Mike Broadbank

Michael Broadbank (also known as Broadbanks) (born 23 September 1934 in Hoddesdon, England) is a former international motorcycle speedway rider who made 560 appearances for the Swindon Robins, scoring over 4,200 points.

Mike Broadbank
Born (1934-09-23) 23 September 1934
Hoddesdon, England
Nationality England
Current club information
Career statusRetired
Career history
1955Rye House Roosters
1956Wembley Lions
1957-1972Swindon Robins
1973Chesterton Potters
1973, 1975Hackney Hawks
1973Reading Racers
1973Poole Pirates
1973Oxford Rebels
1974Stoke Potters
1976Crayford Kestrels
1977Newport Dragons
Individual honours
1963Australian Champion
1964London Riders' Champion
Team honours
1955Southern Area League Champion
1957National League Champion
1967British League Champion
1967Midland Cup

Rye House

Broadbank was first discovered at the Rye House track after working there as a young boy. In the 1950s the track was threatened with closure so Broadbank built a new track on an adjacent site to continue training. After a season the owner of the stadium relented and Broadbank built the track on the site that is still there today.[1]

The training track operated a team known as the Roosters, however, with the involvement of Broadbank, the team were renamed the Red Devils, with reference to the red leathers worn by Broadbank, when almost all riders wore black.[1]

Career

After impressing at Rye House he managed to get a full-time ride with the Wembley Lions. He then started his long association with Robins before moving on to the Hackney Hawks, Reading Racers and the Stoke Potters. Whilst with Robins he captained the side to the British League title in 1967. He reached the final of the Speedway World Championship on five occasions.

Broadbank was also a regular visitor to Australia and won the Australian Individual Speedway Championship at the Rockhampton Speedway in 1963, to date the last time a rider from England won the Australian title. Broadbank defeated Queensland rider Keith Gurtner, and a rising star from New Zealand named Ivan Mauger, to win the title.

In 2006 Broadbank was awarded a belated testimonial for sixteen years of service with Swindon.[2]

World Final Appearances

References
  1. Jacobs, Norman (2007). 70 Years of Rye House Speedway. NPI Media Group. ISBN 978-07524-4162-7.
  2. Eaton, Dave (28 September 2006). "Broady's big night". Swindon Advertiser. Archived from the original on 18 July 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2007.
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