Birmingham Brummies

Birmingham Brummies
Club information
Track address Perry Barr Stadium
Birmingham
Country England
Founded 1928
2006 (re-founded)
2015 (reformed)
Closed 1986-2006
2014
Team manager Graham Drury
Team captain Tom Perry
League National League
Website www.birminghambrummies.co
Club facts
Colours Yellow and Red
Track size 292 metres (319 yd)
Track record time 56.6
Track record date 25 June 2008, 2 July 2008
Track record holder Jason Lyons & Kevin Doolan
Current team
Rider CMA
England Zach Wajknecht 9.51
England Tom Perry 8.58
England Darryl Ritchings 7.32
England Tom Bacon 4.42
England Danyon Hume 3.79
England Jack Smith 3.00
England Jack Parkinson-Blackburn 3.00
Total 39.62
Major team honours
Div 2 Anniversary Cup Winners1948
Div 2 National Trophy Winners1948
Midland Cup1953/54/55
British League Div 2 Champions1974
British League Div 2 KO Cup1974
New National League Champions1975
Midland Shield2007
Premier League Pairs2009
Premier League Fours2010
National League Fours2015
National League Champions2015
National Trophy Winners2016
National League Champions2016

Birmingham Brummies are a British speedway team, who competed in the Elite League from 2011 until they folded part way through the 2014 season, and now in the National League. The team was originally formed in 1928 until they closed for the first time in 1986. Then in 2006 the club was brought back into British Speedway.

History

1928–1986

Birmingham had two teams in the Southern League of the inaugural season of British speedway in 1929. One was based at Perry Barr Stadium and the other was based at Hall Green Stadium. The Hall Green team, known during their time as Birmingham Bulldogs, closed in 1938. Speedway continued at Perry Barr Stadium until 1983 before moving to Bordesley Green until closing in 1986.[1] Although Birmingham did win trophies during their initial spell in Speedway these achievements were often dwarfed by the success of fellow West Midlands Speedway teams, the Wolverhampton Wolves, Coventry Bees and Cradley Heathens.

2006-Present

After 20 years away from the sport Birmingham were reformed in 2006 and then accepted into the Premier League in 2007. The first meeting of the new era, the Alan Hunt Memorial, took place on 21 March 2007. In a successful first season the team finished in second place in the league table, and runner-up in both the Premier Trophy and the Young Shield, despite having only two members of their own team actually fit to ride. During the majority of their time in the Premier League they were captained by Australian Jason Lyons who went on to become extremely popular at the club and is now a member of the club's Hall of Fame.

Birmingham were accepted into the Elite League for 2011 and finished their first season in ninth place out of ten. Ahead of their second season in the top flight they retained the services of the previous season's star performers Danny King and Ben Barker as well as adding Speedway Grand Prix star Bjarne Pedersen. Although Pedersen's time at Birmingham was an unhappy one the team made a big improvement on their first season in the Elite League, finishing in 3rd place and achieving a spot in the play-offs. The 2013 season was filled with success, with the Brummies finishing in 1st place in the Elite League and achieving a place in the Elite League Grand Final.[2] They found themselves outclassed in the final, losing out on aggregate 104-79 to the Poole Pirates, who were inspired by Greg Hancock.[3]

Despite the success of the 2013 season there were regular reports of turmoil behind the scenes at the club, and at the end of the season team manager Phil Morris walked away from the club. The off season was a difficult time for the club, with captain Danny King handing in a transfer request, although he was later convinced to stay. Once the season began the troubles only intensified, and on 14 July 2014 it was announced that the club would cease to operate.[4] The team was taken over later that year by Tony Mole and entered into the National League for 2015. Under the stewardship of Mole and Drury The Brummies would crown a superb season back on track by winning the National League title. The Brummies defended their National League title in 2016, beating Eastbourne in a two leg play off, the play off system having been controversially introduced for this season. they would also win the National Trophy to crown a superb double.

Tony Mole has announced that he is giving up the sport, so once again The Brummies face an uncertain future.


[5]

Perry Barr Stadium

Perry Barr Stadium (also known as Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium) is the home track of the Birmingham Brummies, located on Aldridge Road in Perry Barr, Birmingham. The stadium was originally constructed for an athletics club, the Birchfield Harriers. Since then its facilities have also been used by the Birchfield Cycling Club and also Aston Villa Football Club, whose second and third teams would train at the stadium in the 1930s and 1940s.

During World War II the stadium was requisitioned by the government and used by the Home Guard. And it was soon after the conclusion of the war that Birmingham Brummies rode at the stadium for the first time. The club initially rode on a Saturday evening, which resulted in Floodlights having to be added to the stadium.

Having been reformed in 2006 Birmingham returned to the stadium, which at this time is now primarily being used for greyhound racing on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Riders

2016 Team

2015 Team

Also Rode:

2014 Team

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2013 Team

2012 Team

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2011 Team

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2010 Team

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2009 Team

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2008 Team

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2007 Team

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Club honours

Notable riders

References

  1. ↑ http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Birmingham%20Hall%20Green.htm
  2. ↑ "Elite League Table 2013". Speedway365.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "Elite League Grand Final: Poole Pirates complete thrashing of Birmingham Brummies". Skysports.com. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  4. ↑ http://www.birminghambrummies.co/news.php?extend.1973
  5. ↑ Pearson, Nigel (2014) "Relaunched Birmingham Brummies have Plan B in place", Birmingham Mail, 20 November 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014

External links

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