Barry Thomas
| Barry Thomas | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nationality |  England | |
| Date of birth | 29 October 1951 | |
| Place of birth | Harrow, London, England | |
| Nickname | Thommo | |
| Current club information | ||
| Career status | Retired | |
| Career history | ||
| Canterbury Crusaders Hackney Hawks Crayford Kestrels Hackney Kestrels Rye House Rockets |
1969-1970 1970-1983 1981-1983 1984-1989, 1987 | |
| Individual honours | ||
| London Riders' Championship | 1973, 1974 | |
| Team honours | ||
| British League Div Two Winner British League KO Cup Winner |
1970 1971 | |
Barry John Thomas (born 29 October 1951 Harrow, Middlesex)[1] is a former motorcycle speedway rider. 'Thommo' is considered to be the most popular Hackney rider ever, staying at the Hackney Wick Stadium for over twenty years.[2]
Career
He started his career with the Canterbury Crusaders in 1969 after he and Dave Jessup were invited for trials at the West Ham Hammers. He progressed through to heat leader status in his very first season, prompting Hackney Hawks promoter Len Silver to buy him for the Hawks in 1970. He was given plenty of advice and help from Garry Middleton who helped him with any bike problems he had. He also played a huge part in the signing of Polish Champion Zenon Plech.
In that first season at Hackney he won the British Junior Championship. He went on to captain Hackney for nine seasons. 1981 saw Thommo ride for the Crayford Kestrels and cover for the Hawks. However 1984 saw the Crayford promotion move to Hackney as the Hackney Kestrels after the Hawks closed in 1983. In 1987 he also rode for the Rye House Rockets.[3]
In 2001 he made a special one-off appearance for a Hackney team in a meeting at Rye House having never ridden a bike for thirteen years.