Andy Galvin
Andrew Simon Galvin (born 13 November 1965 in Whitstable, Kent, United Kingdom)[1] was a motorcycle speedway rider, most notable for his performances in the late 1980s and 1990 when he consistently appeared near the top of the UK National League averages.[2][3]
Born | Whitstable, England | 13 November 1965
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Nationality | British (English) |
Career history | |
1982-1983 | Crayford Kestrels |
1984-1990 | Hackney Kestrels |
1984 | Wimbledon Dons |
1986 | Reading Racers |
1988 | Swindon Robins |
1988 | Cradley Heathens |
1988 | Sheffield Tigers |
1988 | Ipswich Witches |
1991-93, 2001-03 | Arena Essex Hammers |
Individual honours | |
1988 | London Riders Champion |
1988, 1989 | Spring Classic Champion |
1989, 1989 | Southern Riders Champion |
1989 | 16 Lap Classic Champion |
Team honours | |
1988 | National League Winner |
1984, 1988 | National League KO Cup Winner |
1990 | National League Pairs Winner |
1991 | Division Two League Championship Winner |
1991 | Division Two Knockout Cup Winner |
1991 | Division Two Four Team Tournament Winner |
Career Summary
Galvin raced for several British league clubs during his career, starting with Crayford Kestrels in 1982, but spent his most successful years with the Hackney Kestrels between 1984 and 1990. In 1990, he won the National League Pairs, partnering Steve Schofield for Hackney, during the 1990 National League season.[4][5] He made one appearance for England in a test match against the USA in 1991.[2]
A serious leg injury inflicted in a crash with Australian Scott Humphries at Rye House in 1990 lead to a decline in Galvin's results.
Despite this, Galvin returned to the top league of UK speedway with the Arena Essex Hammers in 1992 before another accident which left him with serious neck, back and leg injuries saw him advised to retire from the sport by medics.
After a break of nearly 10 years, Galvin returned to racing in 2001 but, after failing to recapture his previous form, retired again midway through the 2003 season.[6]
References
- Oakes, P & Rising, P (1986). 1986 Speedway Yearbook. ISBN 0-948882-00-X
- Oakes, P (1991). Complete History of the British League: Speedway. ISBN 978-0-948882-07-4
- "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- "1990 fixtures" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- "Potters pairs bid comes unstuck". Staffordshire Sentinel. 18 June 1990. Retrieved 26 May 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- Bamford, R (2004). Tempus Speedway Yearbook 2004. ISBN 978-0-7524-2955-7