Brian Crutcher: The Authorised Biography

Arguably the best English driver never to win a World Final, Brian Crutcher was a truly brilliant and naturally gifted rider racing during speedway's heyday in the 1950s. Brian burst upon the scene at Poole in spectacular fashion in 1951 as a 16-year-old with ability beyond his years. Within months he was a regular member of the team and widely regarded as not only their star rider, but a future World Champion; at the end of the season the Pirates were promoted to Division Two. By July of his first season, Crutcher's superb form was recognized internationally when he was capped for England against both Sweden and the US after winning the decisive race of the night against Sweden. Less than 18 months after first appearing on a speedway track he qualified for the World Final. From 1952 onwards Brian was a regular member in the England Test squad, and was the England captain on a number of occasions. Early in 1953, in somewhat controversial circumstances, Brian transferred to Wembley, thus making the jump from Division 2 to the all conquering Wembley Lions at the top of Division 1. In 1953 he qualified again for the World Championship. In1954 when he scored 13 points to claim second position behind maximum-man Ronnie Moore in the World Championship, while on the domestic scene he registered 10 maximums and had firmly established himself in the mainstay of the Wembley team. In 1956, Brian qualified for the World Final as the highest scoring rider. At the end of that year Wembley closed and Brian transferred to Southampton where he remained a leading rider until the end of 1959.