Canterbury Crusaders (speedway)

The Canterbury Crusaders were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the Kingsmead Stadium, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury.[1] For all of their 20-year existence, the Crusaders operated at the second level of British league speedway, in British League Division Two and the National League.

For the New Zealand rugby union team formerly known as the Canterbury Crusaders, see Crusaders (rugby).
Canterbury Crusaders
Club information
Track addressKingsmead Stadium
Kingsmead Road
Canterbury
Kent
CountryEngland
Founded1968
Closed1987
WebsiteCanterbury Crusaders
Club facts
ColoursBlue and Gold
Track size360 metres (390 yd)
Major team honours
National League Champions1978
British League Div Two Champions1970
British League Div Two KO Cup Winners1968

History
Crusaders away at Oxford

The first meeting at Kingsmead, on 18 May 1968, saw the Crusaders narrowly lose a British League Division Two fixture 38–39 to Belle Vue Colts.[2] The Colts and the Crusaders had contested the first ever Division Two fixture ten days previously at Belle Vue on 8 May, when the Colts won 55–23.

The Crusaders' first league title was won in 1970, and a second championship was to follow in 1978.

In 1977 the promoters Johnnie Hoskins and Wally Mawdsley had to go to court in order to keep the Kingsmead track open after complaints of noise from local residents. However, the team were forced to disband in 1987 when the Canterbury Council refused to renew the lease.

The final Crusaders fixture took place at Kingsmead on 31 October 1987, when Canterbury defeated Rye House Rockets 49–29 in the second leg of the Kent/Herts Trophy.[3]

Greyhound racing continued at Kingsmead until 1999 but the site is now a housing estate.[4]

The longest serving rider was Barney Kennett who rode for the Crusaders from 1971 until 1984. Barney is the brother of riders Gordon and Dave and is uncle to Edward Kennett.

Notable Canterbury riders

References
  1. Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). Homes of British Speedway. ISBN 0-7524-2210-3
  2. http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/docs/canterbury/1968.pdf%5B%5D
  3. http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/docs/canterbury/1987.pdf%5B%5D
  4. Jacobs, N. Speedway in the South East. ISBN 0-7524-2725-3
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