1939 Speedway National League Division Two


The 1939 National League Division Two was the second season of British speedway's [Speedway National League (1932–1964)|National League Division Two|National League Division Two]. The season was never completed, due to the outbreak of World War II.

Summary

As with the previous season, there were several team changes. Southampton Saints had moved up to the National League and Bristol Bulldogs had moved down to take their place. Other new entrants were Crystal Palace Glaziers, Stoke and Middlesbrough. Absentees from the end of the previous season were Lea Bridge, West Ham Hawks, Birmingham (Hall Green) and Leeds Lions.
Newcastle were leading the league at the point of abandonment. Crystal Palace Glaziers resigned after 10 matches and Stoke after 14 matches. Belle Vue Aces provided a team to complete Stoke's fixtures.
Middlesbrough withdrew after 8 matches despite the club's general manager Vic Wieland signing star rider George Greenwood.

Uncompleted table Division Two

The season was incomplete due to the outbreak of World War II. Uncompleted table on September 1.
TeamPLWDLPts
Newcastle Diamonds15100520
Hackney Wick Wolves1370614
Sheffield860212
Norwich Stars1260612
Bristol Bulldogs1450910
Stoke Potters+
Belle Vue Reserves+
1440108

+ Belle Vue Reserves replaced Stoke Potters mid-season. Stoke scored 4 points from 8 matches, Belle Vue reserves scored 4 points from 6 matches.
Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace Glaziers withdrew mid-season and their records were expunged.

National Trophy

The 1939 National Trophy was the ninth edition of the Knockout Cup. Wembley and Belle Vue were declared joint winners following the abandonment of the final fixture due to the outbreak of the war.
Sheffield Tigers won the Division 2 Final round and therefore qualified for the quarter finals proper.

Final

First leg
Second leg
Sheffield were declared National League Champions, winning on aggregate 114–100.

English Speedway Trophy

South
North
Final
Team oneTeam twoScore
NorwichNewcastle42–40
NewcastleNorwich44–40

Riders and final averages

Bristol
  • 7.70
  • 7.38
  • 7.14
  • 6.87
  • 6.43
  • 6.00
  • 5.48
  • 5.07
Crystal Palace
Hackney
  • 11.29
  • 9.62
  • 8.71
  • 7.29
  • 6.93
  • 6.13
  • 5.96
  • 5.14
  • 4.50
Middlesbrough
  • 11.13
  • 9.33
  • 9.11
  • 8.25
  • Fred Belliveau 6.50
  • 5.91
  • 5.86
  • 5.85
  • 4.64
Newcastle
Norwich
  • 9.67
  • 8.63
  • 8.33
  • 8.00
  • 8.00
  • 7.83
  • 6.17
  • Keith Harvey 6.09
  • 5.83
  • 4.67
  • 3.00
Sheffield
  • 11.25
  • 10.25
  • 9.48
  • 5.88
  • 5.78
  • 4.80
  • 3.74
  • 3.25
  • 3.20
  • 2.29
Stoke/Belle Vue
  • 8.25
  • 6.74
  • 6.67
  • 5.47
  • 5.25
  • 5.22
  • 4.76
  • 4.00