The Riders - D

Grahame Dawson:  Hailing from Lancashire, Dawson came through the junior ranks at division two Hull, and spent several seasons doubling up between the Vikings and Coatbridge.  The Dukes utilised Dawson's services as number 8 on several occasions during the 1976 and 1977 seasons, but he quit the sport at the end of 1977.

Russ Dent:  A journey-man 6 point rider from the North East, who had several seasons with Glasgow and Newcastle, before the Diamonds closed at the end of 1970.  Was signed initially by the Dukes for 1971 but then loaned out to 2nd division Sunderland where he spent 4 seasons.  Was utilised by Halifax on 2 occasions during 1971, notably in the away trip to Glasgow where he helped the Dukes pick up their only away point all season.  Retried from the sport after the end of the 1974 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.  He quit the riding side of the sport in 1985, and moved into management and promotion, notably looking after Birmingham for many seasons, and being responsible for the annual ice-racing meeting at Telford for many years in the 1980s and 1990s.  Drury died in January 2024 after a short illness, aged 71.

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.