1966 British League season

1

The 1966 British League season was the 32nd season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the second season known as the British League. Halifax Dukes won the league and then secured the league and cup double.

Summary

The League expanded to 19, with a new team, the King's Lynn Stars. Halifax Dukes won the league after 36 games and finished three points clear of Coventry Bees. The Halifax team success was due to the consistency of their riders, in particular Eric Boocock, Eric Boothroyd, Dave Younghusband and Tommy Roper who all scored heavily throughout the season. Halifax also completed the double winning the British League Knockout Cup. In the final, they easily beat Wimbledon Dons. The four times world champion Barry Briggs topped the averages for Swindon Robins during the same season in which he sealed his fourth world title. The dangers of speedway were highlighted once again however when Welshman Ivor Hughes was killed during the league match riding for Cradley Heath Heathens against Sheffield Tigers on 20 August.

Fixtures & results

Final table

M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points

Top Ten Riders (League Averages)

Knockout Cup

Halifax Dukes won the cup and therefore secured the league and cup double.

Riders' Championship

Barry Briggs won the British League Riders' Championship for the second consecutive year, held at Hyde Road on 22 October.

London Cup

West Ham successfully defended their London Cup title but once again there were just three teams competing. Results

Final leading average

Midland Cup

Coventry won the Midland Cup, which consisted of six teams. First round group 1 First round group 2

Final

First leg Second leg Coventry won on aggregate 88–68

Riders and final averages

Belle Vue Coventry Cradley Heath Edinburgh Exeter Glasgow Hackney Halifax King's Lynn Long Eaton Newcastle Newport Oxford Poole Sheffield Swindon West Ham Wimbledon Wolverhampton

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