Eric Boocock

Infobox Speedway rider


ridername= Eric Boocock
nationality = England
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1945|2|2
cityofbirth = Dewsbury
countryofbirth = England
website =
retired = Manager
manager = Sheffield Tigers
career = Middlesbrough Bears
Halifax Dukes
years = 1961-1964
1965-1974, 1983
indivhonour = British Champion
indivyear = 1974
teamhonour = British League Champions
British League KO Cup Winners
teamyear = 1966
1966

Eric Boocock (born 2 February 1945 in Dewsbury, England) [Boocock, E. & Neal, M. (2006). "Booey". Retro Speedway. ISBN 0-9551176-6-4] is a former Speedway rider who appeared in three Speedway World Championship finals. [Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). "A History of the World Speedway Championship". Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5]

Career

Eric started his career with the Middlesbrough Bears in 1961 and stayed there until the promotion closed in 1964. The promoter, Reg Fearman opened up a speedway track at The Shay in Halifax and moved his Middlesbrough riders there, to form the Halifax Dukes. Eric spent his entire career with the Dukes, winning the British League and the KO Cup in 1966.

He made three World final appearances and appeared with brother Nigel Boocock in the 1970 Speedway World Pairs Championship finals, finishing in third place. He was also a regular England International rider.

Eric became British Champion in 1974 after finishing on the rostrum three times previously. The same season he became the first rider to gain a testimonial meeting for his services to speedway and then retired as a racer at the early age of twenty-nine. He appeared again briefly for the Halifax Dukes in 1983 but retired again very quickly.

Manager and Promoter

In 1975, Eric became team manager of the Belle Vue Aces where he stayed for seven seasons. In 1976 he also helped Peter Collins win the Speedway World Championship by stripping, cleaning and rebuilding his clutch between heats in the final, and by keeping away an attempt by the Polish contingent to put off Collins who were making irrational protests over his fuel.

In 1980 he became coach of England with Ian Thomas as team manager, winning the World Team Cup and the Speedway World Pairs Championship, with Michael Lee also becoming World Champion. In 1982 Eric had a season as England team manager and then in 1986 he was appointed joint manager with Colin Pratt with whom he spent seven years at the helm.

In 2004 Eric became co-promoter of the Hull Vikings where they won the Premier League, the Knock-Out Cup and the Craven Shield. He then went on to team manager the Belle Vue Aces with Chris Morton.

In 2008 Eric became co-promoter and manager at the Sheffield Tigers.

Has served several terms on the British Speedway Promoters' Association management committee.

World Final Appearances

* 1967 - Flag|GBR Wembley - 7th - 9pts
* 1971 - Flag|SWE Gothenburg - 11th - 4pts
* 1972 - Flag|GBR Wembley - 15th - 2pts

References