Barry Thomas (speedway rider)

Barry John Thomas (born 29 October 1951 Harrow, Middlesex)[1] is a former motorcycle speedway rider.[2] 'Thommo' is considered to be the most popular Hackney rider ever, staying with the club based at the Hackney Wick Stadium for a record breaking 20 consecutive seasons.[3]

For the sound engineer, see Barry Thomas (sound engineer). For the New Zealand rugby union player, see Barry Thomas (rugby union).

Barry Thomas
Born (1951-10-29) 29 October 1951
Harrow, London, England
NicknameThommo
Nationality England
Current club information
Career statusRetired
Career history
1969–1970Canterbury Crusaders
1970–1983Hackney Hawks
1981–1983Crayford Kestrels
1984–1989,Hackney Kestrels
1987Rye House Rockets
Individual honours
1970British Under-21 Champion
1972Individual Gold Cup
1973, 1974London Riders' Championship
Team honours
1970British League Div Two Winner
1971British League KO Cup Winner
1971, 1973London Cup
1984, 1988National League KO Cup Winner
1988National League Winner

Career

Although originally preferring Junior Grasstrack, Thommo was first spotted during interval demonstration rides at the home of the West Ham Hammers[4] with friend and rival Dave Jessup, following which he signed for the Canterbury Crusaders. He progressed through to heat leader status in his very first season, prompting Hackney Hawks promoter Len Silver to buy him for the Hawks in 1970.

He was given plenty of advice and help from Garry Middleton who helped him with any bike problems he had which resulted in him winning the British Junior Championship in that first season at Hackney.

He also twice won the prestigious London Riders Championship in 1973 and 1974 and became a regular representing his country in the test matches.

He became Hackney Captain in 1975 and played a huge part in the signing of Polish Champion Zenon Plech.

Although he never fulfilled his early potential to become one of the world's best riders, mostly notably never reaching a world final, he became a successful British League heat leader thrilling fans around the country with his exciting never say die racing style which saw most of his points scored by overtaking opposing riders after his characteristic poor start . He was awarded a testimonial for 10 years service in 1979.

In 1981, after a couple of poor seasons, he dropped into the National League with the Crayford Kestrels but continued his Hackney career as reserve. However, in 1984 Crayford were forced to close and the promotion moved the team to Hackney to compete in the National League as the Hackney Kestrels and Thommo returned full-time to Hackney again as captain.

In 1989 he was awarded a record breaking second testimonial being the only rider to ever spend 20 consecutive years at one speedway club.

He has since made a one or two special appearances most notably in 2001 he made a special one-off appearance for a Hackney team in a meeting at Rye House having never ridden a bike for thirteen years and after a further 10 years won a veteran speedway event at Lydd speedway in 2011.

References
  1. Oakes, P & Rising, P (1986). 1986 Speedway Yearbook. ISBN 0-948882-00-X
  2. Lawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
  3. Fenn, C.(2003). Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight. ISBN 0-7524-2737-7
  4. Thomas,B & Fenn,C (2018).”ThommoHawk”.ISBN 978-1-5272-1602-0
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