HJ: You
first got involved at Stoke back in 1997 - why and how did that come about?
JW: I was on a trip to Edinburgh in ‘96 with Graham Reeve and met up with a guy
called Bernard Loftus - we got talking and had a few drinks and he said he
wanted to organise a
consortium to take over at Stoke.
At first l wasn’t interested but the more drinks l had l began to like the idea
and things went from there really.
We, that is Loftus, myself and Dave Beresford had a three year plan, along with
Tony Mole, who sort of stayed in the background.
But Loftus soon left.
HJ: In 1998 you were partners with Stock Car boss Steve
Rees. Was that a wise move?
JW: Not really - it cost me a fortune that year - about 60k - it was horrendous.
Rees soon left too and l stayed on working with Dave (Tattum).
HJ: You stayed on with Dave but left some years later -
why was that?
JW: Like l said, l had a three year plan.
After 1999 l had had enough and l’d done my three years and a lot of money!
HJ: Illness hit you hard soon after didn’t it??
JW: Yes, it was while l was helping Graham Drury out to run the Ice Speedway at
Telford that winter.
We had just gone into the dressing rooms for a drink and a bite to eat and l
suddenly felt really unwell.
To cut a long story short l was having a heart attack and they carried me
across the ice right in front of everybody and rushed me to hospital.
HJ: But it was more serious than that wasn’t it?
JW: Just a bit - l died for 2 minutes 28 seconds in the ambulance.
They tried to get me back and the first attempt failed, but then they put the
‘jump leads’ on and l nearly went through the roof.
But l was determined to get out of hospital quickly.
They had this method of testing you and after a week l was out.
The first thing l did was get to the nearest pub for a pint of mild -
fantastic!
HJ: You were partners with another ex-Stoke promoter,
Chris Van Straaten at Wolves for how long?
JW: A long time. Chris and l have been friends for many years.
HJ: Why did you give Wolves up?
JW: Well l didn’t at first.
I had just agreed to do another season at Monmore Green in 2008 when l got a
phone call from Dave asking me to re-join him at Stoke.
I have always got on very well with Dave and we’ve never ever had a cross word
between us, so l knew the partnership would work.
I spoke to Chris about it and said Stoke wanted me at Loomer Road and at first
he wasn’t keen to let me go.
But in the end, and after Dave had made another call, Chis let me re-join Stoke
on the proviso that l was always at Wolves on a Monday to help him out.
But half way through 2008 John Adams left Stoke for one thing and another and l
took over managing the team.
I’ve always enjoyed that and it’s what l want to do.
HJ: Health wise how are you now and what was the problem?
JW: A little older like most of us of course, but l’m fine now, although they
did find a blood clot in one of my arteries last year.
Now l have a four valve inserted inside, not a two valve, a four valve if you
get my meaning?
Seriously l’m not too bad.
HJ: There must be something in the water at Stoke to make
you get involved again - what is it?
JW: To be honest l really like Premier League racing better than anything.
There are no prima donnas in this league, just good to honest triers and the
racing is excellent.
HJ: Managing the team - you seem to be most enthusiastic
about that?
JW: Well l used to spanner back in the 60s for the late Ivor Hughes, in fact l
was with him the night he died at Cradley.
Shortly after l met James Bond and Dave Hemus (Wolves riders of the 60s) in a
local pub just after Ivor’s death and said l would never do anything in the
sport again.
It was a tough time, but Dave (Hemus) said he wanted someone to spanner for him
so l did.
I had 10 happy years with him down at Wolves and up at Belle Vue.
He’s now back in South Africa. We had some terrific times together.
HJ: Stoke 2009 - how are things going so far?
JW: Well, until King’s Lynn not too bad.
That performance there was nothing short of a shambles, and to be truthful l
was embarrassed to say the least.
The track there is very grippy and most teams don’t even mange 31 points, but
21... well l was shocked!
Having said that Jason (Bunyan) and Lee (Complin) rode their socks off all
night for very little reward it was such a shame.
That apart we haven’t done too badly really and the performance at Somerset was
terrific from all of them.
HJ: Did you have any say in the team make up this winter?
JW: I did yes. Dave and l got together and talked things through.
The idea was to balance the side out.
I think we’ve done that, although l’m quite certain there is more to come from
some of them.
HJ: Berwick in the Cup - can we go there tomorrow and win
or keep it close for Saturday (today)?
JW: I’m sure we can, but the one worry is Klaus, who has been going really well
this season.
Last year the track up there was rough, bumpy call it what you will, but it
didn’t suit Klaus, but l understand the new promotion there has sorted that out
so l’m hoping we can put on a performance and keep it tight for Saturday.
Perhaps if we have we can have a real go at them tonight - mind you King’s Lynn
are waiting for us in the next round but we can’t be negative about that.
Hopefully that thrashing there will have made us more determined and beating
Berwick means we have to go back twice more.
HJ: When did you first get into speedway?
JW: I was first taken as a seven year old back in 1947, there l’ve given
my age away haven’t l?
No serously, the lady next door but one took me to Tamworth on a Wednesday and
Birmingham on a Saturday.
The crowds were massive then. 15,000 would be the norm at Perry Barr and in
those days the terracing went all around the track, unlike it does today as it’s
the same stadium you know the Brummies race at, although the track was where the
greyhound’s are now - right up against the fans.
It was fantastic.
HJ: So how did you first get involved on the inside of the
sport?
JW: I used to dope and oil for Dennis Bennett at Birmingham in the early 60s -
it was when Doug Ellis and Phil Tiger Hart ran the Brummies, then later Ivor
Brown as l said.
Next season will be my 50th of being involved in one way or another as l’ve
also been Clerk of the Course at Wolverhampton and at Cradley Heath under Dan
McCormick.
Maybe 2010 will be my last l don’t know - but l’m still enjoying it all so who
knows!
