View source for Rye House Rockets

{{Short description|British motorcycle speedway team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox motorcycle speedway team
|clubname = Rye House Rockets
|image = [[File:Rye_House_Rockets_speedway_logo.png|150px]]
|track = [[Rye House Stadium]]<br />Rye Road<br/>[[Hoddesdon]]<br/>[[Hertfordshire]]<br/>EN11 0EH
|country = England 
|founded = 1934
|closed = 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.34924|title=Statement:Rye House Speedway|website=speedwaygb.co|access-date=2018-07-06}}</ref>
|colours = Black, Chrome and Orange
|tracksize = {{convert|262|m|yd}}
|track record time= 54.7 seconds
|track record date= 1 August 2015
|track record holder= [[Robert Lambert (speedway rider)|Robert Lambert]]

|honour1 = [[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|National/Premier League champions (tier 2)]] 
|year1 =  1980, 2005, 2007
|honour2 = [[British League Division Two Knockout Cup|National League KO Cup winners (tier 2)]] 
|year2 = 1979
|honour3 = [[Premier Trophy (speedway)|Premier Trophy winners (tier 2)]] 
|year3 = 2005
|honour4 = [[Southern Area League]] Champions (tier 3)
|year4= 1955, 1956
|honour5 = [[Southern Area League]] Cup Winners (tier 3)
|year5 = 1956
}}

The '''Rye House Rockets''' were a [[motorcycle speedway|speedway]] team based at [[Rye House Stadium]], [[Hoddesdon]], England. They competed in various British speedway leagues from 1954 to 2018.<ref name="Yearbook2007">{{cite book|last = Bamford| first = Robert |title = Tempus Speedway Yearbook 2007|publisher = NPI Media Group|date = 2007-03-01| isbn = 0-7524-4250-3 }}</ref>

== History ==
=== Origins & 1930s ===
Rye House began life in 1934, hosting open meetings on a circuit that had been converted from a former running track.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1934.html |title=1934 season |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref> Under the charge of the Harringay Light Car and Motor Cycle Club, the track soon became known as a training school for riders.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ginger Lees to ride again |work=The People |date=12 April 1936 |access-date=24 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000729/19360412/018/0018 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Plan for training young speedway riders |work=Daily Mirror |date=16 April 1936|access-date=24 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19360416/288/0031 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The first Rye House team competed in several challenge matches throughout 1936.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1936record.pdf |title=1936 season |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref>

Whilst at Hackney in September 1937, [[Dicky Case]] purchased the lease of the sixty acre estate of Rye House and continued the training school at Rye House Stadium, operating under the name of the Hackney Motor Club.<ref>Jacobs, N. (2003) ''Speedway in the South-East'', Tempus Publishing Ltd. {{ISBN|0-7524-2725-3}}</ref> The school operated until 1938, when a Rye House team staged Sunday Dirt-track League matches. In 1939, various challenge matches were held.<ref name=rye70>Jacobs, Norman (2007). ''70 Years of Rye House Speedway''. Stroud: Tempus Publishing {{ISBN|978-0-7524-4162-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cinder Star Plans  |work=Daily Mirror |date=14 September 1937 |access-date=23 January 2022 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000560/19370914/266/0027| via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>Jacobs, N. (2003) ''Speedway in the South-East'', Tempus Publishing Ltd. {{ISBN|0-7524-2725-3}}</ref>

=== 1940s ===
Rye House stadium continued to operate speedway from 1940 to 1943, despite the disruption caused by [[World War II]]. After the end of the war the track was re-opened by [[Arthur Elvin]] (the Wembley Stadium Managing Director) and was once again used as a training school, this time for the [[Wembley Lions (speedway)|Wembly Lions]] riders.<ref>{{cite news |title=Finding new talent |work=Daily Mirror  |date=7 June 1945 |access-date=24 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19450607/039/0004 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The site remained under the lease ownership of Dicky Case until he returned to his native Australia. It was the foremost venue for aspiring speedway riders throughout the decade.<ref>{{cite news |title=Crazy but it's fun |work=Daily Mirror |date=15 December 1949 |access-date=24 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19491215/107/0011 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

=== 1950s ===
[[File:Mike Broadbank.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Mike Broadbank]]
The team competed in a league for the first time since 1938, when they joined the [[1954 Southern Area League]] (the third tier of British speedway). Riding as the '''Rye House Roosters''' they finished third in a six team league.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/history/leaguetables1946-1964|title=BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - POST-WAR ERA (1946-1964)|website=Official British Speedway website|access-date=27 August 2021}}</ref> The team then won two league titles; the [[1955 Southern Area League]] and the [[1956 Southern Area League]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Martin|title=The Illustrated History of Speedway|year=1978|page=129|publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd|isbn=0-904584-45-3}}</ref> The team was led by [[Mike Broadbank]], who also won the [[Southern Area League Riders' Championship|Riders' Championship]] at Rye House on 25 September.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trophy ends the Speedway season |work=Eastbourne Gazette  |date=5 October 1955 |access-date=10 June 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001928/19551005/210/0022 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://edinburghspeedway.blogspot.com/2015/01/southern-area-league-riders-championship.html |title=Southern Area League Riders Championship |website=Edinburgh Speedway |access-date=10 June 2023}}</ref>

=== 1960s ===
In 1960, Jack Carter agreed a lease with stadium owner L. H. Lawrence and the speedway track was rebuilt by Mike Broadbank, along with his father Alfred.<ref>{{cite news |title=Red Devils enter a new era |work=Hertford Mercury and Reformer  |date=26 August 1960 |access-date=24 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000756/19600826/184/0014 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Broadbank ran the speedway team known as the '''Red Devils''' who raced in challenge matches from 1960 until 1966. No public meetings were held in 1967 or 1968, although the training school continued; but public speedway resumed in 1969, with a combination of individual meetings and team challenge matches, and continued until 1973.

=== 1970s ===
[[File:Rye House team 1976.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Rockets in 1976]]
In 1974, [[Rayleigh Rockets]] closed down but the promotion, riders and nickname moved to Rye House. It was the first season of league speedway at Rye House since the [[1959 Southern Area League]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Lightning ban lifted just in time |work=South Eastern Gazette  |date=26 March 1974 |access-date=24 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004329/19740326/319/0035 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref> After struggling for two seasons they progressed to 5th place in 1976 before competing for the title from 1977 to 1979 and winning the 1979 [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|Knockout Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/yearbyyear.html|title=Year by Year|website=Speedway Researcher|access-date=28 August 2021}}</ref>

=== 1980s ===
{{gallery
|width=160 | height=170
|align=right
|File:Karl Fiala-24.jpg
|Karl Fiala
|File:Kelvin Mullarkey 2 001.jpg
|Kelvin Mullarkey
}}
The consistency and stability of the team paid dividends in 1980, when the Rockets won the [[1980 National League season|1980 National League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/history/leaguetables1965-1990|title=British League Tables - British League Era (1965-1990)|website=Official British Speedway website|access-date=28 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cybermotorcycle.com/archives/exeter-speedway/leagues-76.htm |title=1976 to 1981 |website=Cyber Morotcycles |access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref> [[Bobby Garrad]], [[Karl Fiala]] and [[Kelvin Mullarkey]] all averaged over nine for the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/specialfeaturesrideraverages.pdf |title=Rider averages 1929 to 2009 |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref>

The success could not be repeated for the rest of the decade as the team experienced mediocrity.

=== 1990s ===
After finishing 8th during the [[1993 British League Division Two season]] the promoters Roger Shute and Peter Redfern left the club leaving Ronnie Russell in sole charge. Russell failed to secure the necessary funding to continue and the Rockets were disbanded.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rocket's Monday deadline |work=Harlow Star |date=13 January 1994 |access-date=24 May 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003756/19940113/064/0064 | via = [[British Newspaper Archive]]|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In 1999, the team returned to league action in the Conference League (the 3rd division) but they soon moved up to division 2 in 2002 and formed a junior side called the ''Raiders''' to compete in the Conference League.<ref>Jacobs, Norman (2007). ''70 Years of Rye House Speedway''. {{ISBN|978-0-7524-4162-7}}</ref> The Raiders won the [[Conference League Four-Team Championship]] in 2003.<ref name="Almanac">
{{cite book  | last = Oakes  | first = P  | authorlink =  | title = Speedway Star Almanac  | publisher = Pinegen Ltd  | year = 2006  | location =  | pages =  | url =  | doi =  | id =  | isbn = 0-9552376-1-0}}</ref>

After three years of competing in the [[Premier League (speedway)|Premier League]] from 2002 to 2004, the Rockets re-signed [[Edward Kennett]] and together with [[Stuart Robson (speedway rider)|Stuart Robson]], [[Chris Neath]], [[Brent Werner]], they helped secure the [[2005 Premier League speedway season|Premier League title]]. Two years later, Robson and Neath were still part of the Rockets team that won another league title. The 2007 team included new signing [[Tai Woffinden]].

In 2008, the junior team were renamed the '''Cobras'''.

=== 2010s ===
[[File:Rye House Speedway Team Photo 2017.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Rockets line up for the 2017 season]]
The Rockets continued to compete in the Premier League from 2010 to 2016 before entering the highest tier of British speedway for the first time in their history for the 2017 season. The team competed in the [[SGB Premiership]] and featured riders such as [[Chris Harris (speedway rider)|Chris Harris]] and [[Scott Nicholls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ryehouse-speedway.com/team17 |title=2017 Rye House Rockets |website=Rye House speedway |access-date=24 May 2024}}</ref> Mid-way through the 2018 season the Rockets results were annulled by the [[Speedway Control Bureau]], due to the teams withdrawal due to financial issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.34924|title=STATEMENT: RYE HOUSE SPEEDWAY - British Speedway Official Website|website=www.speedwaygb.co.uk|access-date=2019-08-04}}</ref>

In September 2018, the [[Lakeside Hammers]], a speedway team in the SGB Championship, moved to the Rye House Stadium, following the closure of the [[Arena Essex Raceway]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.35431|title=LAKESIDE CLUB STATEMENT - British Speedway Official Website|website=www.speedwaygb.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref>

=== 2020s ===
In December 2020, the Rye House stadium was demolished.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/speedway-fans-devastated-huge-loss-4744877 |title=Speedway fans devastated by 'huge loss' as iconic Hoddesdon Rye House track is ripped up |website=Hertforshire Mercury |access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>

== Riders ==
=== Rider of the year ===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* 2002: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[David Mason (speedway rider)|David Mason]]
* 2003: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Scott Robson]]
* 2004: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Tommy Allen (speedway rider)|Tommy Allen]]
* 2005: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Stuart Robson (speedway rider)|Stuart Robson]]
* 2006: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Boxall]]
* 2007: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Tai Woffinden]]
* 2008: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Luke Bowen]]
* 2009: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Luke Bowen]]
* 2010: {{Flagicon|SWE}} [[Linus Sundstrom]]
* 2011: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Chris Neath]]
* 2012: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Jason Garrity]]
* 2013: {{Flagicon|AUS}} [[Tyson Nelson]]<ref>"[http://www.harlowstar.co.uk/Tyson-Nelson-named-Rye-House-Rockets-rider-year/story-21933791-detail/story.html Tyson Nelson named Rye House Rockets rider of year]", ''Harlow Star'', 6 October 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2014</ref>
* 2014: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Edward Kennett]]<ref>"[http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/Kennett-Garrity-set-stay-Rye-House-Rockets-season/story-24507706-detail/story.html Kennett and Garrity set to stay at Rye House Rockets next season] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129034241/http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/Kennett-Garrity-set-stay-Rye-House-Rockets-season/story-24507706-detail/story.html |date=29 November 2014 }}", ''[[Hertfordshire Mercury]]'', 10 November 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014</ref>
* 2015: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Edward Kennett]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ryehouserockets.co/news.php?extend.1161|title=Rye House Speedway Official Website: MASTERS AND BRANFORD WIN ACES!|website=ryehouserockets.co|access-date=2018-01-11}}</ref>
* 2016: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Stuart Robson (speedway rider)|Stuart Robson]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.speedwaygp.com/news/article/5390/kennett-skippers-rockets|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119041655/http://speedwaygp.com/news/article/5390/kennett-skippers-rockets|url-status=usurped|archive-date=19 November 2016|title=KENNETT SKIPPERS ROCKETS|work=Speedway World Championships|access-date=2018-01-12|language=en-GB}}</ref>
* 2017: {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Scott Nicholls]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ryehouserockets.co/news.php?extend.1493|title=Rye House Speedway Official Website: SCOTT IS MR ROCKET!|website=ryehouserockets.co|access-date=2018-01-11}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

=== Notable riders ===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Brian Brett (speedway rider)|Brian Brett]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Mike Broadbank]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Marvyn Cox]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Karl Fiala]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Bob Garrad]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Martin Goodwin]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Chris Harris (speedway rider)|Chris Harris]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Ted Hubbard]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Edward Kennett]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Kelvin Mullarkey]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Chris Neath]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Scott Nicholls]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Ashley Pullen]]}}
*{{player||DEN|[[Jens Rasmussen (speedway rider)|Jens Rasmussen]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Stuart Robson (speedway rider)|Stuart Robson]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Hugh Saunders (speedway rider)|Hugh Saunders]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Andrew Silver (speedway rider)|Andrew Silver]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Kevin Smith (speedway rider)|Kevin Smith]]}}
*{{player||ENG|[[Tai Woffinden]]}}
{{div col end}}

== Season summary ==
{{collapse top}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!width=350|Year and league
!width=50|Position
!width=350|Notes
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1938 Sunday Dirt-Track League]] || 4th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1954 Southern Area League]] || 3rd || rode as Rye House Roosters
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1955 Southern Area League]] || 1st || [[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]]
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1956 Southern Area League]] || 1st || [[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]] & cup winners
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1957 Southern Area League]] ||3rd || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1959 Southern Area League]] ||4th|| 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1974 British League Division Two season]] || 16th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1975 New National League season]] || 14th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1976 National League season]] || 5th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1977 National League season]] || 2nd ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1978 National League season]] || 3rd || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1979 National League season]] || 2nd || [[Knockout Cup (speedway)|Knockout Cup]] winners
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1980 National League season]] || 1st ||[[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]]
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1981 National League season]] || 16th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1982 National League season]] || 6th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1983 National League season]] || 11th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1984 National League season]] || 8th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1985 National League season]] ||13th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1986 National League season]] || 11th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1987 National League season]] || 16th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1988 National League season]] || 14th||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1989 National League season]] || 14th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1990 National League season]] || 15th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1991 British League Division Two season]] || 9th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1992 British League Division Two season]] ||5th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1993 British League Division Two season]] || 8th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[1999 Speedway Conference League]] || 4th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2000 Speedway Conference League]] || 6th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2001 Speedway Conference League]] || 4th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2002 Premier League speedway season]] || 13th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2002 Speedway Conference League]] || 4th || Raiders (junior side)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2003 Premier League speedway season]] || 14th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2003 Speedway Conference League]] || 2nd || Raiders (junior side)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2004 Premier League speedway season]] || 6th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2004 Speedway Conference League]] || 2nd || Raiders (junior side)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2005 Premier League speedway season]] || 1st || [[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]]
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2005 Speedway Conference League]] || 6th || Raiders (junior side)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2006 Premier League speedway season]] ||4th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2006 Speedway Conference League]] || 3rd || Raiders (junior side)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2007 Premier League speedway season]] || 3rd||[[List of United Kingdom speedway league champions|Champions]] (play off winners)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2007 Speedway Conference League]] || 6th || Raiders (junior side)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2008 Premier League speedway season]] || 4th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2008 Speedway Conference League]] || 7th || Cobras (junior side)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2009 Premier League speedway season]] || 9th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2009 National League speedway season]] || 10th ||Cobras (junior side)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2010 Premier League speedway season]] || 5th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2010 National League speedway season]] || 4th || Cobras (junior side)
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2011 Premier League speedway season]] || 8th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2012 Premier League speedway season]] || 11th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2013 Premier League speedway season]] || 9th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2014 Premier League speedway season]] || 13th || 
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2015 Premier League speedway season]] || 12th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[2016 Premier League speedway season]] || 9th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[SGB Premiership 2017]] || 5th ||
|- align=center
|align="left"| [[SGB Premiership 2018]] || N/A || record annulled
|}
{{collapse bottom}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Speedway}}
{{SGB Premiership}}
{{Speedway National League}}

[[Category:Sport in Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Hoddesdon]]
[[Category:Defunct speedway teams in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:SGB Premiership teams]]
[[Category:Speedway Premier League teams]]