THE Crewe Kings speedway team is to be commemorated in the town after 35 years, with a plaque unveiling on Friday September 17 at 6.30pm at the Kings Arms on Earle Street.

On hand to perform the honours will be Colin Tucker, the Kings’ first captain and the man instrumental in converting the old Earle Street Athletics Stadium into the most feared speedway track in the country.

Colin is flying in from New Zealand to unveil the commemorative plaque.

Andy Scoffin who helped write the book When They Were Kings – The Crewe Speedway Story along with Mark Potts, Kevin Tew and Tony Marks, summed up what Crewe Speedway was all about.

He said: “What is now the Grand Junction Retail Park was once the sacred place that every Monday night I, and many others, religiously visited for seven years.

“Managing my pocket money so I could go to both Crewe Alexandra and Crewe Speedway was nothing short of a financial miracle, but rarely did I miss either.

“My recollections of accessing the track was down Rainbow Street by the Kings Arms public house, although there was another access down Priscilla Street.

“In terms of a racing track, it was the biggest at 470 yards and fastest.

“It was often criticised by rival promoters and riders alike because of the unusually high banked corners, it was labelled ‘the devil’s bowl’ and ‘the wall of death’.”

The track’s first meeting was on May 19 1969 when around 6,000 turned up to see The Kings lose 33-45 to Raleigh Rockets.

That was to become a very rare loss, as home form would be invincible in the seasons to come.

Several former riders will attend the unveiling, including two men who appeared in the Guinness Book Of Records as the fastest men in speedway – Barry Meeks and Dave Morton.

Also attending will be local rider Chris Turner and Dai Evans – captain of the 1972 winning team.

All supporters and track staff are welcome to attend and enjoy a few drinks at the Kings Arms and Borough Arms afterwards