BERT BALL R.I.P. & FUNERAL DETAILS

Poole Speedway are saddened to learn of the death of stalwart BERT BALL, who passed away on Monday, aged 101.

Bert was one of the original staff at Poole, and was part of the team put together by Poole co-promoter Cliff Brewer in January 1948 to convert the Stadium for speedway racing.

He helped to rip out the cycle velodrome and install the Pit area, Safety Fence, Referee’s Box and much more.

When the season opened he worked in the Pits as a gate man, colour marshal, and for a short time acted as the machine examiner before taking over the role of start marshal mid way through 1948, a position he held until the end of 1984.

His was the face on the front of the Poole Speedway programme in 1951 – 1952 and 1958 and also served as a committee member for the Poole Supporters Club from 1948 until 1959.

Bert was synonymous with the buzz and excitement of the sport, and was the first official that you witnessed as he measured out the starting grids before the meeting, and it would take a statistical wizard to determine how many races he guided home during his time with the club.

His funeral will take place at the Harbour View Woodland Burial & Memorial Gardens, Randalls Hill, Lytchett Minste at 2.00 p.m. on the 22nd June

Bert’s family have said that all of his friends from Poole Speedway will be more than welcome at the service and to join them afterwards in celebration of his long life