George Richardson RIP

North east speedway fans were mourning the sad loss of George Richardson at the age of 79 on Thursday afternoon at North Tees Hospital in Stockton on Tees. George, who suffered from a respiratory illness for many years, was diagnosed with lung cancer in February. He developed a chest infection, then broke his hip from which he never recovered.

George was the father of former Middlesbrough & Newcastle junior Tony Richardson, who rode both the Middlesbrough and Newcastle junior teams back in the late eighties. He was also instrumental in supporting financially the nomadic Middlesbrough Bears when they relocated from Hull to race at Newcastle’s Brough Park in 2005. He also sat in on the negotiations when the Newcastle Gems team folded. He sponsored Eaglescliffe-based Elliot Kelly who rode for Mildenhall last season.

Living in Bishop Middleham near Sedgefield in County Durham, George went to both Middlesbrough & Newcastle. He often helped out in the close season at Redcar.
Our condolences go to his family and friends. He was the epitome of a gentle giant and just wanted to see some of the lesser lights in speedway progress. He leaves behind two sons, two daughters, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Tony Richardson, pictured wit h his father George (right)