1968 British League season
The 1968 British League season was the 34th season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the fourth season known as the British League.[1][2] SummaryEdinburgh relocated to become the Coatbridge Monarchs. The Long Eaton team closed its doors, but a new team in Leicester returned to speedway to join the League. Long Eaton promoters Ron Wilson and Reg Fearman moved the speedway licence to Leicester Stadium because of concerns over increased stock car events damaging the Long Eaton Stadium speedway track.[3][4] Coventry Bees secured their first title on points difference and after they scored points in the last heat of their last match away at King's Lynn. The title win came after two consecutive years as being runner-up. Coventry's Nigel Boocock was again one of the league's leading riders with his average going well above ten for the fifth consecutive year. He was well supported by Ron Mountford and Czechoslovakian star Antonín Kasper Sr.[5] Wimbledon Dons who could only manage a mid table finish went on to win the British League Knockout Cup.[6] Final table
M = Matches; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; Pts = Total Points Fixtures & resultsTop Ten Riders (League averages)
British League Knockout CupThe 1968 British League Knockout Cup was the 30th edition of the Knockout Cup for tier one teams. Wimbledon were the winners.[8] First round
Second round
Third round
Semi-finals
FinalFirst leg
Second leg
Wimbledon Dons were declared Knockout Cup Champions, winning on aggregate 118-98. Riders' ChampionshipBarry Briggs won the British League Riders' Championship for the fourth consecutive year, held at Hyde Road on 19 October. Briggs defeated Boocock in a run off for the title.[10]
Final leading averages
London CupWimbledon won the London Cup.[11]
Results
Midland CupSwindon won the Midland Cup for the second consecutive season. The competition consisted of six teams.[12] First round
Semi final round
FinalFirst leg
Second leg
Swindon won on aggregate 78–77 Riders & final averagesBelle Vue
Coatbridge
Coventry
Cradley Heath
Exeter
Glasgow
Hackney
Halifax
King's Lynn
Leicester
Newcastle'
Newport
Oxford
Poole
Sheffield
Swindon
West Ham
Wimbledon
Wolverhampton
See alsoReferences
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