- Split Waterman
Infobox Speedway rider
ridername= Split Waterman
nationality = flagicon|ENG England
dateofbirth = birth date|1923|7|27
dateofdeath =
cityofbirth =New Malden
countryofbirth =England
retired = Retired
career = Wembley Lions
Harringay RacersWest Ham Hammers Wimbledon Dons Southampton Saints New Cross Rangers Ipswich Witches Belle Vue Aces
years = 1947-1949, 1956
1950-1954
1955
1957
1958
1960-1961
1962
1962
indivhonour =London Riders' Championship
indivyear = 1948
teamhonour = National League Champion
National Trophy winner
teamyear = 1947, 1949
1948, 1952Squire Francis (Split) Waterman (born 27 July 1923 in
New Malden ,England ) is a former international speedway who finished twice finished second in theSpeedway World Championship final.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). "A History of the World Speedway Championship". Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5]Career summary
Waterman began his career with the Wembley Lions in 1947, winning the National League Championship. Jacobs, Norman (2001). "Speedway in London". Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2221-9 ] In 1948 the Lions won the National Trophy and Waterman won the prestigious
London Riders' Championship .Belton, Brian (2003). "Hammerin' Round". Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2438-6] The Lions won League Championship again in 1949.In 1950 Waterman transferred to the Harringay RacersJacobs, Norman (2001). "Speedway in London". Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2221-9 ] and qualified for his first of five World finals, finishing seventh. In 1951 he qualified again and after finishing level on points with Jack Young and
Jack Biggs , the three had to race off against each other to decide the championship. Young headed home Waterman followed by Biggs.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). "A History of the World Speedway Championship". Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5]Waterman qualified again in 1952 but only managed twelfth but did win the National Trophy with Harringay. 1953 saw him in second place again, with his last appearance coming in 1954, finishing fifth. At the end of the season Harringay closed and he transferred to the
West Ham Hammers , but only stayed a season,Belton, Brian (2003). "Hammerin' Round". Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2438-6] returning to the Wembley Lions in 1956.Jacobs, Norman (2001). "Speedway in London". Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2221-9 ]In 1957 he was on the move again to the
Wimbledon Dons but seemed to be becoming more disinterested in speedway as time moved on. Only six appearances for the Dons in 1957 was followed by only five for theSouthampton Saints in 1958. Waterman didn't ride at all in 1959 but made a suprising return in 1960 for theNew Cross Rangers . He rode for the Rangers again in 1961 before finally calling time on his career at the end of a couple of short spells with theIpswich Witches and theBelle Vue Aces in 1962.Pavey,A. (2004) "Speedway in the North-West", Tempus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7524-3192-7]Waterman appeared over thirty times for England.
World Final Appearances
* 1950 - Flag|GBR Wembley - 7th - 8pts
* 1951 - Flag|GBR Wembley - 2nd - 12pts + 2pts
* 1952 - Flag|GBR Wembley - 12th - 6pts
* 1953 - Flag|GBR Wembley - 2nd - 13pts
* 1954 - Flag|GBR Wembley - 5th - 9pts Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). "A History of the World Speedway Championship". Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5]References
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