Garry Stead
Encyclopedia
Garry Stead is a former international speedway
rider.
As a child Garry showed a real interest in speedway, being a regular supporter at the Shay watching the Halifax Dukes,and spent many years as a child learning to ride.
career started at a Bradford Dukes
training school in 1987, followed by after meeting rides. Garry’s first club was the now defunct Cradley Heath Heathens
in 1988 where he was a junior before he moved to the Stoke Potters
in 1989. He continued to ride in after the meeting races but during this season he broke his elbow. It was at Stoke that Garry had the opportunity to battle for a team place towards the end of 1990. He became a regular in 1991 and stayed there until 1992.
outfit, scoring well but did not manage to get through the season unscathed as he ended up with a broken wrist and thumb. It was during his time at Newcastle that Bradford promoter Alan Ham became aware of Garry’s potential, he moved quickly to secure his services in the 1994 season and paid £15,000 for him but loaned him back to Newcastle for the rest of the season.
rider, cementing his place in the main body of the team and picking up a winners medal for the KO Cup. He also had a good individual year which saw him qualify for his first British Final
and also progress from that round to the Overseas Final. The season was not without its disasters however and Garry picked up another injury, this time being a broken ankle towards the end of the season.
1996 saw Garry again qualify for the British Final
and also found him surplus to requirements at Bradford after they signed Australian Todd Wiltshire
. A loan agreement was quickly arranged for Garry to join the Sheffield Tigers
and that season saw Garry progress to heat leader status with Tigers. The following year Alan and Bobby Ham
brought Garry back to the Dukes. 1997 was a good year for Garry, ending the season with an Elite League
Championship winning team medal.
the home of the Bradford Dukes
and in 1998 Garry joined the Wolverhampton Wolves
on loan from Bradford Dukes
as the Ham brothers still held his contract. His season did not work out too well with Wolves
as he never really got to grips with the track there, although he did yet again qualify for his third appearance in the British Final
.
and there he stayed until 2005 when their season came to an abrupt ending with two months remaining due to the promotion having financial difficulties, Garry would see the remainder of this season out by relying on guest bookings. It was during his time with the Vikings that Garry had most of his track success winning the Premier Trophy in 2000 and the KO Cup in 2001.
In 2002 Garry again qualified for the British Final and for only the second time in his racing career Garry progressed to the next stage being the Overseas Final only for him to give his place up and put his club first as there was a clash of fixtures.
2003 saw Garry pick up some Elite League
guest bookings and the most notable one being the Poole Pirates
, Garry was part of their Speedway Star KO Cup winning squad, the meeting at Poole saw him team up with Tony Rickardsson
for a 5-1 which is still talked about by Poole fans still today.
Garry's most successful season was in 2004 as the Vikings
did the treble winning the Premier League
, the Knockout Cup and the Young Shield.
During 2005, Garry was sidelined for a month during June and July when in a racing accident he received an injury to his lower back with internal bruising, this was the first time he had been out injured since the 2000 season when he broke his arm.
promotion quickly snapped up the Hull riders. Garry was told that he was not in Sheffield’s plans for that season and he could talk to other clubs. Garry was signed by the
Workington Comets
where was made team captain. Garry could not have been more suited with this move as Derwent Park
was one of his favourite tracks reminding him in a way of the old Odsal track. It looked as if as it was probably the best prepared he had been for a long time (New bikes, Kevlars and Sponsors) and saw him reach the British Final at Belle Vue for only the fifth time in his career. The year started really well for him with his form dwindling mid season due to him becoming disillusioned with the Workington team management, he bounced back to finish off the year in fine form and led the Comets to the Premier League Fours Championship
title and earned himself another medal.
for the second time in his career.
Garry started the season off really well top scoring in most of the meets, he came off at Workington his previous years club and damaged his ribs only for this to give him problems in the following weeks. Garry was now Captain of the Potters as team changes had been made due to the Potters poor start to the season.
Garry today is still very proud of the fact that he never missed a season since his Speedway Career started way back in 1987 as a raw Speedway recruit. He hoped that he would return to ride for the Hull Vikings
before his racing career ended but that was not to be. One of Garry’s favourite moments from his career was when he guested for Poole Pirates in the 2003 Speedway Star KO Cup final and he combined with Tony Rickardsson for a 5-1. Poole went on to win with Garry being part of both meetings and receiving a winners medal.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
rider.
As a child Garry showed a real interest in speedway, being a regular supporter at the Shay watching the Halifax Dukes,and spent many years as a child learning to ride.
Cradley Heath and Stoke
Garry became a Schoolboy Grass Track rider, winning the British Championship in his category numerous times. His speedwayMotorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
career started at a Bradford Dukes
Bradford Dukes
The Bradford Dukes were a British motorcycle speedway team which operated from the Odsal Stadium in Bradford from 1986 until their closure in 1997.-History:...
training school in 1987, followed by after meeting rides. Garry’s first club was the now defunct Cradley Heath Heathens
Cradley Heath Heathens
Cradley Heath Heathens are a defunct motorcycle speedway team from Dudley, England.-History:Cradley Heath speedway team was formed in 1947 and first raced at Dudley Wood Stadium on 21 June 1947 after a number of away appearances prior to the opening of the newly built stadium...
in 1988 where he was a junior before he moved to the Stoke Potters
Stoke Potters
The Stoke Potters are a British Speedway team currently competing in the National League. The team races at Loomer Road Stadium.In the late 1940s, early 1950s and the early 1960s, the club was based in Sun Street in Hanley, and were originally known as the Hanley Potters when crowds of over 12,000...
in 1989. He continued to ride in after the meeting races but during this season he broke his elbow. It was at Stoke that Garry had the opportunity to battle for a team place towards the end of 1990. He became a regular in 1991 and stayed there until 1992.
Newcastle
Garry moved to Brough Park in 1993 to be part of the Newcastle DiamondsNewcastle Diamonds
Newcastle Diamonds are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Premier League. The club has a reputation of importing young foreign talent and have given starts to the British careers of six times World Champion Ivan Mauger, three times World Champion Ole Olsen, 1974 World Champion...
outfit, scoring well but did not manage to get through the season unscathed as he ended up with a broken wrist and thumb. It was during his time at Newcastle that Bradford promoter Alan Ham became aware of Garry’s potential, he moved quickly to secure his services in the 1994 season and paid £15,000 for him but loaned him back to Newcastle for the rest of the season.
Bradford, Sheffield and back to Bradford
In 1995 Garry became a fully fledged Bradford DukesBradford Dukes
The Bradford Dukes were a British motorcycle speedway team which operated from the Odsal Stadium in Bradford from 1986 until their closure in 1997.-History:...
rider, cementing his place in the main body of the team and picking up a winners medal for the KO Cup. He also had a good individual year which saw him qualify for his first British Final
British Speedway Championship
The British Speedway Championship is an annual motorcycle speedway competition open to British national speedway riders. The winner of the event becomes the British Speedway Champion. It has been open in the past to riders from British dominions and was dominated in its early years by riders from...
and also progress from that round to the Overseas Final. The season was not without its disasters however and Garry picked up another injury, this time being a broken ankle towards the end of the season.
1996 saw Garry again qualify for the British Final
British Speedway Championship
The British Speedway Championship is an annual motorcycle speedway competition open to British national speedway riders. The winner of the event becomes the British Speedway Champion. It has been open in the past to riders from British dominions and was dominated in its early years by riders from...
and also found him surplus to requirements at Bradford after they signed Australian Todd Wiltshire
Todd Wiltshire
Todd Wiltshire is a retired Australian motorcycle speedway rider who competed at the highest level of the sport, finishing a career best third in the 1990 Individual Speedway World Championship at the Odsal Stadium in Bradford, England.-Australia:Todd Wiltshire started racing in 1979 at the Lake...
. A loan agreement was quickly arranged for Garry to join the Sheffield Tigers
Sheffield Tigers
The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway team based in Sheffield, England. They currently race in the British Premier League and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium which is the fastest track in British speedway...
and that season saw Garry progress to heat leader status with Tigers. The following year Alan and Bobby Ham
Bobby Ham
Robert Stanley "Bobby" Ham is a retired English footballer who played for Bradford Park Avenue, Gainsborough Trinity, Bradford City, Preston and Rotherham. He also managed Gainsborough, Matlock and Guiseley.-Speedway:...
brought Garry back to the Dukes. 1997 was a good year for Garry, ending the season with an Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
Championship winning team medal.
Wolverhampton
1997 also saw the end of Speedway at Odsal StadiumOdsal Stadium
Odsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Odsal, Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls/Bradford Northern since 1934...
the home of the Bradford Dukes
Bradford Dukes
The Bradford Dukes were a British motorcycle speedway team which operated from the Odsal Stadium in Bradford from 1986 until their closure in 1997.-History:...
and in 1998 Garry joined the Wolverhampton Wolves
Wolverhampton Wolves
The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van...
on loan from Bradford Dukes
Bradford Dukes
The Bradford Dukes were a British motorcycle speedway team which operated from the Odsal Stadium in Bradford from 1986 until their closure in 1997.-History:...
as the Ham brothers still held his contract. His season did not work out too well with Wolves
Wolverhampton Wolves
The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van...
as he never really got to grips with the track there, although he did yet again qualify for his third appearance in the British Final
British Speedway Championship
The British Speedway Championship is an annual motorcycle speedway competition open to British national speedway riders. The winner of the event becomes the British Speedway Champion. It has been open in the past to riders from British dominions and was dominated in its early years by riders from...
.
Hull
In 1999 Garry got a move back up North with the Hull VikingsHull Vikings
Hull Vikings, were a speedway team from Hull, England. The team began life as the 'Hull Angels', based at Hedon on the outskirts of Hull between 1947 and mid 1949. Speedway came back to Hull after a long gap and were known as the Vikings, racing at The Boulevard, the former ground of rugby league...
and there he stayed until 2005 when their season came to an abrupt ending with two months remaining due to the promotion having financial difficulties, Garry would see the remainder of this season out by relying on guest bookings. It was during his time with the Vikings that Garry had most of his track success winning the Premier Trophy in 2000 and the KO Cup in 2001.
In 2002 Garry again qualified for the British Final and for only the second time in his racing career Garry progressed to the next stage being the Overseas Final only for him to give his place up and put his club first as there was a clash of fixtures.
2003 saw Garry pick up some Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
guest bookings and the most notable one being the Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League...
, Garry was part of their Speedway Star KO Cup winning squad, the meeting at Poole saw him team up with Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson
Tony Rickardsson is a retired Swedish motorcycle speedway rider. He is widely acknowledged as being the most successful speedway rider of the current era, having won six Speedway World Championship titles in 15 attempts. He has two daughters, Michelle and Natalie with his wife Anna...
for a 5-1 which is still talked about by Poole fans still today.
Garry's most successful season was in 2004 as the Vikings
Hull Vikings
Hull Vikings, were a speedway team from Hull, England. The team began life as the 'Hull Angels', based at Hedon on the outskirts of Hull between 1947 and mid 1949. Speedway came back to Hull after a long gap and were known as the Vikings, racing at The Boulevard, the former ground of rugby league...
did the treble winning the Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
, the Knockout Cup and the Young Shield.
During 2005, Garry was sidelined for a month during June and July when in a racing accident he received an injury to his lower back with internal bruising, this was the first time he had been out injured since the 2000 season when he broke his arm.
Workington
The 2006 season saw Garry again change clubs as Hull had closed and the Sheffield TigersSheffield Tigers
The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway team based in Sheffield, England. They currently race in the British Premier League and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium which is the fastest track in British speedway...
promotion quickly snapped up the Hull riders. Garry was told that he was not in Sheffield’s plans for that season and he could talk to other clubs. Garry was signed by the
Workington Comets
Workington Comets
Workington Comets is a speedway club based in Workington, Cumbria. Their track is at Derwent Park Stadium, which they share with Workington Town Rugby League Football Club.They compete in the Premier League...
where was made team captain. Garry could not have been more suited with this move as Derwent Park
Derwent Park
Derwent Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Workington, England situated beside the Cumbrian River Derwent. It is used mostly for rugby league matches and is the home stadium of Workington Town who play in Championship 1, the third tier domestic competition in the United Kingdom...
was one of his favourite tracks reminding him in a way of the old Odsal track. It looked as if as it was probably the best prepared he had been for a long time (New bikes, Kevlars and Sponsors) and saw him reach the British Final at Belle Vue for only the fifth time in his career. The year started really well for him with his form dwindling mid season due to him becoming disillusioned with the Workington team management, he bounced back to finish off the year in fine form and led the Comets to the Premier League Fours Championship
Speedway Premier League Four-Team Championship
The Premier League Four-Team Championship is a contest between teams competing in the Speedway Premier League in the UK. Eight teams are grouped into fours, with one rider from each team in each race...
title and earned himself another medal.
Back to Stoke
Towards the end of 2006 the Comets told Garry that he would not feature in their team plans in 2007 as they would be putting a team together from their own rider assets, Sheffield could not fit him in either and at one point it looked like Garry would miss the start of the 2007 season until Promoter Dave Tattum came in to take Garry on loan to the Stoke PottersStoke Potters
The Stoke Potters are a British Speedway team currently competing in the National League. The team races at Loomer Road Stadium.In the late 1940s, early 1950s and the early 1960s, the club was based in Sun Street in Hanley, and were originally known as the Hanley Potters when crowds of over 12,000...
for the second time in his career.
Garry started the season off really well top scoring in most of the meets, he came off at Workington his previous years club and damaged his ribs only for this to give him problems in the following weeks. Garry was now Captain of the Potters as team changes had been made due to the Potters poor start to the season.
Accident
On Friday 18 May 2007 Garry’s racing career came to an abrupt end at Somerset speedway, when a freak racing accident left him paralysed from the waist down and in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.Garry today is still very proud of the fact that he never missed a season since his Speedway Career started way back in 1987 as a raw Speedway recruit. He hoped that he would return to ride for the Hull Vikings
Hull Vikings
Hull Vikings, were a speedway team from Hull, England. The team began life as the 'Hull Angels', based at Hedon on the outskirts of Hull between 1947 and mid 1949. Speedway came back to Hull after a long gap and were known as the Vikings, racing at The Boulevard, the former ground of rugby league...
before his racing career ended but that was not to be. One of Garry’s favourite moments from his career was when he guested for Poole Pirates in the 2003 Speedway Star KO Cup final and he combined with Tony Rickardsson for a 5-1. Poole went on to win with Garry being part of both meetings and receiving a winners medal.
External links
- Official website
- Video of Crash Halifax Courier website showing the crash.