The Sunderland Stars were a motorcycle speedway team who raced at the Sunderland Greyhound Stadium from 1971 until 1974 in the Britrish League Division Two when Len Silver acted as promoter on behalf of Allied Presentations Ltd.[1][2]

Sunderland Stars
Sunderland Stars Speedway Badge
Club information
Track addressSunderland Greyhound Stadium
Newcastle Road
East Boldon
Durham
CountryEngland
Founded1971
Closed1974
Club facts
ColoursRed, white and gold
Track size310 yards (280 m)

History

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Speedway was operational at the venue for part of one season when eight meetings were staged in 1964 under the "Saints" nickname. The Saints introduced Aussies Jim Airey and Gordon Guasco to British Speedway during 1964.[3]

The inaugural season of league speedway took place during the 1971 British League Division Two season but unfortunately the team finished 17th out of 17.[4] This was followed by two seasons with 12th and 11th place finishes.[5]

In 1974, the club came under new ownership and were nicknamed the "Gladiators". It was also their final season before closure.[6] In November 1974, Ian Thomas bought the defunct Sunderland licence and transferred it to re-form the Newcastle Diamonds.[7]

Season summary

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Year and league Position Notes
1964 Provincial Speedway League N/A Saints, withdrew results expunged
1971 British League Division Two season 17th Stars
1972 British League Division Two season 12th Stars
1973 British League Division Two season 11th Stars
1974 British League Division Two season 18th Gladiators

Notable riders

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References

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  1. ^ Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). Homes of British Speedway. ISBN 0-7524-2210-3
  2. ^ "Sunderland Speedway". Defunct Speedway. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Jim Airey". wwosbackup. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  4. ^ Rogers, Martin (1978). The Illustrated History of Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 129. ISBN 0-904584-45-3.
  5. ^ "British League Tables - British League Era (1965-1990)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Ian Thomas buys out Sunderland". Hull Daily Mail. 28 November 1974. Retrieved 4 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.