Four inductees for the Bandits’ ‘Hall of Fame’

Willie Templeton (centre back row), Jim McMillan, Ian Rae and Kevin Doolan.

The presentations will be held at the club’s annual evening in the Black & Gold on Saturday when the four newcomers – Willie Templeton, Jim McMillan, Kevin Doolan and Ian Rae – will be honoured for their dedication to the Bandits over many years.

They join an ever-growing list of ‘Hall of Famers’ which includes former riders, promoters and the all-important backroom staff.

Templeton was one of the early stars at Berwick in the early 1970s after speedway was first launched to Shielfield in 1968.

The youngest of eight siblings, he followed older brother Dougie into the sport and after spells with Glasgow Tigers and Edinburgh Monarchs he joined Berwick in 1971, at the age of 42.

In all he had seven seasons with the club before retiring, having been awarded a 25 year testimonial at Berwick in 1978. He also won 33 caps with Scotland.

Templeton died in 2008 aged 77 and his award will be presented posthumously.

McMillan was Templeton’s nephew and he enjoyed a successful career with Glasgow, Coatbridge, Hull,Wolverhampton and Belle Vue before joining Berwick between 1984 and 1986 at Berrington Lough.

He rode in the 1972 World Final at Wembley, raced in three World pairs Championships and after retiring became a machine examiner with the SCB.

Doolan needs no introduction to Berwick fans as he just hung up his competitive leathers at the end of last season after six highly successful years with the club, having also had one season back in 2002.

The Aussie has raced for a host of British clubs and is generally regarded as one of the best captains the club has ever had.

He still lives locally and is now undergoing his training with the Fire Service.

Rae has been a regular face around the Berwick pits for many a year, serving mainly as track curator but also for a spell as team manager, as stadium manager at Berrington Lough and in his early days as a rider.

His latest work has seen him widening the Shielfield track in preparation for the start of the new season at the end of March.