canadian speedway

Allan Kidd was born in London on June 25th 1929, He rode professionally in the UK for the Poole Pirates during his speedway career and was a one team man!

He is one of the few riders to have ridden in all three divisions of the National League, and also the Provincial League .

He also helped Poole to win the Third, Second, and Provincial League titles. and to this day they are the only club side to achieved this, and Allan, Ken Middleditch, and Tony Lewis are the only three riders to have won championship medals in all four leagues. A superb feat!

He first rode at the High Beech and Rye House training schools in 1949.

Allan rode in the second halves at Poole, before signing for the club and making his debut on 31 May 1950.

He helped Poole finish runners-up in the Third Division

1951 Third Division Champions and the Festival of Britain Shield winners.

1952 Second Division Champions

1953 Second Division runners up.

1954 Second Division runners up

1955 Second Division Champions

1955 Allan was the first winner of the Johnny Thomson Memorial Trophy

He retired from British speedway at the end of 1956, and moved to Canada at the beginning of 1957.

In 1959 Allan was ranked Number One in Canadian speedway!

Returned to England in 1960 to ride for Poole in the Provincial League. He was appointed club captain and helped the club to finish league runners - up.

Allan starred in a television commercial that was shown nationwide in 1960 - 1961 for Players Weights cigarettes. It was in many of the national and local newspapers, and it also included a lady named Valerie, who was a fashion model for one of the big stores in Bournemouth.

Allan and Valerie were married in 1955 and at the beginning of 1957 they emigrated to Canada

He was also part of the team crowned 1961 Provincial League Champions.

He was due to lead the Pirates again in 1962, but seriously injured his back while working for a local steel erecting company during the winter month and never rode again.

Allan was a member of the Poole team that made a seven match tour of Sweden in 1953. and again in 1995 he was a member of the Poole team that made an eight match tour of Denmark and Sweden.

During this time in the UK at Poole, he completed a respectable point compilation of 1416.5, 25th in all-time points standings!

Allan sadly passed away on Sunday November 25th 2018.

A great tribute by Gordon Day can be read HERE

Death Notice:

Allan Kidd
1929-2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Allan on
Sunday, November 25th surrounded by his loving family. Beloved
husband of Valerie (nee Vine) for 64 years. Dearest Dad of Tracy
Simpson (Mike) and David (Jodi). Much loved Diado of Michaela
Simpson. Predeceased by his parents Reginald and Emily Kidd and his
brother Rex. He will also be missed by his relatives in England.
Born in London, England Allan was a member of the Royal Signals
Display team (1947-49) and Poole Pirates Speedway (1951-57). After
moving to Canada for 3 years, he returned to England to become Captain
of the Poole Pirates (1960-62). After a successful riding career, he
immigrated to Canada as a welder. Allan loved sailing, the Toronto
Maple Leafs, banjo music and spending time with family.
The family wishes to express a special thank you to Dr. Legassie and
the nurses at Cambridge Memorial Hospital B4 for their compassionate
and gentle care of Allan. In his memory, donations to the
Alzheimer's Society would be greatly appreciated.
Cremation has already taken place and a Celebration of Life will be
held on Monday, December 3, 2018 in the Solarium at the Cambridge Mill
(130 Water Street, Cambridge) from 2-5 p.m.

Career record :

Article info supplied by Gordon Day