Bill Holden (speedway rider)

Holden rode for Southampton Saints (1950-1951 and 1957),^[2] Poole Pirates 1951–1956 and 1958) and England (1952). He won the Division 3 championship with Poole in 1951^[3] and the following year won the Division 2 title with Poole. In 1955, he won a third title when Poole won Division 2 again.

On 14 August 1951, he set a new track record at the Cornish Stadium, recording 67 seconds.^[4]

He is still regarded by some as one of the best riders ever to don the distinctive blue and white skull and crossbones race jacket of Poole. Holden was entered into the Poole Speedway Hall of Fame in 2008 having scored 1,599 points in 639 races.^[5]

He is uncle to former Exeter Falcons, Poole and England rider Kevin Holden and father to former Weymouth junior Paul Holden.^[6]