The Riders - P

Craig Pendlebury:  A veteran of 6 seasons with Sheffield, popular Mancunian Pendlebury joined the Dukes in 1980 as part of the deal which took Klaus Lohmann to Owlerton.  He was a consistent 6 point rider, although 1980 and 1981 were interrupted by injuries.  Relocating to New Zealand, he rejected a return to the Dukes in 1982, but was back 12 months later for his final full season with Halifax.  1984 saw him sign as the Dukes number 8, and the injury to Hansen saw him get a final extended run in the team, although his scoring was down on previous seasons, save for one big night against Exeter.  Was the unfortunate victim of the first bend crash at Cradley Heath in April 1984 which saw Kenny Carter ruled out with a badly broken leg.  He split his time in 1984 between the Dukes, Berwick and Edinburgh, but retired for good at the end of the season.

Graham Plant:  Born in Leicester, Plant joined his local team as a 17 year old in 1968, doubling up with Middlesbrough the same season.  Sensationally won the 2nd Division Riders Championship that season, and won the British Junior Championship in 1969, now with Leicester full time. After moving to Newport for 1972 and 1973, Plant was signed by Halifax at the start of the 1974 season.  During the next 4 seasons, Plant was continually let down by mechanical issues and injuries, and a reduced average in 1977 made him decide to sit out the 1978 season completely.  A return to the saddle in 1979 looked like a fresh start - but Plant quit after only a handful of outings, and despite a brief comeback in mid-season, his Halifax career ended there.  Rode for second tier Milton Keynes for 1980 and 1981, before again missing a season, and finally retiring after a few matches at the start of 1983.

Chris Pusey:  Lancastrian Pusey joined Belle Vue as a 17 year old, and spent 8 excellent seasons at Hyde Road, including an average over 10.50 points a match in 1973.  At the start of 1975, the rider control committee allocated Pusey to Halifax to replace the now retired Eric Boocock.  Despite early unhappiness about the situation, Pusey eventually settled in to life at The Shay, to become the new number 1 at Halifax.  Made captain for the 1976 season, he was an ever present.  Unfortunately, things started to go wrong for Pusey on track in 1978, and off the track too as he had alcohol-related problems.  His scoring was well down on previous seasons, and he finished the 78 season at reserve.  Was seemingly lost to the sport after missing the 1979 season, but made a remarkable comeback in 1980 when he lined up for Weymouth.  He retired after a couple of outings for Workington at the start of 1981.  Sadly, Pusey's later life did not improve, and he died in August 2004, following liver failure.

Piotr Pyszny:  As part of the Polish rider contract of the late 70s and early 80s, Halifax took a gamble on Piotr Pyszny.  One meeting for Poole in 1979 did little to excite, but the Pole proved a popular addition to the Dukes line-up for 2 seasons.  His scoring in 1980 could be erratic - 12 points in the home defeat by Hackney followed by only 1 against Reading 3 weeks later, and there were of course the inevitable returns home to Poland, Pyszny failing to arrive at Wimbledon following a delay coming back to the UK.  Hopes to have the Pole back in 1981 were blocked by the authorities until clearance was given for him to return in June - but by then the season was already slipping away.  It was August and September before he really clicked, and the end of the Polish rider contract, coupled with a sub-6 point average ended the Dukes interest in him further.  He did return for a handful of meetings in 1983 for Eastbourne, but was a shadow of the rider Halifax had seen.