Roger Frogley

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Roger Frogley was a pioneering British motorcycle speedway rider who won several races at the start of the 20th century. His crowning triumph was beating Ben Unwin, the Australian star at the International Match Race in front of a 40,000 strong crowd.

Frogley mostly rode on the Crystal Palace team. He debuted on April 14, 1928 at Kings Oak. A special trophy was put up that year for the first four Palace riders to win races at more than 39mph - this was won by Roger, his brother Buster, Joe Francis and Arthur Willimott.

Roger and Buster (the Frogley brothers) rode modified '28 Dirt Track Rudge motor bikes.

In 1929 he rode in 40 races, winning 18 (45%) of them. Most particularly he won the "Home" Star Championship at Wimbledon on Monday October 21 — making him the first British Star Rider.

Roger Frogley was the top scoring rider for England (with six points) in the first England v Australia Test Match at Wimbledon Stadium, Plough Lane, in 1930.

He retired in 1932 when the Crystal Palace track closed, and made an unsuccessful comeback at New Cross in 1936.