Belle Vue Aces

They currently compete in the SGB Premiership, racing at The National Speedway Stadium, with home matches usually taking place on Monday evenings.

[3] The opening speedway meeting here was staged on 23 March 1929, when Arthur Franklyn won the Golden Helmet and the first league fixture was on 4 May, against Preston.

[10] Jack Parker starred for the Aces during the period and he was joined by Ron Johnston and Peter Craven, the latter being crowned as world champion in 1955 when a Belle Vue rider.

[11] A change in promoter occurred in 1960, with Ken Sharples taking charge and Aces rider Peter Craven won a second world title in 1962.

The Aces experienced a year that they would never forget in 1963, glory and tragedy ensued when the team won the league title but Peter Craven died, following a challenge match at Edinburgh's Old Meadowbank stadium, on 20 September 1963.

Belle Vue Ove Fundin The team had signed world champion Ivan Mauger in 1969 and supported by top Swede Sören Sjösten the Aces easily won the 1970 championship before going on to win three consecutive league titles and two Knockout Cups.

Following the announcement that Stuart Bamforth had sold the stadium for redevelopment, the last speedway meeting was staged on 1 November 1987, when a double header took place.

The opening meeting of the new era of the Aces was held on 1 April 1988, and saw Belle Vue take on Bradford Dukes in the Frank Varey Northern Trophy.

The next significant success arrived in 1993, when the Aces won the league title, led by 21-year-old, Joe Screen and well supported by Americans Bobby Ott and Shawn Moran and the Australian Jason Lyons.

In 2005, the team won the Knockout Cup led by Jason Crump and the pairs championship the following season before a further change in ownership occurred in December 2006 as ex-captain Chris Morton along with David Gordon bought the club from Tony Mole and Ian Thomas.

[19] Following early teething troubles with the track surface which led to meetings being postponed, the Belle Vue team had a successful season and finished the league programme at the top.

Plaque commemorating the Gardens and stadium
The Aces riding at Hyde Road during the eventful 1963 season