Nigel Sparshott

Nigel Sparshott (2 September 1961 - 10 July 1998) was a speedway rider from England.[1][2][3][4]

Nigel Sparshott
Born(1961-09-02)2 September 1961
Swanley, Kent, England
Died10 July 1998(1998-07-10) (aged 36)
Swanley, Kent, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1978Crayford Kestrels
1979-1980, 1982, 1988Milton Keynes Knights
1980-1981Kings Lynn Stars
1982-1983Birmingham Brummies
1983-1985, 1987Oxford Cheetahs
1983Eastbourne Eagles
1983Reading Racers
1985Exeter Falcons
1986Wimbledon Dons
1990Rye House Rockets
1987, 1992-1993Long Eaton Invaders
1988-1989Middlesbrough Bears

Speedway career

Sparshott began his career at Crayford in 1978 before joining Milton Keynes Knights in 1979. The following year he signed for King's Lynn Stars who rode in the top tier of British Speedway during the 1980 British League season. When the 1981 season started he was riding for Milton Keynes when he was recalled for parent side King's Lynn.[3][5] Following a full season with Milton Keynes in 1982 he came to the attention of the Oxford Cheetahs who signed him for the 1983 season.[1]

It was the 1984 season that saw the Oxford Cheetahs famously break the British transfer records as they started the season in the 1984 British League season, they bought Hans Nielsen for a record £30,000, Simon Wigg for £25,000, Marvyn Cox for £15,000 and Melvyn Taylor for £12,000. Sparshott retained his place in the team his place at number 7. The following year in 1985, he was rarely used during the 1985 season as he spent most of the season at Exeter Falcons on loan but he earned his place in history as Oxford won the league and cup double.[6]

He continued to ride in British speedway until his retirement after the 1993 season.[1]

Death

In 1998, he died after his van crashed into a barn.[2][7]

References
  1. "Speedway riders, history and results". wwosbackup. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  2. "Ex-Cheetah Nigel dies in car crash". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  3. Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 253. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.
  4. "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  5. "History Archive". British Speedway. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  6. Bamford/Shailes, Robert/Glynn (2007). The Story of Oxford Speedway. Tempus Publishing Ltd. pp. 128–135. ISBN 978-0-7524-4161-0.
  7. "FATAL PILE-UP LEAVES 12-MILE TAILBACK AT TUNNEL". News Shopper. Retrieved 7 October 2022.


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