Stan Greatrex

Stanley Greatrex (born Greatorex), commonly known as Stan, was a professional motorcycle speedway rider in the 1930s who went on to become managing director of West Ham Hammers.

Stan Greatrex

Born	St Petersburg, Russia
Nationality	England
Current club information
Career status	Retired
Career history
1931-1933	Coventry
1934-1939	New Cross Rangers
Team honours
1938	National League Champion
1934, 1937	London Cup Winner

Born in St Petersburg, Russia, his family fled the revolution in Russia in 1917 and he grew up in Coventry, England.[1] Greatrex gained his early speedway experience at the Coventry track, and rode for Coventry between 1930 and 1933.[2] In 1931 he had a brief spell on loan with the Leicester Stadium team.[3] He was a successful rider in the years leading up to World War II for New Cross Rangers, and captained them in 1939.[4]

Greatrex was part of the England team in the 1936, 1938, and 1939 Test series against Australia and the 1937 series against an 'overseas' team.[4]

Greatrex had a motorcycle sales business in New Cross in the late 1930s.[5]

After the war he became Managing Director at West Ham, working alongside Arthur Atkinson.[4]