Thomas Stanley Dell (31 October 1912 – 24 November 1950)
[Buck, B (2007) ''Brummies Legends'', Pendragon Books. ] was a
speedway rider.
Career
Dell started his career at his local track at Coventry in 1932. When track close he moved to the
West Ham Hammers
The West Ham Hammers were a speedway team, first promoted by Jimmy Baxter in 1929.
History
They operated from the West Ham Stadium until the outbreak of World War II under several different promotions, most successfully under the control ...
and spent three seasons at the
Custom House track. During 1936 he rode for
Cardiff
Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a ...
in the
Provincial League
Provincial League (formerly known as Professional League) also known as Pro League was the old regional Football league in Thailand in 1999–2008. It was founded in 1999 under the name "Provincial League" organized by Sports Authority of Thaila ...
and then moved onto the
Hackney Wick Wolves
Hackney Wick Wolves speedway opened in 1935 at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road, London, and operated until the outbreak of World War II in 1939. Many years later the Hackney Hawks and Hackney Kestrels rode at Hackney Wick Stadium.
History
Th ...
, where he stayed until the outbreak of
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
, winning the
National League Division II Championship in 1938.
[Addison J. (1948). ''The People Speedway Guide''. Odhams Press Limited] Whilst riding for a Hackney at West Ham he was involved in a crash that left him with a badly broken leg.
[Fenn, C.(2003). ''Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight''. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ] Doctors thought an
amputation
Amputation is the removal of a limb by trauma, medical illness, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on ind ...
would be needed but Dell refused and his leg was saved.
After the war he joined the Birmingham Brummies where he was awarded the captaincy. However, on 7 May 1949, Dell was involved in big crash with
Vic Duggan
Victor Duggan (16 October 1910, West Maitland, New South Wales – 24 March 2007, Queensland)Addison J. (1948). ''The People Speedway Guide''. Odhams Press Limited was a motorcycle speedway racer who won the London Riders' Championship in 1947 ...
and
Arthur Payne. Dell was left with terrible injuries. Despite attempting a comeback in July 1949 he was clearly suffering from the effects of the crash.
He retired from racing at the end of that season and started a training school. The effects from the crash were still causing him health problems and further surgery was required. He did not reagin his health and died on 24 November 1950 aged just thirty eight.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dell, Stan
1912 births
1950 deaths
British speedway riders
English motorcycle racers
Hackney Wick Wolves riders
Coventry Bees riders
West Ham Hammers riders
Birmingham Brummies riders