Nigel Sparshott (2 September 1961 - 10 July 1998) was a speedway rider from England.

Speedway career

Sparshott began his career at Crayford in 1978 before joining

Milton Keynes Knights The Milton Keynes Knights are a Speedway team which originally operated from 1978 until their closure in 1992. The team were revived in 2012 but have had to race at various venues outside of Milton Keynes. History 1978–1988 The inaugural lea ...

in 1979. The following year he signed for

King's Lynn Stars King's Lynn Stars are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the SGB Premiership. The nickname "Stars" comes from the defunct Norwich Stars team. The team was founded in 1965 and has been running continually since then, except for 1996 when ...

who rode in the top tier of British Speedway during the

1980 British League season The 1980 British League season was the 46th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the 16th season known as the British League. Summary The league comprised 17 teams - one fewer than the previous season. Exeter Falcons had ...

. When the 1981 season started he was riding for Milton Keynes when he was recalled for parent side King's Lynn. Following a full season with Milton Keynes in 1982 he came to the attention of the

Oxford Cheetahs The Oxford Cheetahs are a British speedway teamLawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. based at Oxford Stadium, in Oxford, England. They were founded in 1939 and are five times champions of Britain, in 1964, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 200 ...

who signed him for the 1983 season. It was the 1984 season that saw the Oxford Cheetahs famously break the British transfer records as they started the season in the 1984 British League season, they bought

Hans Nielsen Hans Nielsen may refer to: * Hans Nielsen (American football) (born 1952), Denmark football player * Hans Nielsen (composer) (1580–1626), Danish madrigal composer at the court of Christian IV * Hans Nielsen (actor) (1911–1965), German actor * H ...

for a record £30,000,

Simon Wigg Simon Antony Wigg (15 October 1960 – 15 November 2000) was an English speedway, grasstrack and longtrack rider who won five World Long Track Championships and finished runner-up in the Speedway World Championship in 1989.Rogers, G.(2005 ...

for £25,000, Marvyn Cox for £15,000 and

Melvyn Taylor Melvyn Roy Taylor (born 26 April 1961) is a former speedway rider from England. Speedway career Taylor started his career at Mildenhall Fen Tigers in 1977 before riding in the top tier of British Speedway for King's Lynn Stars and Reading R ...

for £12,000. Sparshott retained his place in the team his place at number 7. The following year in 1985, he was rarely used during the 1985 season as he spent most of the season at

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 In 1947, the Falcons competed in a league for the first time when they finished fou ...

on loan but he earned his place in history as Oxford won the league and cup double. He continued to ride in British speedway until his retirement after the 1993 season.

Death

In 1998, he died after his van crashed into a barn.

References

1961 births 1998 deaths British speedway riders Birmingham Brummies riders Crayford Kestrels riders Eastbourne Eagles riders Exeter Falcons riders King's Lynn Stars riders Long Eaton Invaders riders Middlesbrough Bears riders Milton Keynes Knights riders Oxford Cheetahs riders Reading Racers riders Rye House Rockets riders Wimbledon Dons riders {{Speedway-stub