Hugh Saunders (speedway rider)

Saunders started his speedway career with Eastbourne Eagles where he rode for two seasons. Then a move to Rayleigh Rockets where he rode for the next two seasons, before Rye House Rockets for 5 seasons[2][3] [4] as the stadium was sold and team relocated under the promotion of Len Silver.[5] With Len Silver, Hugh Saunders rode for other teams run by this promoter, namely Hackney Hawks in the interim between Rayleigh and Rye House.

In his final season in the sport in 1979, Saunders won the National League Knockout Cup with Rye House. On 17 September 1979, racing at Newcastle's Brough Park, he dislocated his ankle and ended his career. A year later he returned for his own testimonial, to ride as reserve in a team of old friends named, for the day, the "Hughgonuts" but broke his leg in his first outing and missed the rest of the event and the post-match celebrations.