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Colin Richardson (speedway rider)

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Colin Richardson
Born (1958-11-24) 24 November 1958 (age 65)
Lambeth, London, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1975–1977, 1984–1986Eastbourne Eagles
1976–1981Wimbledon Dons
1982, 1983King's Lynn Stars
Individual honours
1977National League Riders Champion
Team honours
1975, 1985National League KO Cup Winner
1979Gauntlet Gold Cup

Colin Eric Richardson (born 24 November 1958 in London) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1] He earned one international cap for the England national speedway team.[2]

Early life and career

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Richardson was born on 24 November 1958 in Lambeth, London. He attended Wick Hill Secondary Modern School in Bracknell from 1970 to 1972 and then Garth Hill Comprehensive School, also in Bracknell, from 1973 to 1977.

His speedway career started when riding for Eastbourne Eagles in 1975[3] and Wimbledon Dons in 1976.

Richardson enjoyed a very successful 1977 winning the National League Riders' Championship, held at Wimbledon Stadium on 24 September 1977.[4][5] In addition to the riders' title, he helped Eastbourne Eagles win the National League and Knockout cup double.[6] The success continued with Wimbledon Dons in the top division because he won the Laurels on his home track.

In 1982, he joined the King's Lynn Stars before returning to Eastbourne in 1984.[2] In that year, Richardson took part in a three-Team Tournament raced at Eastbourne which included the hosts, Poole Pirates and Reading Racers. During Heat 1 Richardson was involved in a collision with New Zealand-born rider from the Reading Racers, Mitch Shirra, forcing Shirra into the perimeter safety fence.

He represented England at full and Under-21 levels.

Family

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His son Lee Richardson was a speedway rider and had represented Great Britain, and was a former Speedway Grand Prix rider.[7] On 13 May 2012 his son died of internal bleeding in a Wrocław hospital following a collision with a safety fence during a Polish League match.

References

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  1. ^ Lawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
  2. ^ a b "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Richardson makes it a great year". Kent Evening Post. 26 September 1977. Retrieved 5 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Stuart's five". Staffordshire Sentinel. 26 September 1977. Retrieved 17 June 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Colin is champ". Sunday Mirror. 25 September 1977. Retrieved 5 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ Oakes, P & Rising, P (1986). 1986 Speedway Yearbook. ISBN 0-948882-00-X
  7. ^ Bamford, R.(2007). Speedway Yearbook 2007. ISBN 978-0-7524-4250-1