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Brian Leonard (speedway rider)
Brian John Leonard (born 19 February 1946) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1] CareerBorn in Newbury, Leonard followed his father Maurice into speedway.[2] He started his career with second half rides at Oxford in 1962, and made his league debut later that year, riding for Poole Pirates and Swindon Robins.[3] His first two years in speedway were marred by injury, suffering two collarbone breaks, and he missed four and a half months in 1963 with two broken bones in his left leg.[2] In 1965 he signed for West Ham Hammers, where he steadily improved, averaging over seven points per match in the 1967 season.[3] After a spell with Hackney Hawks in 1969, he moved on to Wembley Lions in 1970[4] but in 1972 Wembley sent their entire team out on loan due to extra football fixtures stopping the speedway at Wembley and Leonard moved to Newport Wasps.[5] He moved to Swindon Robins in 1972, but by 1974 his average had dropped below four points.[3] He was signed by Leicester Lions in 1975 but released after a poor run of results, due in part to a back injury, which led to his retirement from the sport.[6] He returned in 1976 and fared better after dropping down to the National League with Oxford Cheetahs,[7] averaging over seven points. The following year he scored less well, and after two matches in 1978 he retired.[8] References
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