30/10/05
Last night, Club CH staged the 'Spirit of '95' evening at Dudley Sports and Social Club. The event was a great success with all tickets being sold out months in advance.  It marked the 10th anniversary of the last ever speedway action at Dudley Wood, the challenge match between Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill Selects. As well as music from 1995 and a big screen DVD of the best Heathens moments from the season, there was a special appearance from John Wilson, the rider who made his Cradley debut in that year. Apologies were sent from several other team members including Simon Cross, who is now based in France, Jonathan Forsgren in Sweden and Scott Smith who was attending Berwick's End of Season Presentation Night.  Club CH would like to thank everyone who attended for making a very enjoyable night.

09/06/04
Billy Hamill will be launching his new biography with two very special book signings in June.  The book will be officially launched at the British Grand Prix in Cardiff, where he will also be signing copies, and he has also scheduled a personal appearance in Cradley Heath specifically to catch up with Heathens fans.  You can meet Billy and purchase signed copies of 'No Bull' at The Victoria pub on Dudley Wood Road from 2:00pm on Saturday 26th June 2004.  Looking back on his time, he said of his years with the club, "Cradley has a special place in my heart, the fans lived it and they were doing every lap with you".
Written with author Brian Burford and published by Tempus, 'No Bull' tells the story of Hamill's life and career, from his childhood years growing up in the horse racing industry to superstar status as World Speedway Champion in 1996.  Described as 'straight-talking, hard hitting and honest', you can read the Bullet's views on the crash that left him with a broken back in 1998, the real reason behind his decision to quit the Grand Prix, his love of Cradley Heath, the Kenny Roberts deal and the struggle to make it to the top.
The 1996 World Champion and former Cradley number one, who was involved in a controversial clash and subsequent scuffle with Bjarne Pedersen in Sweden this week, will also be Sky Sports' TV studio guest for the British GP on Saturday night.  The book is available from this weekend at £19.99 in hardback.

22/01/04
Following hot on the heels of the announcement that both Bruce Penhall and Bobby Schwartz would be riding at the Telford Ice International events in 2004, comes the exciting news that another Cradley hero, former promoter Dan McCormick, will also be appearing over the weekend.  McCormick will be present at the Question and Answer session, 'An Evening with Bruce Penhall' at Telford's Moat House Hotel on Saturday 14th February.
The flamboyant Scotsman retains pride of place in Heathens folklore as the man who transformed the club into one of the most exciting and entertaining teams in the British League.  Responsible for bringing Penhall & Schwartz to Dudley Wood, he also introduced Erik Gundersen and signed both Alan Grahame and Phil Collins amongst many other signings.  Never short of a story or three, McCormick can still capture the attention and the imagination of any speedway supporter and adds to what is now a truly fantastic weekend of nostalgia for Cradley fans.
Tickets for Saturday nights event, priced at £10 each, can be obtained by sending a SAE to World Indoor Ice, 27 Upper Chirk Bank, Chirk, Wrexham, LI14 5EB.  Special hotel rates can also be obtained this way at £56 per double room or £41 for a single.  Bookings must be made through World Indoor Ice (Tel: 01691 777051).  Tickets for the Telford Ice Speedway on Sunday 15th February can be obtained via the credit card hotline on (01952) 291511, or by post at the above address.  For more details email: office@telfordice.freeserve.co.uk or see the website www.telfordice.co.uk
Another exclusive announcement concerning Bruce Penhall will be available here very soon.  You won't want to miss it.

12/01/04
Exclusively revealed to Cradley fans first yet again comes the announcement that Bobby Schwartz will be joining his former Heathens and US team-mate Bruce Penhall at the Telford Ice International meetings next month.  'Boogaloo', who rode at Dudley Wood in 1979 but still ranks his time with the club as one of the greatest parts of his 30-year career, will ride in both main ice meetings, for the Rest of the World Select in the afternoon and in the individual event during the evening.
Schwartz contacted the Telford promoters to express his desire to be a part of what he anticipates will be 'an emotional night'.  Penhall has revealed that his appearance will be the last time he will ever ride again in Europe, and both riders are eagerly looking forward to meeting up with many old Cradley supporters.

21/11/03
Details have been confirmed for 'An Evening with Bruce Penhall', to take place on Saturday February 14th, the night before Penhall's appearance in the Telford Indoor Ice International.  The event is being staged at the Telford Moat House hotel, just off the M54 and will feature a Question and Answer session, as well as autograph signing and memorabilia stalls.  Ticket news is being announced here first, in order to give Cradley Heath fans first priority on booking for the strictly limited amount of seats.  The tickets, costing £10 each, can be purchased by contacting the Telford Ice organisers on (01691) 777051.  The evening is due to being at 7:30pm, for a 8:00pm start.  More details still to be announced will also appear here first as soon as it is confirmed.

16/11/03
Cradley legends Bobby Schwartz and Bruce Penhall will both be sensationally racing in separate indoor meetings in the UK this Winter.
Schwartz will be in action once again at the Brighton Indoor Bonanza on Sunday December 14th after just completing 30 years in speedway.  Earlier this month, 'Boogaloo' was presented with a commemorative album celebrating his long and distinguished career, which featured photos and memories, including an accolade provided by this web site.  He will be defending his Brighton Pairs title with fellow American Shawn McConnell.
Meanwhile, one of the Heathens biggest stars of all, Penhall has created a huge speedway story by agreeing to ride in a series of match races at the Telford Indoor Ice Event on Sunday February 15th.  The double-world champion will be flying into Britain for the weekend and also appearing at 'An Evening with Bruce Penhall' on the night before the meeting.  Further details on tickets will be revealed EXCLUSIVELY here to Cradley Heath fans first.  Bruce spoke to us at the website last week and says that he has already started training to get into shape, and is thinking over an offer to ride in some demonstration races against our very own Billy Hamill at the US Under 21 Championships next weekend.  We will have more news from Bruce and the promoters of Telford Indoor Ice over the forthcoming weeks and interest in the weekend events has already increased in mammoth proportions.

03/07/03
Cradley favourite and former World Champion Greg Hancock is back in British Speedway after an 18 month absence. The American has signed for Oxford in the Elite League as a replacement for Nicki Pedersen who had fallen out with promoter Nigel Wagstaff. 'Herbie' scored 9+1 on his Cheetahs debut at Poole on Wednesday night and rides against former club Coventry on Friday. He currently lies fourth in the Grand Prix series standings after three consecutive Grand Final appearances and becomes the first ever American to sign for the Cowley club in their 65-year history.
Meanwhile, another former Heathen, Scott Smith, has joined Exeter on loan for the remainder of the season. After leaving home town club Sheffield despite spending most of the last eight years there, he has been snapped up by the Falcons who have just lost Michael Coles to injury.

21/02/03
Long serving former Heathen and ex-World Champion Billy Hamill has caused an international sensation by quitting the 2003 Grand Prix Series before a wheel has been turned!
Hamill, still rated as one of the most popular riders on the British and World circuit by many Cradley fans today announced that he could not afford to compete in this years World Championship, despite finishing in the top ten automatic qualifying spots last season. The 'Bullet' also hinted that he may end his racing career completely, depending on his enjoyment of the forthcoming domestic season.
The news has already sent ripples around the Grand Prix scene and highlights the tough financial implications of competing at even the very top level of the sport, and is now sure to shock Billy's supporters and admirers from his hugely successful days with Cradley Heath.

09/01/03
Club CH will be holding their fourth Annual General Meeting this Wednesday, the 15th January, at the now regular venue of Himley Cricket Club. Operating from last year as a travelling supporters club, the committee and members will be deciding on the immediate future direction of Club Cradley Heath. Dedicated fans organised for a Conference-level Heathens team to ride in challenge matches around the country for three seasons from 1999-2001, but soaring costs ruled out a fourth season in 2002.
The meeting also represents fans' last chance to reserve their tickets for the 2003 British Grand Prix, being held at Cardiff's Millennium stadium for the third consecutive year. Cradley supporters have travelled en masse to the showpiece event for the last two years helping to create the terrific atmosphere and add a touch of Heathens red, green and white to the arena. Tickets must be paid for in full on or before next week's AGM. If you would like to reserve your seat in the Cradley Heath Block for this must-see event, you can also do so by phoning Margaret on (01384) 823508 in the next seven days.
Finally, following the tremendous success of Part 1 in Peter Foster's 'Heathens' History of Cradley Heath Speedway, the date has now been confirmed to launch the eagerly-anticipated second installment. The next Book Launch will be taking place on Saturday 1st March 2003 at the same venue of Dudley Wood Methodist Church, just around the corner from the famous track. The book which covers the glory years of 1977-1996 is expected to prove another massive hit with speedway supporters and will be an absolute must-have for all Cradley fans. If you missed the last launch, then make sure you get to this one for the very first copies of the book along with the chance to renew acquaintances with a host of invited former Heathens riders. More details will be published here over the coming weeks.

19/10/02
Part One of the two books on the History of Cradley Heath Speedway, 'Heathens' by Peter Foster, has continued to sell in superb numbers, exceeding all expectations of it's delighted publishers. Launched just four months ago in June, the title has already required a re-print from the original number produced, and is soon likely to run to a second with a third reprint expected in the new year. Expert speedway publisher Tempus could not have imagined the success that would be brought from a history tale of one of the most popular speedway clubs in the country, and the glory years detailed in Part Two are still yet to come! The book continues to catch the attention of Black Country folk in the area, being sold in several local shops around Cradley Heath. A surprising success has come from bakers, The Cook Shop in Old Hill, shifting more than 25 copies alone! And riders featured in the book & at the launch party, such as 60s stalwart Alan Totney, have found themselves being recognised in the street all over again. So the big question on everyones lips is, when will the final installment be available? Well, with the finishing touches being made, it is expected that Part Two will hit the shops in March of next year, hopefully with an even bigger impact than Part One!
Footnote: We have also been informed by speedway souvenir seller, Dave Rattenbury, of how well the latest design of the Cradley Heath programme board has been selling. Produced this year, with an additional 'Dudley Wood 1947-1995' logo, the new boards have been snapped up at track shops around the country, including besst of all... at Wolverhampton! Dave ordered an initial production run of fifty boards, expecting them to last for a while, but found them all sold out within a fortnight and needing a very quick re-order. He tells us how amazed he is at just how well 'Heathens' souvenirs continue to sell; a measure of course of the tremendous fanatical support enjoyed by our club.

22/08/02
Several former Cradley riders have been in action over the last week or so in their respective 2002 National Finals. Niklas Karlsson, who was signed by the Heathens in 1996, came a surprise sixth in the Swedish Final at Grondal last Saturday. He finished just one point behind current World Champion Tony Rickardsson and a couple of places ahead of another former Heathen, 1994 Dudley Wood favourite, Peter Nahlin. Dalle Anderson, who has struggled with injuries this year on his full time return to the British League, failed to score.
Across the pond, the American Championship is being contested over three rounds, culminating at Auburn on September 20th. Billy Hamill won Round 1 without being beaten all night and Greg Hancock finished third. The usually inseparable duo were split by Billy Janniro. Disaster struck in Round 2 though with Hamill suffering a back injury and severe bruising in his penultimate ride. Despite soldiering on to compete in the main final, he now risks missing the next World Championship GP round on August 31st. Greg eventually won the final, leaving him in the overall lead on 36 points with Billy in second just one point behind. At the grand old age of 46, Bobby Schwartz is also still competing in the championships, lying 16th overall.
Meanwhile in the UK, the famous Collins racing brothers will be competing in a special family match race for Neil's testimonial meeting next month. The race will feature Les, Peter, Steve and Neil himself. Steve Collins rode for Cradley from 1984-85 and has long since hung up his leathers while Les joined us for our last season in '96. Missing of course is Dudley Wood superstar Phil, who cannot make the journey back as he is now residing in the USA.

19/07/02
One of the most unlikeliest headlines for the web site yet is to bring the news that the UK music charts are being taken over... by the Heathens! Alas theres no Cradley Speedway publicity machine behind the occurrence, but two of the biggest names in the music industry have, from some inspiration, decided to give their latest offerings a very familiar ring to the Dudley Wood faithful. Oasis, one of the most publicised bands of modern music and with previous albums going several times platinum, surprised no-one last week when their new album went straight in at Number 1 with the title "Heathen Chemistry". I'm sure you can all relate. But possibly even more amazingly, despite Oasis dipping to number two this week, there is a second album with similar connections sitting pretty in the top twenty. David Bowie, with a massive history of record sales over several decades, has gone even more direct with a current album title of "Heathen". Co-incidence or maybe a double tribute to the greatest speedway team in the world? Who knows! We just couldn't resist it. Either way, believe it or not, they're not the only ones displaying our collective title in the music business. For Peter Foster, author or the new History of Cradley Speedway book, is also a member of a band by the name of - you guessed it - "Heathens"!

04/07/02
One of Cradley's American darlings Greg Hancock is back in the UK after being appointed as Head Coach for the BSPA-backed National Training Academy. 'Herbie', so harshly treated by the ill-conceived GP rider restriction rule this year, has now set up home in Sweden after 12 years in Britain - since the Heathens originally brought him over from the USA in 1989. He will now be touring England, Scotland and Wales leading the coaching of Elite training camps for British youngsters, aged 15-19. The project is fronted by former rider and Sheffield co-promoter Louis Carr and will focus on all aspects of being a speedway rider from machinery to gating technique and racing tips.

13/06/02
Heathens fans took their cause to the Millennium Stadium last weekend for Britain's showpiece Grand Prix event in Cardiff. In an arena littered with flags and banners from clubs and countries everywhere, Cradley Heath were extremely well represented. At least four flags championed the Cradley cause and were picked up by TV cameras broadcasting around the stadium on giant screens as well as on Sky Sports to the viewing public at home and around the world.
The same banner which was picked up last year was again noticed by all, including Peter Oakes writing his Pit Lane articlefor Speedway Star. "You have to admire the spirit and perseverance of those Cradley Heath fans who are still fighting to revive their Black Country club", he writes, "Among the hundreds of banners encircling the stadium were two [he didn't notice the others! -Ed] at virtual opposite ends which proclaimed: Speedway Deserves Cradley and Cradley Heath Speedway Will Never Die". The others were St Georges flags bearing the Cradley name & riders and a Cradley Heathens - We Will Be Back.

09/05/02
Cradley Heath darlings Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill begin the new and expanded World Championship Grand Prix series this weekend with both riders embarking on separate new GP 'teams'. The American pair of former champs led the way for Formula1-style teams whilst riding for the Heathens in the mid-nineties when they formed Team Exide as a partnership. The move was a logical step for the charismatic pair who are close friends off-track. This year though, with the Exide deal consigned to past campaigns and Hancock frozen out of British Speedway through rider restriction rules, the boys are each going their own ways. The move is quite significant, given their revolutionary moves to introduce the teams concept in early GP stages, and the idea has now spawned the likes of 'Team Rickardsson', 'Team Nilsen' and 'Team Tatum' to look after and promote the interests of the top riders.
Hancock is teaming up with Britain's own Scott Nicholls under the banner of Team GSR (Global Speedway Racing), backed by Tag Metals and System Edstrom with a distinctive Troy Lee Designs red, white and blue theme. Hamill meanwhile will be dekked in blue and yellow on machines he fine-tuned during Coventry's recent defeat at Wolves. He will be officially launching his new sponsorship package at the weekend when the 10-round GP season opens at Norway's Viking Ship stadium.

26/01/02
It seems a long time since Cradley Heath were mentioned in the wheeling and dealing of the Speedway transfer market, but that came to an end this week with the sale of Swede, Dalle Anderson. The former Under-21 international had been an asset of the club since the year at Stoke in 1996, but has struggled to hold down a British League place since the Heathens' closure at the end of '96. After a loan spell with Edinburgh Monarchs last year, he has now joined the Premier League side on a full transfer from Cradley, not as stated in other reports from Coventry.

12/01/02
Now co-promoter at Coventry, Colin Pratt has finally made the team building decision seen as one of the biggest of the 2001/02 winter. The new Elite league rules, which limit teams to only one Grand Prix rider over an average of 8.00, forced Pratt into an agonising choice between the two Cradley-owned Americans, Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill. After weeks of negotiations and deliberations, Hamill has been given the nod to lead the team while Hancock now almost certainly faces the reality of at least a year on the sidelines. Greg joined Cradley as a rookie in 1989 and Billy followed a year later, both staying with the Heathens until our enforced closure at the end of 1996. Billy did have one occasion when he could not agree terms, but the spell away lasted less than three months. He has been at Brandon for four seasons, while Greg has spent five with the Bees.

25/11/01
Surprising news that Denmark's Governing Body, the DMU tried to keep secret is that on 30th August Erik Gundersen & Jacob Olsen were sacked as Team Managers for the Danish National Team. This was apparently due to lack of finances for Team Denmark from the DMU who said they could not afford two Team Managers any more.
On the 28th November the DMU announced that Jacob Olsen would be in sole charge of the national team, after serving as assistant under Erik Gundersen. Erik is reported to have made clear the wish that he should not be reappointed under the sweeping changes due to ongoing increasing problems.

04/10/01
A Cradley team is expected back on track later this month as Wolves former American international, Ronnie Correy, says farewell to the sport. Correy's swansong meeting will reportedly involve an Old Wolves v Old Cradley challenge match, featuring stars of past and present from both sides. The Heathens will almost certainly be led by legends of the 90s Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill, while the home team will also have an American spearhead in Correy and Sam Ermolenko. Backup in the Cradley squad could include a fascinating track return for one of our all-time greats, Alan Grahame, along with brother Andy. Swedes, Peter Nahlin and Dalle Anderson have apparently been approached, while the septet may be completed by the Scud, Scott Smith. Other former riders have turned down the chance to pull on their leathers again, but Wolves are expected to pull off the return of Andy Phillips, Stephen Morris and current Premier League heatleader, Jan Staechmann. The meeting is due to be staged on Sunday 21st October, no doubt attracting a very healthy following from the better side of the Black Country.

11/06/01
Cradley were well represented at last weekend's British Grand Prix in the awesome Millenium Stadium. The club took two coaches, a minibus and a fleet of cars to the biggest speedway event since Bruce Penhall's 1981 Wembley world final victory.
In a crowd quoted as anything between 31,000 and 40,000 there was a huge Heathens support, which came across to another 100,000 viewers on Sky Sports. One of the banners reading "Cradley Deserves Speedway, Speedway Deserves Cradley" was caught several times by the TV cameras (right) and the club mentioned briefly by commentator Tony Millard.
The entire Cradley following seemed to enjoy a tremendous day out for speedway's new showpiece and the event was very well received by everyone else from the most dedicated fans to the newest of converts.

02/06/01
Cradley fans have filled all spaces on the two coaches originally laid on for the British Grand Prix at Cardiff next week, and many more supporters have reported that they will be travelling by car. Fans will be meeting up in the city beforehand to enjoy the whole day out and there are two pubs right next to the massive stadium which will no doubt be over-flowing with speedway supporters. News from the Internet Speedway discussion groups is that financial services provider, Egg will be sponsoring the event. 1800 tonnes of shale will be laid over four days as well as a further 100 tonnes of clay and the erection of a 360 metre safety fence and air barrier. It will be the first motorsport event to be held at the Millenium Stadium and we hear that churning out the official programmes for the night will be Cradley Print - the company based less than a mile from the Heathens' former Dudley Wood home.

30/05/01
The Dane who spent five years with Cradley, Gert Handberg, finished down the rankings in the recent Danish Final. The meeting held in Outrup on the 18th May was won by ex-Peterborough rider Hans Clausen with Newcastle's Bjarne Pedersen runner-up. Handberg tied on 7 points with one-time Heathens target Ronni Pedersen, after failing to win any of his five rides. He has never ridden for any other British teams, but returned to England in 1999 to ride in the special Cradley team put together to ride in a challenge at Wolverhampton.

18/05/01
One-season Heathens rider Dalle Andersson has been signed by Edinburgh in the Premier League to boost their fortunes. The Swede first rode in Britain for Oxford but had pledged his career to the Heathens. His year with Cradley at Stoke in 1996 saw him inconsistent in form and his average dropped by around a point. He has also had a spell since leaving the Heathens with Glasgow.