The Riders - O

Adam Olkiewicz:  21 year old from Torun, who became the first Pole to ride for the Dukes at the start of the 1976 season.  Olkiewicz was unable to adapt to racing in the UK, and after a string of poor scores was dropped by May, after only 4 official fixtures.  Carried on riding in second half races, but ultimately returned to Poland, and did not return to the UK.  Continued riding in his home country until the end of the 1980 season, without much success.  Sadly died in 2008, aged just 54.

Mats Olsson:  With Merv Janke side-lined with injury in the summer of 1982, Halifax sought a replacement in the form of Swede Mats Olsson - but delays in obtaining a work permit meant he didn't line up for the Dukes until September.  Olsson failed to score in 2 of his 5 outings, and a 4 point average suggested he would be unlikely to return.  When his return for 1983 was blocked, the Dukes looked elsewhere, whilst appealing the decision.  When he was given a reprieve, it was again at the end of the season, and this time Olsson faired even worse - managing only 5 points from 5 matches.  He was refused a work permit again, and never returned to the UK.