Consider the man's career. Although born within 25 miles of a thriving track at Southampton, Don didn't even know speedway existed until he went to Italy, while in the army. At Bari, in 1945, he had his first ride, on a stripped-down souped-up army bike. Later at Naples he rode in "Divisional Sports" against men like Split Waterman, Bill Kemp, Nobby Stock, and Geoff Bent. Did well, too. Won six trophies.

Demobbed, he went to Wembley, where his fellow ex-swaddies Waterman and Kemp were making whoopee. On trial at Rye House, he was told: "You've got it in you. But you're not really what we're looking for. Buy a bike, go into a field and practice." So Don tried West Ham. The East Londoners said: "No bike, no leathers-no trial." And that finally convinced Don speedway simply was not worth it.

Then he saw leathers for sale. At £20. Bought 'em. Tucked 'em away in a cupboard and forgot about them. New Cross sent him a letter, enclosing a form requesting details. Big deal. Did Don reply? Nope. But his Mum did. So Don was summoned to New Cross for a trial. Together he made his maiden trip with young hopefuls Cyril Roger and Johnny Naylor.

That was in 1946. In the final meeting of that year, he had his first second half ride down the Old Kent Road. Dauntless Don was beginning to lose his reluctance. He decided to move into a flat in London in order to be near New Cross. And what happened? He was promptly loaned out to Exeter. Roughly 250 miles away. And he had no car. No longer reluctant, Don headed west. And finished 1947 as the "Falcons" second highest scorer. Cyril Roger ended up top dog.

Good going for a greenhorn. Enough to cement a regular team place, you'd think. But Exeter boss Frank Buckland toddled off to Australia that winter and arrived back with three captures: Hugh Geddes, Norman Clay and Keith Gurtner. Faithful Don 'was out of the team. But he manfully worked his way back in. And parent club New Cross reckoned his progress was good enough for an extended run in the First Division. Don ran. And failed. Back he went to Exeter on permanent transfer. Fee: £400.

The following season, 1950, was perhaps his most impressive. Especially the Whit Monday of that year. Don went to Leicester for a morning meeting and scored an 18-point maximum. Racing back to Poole for an open booking in the evening, he cleaned up again. And he also qualified for the Final of the Third Division Riders' Championship. A huge favourite at St. Thomas' Ground was Don. Shy and unobtrusive, Still a country boy at heart. But a smooth, courageous character out on track, where it matters.

He continued to give the West Country club excellent service in 1951, carefully gathering 265 points for an average of 8.03. Again he qualified for the Third Division Final. But the individual glory always eluded homely Don. He remained with Exeter for nine seasons, then disappeared from the game along with the "Falcons" in the mid-fifty slump.

Don held the record as Exeter's all time, longest serving rider, with a long unbroken nine year spell at the County Ground, before his tally was eventually surpassed in modern day by both Mark SImmonds and Michael Coles. During his time he was to appear in an incredible 258 matches for the Falcon's, scoring no less than 1,799pts, with an incredible average of just under seven points in every meeting.

Don once lived up to his name when travelling by train from his home in London, that collided with a second train. He was taken to hospital for facial injuries, yet still turned out that evening to help Exeter beat Wombwell 47-43 and still managed to pick up six points despite the days misfortunes. He was to ride for an England 'C' side in 1951 against New Zealand and collected ten points in doing so.

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