The 1970 Season

The 1970s began with the withdrawal of Coatbridge from the league, although they were replaced quickly with the announcement of the return to league racing at Wembley. The Dukes headed into the 1970 season looking to field a relatively unchanged side from that which completed the 1969 season.  The hopes were that either Kentwell, Jay, Sharpe or Gavros might make the step into the third heat-leader role, however before the season started, the plans were changed. Dennis Gavros' brother Jimmy was killed in a track crash in Australia, and Dennis promptly announced his retirement, intending to concentrate on his local garage business.  Halifax plugged the gap by bringing in New Zealander Colin McKee, a typical 6 point rider, but who hadn't ridden in the UK for over 2 years...

At the top of the team, Eric Boocock was still hopefully the number one - but a dispute with promoter Reg Fearman over his contract threatened to end Boocock's tenure with the Dukes, and he missed the first 2 matches of the season before the issue was resolved.  Dave Younghusband eventually agreed to stay, having been on the verge of a move to Newcastle for much of the close season.  Greg Kentwell would also return, but suffered a broken right ankle in Australia which would effect his ability to start the season.  At the other end of the squad, Terry Lee was promoted full-time at the expense of the loyal Bob Jameson, who would be used as number 8, but who was ultimately loaned out.

The season started slowly - both Boocock and Younghusband missed early matches with illness, and Kentwell was still not fit to start.  A crushing home defeat by Belle Vue, albeit in a challenge match, was not well received by the supporters.  Eventually the side started to click, with Les Sharpe being an early season revelation, scoring highly throughout April and May.  As feared though, Kentwell was finding it tough with his weakened ankle, and would only score double figures once all season.  

June saw Sharpe miss matches with his recurring bouts of hay-fever, and Dave Younghusband was in the wars, crashing in a Test Match at Newcastle, ruling him out of the home tie against Belle Vue - which the Dukes lost - their only league defeat at the Shay all season.  But Halifax sat in 6th place in the table with matches in hand on those above, and hopes were high that the second half of the season would see them progress...

In the Knock-out Cup, Coventry were dispatched at home, but then the Dukes lost narrowly away at Sheffield, ending their interest in the competition.

Sharpe returned to the side in late-June, and the Dukes defeated Oxford and Exeter at home, and grabbed a rare away point at Coventry.  But Sharpe then failed to appear at Newport or for the home fixture with King's Lynn.  He had decided to "retire" with immediate effect, and returned home to Australia, leaving Halifax with no facility to cover his absence against the Wasps and Stars, and to struggle on to the end of the season covering his absence with guests.

The season took on a familiar feeling - the Dukes were often comfortable winners at home, but lacked the depth to take points away from the Shay, although they stole a win at Newcastle in addition to an early season win at Cradley, and were only narrowly beaten at Oxford, Wembley and Hackney.

The Dukes finished the season in a creditable 6th position in the league, but a massive 17 points adrift of champions Belle Vue - hampered by the home defeat to the all-conquering Aces, and their inability to perform away from the Shay.

Eric Boocock was as dominant as ever - well over 10 points a meeting in all competitions, numerous maximums and a brief spell as the holder of the new Golden Helmet match race title, although his World Championship efforts were wrecked in a tough British Semi-Final at Sheffield.

Dave Younghusband was clearly not the same rider from the 1960s, his league average falling below 8 points, and only 2 maximums all season suggesting the Dukes may have seen the best of their number two.  And Sharpe's mid-season disappearance left the Dukes in familiar territory - no back-up for their top two.

Alan Jay was an ever-present and maintained his average from the previous season, but was inconsistent, and could never really be called upon to make that extra difference.  Greg Kentwell was hampered by his ankle injury all season, and his average dipped to 6 points a match, raising doubts as to whether he was the answer going forward.

Colin McKee was a solid signing as a replacement for Gavros, but apart from double figure scores against Oxford and Cradley, was rarely a high scorer.  Terry Lee was a bright spot, averaging well over 4 points over the season in his first full season of senior league racing, whilst junior riders Paul O'Neil and Malcolm Mackay were also given late season opportunities.

Going into 1971 it was clear the Dukes would have to re-consider their options - Boocock was on his own at the top of the side and to progress they would need to provide him with some more support.  Would Younghusband and/or Kentwell still be the solution?

The heat details, scorers and reports for each meeting through the season can be found by clicking on the pages for each month.