Freddie Williams (speedway rider)
| Freddie Williams | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nationality |  Wales |
|
| Date of birth | March 12, 1926 | |
| Place of birth | Port Talbot, Wales | |
| Current club information | ||
| Career status | Retired | |
| Career history | ||
| Wembley Lions | 1947-1956 | |
| Individual honours | ||
| World Champion | 1950, 1953 | |
| Team honours | ||
| National League Champion National Trophy winner |
1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 1948, 1954 |
|
Freddie Williams is a former motorcycle speedway rider from Wales who was World Champion on two occasions. He was the winner of the Speedway World Championship in 1950 and 1953 and runner-up in 1952.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Career
Williams grew up in Port Talbot, where he was a classmate of Richard Burton, and they played together in the school rugby team.[2] In 1941 he moved to Portsmouth where he started an apprenticeship in the dockyards as an engineer-fitter.[2][3] He was a despatch rider in World War II, and began his speedway career as the war ended, initially competing in grasstrack.[2]
Williams rode for the Wembley Lions for his entire career, from 1947 until 1956.[4] Williams became the first British rider to win two World titles (in 1950 and 1953), a feat only matched by Peter Craven a decade later.
Williams represented England in test match series, gaining his first cap in 1949.[3][5]
In 1952 he married Olympic skater Pat Devries.[2]
[edit] World Final appearances
- 1950 -
London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts - 1951 - London, Wembley Stadium - 9th - 7pts
- 1952 - London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 13pts
- 1953 - London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts
[edit] References
- ^ Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
- ^ a b c d Rhys, Steffan (2011) "Richard Burton's school days recalled by speedway star", Western Mail, 25 June 2011, retrieved 2011-11-27
- ^ a b Morgan, Tom (1949) Who's Who in Speedway, Sport-in-Print, p. 74
- ^ Jacobs, Norman (2001). Speedway in London. ISBN 0-7524-2221-9
- ^ Foster, P. (2005) History of the Speedway Ashes, The History Press Ltd. ISBN 0-7524-3468-3
[edit] External links
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