Bill Longley (speedway rider)

William Mowbray Longley (11 November 1911 in Dandenong, Victoria – 15 April 2005) was an Australian international speedway rider who began his British career with the New Cross Rangers in 1937,[1] where he remained until the outbreak of World War II, winning the National League Championship in 1938.[2][3]

Bill Longley
Born(1911-11-11)11 November 1911
Dandenong, Victoria
Died29 April 2005(2005-04-29) (aged 93)
NationalityAustralian
Career history
1937–1939, 1947–1953New Cross Rangers
1946Odsal Boomerangs
1953Bradford Tudors
1953–1954Wimbledon Dons
1955Rayleigh Rockets
1955Wembley Lions
Individual honours
1946Northern Riders' Champion
Team honours
1938, 1948, 1954National League Champion
1947London Cup
1954RAC Cup Winner

Career summary

In 1946 he rode for Odsal but returned to New Cross in 1947 and was again a member of the team that won the 1948 National League Championship.[1] Longley finished ninth in the Speedway World Championship in 1949[4] and remained with New Cross until they closed in 1953. He joined Bradford for a short spell with the Tudors before returning to London with the Wimbledon Dons.[5]

In 1950, he finished runner up in the Australian Championship.[6]

Longley was a member of the Wimbledon team that won the 1954 National League Championship. In 1955 he had a short spell with the Rayleigh Rockets before riding in one meeting for the Wembley Lions. He then decided to retire.

World Final Appearances

References
  1. Jacobs, N. (2008) Out of the Frying Pan, The History Press LTD ISBN 978-0-7524-4476-5
  2. Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited
  3. "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  4. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
  5. Jacobs, Norman (2001). Speedway in London. Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2221-9
  6. "Individual Australian Championship". Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
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