FORMER MONARCH FREDDIE GREENWELL HAS DIED

NEWS Wednesday 11th June 2014, 10:36am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

News has reached us that former Monarchs’ rider Freddie Greenwell passed away last Friday at the age of 84. He rode for Monarchs at Old Meadowbank in 1960.

It may well be that current fans will remember Fred best as one of the stars of Briggo’s Golden Greats at Powderhall in 1995, when he turned out on his bike from his racing days with his 1960 race jacket and flying white scarf.

Fred had been interested in speedway since 1946 when he visited Middlesbrough Speedway. He first rode at Bradford in 1953, then later at Middlesbrough and Birmingham and even in the Southern Area League for Rayleigh.

He was a member of the Motherwell team in 1958 which was the foundation for the Monarchs’ return to Edinburgh in 1960. He loved the Meadowbank track and had a great season with Monarchs, averageing around 7.

He didn’t want to leave Monarchs but Ian Hoskins and Reg Fearman arranged that he would go to Middlesbrough where he rode for a couple more seasons. He actually made a short comeback in the British League Second Division in 1969.

He had a plant hire business for many years and even flew his own aircraft.

Fred’s wife contacted his 1960 team mate Gordon Mitchell to inform him that Fred had passed away.