Lloyd Goffe

Lloyd Goffe (born 30 January 1913 in Reading[1] - died 1984) was a British motorcycle speedway rider.

Goffe began his racing career in 1934 at the sand track in the resort of California near Wokingham, riding for prize money.[2][3] He then concentrated on grasstrack racing, winning the South of England Grass Track Championship at Basingstoke in 1936.[2] He bought a 500cc Rudge bike from "Froggy" French in 1936, which he used in his early speedway rides, impressing sufficiently to receive offers from both Hackney Wick Wolves and the Johnny Hoskins-managed West Ham Hammers, signing for the latter in 1937.[2][3] He had a brief spell with the Leicester Hounds team, riding in three matches in 1937 before the club withdrew from the Provincial League.[4]

His performances progressed after transferring to the Harringay Tigers later that season, staying with the team until the outbreak of World War II.[2] During the war, he served as a fitter in the Royal Air Force.[3]

After the end of the war, Goffe joined the Wimbledon Dons in 1946. His riding style led to him being nicknamed "Cowboy".[3] In 1948 Goffe rejoined Harringay (now the 'Racers') for a £1,350 transfer fee,[4] where he won the Anniversary Cup in 1949 and by 1950 his career completed a full circle when he rejoined West Ham.[5]

In 1951 he rode for Bradford, and started the 1952 season there before he joined the St Austell Gulls.[3]

World Final Appearances

References

  1. ↑ Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Storey, Basil (1947) "From an Office Stool to Cinders", in Speedway Favourites, Sport-in-Print, p. 5
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 May, Cyril (1963) "Riders I Remember: Fighting 'Cowboy'", Speedway Star, 30 November 1963, p. 14
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Jones, Alan (2010) Speedway in Leicester: The Pre-War Years, Automedia, p. 180
  5. ↑ Belton, Brian (2003). Hammerin' Round. Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2438-6