It was 60 years ago this month when the engines stopped, the crowds left and the lights went out for the last time at the fabulous Firs Stadium in Norwich.

The last meeting was held on October 31 1964 and this, was the end of the road for one of the best supported speedway teams in the land. The Norwich Stars.

If you visited the Firs, off Cromer Road, then you will know what I mean when I say it was such a special place.

The atmosphere was electric. Thousands of men and women would pack the stadium on a Saturday night to watch the Stars in full flow.

(Image: Mike Kemp Collection.)

And the riders from Norwich, Norfolk, across this country and the world,  were leading members of the community who always had time to chat to their supporters. They really were local heroes.

Of course we had one who was the best rider in the whole world. The Flying Fox himself – Ove Fundin, of Sweden,  who was later made a Freeman of Norwich.

He told me:” I felt bitter and angry that a place that brought so much happiness to so many people had to be destroyed. I love Norwich and the Norfolk people and think of it as my second home.”

(Image: Mike Kemp Collection.)

The controversial decision to sell the 14-acre site to a property company was made earlier in the year and by 1965 the demolition teams had moved in. Houses were built.

King’s Lynn Stars then opened up with the former Norwich favourite  Terry Betts who went on to be voted as the greatest King’s Lynn rider of all time by the fans.

It was in the summer of 1930 when a crowd of around 5,000 watched the first meeting at The Firs, run by Don Hannent for the Eastern Speedways Motor Club.

The following year more than 6,000 people watched the first dirt-track challenge meeting between Norwich and Staines…speedway had well and truly arrived.

We will be telling the story of speedway over the following weeks and I would like you to share your memories of nights out at The Firs and at the many social events.

(Image: Mike Kemp Collection.)

Did you have a favourite rider? Who could forget the likes of Billy Bales, Phil Clarke, Trevor Hedge, Aub Lawson, Tich Read and so many more.

And we mustn’t forget the Great Yarmouth Bloaters speedway team who operated between 1948 and 1962.

*If you have memories of speedway please drop me a line at derek.james2013@gmail.com

(Image: Mike Kemp Collection.)

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)