The Riders - L

Tormod Langli:  Norwegian Langli first came to the UK in 1976, joining Newport, and when the Wasps closed and moved on to Bristol, he joined the newly formed Bulldogs. When Bristol folded after 2 seasons at Eastville, the Dukes moved to make Langli their 3rd heat leader with Lohmann and Cartwright.  A hard rider on the track, the Dukes fans were pleased his efforts, and an average of just under 7 points offered much cause for optimism.  Retained for 1980, he started the season well, including paid 11 points at Hull.  On Easter Monday, ahead of the evening fixture at home to Belle Vue, Langli went hang-gliding, crashed and suffered a badly broken wrist.  The injury would keep him out of the team for the remainder of the season, forcing the Dukes to overload the remainder of the team by using using rider replacement.  Langli then handed in a transfer request at the end of the season, but with his fitness in doubt, there were no takers.  He continued to ride in his native Norway, but never rode in the UK again.

Terry Lee:  Lee developed through the Dukes' junior ranks, and had numerous second half outings during 1966 and 1967 - when he made his Dukes debut. He rode in a handful of meetings during 1968 and 1969 whilst also on loan to Middlesbrough, where he developed into a heat leader, and represented England at National League level on numerous occasions.  Lee was included in the Dukes side for 1970, and was an ever-present with an average of 4.27 points per match.  He was retained for the 1971 season but quit the sport in July after a poor run of scores, to concentrate on business commitments.

Klaus Lohmann:  Younger brother of Mike, Klaus Lohmann joined the Dukes after impressive trials late in 1977, and forced his way into the team at the start of 1978 at the expense of Tom Godal.  His 1978 season was impressive, finishing with an average of over 5 points in his first season, and he was retained for 1979 to continue his partnership at reserve with a young Kenny Carter.  But his 1979 form was erratic, and his scoring and average dipped.  Like his elder brother, Klaus was in dispute with the Dukes' management in mid-1979, missing several matches, and he was eventually dropped from the team as the Dukes fell apart.  Halifax chose to look elsewhere as the new decade dawned, and he was sold to Sheffield, as part of the deal which brought Craig Pendlebury to The Shay.  His form did not improve with the Tigers however, and he lost his place in the team after only 19 matches.  He never returned to ride in the UK again.

Mikael (Mike) Lohmann:  21 year old Dane Lohmann joined Halifax for his first taste of UK racing in 1976, after finishing second, behind Ole Olsen in the Danish Championship the previous year.  His first season ended with a sub 5-point average, but his career took off in 1977 when he rose to heat-leader status.  His best season came in 1978, achieving an average over 8 points a meeting, and as a regular for the Danish team, was a key part of their first ever World Team Cup victory, winning 2 heats in the final in West Germany.  His average and form fell slightly in 1979, and a dispute with the Dukes' management hastened his exit at the end of the season when he was sold to Belle Vue who were seeking a replacement for Les Collins.  His career with the Aces was curtailed after serious injuries received in a second half crash in 1980 against the Dukes involving former team-mate Mick McKeon.  Although he eventually made a full recovery, he retired after the 1981 season, and returned to Denmark to run a motor cycle business.

John Louis:  One of the Greats of the sport, Tiger Louis enjoyed a stellar career both for England and Ipswich from 1970 - 4 times World Finalist, and British Champion in 1975 - so it was a surprise when he was allowed to leave Suffolk in early 1981, and join the Dukes.  He formed a powerful spearhead for the Dukes with Carter and Cartwright for 2 seasons.  Although his scoring dipped slightly each season, he was nevertheless always good value and scored heavily more often that not.  His 18 point maximum in the cup at Peterborough proved to be in vain, as the Dukes were dumped out, but his scoring in early 1981 with Carter injured was spectacular.  Louis suffered his first broken bone of his career in a challenge match at the end of 1982, and, tired with the commute from Suffolk, reluctantly requested a move, ultimately to King's Lynn.  He retired after the 1984 season aged 43, despite still averaging over 8 points a match. In later life he remained involved in the sport, as co-promoter at Ipswich and as father to 90s star Chris.  Tiger Louis passed away in April 2024, aged 82.