Crayford Kestrels
The Crayford Kestrels were a Speedway team which operated from 1968 until their closure in 1983. They were based at Crayford & Bexleyheath Stadium in Crayford.[1]
| Crayford Kestrels | |
|---|---|
Crayford Kestrels Badge | |
| Club information | |
| Track address | Crayford & Bexleyheath Stadium Stadium Road Crayford Kent |
| Country | England |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Closed | 1983 |
| Club facts | |
| Colours | Red, Black and Gold |
| Track size | 242 metres (265 yd) |
| Major team honours | |
History edit
Crayford were founder members of British League Division Two in 1968 and finished in sixth place in its inaugural season.[2]
The team were known as the Crayford Highwaymen from 1968 until 1970 but were disbanded after the 1970 season. Speedway returned to the stadium in 1975 with a team nicknamed the Kestrels. They competed for nine years, with their most successful season being the third place finish during the 1983 National League season although they did win the Four-Team Championship in 1980.[3][4]
The team were forced to relocate for the 1984 season as the stadium was sold for redevelopment[5] and for the 1984 season the team transferred the promotion to Hackney and ran a team called the Hackney Kestrels.[6]
Notable riders edit
Season summary edit
| Year and league | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 British League Division Two season | 6th | rode as the Highwaymen |
| 1969 British League Division Two season | 4th | rode as the Highwaymen |
| 1970 British League Division Two season | 14th | rode as the Highwaymen |
| 1975 New National League season | 8th | |
| 1976 National League season | 6th | |
| 1977 National League season | 10th | |
| 1978 National League season | 10th | |
| 1979 National League season | 12th | |
| 1980 National League season | 9th | Four-Team Championship winners |
| 1981 National League season | 10th | |
| 1982 National League season | 15th | |
| 1983 National League season | 3rd |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Crayford Speedway". Defunct Speedway. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ Rogers, Martin (1978). The Illustrated History of Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 129. ISBN 0-904584-45-3.
- ^ "British League Tables - British League Era (1965-1990)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ Jacobs, N. Speedway in the South East. ISBN 0-7524-2725-3
- ^ Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). Homes of British Speedway. ISBN 0-7524-2210-3