solo Championship

Wallace Norman Little (20 November 1909 – 27 July 1974) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Australia. He was champion of Australia in 1932 and earned 13 international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[1]

Biography

Little, born in Woollahra, Sydney, won the 1932, 2 lap Australian Solo Championship at the Cumberland Oval.[2] His form in Australia was noticed by the British clubs and Wembley Lions secured his services.[3] However, he worked for the Sydney City Council in the telephone service and a special meeting with the Council and Lord Mayor was required to approve his move to England.[4]

He began riding for Wembley during the 1934 Speedway National League season[5] but he struggled to make it into the first team despite captaining the reserves. His form improved which made him ineligible for the reserves, so he was loaned out to Wimbledon Dons.[6]

After a difficult first season in the United Kingdom he returned to Australia but suffered a serious injury in a crash during February 1935, whilst riding for Australia against England in a test match. He broke his thigh and collarbone and missed the 1935 season for his parent club Wembley.[7]

After a full years recovery, he was ready to ride again in 1936 and performed well in Australia. He returned to British speedway in 1937 signing again for Wembley but once again found himself loaned out to Wimbledon.[8] He enjoyed a much better 1938, averaging 7.56[9] for Wimbledon.[10]

Hackney Wick Wolves made an attempt to sign him in 1939 but he remained in Australia, where he finished his career and was still riding in 1949.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 24 February 2024.
  2. Web site: Individual Australian Championship. Historia Sportu Zuzlowego . 24 February 2024.
  3. News: The Wembley Speedway . Coventry Evening Telegraph . 6 March 1934 . 24 February 2024. British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  4. News: Little but Good . Daily Herald . 24 April 1934 . 22 February 2024. British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  5. Web site: 1934 season . Speedway Researcher . 24 February 2024.
  6. News: Sporting Speedway Side . Daily Mirror . 4 August 1934 . 24 February 2024. British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  7. News: Injured Speedway riders . Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail . 12 February 1935 . 22 February 2024. British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  8. News: veteran Australian International . Hull Daily Mail . 23 February 1937 . 24 February 2024. British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  9. Web site: Rider averages 1929 to 2009 . Speedway Researcher . 24 February 2024.
  10. Web site: Year by Year . Speedway Researcher . 22 February 2024.
  11. News: More Speedway Tests in South Africa . Daily News (London) . 13 January 1949 . 24 February 2024. British Newspaper Archive. subscription .