Exeter Falcons

The Exeter Falcons were a speedway team based in the city of Exeter. The Falcons operated from 1947 to 2005 at the County Ground Stadium in Exeter.

History

Origins & 1920s

Speedway began at the County Ground in 1929, when the Southern Speedways Ltd, led by Mr Seward Glanfield agreed a ten-year contract with the Devon Athletic Ground Company. The first meeting was held on 9 March 1929 but despite a full season of racing (which included an Exeter team racing challenge matches) the company went into liquidation.

1930s

A second promotion called County Speedways Ltd, ran the speedway in 1930 and 1931 but also went into liquidation. In 1931 the Exeter team competed in the National Trophy during the 1931 Speedway Southern League season, losing to High Beech in the first round.

1940s

At the start of 1947, plans began for the return of speedway to the County Ground and a lease was signed by Motor Sports (Exeter) Ltd (led by Frank Buckland) with the landlords County Athletic Ground Company. The Speedway Supporters Club persuaded the management to name the team the Falcons. The return was a success with excellent attendances and a fourth place finish in the 1947 Speedway National League Division Three. Cyril Roger was the stand out rider averaging 10.31.

The following season the Falcons signed Cyril's brother Bert Roger and Norman Clay and the additions were enough to help Exeter win the 1948 Speedway National League Division Three. The brothers left the Falcons after the 1948 season resulting in Exeter having a moderate 1949 season.

1950s

In 1951, the Falcons signed the youngest Roger brother, Bob Roger, on loan from New Cross Rangers and with both Don Hardy and Goog Hoskin riding well, the team secured runner-up spot in the league and won the third tier National Trophy. During the 1950s many teams folded which resulted in Exeter participating in the Southern League from 1952 to 1953. The Falcons finished runner-up in 1953 behind Rayleigh Rockets, with Goog Hoskin topping the league averages and new Australian signing Jack Geran averaged 9.33. Despite signing another leading Australian rider Neil Street, the team went from 6th in 1954 to last in 1955. Changes to the league format in 1956 led to Bernard Slade and L.J. Hallett withdrawing Exeter from the league system. With the exception of sporadic challenge matches and open meetings during 1957 and 1958 there was limited speedway at the County Ground.

1960s

After a couple of challenge meetings held throughout 1960 and a five year league absence, the team returned to league action in the 1961 Provincial Speedway League, under the promotion of Wally Mawdsley and Pete Lansdale. As a rider, Lansdale also topped the team's averages with 9.33 and was well supported by Len Silver.

The following year, the Falcons won the 1962 Provincial League Knockout Cup. The next two seasons were uneventful but both Alan Cowland and Jimmy Squibb rode well for the Falcons. In 1965, British speedway resolved ongoing issues by introducing the British League and the Falcons were founder members. In a tough league the team did well to finish 3rd during the 1968 British League season, largely due to the efforts of new signing Martin Ashby.

1970s

The early part of the 1970s was at best average but that was about to change following the signing of New Zealander and multiple world champion Ivan Mauger during the 1973 British League season. Promoter Wally Mawdsley also signed 20-year-old American Scott Autrey and Tony Lomas. The team began to gel and with the help of existing riders such as Mike Sampson and Kevin Holden, the Falcons won the 1974 British League title.

Although the remainder of the decade saw Exeter compete near the top of the table, they were unable to repeat the success of 1974. In 1979, Autrey topped the league avergaes for Exeter.

1980s

Exeter began the 1980s in the second tier of British speedway with the team entered for the 1980 National League season. Journalist Peter Oakes had also joined Mawdsley as a co-promoter at this stage.

The Falcons were surprise winners of the Knockout Cup during the 1983 National League season, following three seasons of uninspiring results. However, the following season the team moved back into the top league after Ivan Mauger returned to the club. Unfortunately Mauger was now 44 years-old and the team were outclassed, leading to a quick return to the second tier National League. The next five seasons saw the Falcons struggle badly with a slight improvement to 5th place in 1989 due in part to the form of Australian rider Steve Regeling.

1990s

Regeling was superb in 1990, averaging 10.20 but he lacked support and left in 1992. By 1994, the Falcons under the promotion of Colin Hill, were propping up the league table. The merged Premier League was a bad experience for Falcons fans despite the opportunity of watching Mark Loram and Simon Wigg wear the Falcons jacket. Loram broke the track record with a time of 64.3 seconds on 29 April 1996. In 1995 and 1996, the club also ran a junior side called the Devon Demons.

Three seasons of second tier speedway ensued and the Falcons fared much better, finishing in the top six from 1997 to 1999.

2000s

The Falcons were not expected to challenge for the title during the 2000 Premier League speedway season but the number 1 rider Michael Coles found himself backed up by six other riders that averaged from 7.79 to 6.20. The consistency paid off, with the Falcons winning all their home games and pipping Swindon Robins to the title on points difference, after picking up all 13 bonus points that were available.

The Falcons raced for five more Premier League seasons before the club were forced to close at the end of 2005 after the stadium owners, Exeter Rugby Union club, sold the stadium to developers.

Since 2008

Promoter Allen Trump received permission from Teignbridge council officials in 2008 to construct a new track at the Exeter Racecourse. The new track was expected to open for the start of the 2009 season, and Trump had applied to the British Speedway Promoters' Association for permission to enter a team for the 2009 Premier League but the plans fell through.

At a public meeting in July 2015, a month after the team participated in their first full meeting in a decade at the Oaktree Arena near Highbridge, the Exeter Falcons announced talks were underway about the development of a new track near Exeter but again plans failed to materialise.

In 2018, an Exeter team participated in the junior Southern Development League but were once again left without a home in 2021, following the demise of the Oaktree Arena.

Notable riders

Season summary (1st team)

Season summary (juniors)

References

{{Reflist

Defunct speedway teams in the United Kingdom
Sport in Exeter