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Help | Middlesbrough Independent Speedway Supporters |  |
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COURTNEY REACHES 'VETERAN' STATUSSteve Harland Sunday, February 03, 2002 17:05 GMT FORMER MIDDLESBROUGH rider MARK COURTNEY will be riding for Premier League newcomers Rye House (along with another former Bear Scott Robson) this coming season. Courtney began his career on a makeshift speedway track on the outskirts of Workington in the mid-1970s. Originally from Braintree, Essex, he was a regular in the Furness Flyers (Barrow - see team pic) side of 1978 (third from left). When promoter Cliff Hindle dramatically withdrew his licence on the eve of the 1979 season Middlesbrough moved quickly to sign Geoff Pusey (pictured on bike) from Barrow, and it was on 'Puse' recommendation that he came to Cleveland Park. Within three years the boy was tipped to go a long way in the sport and was part of the team that won the National League title in 1981 - the first title to come to Middlesbrough for 35 years. Courtney joined Leicester in the British League and, whilst having his moments, never really developed his true potential. A later move to Belle Vue appeared to work against him as he realsied he could earn a lot of money for scoring a few points and he went off the rails. He came back to Middlesbrough for a second spell in 1985 and this time lasted two seasons. He moved to rivals Newcastle in 1987 where he seemed to lack motivation and was a middle order scorer. He moved on to Berwick where he seemed to shine once again. He helped the Border club to achieve one of its finer moments by coming off his hospital bed to ride against Poole in the Knockout Cup final in 1989 and his contribution in the first leg down at Wimborne Road helped the Bandits secure a memorable victory, against a team who were to confident for their own good. He later moved on to Rye House in the early 1990s and then reappeared briefly for a third time at Middlesbrough. He left the club under a cloud midway through the 1993 season and then was later jailed for seven years for his involvement in a drugs haul (he was driving a lorry on the A1 that contained drugs). He spent some of his time rehabilitating at Kirklevington (I knew his probation officer!). He made a sensational comeback with Glasgow in the Premier League in the late 1990s and then joined Cornish outfit Trelawny last season. At the age of 41 Courtney, now based in Guildford, will be riding for Rye House in the Premier League. His son Scott will be riding for local rivals Arena Essex. Who would have thought that four decades after making his debut for the Furness Flyers he would still be skidding round the tracks? |
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