The Riders - F

Gianni Famari:  18 year old Famari travelled to the UK in 1982 as part of the touring Italian team, and was encouraged to have trials at The Shay at the end of the season following advice from Kenny Carter.  A couple of heat wins in the Kenny's Dukes v Ian's Tykes meeting at the end of 82 persuaded the Dukes to take a chance on him as they rebuilt for 1983.  His season started well, achieving a near 5 point average, and he was the star of the show as the Dukes shocked Coventry in the opening match.  The Dukes, then visited Cradley Heath on 16th April, where Famari was the cause of a frightening accident involving home riders Erik Gundersen and Lance King, plus team-mate Doug Wyer.  Famari spent several weeks out of the saddle, and with compulsory returns to Italy after he returned to fitness, his scoring dropped to below 3 a match.  He was eventually released and returned to Italy, and never returned to ride in the UK again.

Steve Finch:  Wakefield-born Finch had initial outings with Long Eaton and Leicester in the mid 1970s before trying his luck with Halifax from 1975-77.  But it was with 2nd division Ellesmere Port where he made his name, spending 7 seasons at Thornton Road, accruing end of season averages of between 8 and 9 points a match every year.  When the Dukes were rebuilding for 1983, Finch re-signed for Halifax and became a firm fan-favourite, averaging 6 points a match and forming a potent partnership with Kenny Carter.  He remained with the Dukes for 1984, but with the strain of Carter's injury starting to show, Finch's scores dipped along with the rest of the team.  Despite being an ever-present during his second spell, he was dropped from the team after the heavy defeat at Eastbourne, and never rode for the Dukes again. He enjoyed further spells with Edinburgh, Birmingham and Berwick before finally retiring in early 1988 due to injury.

Rick France:  Hailing from Birmingham, France was a veteran of 9 seasons - 8 with Coventry and 1 with Sheffield - when he was signed from the Tigers in 1974.  Scored 5 points in his only World Final appearance at Wembley in 1967, and was a British Finalist twice.  Spent 2 full seasons at Halifax during 1974 and 1975 - averaging over 7.50 points each year, and was appointed captain of the Dukes in the second of those seasons.  France proved one of the most popular riders to wear the Dukes' colours, and it was with much regret that he announced his retirement from the sport after 1975 at the age of 37.  France passed away in January 2024 aged 85.