In the Begining

In 1934, Freddie Mockford the promotor of Speedway Racing at Crystal Palace, for various reasons decided that after an agreement was reached with the owners of New Cross stadium, that he would move his team across London to New Cross. The recently constructed speedway track ran around the inside of the grassed greyhound track and had a circuit length of 262 yards. The team consisted of Tom Farndon, (who's picture is also on the first page of this web site) Ron Johnson, Stan Greatrex, Joe Francis, George Newton, Nobby Key and Roy Dook.

In spite of moving from a large track layout to a much smaller one, all the riders adapted well and team success was achieved by them winning various competitions including the 'London Cup' and finishing third in the league. Tom Farndon was promising to be a very skilled rider, winning individual events and setting lap and race records at tracks all over the country. He was also developing a film star/celebrity type status and following, especially in the area. He was the first rider o break the 60 second barrier for four laps of a speedway track anywhere. He finished the season Star Champion, (forerunner of the World Championship) British Champion and London Champion. A unique achievement at that time.

Location

New Cross stadium was situated in a small valley between the streets of South London known as Coldblow Lane, Ilderton Road and Silwood Street and the main railway and tube connections into central London. It was also adjacent to 'The Den', Millwall Football club. Access from the Coldblow Lane end was actually through the main gates of the football club and along the rear of its terraces. Ilderton Road and Hornshay Street was the main entrance which is off the Old Kent Road. The Silwood Street entrance was from what was known locally as the 'Arches' then followed by a an unmade track that would approach and cross the Surrey Canal, with the pits entrance ahead that was a steep climb into the rear of a covered stand that over looked the pits and the 3rd and 4th bends.

Left: A picture of the first New Cross team. The Manager/Promotor Freddie Mockford is in the center with Ron Johnson and Tom Farndon to his left and right.

Sadly, the following season 1935, Tom farndon was involved in a fatal track crash with team mate Ron Johnson during a meeting at 'The Frying Pan' the injuries of which Tom Farndon succumbed and passed away. There was a huge out pouring of grief locally, with the Miller General hospital in Greenwich, being besieged by distraught fans. It was cruel luck in as much it was on the cards for the New Cross idol to have become one of speedways 'greats'and to win world championships.

Now known as the New Cross 'Rangers', including the addition of a dashing young American: Jack Milne. The average crowd attending in those days was usually around the 25,000/30,000 Speedway had caught on big time and it was almost as big as the national game of football. In 1937, Jack Milne fulfilled his earlier promise by becoming world champion at Wembley stadium, and was virtually unbeatable at every event he participated in. In Milne, New Cross Speedway had found another rider in the Tom Farndon mould.

Left: American Jack Milne who joined the Rangers in 1936 and became World Champion in 1937.

1938 brought success in the form of the League Championship trophy fot the fist time. Both George Newton and Jack Milne qualified for the Indivdual world championship final at Wembley but with the american just missing out this time to Bluey Wilkinson, though Milne did beat the new champion on the night. Bonus points came into play as well from the previous qualifying rounds so the New Cross favourite Milne was unlucky not to repeat the previous years success by finishing second overall. 'Wee' Georgie Newton, did manage to reduce the long standing New Cross track record held by Tom Farndon to 58 seconds. He was also appointed team captain in a test match at Wimbledon. The following season 1939 was halted by the outbreak of war in September of that year, success for the team for that season looked unlikey with with the absence of several key rides including Newton due to illness. Though Milne did regain the London Riders Chamionship and both he and Ron Johnson qualified for the world championship that never happened. Speedway would not return to the 'Frying Pan' until 1945 with a few open meetings, and league racing proper until April 1946.

New Cross Speedway

'Speedway the New Way'

In the Begining

Location