William John Berry (16 October 1944 – 3 August 2012), better known as John Berry, was a speedway promoter, team manager, and writer who revived the Ipswich Witches in 1969 and managed the England national speedway team during three spells, from 1975 to 1976, 1977 to 1978 and again from 1984 to 1985.
[2] He was educated at the Edmonton County Grammar School before studying for a degree in Food Technology.
[2] Along with his school friend turned business partner Joe Thurley, Berry brought speedway back to Ipswich in 1969 by building a new track at Foxhall Stadium inside the old one which had been covered in tarmac for stock car racing.
[3] Their application for a licence to compete in the second division of the British League was initially turned down by fellow promoters as they were considered to lack sufficient experience, but later accepted, and Ipswich joined the top division in 1972, taking the place of West Ham Hammers.
Berry went on to manage the England team, taking over from Reg Fearman in 1975 and continuing until 1977, and returning to the role in 1978 and 1979.