1964 Provincial Speedway League

The 1964 Provincial Speedway League was the fifth and final season of the Provincial League in the United Kingdom.[1] Twelve speedway teams took part.

1964 Provincial Speedway League
LeagueProvincial League
Season1964
ChampionsNewcastle Diamonds
No. of competitors12
Division/s above1964 National League

A second division of British speedway would not return until 1968.

Season summary

The 1964 season started in controversy which led to the Provincial League running 'black'. Officially the 1964 Provincial League season did not exist.

Wolverhampton Wolves refused to move up to the National League after winning the Provincial League title in 1963. The two leagues could not agree about the situation which led to the Provincial League being outlawed by the Speedway Control Board.

All National League riders were forbidden to ride on Provincial League tracks. Provincial League riders were warned by the Speedway Control Board that they were in breach of ACU regulations and could be suspended from all competitive racing. They were also barred from the Speedway World Championship.

The Stoke Potters, St Austell Gulls and Rayleigh Rockets all withdrew from the league for various reasons before the season started. The Sunderland Stars joined the league but then withdrew after riding only three matches. However Glasgow Tigers and the Newport Wasps joined and completed the season.

Newcastle Diamonds won the final Provincial League and their first title.[2]

Final table
Team M W D L Pts
Newcastle Diamonds 22 17 0 5 34
Hackney Hawks 22 15 1 6 31
Wolverhampton Wolves 22 12 1 9 25
Newport Wasps 22 11 1 10 23
Edinburgh Monarchs 22 10 2 10 22
Exeter Falcons 22 10 1 11 21
Poole Pirates 22 10 1 11 21
Sheffield Tigers 22 9 2 11 20
Middlesbrough Bears 22 9 2 11 20
Cradley Heath Heathens 22 8 1 13 17
Long Eaton Archers 22 8 0 14 16
Glasgow Tigers 22 6 2 14 14

M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points

Top Five Riders (League only)
Rider Nat Team C.M.A.
1 Ivan Mauger Newcastle Diamonds 11.54
2 Charlie Monk Glasgow Tigers 10.88
3 Ivor Brown Cradley Heathens 10.39
4 George Hunter Edinburgh Monarchs 10.31
5 Colin Pratt Hackney Hawks 10.19

[3]

See also

List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions

References
  1. "Championship History". Poole Speedway. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-09-28.
  2. "Historic league tables". Speedway Archive.
  3. "Rider Averages" (PDF).
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