The Winter of 1961/62 was spent gathering together a good, well balanced team together with making arrangements for better presentation of all meetings and a general raising of the standard of racing from previous years. Team-wise, Wally and Pete were after building Exeter into prospective Provincial League Champions.

Another year's loan on Francis Cann had been negotiated with his parent track, St. Austell, whilst Len Silver and Jack Unstead, who had both been on loan from Ipswich in 1961, both signed full time with Exeter. During those negotiations, Dennis day also found himself switching to Exeter. Wally and Pete had originally tried for Dennis on April 6, 1961, but he did so well for Ipswich on that night that Exeter were offered Len Silver instead, so this was too good an opportunity to miss, and Dennis was signed.

Six of the riders who served the Falcons in 1961 were retained as regulars Roy Bowers,Howdy Byford, Eric Howe and Pete Lansdale all agreed to another season at the County Ground. With Bob Innocent again on a junior contract, Exeter started 1962 with nine riders, but it was a lot more than just nine riders thrown together fpr it was a Team in the full sense of the word.

Pictured (L to R) Francis Cann, Roy Bowers, Wally Mawdsley, Jack Unstead, Dennis Day Pete Lansdale, and Eric Howe with Len Silver on machine.

The Supportersalso gave the boys plenty of encouragement, and to go with their white boots, the Supporters' Club presented two sets of green and white jerseys. Exeter Falcons were all set for the 1962 campaign as a Championship looking team, and the smartest turn-out in the whole of Speedway. That was the Falcons when they re-opened at the County Ground on April 2, 1962.

The 1962 season began with the worst kind of tradegy. Jack Unstead, aged 34 was killed whilst guesting for Ipswich, the team that he had joined Exeter from. Things got worse for Exeter when Roy Bowers walked out after a disagreement and promptly joined Stoke. Jimmy Gooch was brought into the side, but was a Norwich rider and thus was not permitted to ride in the Provincial League, and his one match against Poole resulted in those points being deducted from the Falcons scorecard.

In came young novice Alan Cowland who joined in mid May and Bob Innocent was given another try, but it was Cowland who won the team place. Alan averaged five points, a good start for a novice. Next to go was Dennis Day, out with injuries, but things looked hopeful when Gordon Bailey was signed up, and early indications were that he was very good, especially around the County Ground. Then, after just five matches, Gordon totally dissapeared off the scene and was never seen again.

On the bonus side, Len Silver won the PL Riders Championship and after the early pitfalls, Exeter climbed to a third place spot in the League and went on to win the KO Cup with Silver also winning the silver sash that same night beating Pete Jarman. Pete Lansdale decided to retire at the end of the season as did Howdy Byford. Former Team manager Don Weekes died in hospital after three weeks illness. He had been a former chief mechanic for Exeter and was well known for his cheerful ways around the pits.

Elsewhere in 1962

The year when Jack Unstead guested for Ipswich and was tragically killed. Peter Craven (14) won the World Championship from Barry Briggs (13) and third placed man Ove Fundin (10) at Wembley in front of 62,000 fansThe year when Jack Unstead guested for Ipswich and was tragically killed. Peter Craven (14) won the World Championship from Barry Briggs (13) and third placed man Ove Fundin (10) at Wembley in front of 62,000 fans

Len Silver won the Prov.League Riders Championship before an 18,000 crowd at BelleVue. He scored 14 pts to beat runner up Wayne briggs 13 and third B.Craven on 12.

Southampton win the national League ahead of Wimbledon, whilst in the minor leagues, Sheffield win the Northern League Title from Wimbledon and Coventry, Wolves win the Midlands League beating Cradley, Leicester and Stoke, and Poole were unbeaten in all Southern league matches to clinch that title ahead of Neath and Exeter.

Ove Fundin won the Internationale at Wimbledon after beating Barry Briggs in a run off, Geoff Mudge (Poole) won the PL Southern Riders Championship from Len Silver (Exeter), and Dennis Day (Exeter) and Exeter win the PL Knockout Cup beating Stoke 106-86 on aggregate.

Sweden (36) won the World Team Cup, Gt.Britain Scored 24 to secure runner up spot, third were Poland on 20 and Czechoslovakia fourth on 16 points.