Born | Reading England | 30 January 1913
---|---|
Died | 18 October 1984 Reading, England | (aged 71)
Nationality | British (English) |
Career history | |
1937-1938, 1950-1951 | West Ham Hammers/Hawks |
1937 | Leicester Hounds |
1938-1939, 1948-1950 | Harringay Tigers/Racers |
1938 | Lea Bridge Cubs |
1946-1947 | Wimbledon Dons |
1951-1952 | Odsal Tudors |
1952 | St Austell Gulls |
Team honours | |
1948 | Anniversary Cup Winner |
Kenneth Lloyd Goffe (30 January 1913 [1] – 18 October 1984) was a British motorcycle speedway rider. He earned one international cap for the England national speedway team. [2]
Goffe began his racing career in 1934 at the sand track in the resort of California near Wokingham, riding for prize money. [3] [4] He then concentrated on grasstrack racing, winning the South of England Grass Track Championship at Basingstoke in 1936. [3] He bought a 500cc Rudge bike from "Froggy" French in 1936, which he used in his early speedway rides, impressing sufficiently to receive offers from both Hackney Wick Wolves and the Johnny Hoskins-managed West Ham Hammers, signing for the latter in 1937. [3] [4] He had a brief spell with the Leicester Hounds team, riding in three matches in 1937 before the club withdrew from the Provincial League. [5]
His performances progressed after transferring to the Harringay Tigers later that season, staying with the team until the outbreak of World War II. [3] During the war, he served as a fitter in the Royal Air Force. [4]
After the end of the war, Goffe joined the Wimbledon Dons in 1946. His riding style led to him being nicknamed "Cowboy". [4] In 1948 Goffe rejoined Harringay (now the 'Racers') for a £1,350 transfer fee, [5] where he won the Anniversary Cup in 1949 and by 1950 his career completed a full circle when he rejoined West Ham. [6]
In 1951 he rode for Odsal Tudors and started the 1952 season there before he joined the St Austell Gulls. [4]