Retro Speedway: FREDDIE WILLIAMS DVD

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FREDDIE WILLIAMS DVD

IN CONVERSATION WITH
FREDDIE WILLIAMS

His final interview on double-disc DVD

FREDDIE WILLIAMS was the first British speedway rider to win the World Championship twice - in 1950 and 1953 - and the proud Welshman was also runner-up once in between those Wembley triumphs on his home track.

Wembley Lions were the first post-war giants of the National League and Port Talbot-born Fred went from raw novice to become World Champion in just three years.

He became one of their biggest and most popular track legends, winning five consecutive league championships between 1949 and 1953 and two National Trophy medals (in 1948 and '54) with the world famous London club, who regularly raced in front of 50,000-plus crowds during Fred's 10 years there.

But when public interest in his once glamourous sport declined sharply, he decided to quit the Lions in 1956 at the age of 30, just months before they announced their closure at the Empire Stadium.

For this, his final interview in November 2012, filmed just eight weeks before he died following a stroke, the then 86-year-old Freddie invited Retro Speedway editor Tony McDonald to his Berkshire cottage to reflect on a fascinating life and an illustrious career that brought him fame and glory.

On the DVD Fred talks candidly about:

* His school days in Port Talbot, South Wales with actor Richard Burton - or 'Dickie Jenkins' as fellow pupils knew the Hollywood great.

* His relationship with his 'hard taskmaster' father.

* Abandoning his early ambitions to become a fighter pilot and learning his trade as an engineer fitter in the naval dockyards at Portsmouth.

* How the Wembley management signed him in 1947 after he impressed in trials at Rye House.

* What it was like riding for Wembley owner Sir Arthur Elvin (Fred reveals what happened when he asked him for more money) and manager Alec Jackson, then riding alongside fellow heroes like the inspirational Bill Kitchen, Tommy Price, George Wilks and Trevor Redmond.

* Privileged treatment as part of the famed Wembley Lions set up: their purpose-built workshop, expert mechanics and vigorous fitness regime.

* The secrets of his fast starting technique and special preparations for his world title victories.

* How he compared himself to his younger racing brothers, Eric and Ian, and why he never enjoyed riding with Eric.

* The night he deliberately fenced his opponent - and what he thought of contemporary rivals such as Jack Young, Jack Parker, Ron How, Split Waterman and Olle Nygren.

* How he spent his £500 World Championship winnings.

* Meeting and marrying Pat Devries, a sporting champion in her own right, and how she helped him to become the world No.1.

* Life after racing as motorcycle shop proprietor, Lions team manager and his honest regrets at things he admits he should have done differently.

* Includes racing action footage, plus interviews with Fred's family and friends at his funeral.

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Add £4.50 when ordering from outside the UK.

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