Street reveals 'Face' facts (From Bournemouth Echo)

Street reveals 'Face' facts

7:00am Thursday 26th June 2008 in

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NEIL Street has revealed he wasn't the man who discovered Pirates legend Craig Boyce.

Up until now, it was believed the 77-year-old granddaddy of Australian speedway first recommended The Face' to Poole.

The story was Street, a former top rider, engine tuner, engine designer and Pirates team manager, saw Boyce ride in a meeting at Appin, New South Wales, in early 1988.

But the septuagenarian exclusively told the Echo last night: "I didn't see Craig at Appin. I've never been to the place.

"I've found it amusing over the years reading that story because it never happened.

"What really happened was I got a phone call from former Aussie rider Tony Garard while I was at home in Melbourne.

"He lives in Sydney and said you'd better sign Boycey. He's a bit wild but he'll be okay if you can get hold of him and teach him."

Street, who'd already signed Gary Allan, Steve Langdon and Tony Langdon for Poole that winter, added: "I rang Mervyn Stewkesbury, Poole's promoter, and said I need more money, I think this one will be the best of the lot'.

"Merv said if you think that, go and get him, I'll put up the money'. So we flew Craig in and paid for the flight.

"Boycey came here and got no points in his first meeting. He soon settled though and you look at what he did, he finished third in the world final.

"He's done exceptionally well and become Poole's all-time leading points scorer.

"It's a very special person who wins the World Championship. Not many people have done it.

"To be in the top three is an exceptional achievement and he should be proud of it."

Street, who raced professionally from 1952 to 1976, paid tribute to Boyce by getting back on a bike for the first time in 22 years at Poole Stadium last night.

The septuagenarian said: "I last rode in Martin Ashby's Testimonial in 1986 as part of the main meeting. I was 66, only a young boy.

"I don't think I've even sat on a bike since, until tonight. I've had no desire to ride.

"But I'm very happy I've done it with Boycey because he's a great guy."

Other ex-Pirates stars who turned up for Boyce included Steve Schofield, Pete Smith, Ken Middleditch, Neil Middleditch, Odd Fossengen, Norman Strachan, Kevin Smith, Mike Cake, Martin Yeates, Malcolm Simmons, Sam Ermolenko, Alun Rossiter and Mick Poole.