Eric Collins (speedway rider)

Eric Francis Collins (5 October 1910 – 23 February 1954) was an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the early days of speedway in the United Kingdom.[1][2]

Eric Collins
Born5 October 1910 (1910-10-05)
Brisbane, Australia
Died23 February 1954(1954-02-23) (aged 43)
Brisbane, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Career history
1931Lea Bridge
1932Plymouth Tigers
1935–1939Wimbledon Dons
1936Bristol Bulldogs
Team honours
1938National Trophy
1938, 1939London Cup

Career

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Collins rode for Lea Bridge during the 1931 Speedway Southern League. In 1932, he then switched to Plymouth Tigers, after the formation of the National League.[3]

It was during the 1932 season that he also reached the final of the 1932 Star Riders' Championship, which was considered at the time to be the World Championship of speedway.[4]

After staying in Australia for two seasons he joined Wimbledon Dons[5] and rode for them from 1935 to 1939. He also doubled up for Bristol Bulldogs in 1936.[3][1] He won the National Trophy with Wimbledon during the 1938 Speedway National League, where he top scored during the home leg of the final.[6]

Players cigarette cards

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Collins is listed as number 9 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022, Eric Collins" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Plymouth Speedway". Western Morning News. 11 March 1932. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ a b "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  4. ^ Bamford, R. & Stallworthy, D. (2003) Speedway – The Pre War Years, Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2749-0
  5. ^ "Wimbledon's New Men". Daily Herald. 3 April 1935. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "National Trophy for Wimbledon". South London Observer. 23 September 1938. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Speedway Riders". Speedway Museum Online. Retrieved 29 July 2023.