| Joe Abbott | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | British | |
| Date of birth | April 12, 1902 | |
| Place of birth | Burnley, England | |
| Date of death | 1 July 1950 (aged 48) | |
| Current club information | ||
| Career status | Retired | |
| Career history | ||
| Burnley Preston Belle Vue Aces Harringay Racers Odsal Boomerangs |
1928-1929 1930-1931 1932-1939 1947 1948-1950 |
|
| Individual honours | ||
| None | ||
| Team honours | ||
| National League Champions National Trophy Winners |
1933, 1934, 1935, 1936 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936 |
|
John Patrick 'Joe' Abbott (born 12 April 1902 Burnley, England[1] - died 1 July 1950) was an international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the World Championship final in 1937.[2]
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Joe began his career with local track Burnley in 1928 before moving onto Preston for two seasons.[3] He then joined the Belle Vue Aces and stayed there until the outbreak of World War II. At Belle Vue he formed a formidable partnership with Frank Charles which they utilised internationally.[4] He made fifteen appearances for England between 1930 and 1939 and qualified for a World Final.
After the war he became captain of the Harringay Racers in 1947 and transferred to the Odsal Boomerangs in Bradford in 1948.[3]
On 21 June 1949 Joe was riding in live televised meeting at West Ham Stadium against the West Ham Hammers. Joe crashed and suffered serious injury, but in the crowd were dozens of ambulance men from Poplar hospital who rushed him there immediately.[4] The quick actions saved his life.
On 1 July 1950 in the National League match for the Boomerangs against the West Ham, Joe, who was now 48 years old fell in his second race and was hit by a following rider and was instantly killed. The riders and promoters decided to carry on with the meeting, as they believed Joe would have wished it. Fans left Odsal Stadium unaware that Joe, nicknamed the 'India-rubber Man',[1] had died.