1977 Miscellany

Other Fixtures:  

Despite the adverse weather, Halifax were involved in numerous "non-league" fixtures during their disappointing 1977.  The season-opening Northern Trophy drifted on until September - although the Dukes could only manage a single win at home to Hull, losing all the other five matches, heavily away.  There was silverware despite the issues throughout the year, as the Dukes retained the Yorkshire Cup with a 2-leg victory over Hull, the matches being over 3 months apart, whilst late-season challenge match victories over Belle Vue and Exeter did little to make up for the trials and tribulations of the Dukes league and cup campaigns.  In May, a "Yorkshire" side, consisting mostly of Halifax and Sheffield stars, defeated a London side, whilst an actual Dukes team defeated a Midlands Select side in October.  But there was no international action at Halifax in 1977, with the Shay not being picked to host any Test Matches.

The Dukes were also involved in a couple of 4-Team Tournaments, starting the season with a scratch Dukes side going down at Ellesmere Port, and ending the season with the Northern Fours at the Shay, with Halifax conspiring to lose the match in the final race.

Details of each match can be found in the archive pages for 1977.

Individual Meetings:  

Halifax staged three individual meetings during 1977.  Chris Pusey was a popular winner of the World Championship qualifier at the Shay during May, his 14 points taking him to the semi final, where he would exit.  Reading's Dave Jessup, probably the most impressive visitor to the Shay during 1977, won the Dews Trophy with a 15 point maximum in June, whilst Sheffield's Doug Wyer emulated Jessup by winning the Volkswagen Grand Prix round in mid September.  Details of each match can be found in the archive pages for 1977.

The Juniors/Second-Half Riders:  

New faces continued to get opportunities in Shay Stampede races after the main meeting, with the likes of Godal, Geoff Pusey, Finch and Newton being joined by various hopefuls.  Many thanks to:  Michael Moores, Pete Adams, Ross Townson, Malcolm Barrett, Les Race, Malcolm Chambers, Louis Carr, Phil Ball, Mark Helm, Paul Sheard, Paul Wood, Robin Earle, Stuart Bunton, Peter Kershaw, R Lowe, Richie Johnston, Peter Wilson, Rob Hamman and   Paul Hollingworth.

Golden Helmet Match-Race Championship:

No Dukes were nominated to challenge for the Golden Helmet during 1977, with the Championship still being run on a monthly "invitational" basis.  Over-winter holder Phil Crump eventually lost the title to fellow-Aussie Billy Sanders in the late summer, before Sanders was deposed by Gordon Kennett.  Kennett's tenure was short-lived, as a now fully-fit Peter Collins took the title at the final round, to go into 1978.