Cyril Manners Roger (27 December 1921 - 26 May 2015) was an international motorcycle speedway,who rider reached the final of Speedway World Championship five times.[1][2] He earned 25 international caps for the England national speedway team.[3]
| Born | 27 December 1921 Ashford, Kent, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 26 May 2015 (aged 93) Sutton Valence, England |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1947-1948 | Exeter Falcons |
| 1948-1953 | New Cross Rangers |
| 1953-1955, 1959-1960 | Norwich Stars |
| 1956 | Poole Pirates |
| 1957 | Ipswich Witches |
| 1961-1963 | Southampton Saints |
| Individual honours | |
| 1950 | London Riders' Championship |
| Team honours | |
| 1948, 1962 | National League Champion |
| 1948 | National League Div 3 Champion |
| 1961 | National League KO Cup Winner |
| 1955, 1961 | National Trophy winner |
Career
editRoger started his career with the Exeter Falcons in 1947[4] on loan from the New Cross Rangers. Until July 1948 he was part of the Falcons team that won the National League Division Three Championship, but was recalled by New Cross. He featured in ten outings for New Cross, and received a medal when they won the National League Division One title in the same season.[5]
In 1949, he joined the Rangers full-time and qualified for the first of his five World Final appearances. In 1950 Roger won the prestigious London Riders' Championship[6] and made his debut for England.[7]
Roger stayed with New Cross until 1953, making two further World Final appearances in the meantime, before joining the Norwich Stars when the Rangers closed. A season with the Poole Pirates in 1956 was followed with a season with the Ipswich Witches where he broke his leg.
Roger returned to racing in 1959 with the Norwich Stars where he stayed for two seasons before finishing his career after three seasons with the Southampton Saints in 1963.
World final appearances
edit
Family
editHis brothers Bob Roger and Bert Roger were both speedway riders[8] and all three brothers rode at the same time for New Cross.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
- ^ "CYRIL ROGER (1921-2015)". Kent Kings Speedway. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ Lethbridge, Tony (January 2004). Speedway in the South West. NPI Media Group. ISBN 0-7524-2915-9.
- ^ Jacobs, N. (2008) Out of the Frying Pan, The History Press LTD ISBN 978-0-7524-4476-5
- ^ Belton, Brian (2003). Hammerin' Round. Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2438-6
- ^ "Speedway Test team". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 1 February 1950. Retrieved 28 December 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "LEGENDS: BOB ROGER". Swindon Speedway. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "Rogers brothers will all ride against Brummies". Evening Despatch. 7 May 1952. Retrieved 20 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.