Cliff Parkinson

George Clifford Parkinson (1 February 1907 – 4 May 1993) was a motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1][2]

Cliff Parkinson
Born1 February 1907 (1907-02)
Middlesbrough, England
Died4 May 1993(1993-05-04) (aged 86)
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1930–1931, 1933, 1936–1939Wembley Lions
1933Lea Bridge
1934, 1947Harringay Tigers
1935Hackney Wick Wolves
1936Cardiff White City
1936Nottingham
1947West Ham Hammers
Team honours
1931Southern League
1931National Trophy

Career

Parkinson began his speedway career during the early years of the sport in Britain in 1930. He was a window dresser by trade in a London Drapery store but gave up his job to follow his brother Ronnie Parkinson into the sport. He began to practice at Middlesbrough speedway under Harry Whitfield's training and in April 1930, he was signed by Wembley Lions for 1930 Speedway Southern League.[3][4] He went to Spain in the summer of 1930 to continue his tuition as a Wembley rider.

He was retained by Wembley for the 1931 Speedway Southern League and was part of their squad that won the league and National Trophy double.[5]

The 1932 season saw the formation of the National League and Parkinson was transferred from Wembley to Plymouth Tigers but chose instead to go back to Spain to ride, where he became a popular exhibition rider.[6]

He returned to Britain and signed on with Clapton Saints for the 1933 Speedway National League.[1] After the winter racing in Australia, he raced with Harringay Tigers during the 1934 Speedway National League.[4]

He rode for England against Australia in the first official test match on 15 December 1934, in Sydney, although he had taken part in unofficial internationals against Australia before.[7] He later rode for Hackney Wick Wolves (1935), Cardiff White City and Nottingham (1936) before returning to Wembley.[1]

His career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II but after the war he did ride for West Ham Hammers in 1947.[1][4]

Players cigarette cards

Parkinson is listed as number 36 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.[2]

References
  1. "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022, Cliff Parkinson" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  2. "Cliff Parkinson". Speedway Museum Online. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  3. "Wembley Speedway, a window dresser joins Wembley". Harrow Observer. 18 April 1930. Retrieved 3 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  5. "Speedway Champions". Daily Herald. 16 October 1931. Retrieved 3 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "Bull Fights Can't scare him". The People. 4 September 1932. Retrieved 3 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. "INTERNATIONALS - AUSTRALIA". International Speedway. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
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