Former Devil Len Read

[Pennyx68]

It was good to hear that former Plymouth Devil Len Read celebrated his 100 birthday on the 8th January 2018. He is now believed to be the oldest living former rider in professional speedway in Britain. When Len visited the SBA in 2006, I thought he was looking very frail then but later learnt this was probably due to the effects of the long journey down from Norwich. The term 'Legend' is often over used these days but that word certainly applies to him. Even more remarkable when you consider that prior to his post-war speedway career, he was a Japanese Prisoner of War on that notorious railway.

[Mark Phillips]

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[traindave]

Len Read Plymouth Devils ’s oldest surviving rider receives a trophy at W.S.R.A .dinner,
Len Read’s story has been told by author Jeremy Jackson in ‘The Mighty Atom’, in Classic Speedway, Speedway Star and several newspapers up and down the U.K. down the years. On Sunday 29th October Len attended the World Speedway Riders Association dinner at Bawburgh Golf Club Norwich with Jeremy. Len who is coming up to his 100th birthday was a special guest with former ^World Champion Ove Fundin and motorcycle legend Olle Nygren The latter excelled on ice, shale and tarmac and ran successful speedway training schools. Today both Swedish stars are still riding road motorcycles into their eighties.
Jeremy did a brief presentation about Len Read who was one of the best riders at Plymouth throughout its history, Pete Lansdale was the only rider to surpass his scores. Len rode for the Devonian club in 1947, 1948, 1949 and returned to them in 1953. Len was always talked about in the derby matches between Plymouth and St.Austell with his leg trailing style. Today Len is also the only surviving rider who rode the opening meeting at Cornish Stadium on 14th June 1949. In fact he has now become the oldest former speedway rider in Europe. Len won several trophies down the years but it was thought by the current Plymouth Promotion Lennie should be remembered with something a bit special so Jeremy did the honours at the dinner in Norwich. The engraved trophy Len received read, ‘Thanks for all the great memories on and off track 1947-1950, & 1953 from Plymouth Speedway 2017-2018’. Thanks to Mark Phillips and Laurence Rogers for their help and their card which was signed by the Plymouth team.
Jeremy rounded off his speech focusing on three different areas, how Len was courageous and modest, having survived ‘Death Railway in WW2’ where so many Allied servicemen perished. Also what a caring and helpful person he was, not many know but he helped mentor Peter Craven at Liverpool, this 16 year old lad went on to become a household name and the World Speedway Champion twice. Sadly Peter died in a racing accident in the sixties.
Finally Len has always had a great sense of humour and Jeremy repeated his story of his missing dentures which were found on the Plymouth track. The second story was when he had his driving school much to hilarity of the whole Read household a pupil he was teaching was called Mr.Gotobed from Little Snoring. Without any doubt we will never see a rider like Len Read again, when he came to the start tapes he gave it his all, he had a young family to feed, times were different then as there was no sponsorships in his day. Things were tough but he made a living out of riding on two wheels although progression in the World Championship always eluded him. Jeremy said he saw Read ride a speedway bike around a field when he was ninety so he still had determination to get things done, he carried on driving cars until aged 96 years.
We wish Len Read a happy birthday and hope he enjoys his party with family and friends. Jeremy said he first met Len at the charity bike show he organised at Par Moor in 1994, he concluded his life is that little bit richer by becoming a friend of the man they nicknamed The Mighty Atom.

[Mark Phillips]

[Mark Phillips]

Len Read , “The Mighty Atom” receiving his gift from Plymouth Speedway from our dear friend Jeremy Jackson , author and speedway fanatic

[rogerdevil]

Fantastic achieving the 100 years.

I can recall Len Reed riding at Pennycross particularly in 1953 when I used to run from Crownhill to the meeting and home again. Well loved by all the Devils fans.