The Riders - D
Grahame Dawson:
Ray Day: Born in Bradford, Day learned his speedway at the City's Greenfield Stadium in the early 1960s, and had spells with Bradford, Long Eaton, Middlesbrough and Newcastle. Rode in 7 matches for the Dukes during their inaugural 1965 campaign, although was unable to hold down a regular team place, averaging 4 points a match. Had a handful of meetings with league newcomers King's Lynn in 1966 before retiring, and stepping away from the sport.
Russ Dent:
Martin Dixon: A much sought-after signing for the Dukes, after showing promise for National League Middlesbrough in the late 70s and early 80s. Dixon made his debut for the Dukes in the shock cup defeat at Peterborough in 1981, and was the Dukes number 8 for parts of the 1982 season, top scoring in the defeat at Cradley Heath, before signing full-time for 1983. Missed only 2 meetings for Halifax that season, but fell short of a 6 point average and the hoped-for heat leader status. Asked for a transfer in the winter of 1983 and was subsequently transferred to King's Lynn. Dixon eventually moved back to the National League, notably with Middlesbrough and Long Eaton, before retiring after the 2002 season.
Graham Drury: Drury was the captain of the Ellesmere Port Gunners, when in 1974 the Dukes signed him as number 8. A regularly high scorer at National League level, Drury struggled to convert that into points for the Dukes - scoring only 18 points from 9 matches at an average under 3 points a match. Drury's best days were ahead though - a solid middle order scorer for Hull Vikings from 1976 to 1981, followed by League Championship success with Long Eaton in 1984.
Dave Durham: From Wakefield, Durham was a product of the Halifax junior ranks. Spent 8 reasonably successful years at Middlesbrough, although opportunities at The Shay were limited to 2 outings in 1970 and 2 in 1971, despite being a regular in second half events. Suffered a broken arm early in the 1973 season, and eventually retired from the sport after the 1976 season.