William George Henry Pitcher (born 5 February 1910 in Coventry, EnglandAddison J. (1948). ''The People Speedway Guide''. Odhams Press Limited - died 24 October 1995) was an international

motorcycle speedway Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to simply as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. The motorcycles are specialist machines that use only ...

rider who rode in the first ever World Championship final in

1936 Events January–February * January 20 – George V of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India, dies at his Sandringham Estate. The Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne of the United Kingdom as King E ...

.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). ''A History of the World Speedway Championship''. Stroud: Tempus Publishing.

Career summary

Pitcher rode for

Leicester Stadium Leicester Stadium was a sports stadium on Parker Drive in Leicester. The stadium was initially used for greyhound racing with motorcycle speedway starting there five years later. It was also a venue for BriSCA Formula 1 Stock Cars. Greyhound ...

Crystal Palace Glaziers Crystal Palace Glaziers were a British speedway team that existed from 1928 to 1939. History They first competed in the Southern League in 1929 and were based at Crystal Palace Exhibition Grounds, Sydenham, South London. The continued to comp ...

, Coventry,

Birmingham Bulldogs Birmingham RLFC are a rugby league team based in Birmingham, United Kingdom. They play in the Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference. History ''Birmingham Bulldogs'' were founded in 1989. The club's first season was in 1989� ...

and the Harringay Tigers before World War II and was a member of the team that won the London Cup in 1935. In 1936 he rode in the first ever Speedway World Championship. After the end of the war he joined the Belle Vue Aces. Pitcher was also a member of the England team that toured Australia in 1946–47. He made his England international debut in 1939. His final season was in 1949 with the Wimbledon Dons.Jacobs, Norman (2001). ''Speedway in London''. Stroud: Tempus Publishing

World Final appearances

- London, Wembley Stadium - 17th - 8pts

References

1910 births 1995 deaths British speedway riders Harringay Racers riders Coventry Bees riders Birmingham Brummies riders Belle Vue Aces riders Wimbledon Dons riders Leicester Stadium riders {{England-speedway-bio-stub