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The Berwick Bandits’ Speedway Supporters’ Club held their annual ‘Hall of Fame’ dinner in the Black & Gold on Saturday when there were five new inductees.
The five new inductees into the Hall of Fame.The five new inductees into the Hall of Fame.
The five new inductees into the Hall of Fame.

Originally only four new members had been listed - former riders Jim McMillan, Willie Templeton and Kevin Doolan and track man and former team manager Ian Rae - but the surprise recipient on the night was Ian ‘Mose’ Hutchinson, who only thought he was there to present the awards!

‘Mose’ is a regular and popular figure around the Shielfield pits as he is the club’s official machine examiner.

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“I think I was first asked to come and do it about 30 years ago, and I’m still here,” he said.

“This is totally unexpected, but it is a great honour.”

‘Mose,’ who is a regular around the motor racing circuit in Scotland, was described as one of the unsung heroes of speedway, always prepared to give up his time to help out.

He received his award from former rider Andy Meldrum, who is himself a member of the Berwick ‘Hall of Fame.’

Another ‘unsung hero’ who was inducted was Ian Rae.

‘Razor’ has been an ever-present around the Berwick scene for more years than he cares to mention. He is best known for his track work - both at Shielfield and Berrington Lough (where he was the stadium manager) and he has also served as Bandits’ team manager in the past.

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His most recent work has seen him widening the existing Shielfield track in preparation for the start of the new season.

Willie Templeton was one of the early Berwick stars, spending nine seasons at Berwick after a successful spell north of the border with Glasgow.

He was described as a straight-talking man who just got on with the job of racing his bike and tributes were paid by the likes of Dave Gifford and Robin Adlington.

Willie died in 2008 and his award was accepted by his daughter, Marie.

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Jimmy McMillan, who was Templeton’s nephew, had a distinguished career with Glasgow, Belle Vue, Hull and Wolverhampton and had three years with Berwick between 1984-86.

He was described as a ‘classy and fast rider,’ and tributes were paid, amongst others, by his former Berwick team-mate Charlie McKinna, who was inducted into the HoF last year. McKinna said it was an honour to ride alongside one of his sporting heroes.

The tributes to Kevin Doolan were long and praisesome. The Aussie has had a 20 year career in the UK, racing for a host of clubs, and has had two spells at Berwick, in 2002 and from 2014-19, at the end of which he announced his retirement from team racing.

Doolan’s antics on and off track are legendary, some of which were relayed to the audience, but it was his dedication to the sport and his ability to lift fellow riders as an inspirational captain which earned him his nomination.

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He said: “It’s an honour to receive this award as it means a lot - Berwick Speedway means a lot to me. I may not be riding in the team next season but I will still be around to offer help and advice to all the guys.”

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