[4][5] After practising at the Dagenham track he was spotted by his childhood hero, the former Wembley Lions rider Colin Watson, who took him to Wembley for a trial, after which he was signed by Alec Jackson.
[4] The war interrupted his speedway career and he joined the Merchant Navy.
[4] When league racing resumed in 1946 he signed for West Ham Hammers, staying with the club into the 1950s.
[6][7] He was part of the England teams that toured Australia in the 1951-1952 Test series.
[10] Craven was a qualified pilot, flying to speedway matches on occasion.