Oxford Cheetahs

The Oxford Cheetahs are a British speedway team^[1] 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 2001. The club folded in 2007 but returned to racing when participating in the SGB Championship 2022.

Oxford Cheetahs
Club information
Track address	Oxford Stadium Sandy Lane Cowley, Oxford
Country	England
Founded	1939
Promoter	Jamie Courtney
Team manager	Peter Schroeck
League	SGB Premiership SGB Championship National Development League
Website	Official Website
Club facts
Colours	Blue and Yellow
Track size	297 metres (325 yd)
Track record time	56.2 seconds
Track record date	13 October 1988
Track record holder	Hans Nielsen
Major team honours
United Kingdom Champions 1964, 1985, 1986, 1989, 2001 Knockout Cup Winners 1964, 1985, 1986 UK tier 3 winners 1950, 2023 National Trophy tier 3 winners 1950 Premier League Fours 1994, 1996 Gold Cup Winners 1989 League Cup Winners (shared) 1986 Premiership Winners 1987 Midland Cup Winners 1975, 1985, 1986 Britannia Shield Winners 1964 Craven Shield Winners 2005

During their history they have run under several other names; from 1972 to 1975, they were known as Oxford Rebels^[1] and from 2003 to 2005, they were known as Oxford Silver Machine. They have also run junior sides known as the Oxford Cubs, Oxford Silver Machine Academy, Oxford Lions and Oxford Chargers. For 2024 the club will run two teams in addition to the Cheetahs, one under a new guise of the Oxford Spires in the Premiership and the Chargers in the development league.

Current squads

Spires SGB Premiership	Cheetahs SGB Championship	Chargers NDL
Rohan Tungate	Sam Masters	Jody Scott
Peter Kildemand	Luke Killeen	Ashton Vale
Charles Wright	Cameron Heeps	Arran Butcher
Erik Riss	Dan Gilkes	Jacob Clouting
Maciej Janowski	Jordan Jenkins	Darryl Ritchings
Francis Gusts	Jonas Knudsen	Max Broadhurst
Luke Killeen	Mitchell McDiarmid	Senna Summers

History

Origins and 1940s

The Oxford Motorcycle Speedway Club moved to Oxford Stadium in 1939 from a grass circuit in Sandford-on-Thames. The Secretary Ted Mander orchestrated the move and the first individual meeting was held on Easter Saturday 8 April 1939 won by Roy Duke. The club contested team meetings against Smallford, Wisbech, High Beech and Reading.^[2]

Racing resumed on 28 April 1940, with guest teams racing. This was followed by just two meetings in 1941 before Mander announced that racing would be suspended for the duration of the World War II. Despite the war ending in 1945 there was no racing from 1942 to 1948. However, during 1948 the stadium owner Leslie Calcutt unsuccessfully applied to the Speedway Control Board for a licence to race in the Third Division.^[2]

Following major track renovations in 1949, the club joined the 1949 Speedway National League Division Three. The club took the nickname 'Cheetahs' following a competition for the general public, held by the local Oxford Mail newspaper. The team manager was Ron Bear and the club colours were dark blue and yellow, with the first match being an away fixture at Exeter on 18 April 1949. Oxford lost heavily 60-24 and three days later lost to Hastings 47–37 in their first home fixture.^[2] The Cheetahs finished in last place during their inaugural season and used 24 different riders.

1950s

The Cheetahs went from finishing last in 1949 to winning the division 3 league and cup double in 1950 and were subsequently promoted to Division two in 1951. Pat Clark was the team's number 1 rider, hitting a season average of 9.99.^[3]

After finishing bottom of the division two in 1952 they rode in the third division called the Southern League in 1953 but following a league restructure, which included the signing of Ronnie Genz,^[4] the Cheetahs returned to division two in 1954.^[5]

Following a league merger the Cheetahs rode in the top tier for the first time in 1957. The team continued to race in the top tier but did not manage to gain any notable success.^[6]

1960s

Colin Gooddy in action at Oxford Stadium

The Cheetahs headed Arne Pander record a third place finish in 1960 and then after struggling in the top division for several years they dramatically won the top-tier league for the first time in 1964^[7] despite finishing last the season before with many of the same riders. The winning team consisted of Ron How, Arne Pander, Jimmy Gooch, Ronnie Genz, Colin Gooddy, Jack Geran, Colin McKee, Eddie Reeves and John Bishop. They also completed a treble by winning the National Trophy and Britannia Shield.^[8]

The team failed to emulate the success in the following season, primarily due to the creation of the British League and a division of 18 teams, which forced members of the team to depart under the Speedway Control Board rules. The results suffered and towards the end of the sixties, the team struggled.^[5]

1970s

Oxford in 1975, when they raced using the unpopular Rebels name.

In 1972, the club was rebranded, the Cheetahs became the Oxford Rebels and the stadium renamed as Cowley Stadium.^[9] The takeover was by a new consortium, which included former riders Bob Dugard and Danny Dunton, Dave Lanning and the famous musician Acker Bilk. The team under performed badly, finishing 17th from 18 teams despite the new image and failed to make any impact in subsequent seasons.^[2]

In what was to be the final year for the Rebels in 1975, the team did win the Midland Cup against Wolverhampton Wolves under the captainship of Dag Lovaas.^[10] Following the threat of track closure^[11] the promoters started a new team at White City Stadium called the White City Rebels leaving Oxford with no team or riders.

A new Oxford team were formed after a committee of fans had created a "Save Our Stadium" campaign over the previous winter and entered the 1976 National League season (tier 2).^[12] The club dumped the unpopular name of Rebels and reverted back to the Cheetahs under new promoters Harry Bastable and Tony Allsop and the venue was known again as Oxford Stadium.^[13] In 1977, Oxford Stadium was purchased by David Hawkins' Northern Sports for £250,000, ending the concern about permanent closure.^[14] The team continued to compete in the second division and saw the number riders include the likes of Martin Yeates and George Hunter.^[2]

1980s

Speedway at Oxford in 1981

Hans Nielsen in Danish colours

Dave Perks topped the league averages in 1980 but the team failed to finish any higher than 12th from 1980 to 1983. Then in 1984, Oxford Cheetahs changed the face of British speedway. Northern Sports invested heavily into the stadium with a £1.5 million three tier grandstand restaurant and sports centre. David Hawkins installed Bernard Crapper and John Payne as speedway co-promoters and the team were entered for the 1984 British League season (the top league tier).^[15] The Cheetahs broke all transfer fee records by signing Danish international Hans Nielsen from Birmingham for a record £30,000, Simon Wigg from Cradley Heath for £25,000,^[16] Marvyn Cox for £15,000 from Rye House, Melvyn Taylor for £12,000 from King's Lynn and Dane Jens Rasmussen.^[2]

After a moderate 1984 campaign the team won four trophies in 1985. They won the league, Knockout Cup,^[17] Midland Cup^[18] and pairs. The Oxford City council gave the team a civic reception and parade through Oxford on an open top bus.^[19]

The following season, the team won a clean sweep of five trophies, winning the league, KO Cup, League Cup, Midland Cup and pairs.^[20] Hans Nielsen, was arguably the world's leading rider during the period, topping the league averages a remarkable seven consecutive seasons and being crowned world champion three times in 1986, 1987 and 1989. The Cheetahs won a third league championship in 1989, with Martin Dugard supporting Nielsen and Wigg in the averages.

1990s

Northern Sports parent company Hawkins of Harrow began to run into financial trouble and the team suffered lack of investment, Hans Nielsen left and the team applied to and raced in division two in 1993. They won the division two fours championship in 1994.^[21] Northern Sports were later liquidated, meaning the team was not financed by the stadium owners. Additionally in 1995 and 1996 there was only one division of British speedway meaning the Oxford Cheetahs returned to the top division under independent promoters.^[5] In 1997, another league restructure resulted in a new Elite League, with the Premier League becoming division two, Oxford competed in the latter.

The team competed in the Elite League under new promotion from 1998 and signed Todd Wiltshire as their number 1.^[22]

2000s

• 
  Leigh Adams
• 
  Todd Wiltshire
• 
  Steve Johnston

Promoter Steve Purchase signed Australian Leigh Adams for the 2001 season and supported by Wiltshire, Brian Andersen, Steve Johnston and the Dryml brothers Lukáš and Aleš, the Cheetahs became champions of Britain for the fifth time.^[23]

The Oxford Cheetahs were renamed for three seasons as the Oxford Silver Machine from 2003 to 2005, under the promotion of Nigel Wagstaff. Again the renaming was not popular with the fans but number 1 rider Greg Hancock was.^[24] However, in 2006 they reverted to their original name, which was apt because it would be their final full season as a top tier speedway team for 18 years.

Until 30 May 2007, the Cheetahs rode in the Elite League and operated a junior side known as the Oxford Lions which competed in the Conference League. In a statement issued by the British Speedway Promoters Association on 31 May 2007, their owner Colin Horton closed the club as a result of poor attendances and financial losses.^[25] In June 2007, businessman Allen Trump invested in the club (also sponsoring the club via LCD Publishing) to secure the lease on the track and the Cheetahs completed the 2007 season in the Conference League, replacing the Lions.^[26]

After the 2007 season, owner Allen Trump planned to bring the Cheetahs back into the Premier League for 2008.^[27] However, Trump was unable to secure a deal with landlords, the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA) to continue speedway racing at the Cowley and handed the promotion back to the BSPA.^[28][29] Further negotiations with the GRA were unsuccessful and Oxford had no speedway for 14 years.^[30] A number of committed fans keen to see the return of speedway to Oxford remained active. Two supporters groups, the Oxford Speedway Supporters Club (OSSC) and Save Oxford Speedway (SOS) held regular events and trips for Oxford fans and actively campaigned for the return of speedway to Oxford.^[31]

2020s

On 11 November 2021, it was confirmed that the Cheetahs would return for the 2022 season in the SGB Championship, after a 14-year absence from British Speedway. The stadium had been leased to Kevin Boothby, who was keen to bring back the sport.^[32] Jamie Courtney would be the team promoter.^[33][34] The Cheetahs also ran a junior side called the Chargers for the 2022 NDL season^[35] and 2023 NDL season, winning the league title during the latter.^[36]

In 2024, Oxford named three teams to compete in all three tiers of British speedway (the first time that a club had a team in each of the three leagues). The Cheetahs remained in the Championship, the Spires into the Premiership, and the Chargers remained in the NDL. The Cheetahs reached the play off and knockout cup finals.^[37]

Previous teams (from 1949)

Extended content

[38][39][40] season Rider Rider Rider Rider Rider Rider Rider Rider 1949 Alex Gray Alf Elliott (capt) Alf Viccary Bert Croucher Bill Downton Bill Kemp Bill Reynolds Bob Aldridge Bob McFarlane Cliff Ladbrooke Dennis Gray Ernie Rawlins Ernie Steers Frank Boyle Fred Vivian James Osborne Jim Boyd Jimmy Coy Jimmy Wright Joe Peck Johnny Fry Maurice Hutchens Peter Lloyd Roy Court 1950 Bill Kemp Bill Osborne Bob McFarlane Brian Wilson Buster Brown Colin Clark Eric Irons Ernie Rawlins Frank Boyle Frank Johnson Harry Saunders Jimmy Wright Pat Clark Ron Carvill 1951 Bill Kemp Bill Osborne Bob McFarlane Brian Wilson Colin Clark Cyril Quick Doug Ible Eric Irons Ernie Rawlins Frank Boyle Harry Saunders Herby King Pat Clark Roger Wise 1952 Bill Kemp Bill Osborne Ernie Lessiter Ernie Rawlins Frank Boyle Harry Saunders Herby King Jim Boyd Jim Gregory Len Glover Pat Clark Ray Terry Ron Wilson Tony Wintour Vic Taylor 1953 Benny King Bill Codling Bill Osborne Bill Kemp Bob McFarlane Frank Boyle Frank Johnson Herby King Jim Boyd Jim Gregory Jim Tolley Peter Robinson Ray Moore Ron Wilson 1954 Bill Osborne Bill Thatcher Bob Baker Bob McFarlane Bob Wells Dennis Newton Frank Johnson Kid Curtis Jim Gregory Jim Tebby Nobby Stock Peter Robinson Ronnie Genz 1955 Bill Thatcher Bob Baker Bob Wells Dennis Newton Kid Curtis Maury Courtnell Peter Robinson Reg Trott Ronnie Genz Terry Courtnell 1956 Bill Thatcher Bob Baker Dennis Newton Howdy Byford Jim Tebby Maury Courtnell Pat Clark Peter Robinson Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers Terry Courtnell Tommy Miller 1957 Danny Dunton Dennis Newton Frank Johnson Gordon McGregor Howdy Byford Jack Biggs Jimmy Squibb Maury McDermott Ray Cresp Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers 1958 Alan Lunn Arthur Wright Brian Miller Charlie New Colin Gooddy Dave Still Dennis Newton Eric Boothroyd Frank Johnson Gordon McGregor Howdy Byford Reg Duval Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers 1959 Arne Pander Arthur Wright Cliff Cox Colin Gooddy Gordon McGregor Howdy Byford Ken Adams Nick Nicholls Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers 1960 Arne Pander Bob Dugard Cliff Cox Colin Gooddy Danny Dunton Dave Hankins Dave Still Eric Boothroyd Gordon McGregor Gordon Owen Howdy Byford Jack Biggs Jimmy Gleed John Key Ken Adams Ray Liston Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers Ted Connor 1961 Arne Pander Bengt Brannefors Danny Dunton George Major Gordon McGregor Howdy Byford Jack Biggs Jim Tebby John Bishop Reg Duval Ronnie Genz Roy Bowers 1962 Alf Hagon Colin Gooddy Danny Dunton Gordon McGregor Jack Biggs Jack Geran John Belcher John Bishop John Hook Per Tage Svensson Reg Duval Ronnie Genz 1963 Alf Hagon Arne Pander Chum Taylor Colin Gooddy Danny Dunton George Major Glyn Chandler Jack Geran John Bishop Ronnie Genz Trevor Hedge 1964 Arne Pander Colin Gooddy Colin McKee Danny Dunton Eddie Reeves George Major Jack Geran Jimmy Gooch John Bishop Ron How Ronnie Genz 1965 Arne Pander Bill Finch Danny Dunton Eddie Reeves Glyn Chandler Jimmy Gooch Jimmy Heard John Belcher John Bishop John Hensley John Hook John Leader Ken Vale Maury McDermott Ron How Stan Stevens Tyburn Gallows Wayne Barry 1966 Arne Pander Des Lukehurst Eddie Reeves Jimmy Gooch John Bishop Maury McDermott Pete Seaton Tony Clarke 1967 Arne Pander Colin Gooddy Des Lukehurst Eddie Reeves Joe Weichlbauer Ken Vale Leo McAuliffe Maury McDermott Pete Seaton Rick Timmo Roy Trigg Ted Spittles Tim Bungay 1968 Arne Pander Colin Gooddy Eddie Reeves Godtfred Andreasen John Bishop John Poyser Leo McAuliffe Mick Bell Pete Seaton Rick Timmo Ronnie Genz Ted Spittles 1969 Colin Gooddy Conny Samuelsson David Crane Eddie Reeves George Major John Bishop Ken Vale Leo McAuliffe Mick Bell Peter Jarman Pete Saunders Pete Seaton Rick Timmo Ronnie Genz 1970 Andy Ross Colin Gooddy Eddie Reeves George Major Hasse Holmqvist Mick Bell Pat Johnson Paul O'Neil Peter Jarman Pete Saunders Pete Seaton Rick Timmo Ronnie Genz 1971 Arthur Price Brian Clark Col Cottrell Colin Gooddy John Davis John Jackson Ken McKinlay Laurie Sims Norman Strachan Øyvind S. Berg Pete Saunders Pete Seaton Richard Greer Rick Timmo Ronnie Genz Tommy Roper 1972 Bobby McNeil Colin Gooddy Garry Middleton Gordon Kennett John Davis Julian Wigg Ken McKinlay Laurie Sims Malcolm Ballard Norman Strachan Øyvind S. Berg Paul Gachet Preben Rosenkilde Rick Timmo Roger Johns Svein Kaasa 1973 Bob Kilby Bobby McNeil Eddie Reeves Gordon Kennett Hasse Holmqvist John Davis John Dews Malcolm Ballard Rick Timmo Roger Johns Tony Lomas 1974 Bob Kilby Bobby McNeil Brian Clark Gordon Kennett Henk Steman John Davis John Dews Martin Yeates Paul Gachet Peter Jarman Richard Greer Rick Timmo Trevor Geer Ulf Lövaas 1975 Brian Clark Dag Lovaas Eddie Davidsson Gordon Kennett Hasse Holmqvist Helgi Langli John Dews Paul Gachet Richard Greer Richard Hellsen Trevor Geer 1976 Andy Bales Brian Leonard Carl Askew Colin Meredith Harry Maclean Jim Wells Kevin Young Malcolm Corradine Mick Handley Phil Bass Pip Lamb Roy Sizmore Steve Holden 1977 Brian Leonard Colin Meredith Gerald Smitherman Greg Joynt Kevin Poole Kevin Young Malcolm Holloway Martin Yeates Mick Handley Paul Share Phil Bass Pip Lamb Richie Caulwell Roy Sizmore 1978 Brian Leonard Carl Askew Colin Meredith Dave Shields George Hunter James Moore John Hack John Homer Les Sawyer Mick Blaynee Mick Handley Pip Lamb Richie Caulwell 1979 Carl Askew Colin Ackroyd Colin Meredith Dave McKenzie Denzil Kent George Hunter Gary Ainslie Greg Irving John Barker John Grahame John Hack Keith Chapman Ken Fearon Les Rumsey Michael Holding Mick Handley Pip Lamb Rob Dole 1980 Alan Williams Andy Passey Billy Spiers Bruce Cribb Chris Sully Colin Ackroyd Dave Perks Derek Harrison John Grahame John Hack Kevin Bowen Mick Fletcher Mick Handley Paul Evitts Ray Caruana Steve Crockett Trevor Geer 1981 Alan MacLean Andy Passey Arnold Haley Arthur Price Ashley Pullen Colin Ackroyd Dave Perks Derek Harrison John Grahame Mick Fletcher Mick Handley Paul Evitts 1982 Andy Passey Ashley Pullen Bill Barrett Brian Woodward Colin Ackroyd Gary Chessell George Wells Graham Drury John Frankland Keith Booth Kevin Lock Kevin Smart Martin Satchell Mick Fletcher Mick Handley Pete Erskine Scott Cook Simon Cross Wayne Jackson 1983 Gary Chessell Graham Drury Ian Clark Keith Booth Kevin Smart Mark Chessell Mark Minett Mark Summerfield Mike Wilding Nigel De'ath Nigel Sparshott Steve Crockett Wayne Jackson 1984 Andrew Silver Dave Perks David Tyler Hans Nielsen Ian Clark Jens Rasmussen Jim McMillan Kevin Smart Klaus Lausch Mark Chessell Martin Yeates Marvyn Cox Melvyn Taylor Nigel De'ath Nigel Sparshott Simon Wigg 1985 Alastair Stevens Andy Grahame Hans Nielsen Jens Rasmussen Jon Surman Klaus Lausch Marvyn Cox Melvyn Taylor Nigel De'ath Nigel Sparshott Simon Wigg Troy Butler 1986 Alastair Stevens Andy Grahame Hans Nielsen Jeremy Luckhurst Jon Surman Kevin Smart Marvyn Cox Nigel De'ath Per Sorensen Simon Wigg 1987 Alastair Stevens Andy Grahame Hans Nielsen Jens Rasmussen Jon Surman Kevin Smart Mark Carlson Marvyn Cox Neil McCarthy Nigel De'ath Nigel Greenhalgh Nigel Sparshott Peter Lloyd Troy Butler Wayne Ross 1988 Alastair Stevens Einar Kyllingstad Glenn Doyle Hans Nielsen Jon Surman Lars Munkedal Martin Dugard Marvyn Cox Nigel De'ath Paul Muchene Peter Lloyd Simon Wigg Spencer Timmo 1989 Andy Grahame Colin White Hans Nielsen Kevin Pitts Martin Dugard Marvyn Cox Paul Dugard Paul Muchene Simon Wigg Troy Butler 1990 Alastair Stevens Dean Barker Hans Nielsen John Bostin Jon Surman Kevin Pitts Kieran McCullagh Martin Dugard Paul Dugard Sean McCullagh Simon Wigg Troy Butler Wayne Parker 1991 Craig Boyce Darren Grayling Dean Barker Glenn Cunningham Hans Nielsen Kieran McCullagh Jon Surman Lance Sealey Mark Carlson Martin Dugard Peter Schroeck Spencer Timmo Tony Primmer 1992 Daz Sumner Dean Barker Glenn Cunningham Hans Nielsen Mark Carlson Martin Dugard Morten Andersen Spencer Timmo Troy Butler 1993 Alan Grahame Andy Hackett Andy Meredith Carl Blackbird Chris Cobby Darren Andrews David Clarke David Smart Gary Sweet Mark Blackbird Paul Blackbird Peter Glanz Rene Madsen Spencer Timmo Tony Langdon Wayne Parker 1994 Alan Grahame Andy Meredith Darren Andrews Daz Sumner David Smart Martin Goodwin Mick Poole Nikals Karlsson Rene Madsen Spencer Timmo Stefan Ekberg Stephen Morris 1995 Armando Castagna Daniel Andersson David Steen Jimmy Nilsen Martin Goodwin Michael Coles Rene Madsen Steve Bishop 1996 Bohumil Brhel Carl Checketts Lawrence Hare Mark Frost Mark Lemon Martin Goodwin Martin Willis Marvyn Cox Philippe Bergé Tomáš Topinka 1997 Anthony Barlow Darren Andrews Gavin Hedge Jason Bunyan Jeremy Luckhurst Krister Marsh Lawrence Hare Mikael Teurnberg Neville Tatum Philippe Bergé Simon Wolstenholme 1998 Jan Stæchmann Jason Crump Lawrence Hare Paul Hurry Steve Johnston Steve Schofield Todd Wiltshire 1999 Alun Rossiter Craig Boyce Jan Stæchmann Lawrence Hare Paul Hurry Steve Johnston Todd Wiltshire 2000 Aleš Dryml Jr. Andrew Appleton Brian Andersen Jan Stæchmann Jimmy Nilsen Jon Underwood Lukáš Dryml Mark Lemon Roman Povazhny Steve Johnston Todd Wiltshire 2001 Aleš Dryml Jr. Andrew Appleton Brian Andersen Davey Watt Leigh Adams Lukáš Dryml Steve Johnston Todd Wiltshire 2002 Aleš Dryml Jr. Alun Rossiter Andrew Appleton Brian Andersen Davey Watt Jamie Smith Joachim Kugelmann Leigh Adams Lukáš Dryml Mark Lemon Steve Johnston 2003 Andy Smith Charlie Gjedde Craig Boyce Greg Hancock Jan Stæchmann Luboš Tomíček Jr. Jernej Kolenko Kai Laukkanen Matej Ferjan Nicki Pedersen Niels K. Iversen Niklas Klingberg Sebastian Ułamek Todd Wiltshire Travis McGowan 2004 Brent Werner Craig Boyce Emil Kramer Greg Hancock Jonas Davidsson Niels K. Iversen Rafal Dobrucki Ryan Fisher Sebastian Ułamek Tom P. Madsen Travis McGowan 2005 Stefan Andersson Tomasz Bajerski Craig Branney Lukáš Dryml Freddie Eriksson Renat Gafurov Henrik Gustafsson Billy Hamill Greg Hancock Niels Kristian Iversen Jesper B Jensen Tobias Kroner Tom P. Madsen Travis McGowan Chris Mills Kjasts Puodžuks Paweł Staszek Luboš Tomíček Jr. 2006 Eric Andersson Stanisław Burza Aleš Dryml Jr. Freddie Eriksson David Howe Tomasz Piszcz Adam Pietraszko Tony Rickardsson Adam Skórnicki Luboš Tomíček Jr. Davey Watt Todd Wiltshire 2007+ Eric Andersson Aleš Dryml Jr. Freddie Eriksson Jesper B Jensen Steve Johnston Tom P. Madsen Henrik Møller Piotr Protasiewicz Chris Schramm Andy Smith Luboš Tomíček Jr. 2007 Andrew Bargh Mattie Bates Danny Betson Dan Blake Jordan Frampton Brendan Johnson George Piper Lee Smethills Sam Martin Scott Campos 2022 SGB Champ Troy Batchelor Cameron Heeps Josh MacDonald Kyle Newman Scott Nicholls Dillon Ruml Paul Starke Aaron Summers Jack Thomas 2022 NDL Henry Atkins Arran Butcher Jacob Clouting Sam Hagon Ben Hopwood Jordan Jenkins Luke Killeen Jody Scott Nathan Stoneman Sam Woods 2023 SGB Champ Henry Atkins Ashton Boughen Cameron Heeps Jordan Jenkins Lewis Kerr Luke Killeen Ryan Kinsley Sam Masters Scott Nicholls 2023 NDL Henry Atkins Jacob Clouting Kelsey Dugard Jacob Fellows Jason Garrad Jordan Jenkins Luke Killeen Ryan Kinsley Jody Scott 2024 SGB Prem Ashton Boughen Chris Harris Maciej Janowski Drew Kemp Lewis Kerr Nicolai Klindt Erik Riss Rohan Tungate Charles Wright 2024 SGB Champ Henry Atkins Ashton Boughen Cameron Heeps Jordan Jenkins Luke Killeen Sam Masters Scott Nicholls 2024 NDL Jacob Clouting Jason Garrad Luke Killeen Jody Scott Alex Spooner Senna Summers Ashton Vale + Elite League side withdrew from league

Season summary

Extended content

First team Year and league League position Notes 1949 13th 1950 1st champions 1951 12th 1952 12th 1953 6th 1954 7th 1955 4th 1956 7th 1957 9th 1958 8th 1959 7th 1960 3rd 1961 9th 1962 7th 1963 7th 1964 1st champions 1965 4th 1966 15th 1967 14th 1968 15th 1969 15th 1970 13th 1971 17th 1972 17th Rebels 1973 11th Rebels 1974 17th Rebels 1975 7th Rebels 1976 14th 1977 13th 1978 7th 1979 3rd 1980 15th 1981 12th 1982 19th 1983 14th 1984 8th 1985 1st champions, KO Cup, Midland Cup, pairs 1986 1st champions, KO Cup, League Cup, Midland Cup, pairs 1987 11th pairs 1988 4th 1989 1st champions 1990 4th 1991 9th 1992 10th 1993 11th 1994 8th fours 1995 17th 1996 13th 1997 11th 1998 7th 1999 8th 2000 8th 2001 1st champions 2002 6th 2003 4th Silver Machine 2004 5th Silver Machine 2005 9th Silver Machine 2006 10th 2007 N/A withdrew 2022 9th 2023 2nd play offs 2024 5th Spires 2024 2nd Cheetahs, PO final Season summary (juniors) Year and league League position Notes 1997 9th Cubs 2003 3rd Silver Machine Academy 2004 3rd Silver Machine Academy 2005 1st Silver Machine Academy, (Champions) 2007 2nd Lions (then Cheetahs when 1st team folded) 2022 4th Chargers, play offs 2023 2nd Chargers, (Champions) 2024 3rd Chargers

Notable riders

• Brian Andersen
• Pat Clark
• Marvyn Cox
• Todd Wiltshire
• Aleš Dryml Jr.
• Martin Dugard
• Ronnie Genz
• Colin Gooddy
• Andy Grahame
• Greg Hancock
• Ron How
• George Hunter
• Steve Johnston
• Gordon Kennett
• Scott Nicholls
• Hans Nielsen
• Arne Pander
• Dave Perks
• Jens Rasmussen
• Nigel Sparshott
• Melvyn Taylor
• Rick Timmo
• Simon Wigg
• Todd Wiltshire
• Martin Yeates

See also

• List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions
• Knockout Cup (speedway)

Further reading

• The Story of Oxford Speedway. (Robert Bamford and Glynn Shailes, 2007) ISBN 978-0-7524-4161-0