The Bradford & Halifax Dukes ? : Wed May 29, 2013 5:15 pm  

The City of Bradford Metropolitan Council has withdrawn objections to the resumption of Speedway Racing at Odsal Stadium, confirming the permissions granted in 1984 had not been abandoned or expired and remains lawful. We have been in negotiation with The Bradford Bulls for several months, though an agreement is yet to be finalized. Permissions also need to be sought from The Rugby Football league and The Speedway Control Board. If Speedway Racing eventually returns to Odsal, we hope to re-name the team- The Bradford & Halifax Dukes. Stock Car Racing may return in time. If there are any former/existing speedway fans on here, I would find your comments of interest. http://www.speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.20587 Good luck for the season.

The City of Bradford Metropolitan Council has withdrawn objections to the resumption of Speedway Racing at Odsal Stadium, confirming the permissions granted in 1984 had not been abandoned or expired and remains lawful. We have been in negotiation with The Bradford Bulls for several months, though an agreement is yet to be finalized. Permissions also need to be sought from The Rugby Football league and The Speedway Control Board. If Speedway Racing eventually returns to Odsal, we hope to re-name the team- The Bradford & Halifax Dukes. Stock Car Racing may return in time. If there are any former/existing speedway fans on here, I would find your comments of interest. http://www.speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.20587 Good luck for the season.

Re: The Bradford & Halifax Dukes ? : Wed May 29, 2013 7:02 pm  

Looking forward to curly corners again. And the smell!! Hmmmmmm. Mind you if Bradford Bulls have anything to do with it that'll be two sports they can screw creditors over.

Don't listen to me Teddy, I'm bitter. Good luck with it.

Re: The Bradford & Halifax Dukes ? : Wed May 29, 2013 7:33 pm  

littlerich wrote:

Looking forward to curly corners again. And the smell!! Hmmmmmm. Mind you if Bradford Bulls have anything to do with it that'll be two sports they can screw creditors over.

Don't listen to me Teddy, I'm bitter. Good luck with it.

Not as bitter as me littlerich,
Let Bradford have a Speedway Team, but please, please, don't include Halifax in it's title.
In fact? Why if it's being "played" at Odsal would you want to include Halifax in the name?
First man into the corner? race over.

Re: The Bradford & Halifax Dukes ? : Wed May 29, 2013 11:23 pm  

I remember going as a young lad to watch Leicester Lions at Blackbird Road and I seem to remember Bradford Northern & Halifax Dukes being separate teams back then. Leicester folded in the mid-eighties, but re-formed 4 or 5 years ago and seem to be doing quite well. I hope it works out - I think the Halifax name should be included, as it was left out in the original merger.

And yes - I remember the smell - Nitro & Cinder - a classic combination!

Re: The Bradford & Halifax Dukes ? : Thu May 30, 2013 10:43 am  

Ches Vegas Eagles wrote:

I remember going as a young lad to watch Leicester Lions at Blackbird Road and I seem to remember Bradford Northern & Halifax Dukes being separate teams back then. Leicester folded in the mid-eighties, but re-formed 4 or 5 years ago and seem to be doing quite well. I hope it works out - I think the Halifax name should be included, as it was left out in the original merger.

And yes - I remember the smell - Nitro & Cinder - a classic combination!

What merger? As I remember it, Bradford didn't have a speedway team until Halifax Dukes left the Shay, moved to Odsal, and became Bradford Dukes.

Re: The Bradford & Halifax Dukes ? : Thu May 30, 2013 7:48 pm  

Bradford did have a Speedway team of their own in the second division and went under the name of Bradford Barons. The Bradford Dukes only came about when Halifax moved to Bradford

Re: The Bradford & Halifax Dukes ? : Fri May 31, 2013 11:51 am  

Fax 27 wrote:

Bradford did have a Speedway team of their own in the second division and went under the name of Bradford Barons. The Bradford Dukes only came about when Halifax moved to Bradford

The Bradford Barons went out of business in 1975. The Dukes moved there in 1986 due to Halifax Town's greed and resentment of the fact that the speedway drew far bigger crowds than the football.

At The Shay the Dukes were paying Halifax Town AFC a rent of £30,000 per year and were also faced with a similar amount to move a floodlight pylon on the first bend to comply with safety requirements. However, at Odsal they were welcomed with open arms by Bradford Council, who let the Dukes run rent free for the first three years

Re: The Bradford & Halifax Dukes ? : Sat Jun 01, 2013 6:11 pm  

I followed Halifax Dukes for about 10 years and still have my programme board somewhere. Ian Cartwright, Steve Finch, Henny Kroeze....those were the days. You could get right up to the trackside at the Shay but were miles away at Odsal. Would go home with a head full of shale.

Re: The Bradford & Halifax Dukes ? : Sat Jun 01, 2013 7:10 pm  

C Cup wrote:

I followed Halifax Dukes for about 10 years and still have my programme board somewhere. Ian Cartwright, Steve Finch, Henny Kroeze....those were the days. You could get right up to the trackside at the Shay but were miles away at Odsal. Would go home with a head full of shale.

Would go home with a head full of shale

Don't you mean ale?