Speedway fan Kev's riding high

"I have been watching the speedway since I was seven-years-old," said Kevin, who is now aged 47. "My parents were big fans and we used to go and watch at Wolverhampton and Cradley.

"I like the excitement and the nerve of the bikers who don't use their brakes and just go hurtling around the track.

"My parents realised it was a dangerous sport and so I was never allowed to have a motorbike," Kevin explained.

"My wife had to teach me how to ride a pushbike when I was 28," he admitted.

During the day Kevin is a fork-lift truck driver for Baggeridge Brick, but at night he becomes a hospital radio presenter and also has a slot as a speedway reporter for Radio WM – working under the name of Kevin Matthews, he says.

"I have been doing hospital radio since 1978 and I'm still working at Radio Wulfrun," said Kevin from Lower Gornal.

"I started at Wordsley Hospital in the 1970s and 20 years ago moved to New Cross Hospital," he continued.

"Last year, towards the end of the speedway season, I was listening to Radio WM when listeners started to complained that there wasn't any coverage of the speedway. They said they couldn't find anyone to do it and I thought that was my chance – I called them the next day and they gave me a go.

"After finishing my job at Baggeridge Brick I rush over to Wolverhampton or Birmingham to watch the speedway."

Kevin says it is a dangerous sport and he saw a fatality at Cradley a few years ago.

"I saw a crash last week, which is now on UTube because it was so horrific.

"One rider was overtaking another one and they locked together and went straight through the fence at 65mph.

"One broke his leg and arm – the fence went through his leg," he said.

"When you see accidents like that it makes you see how dangerous this sport is.

"But the riders' philosophy is that they could die crossing the road. The rewards are great but they know they are taking a risk."

Kevin has snatched photos of his heroes, which they have signed and even bought off him. "My heroes include Ivan Maugur, who is a rider from the 60s and won six world champions," he said.

"Bruce Penhall won two world titles at Cradley and starred in numerous films and TV shows including the motorcycle cop show CHIPS," Kevin went on to say.

"Eric Gundersen won three world titles at Cradley but had a crash at Bradford which finished his career," he added.

"There are four laps and it usually takes around a minute – it is fast and furious.

"All tracks are different shapes and sizes and I have been to every elite track in the United Kingdom," he explained.

Kevin added: "I went to the World finals in Germany and been to Sweden, Holland and even watched the speedway at Wembley." So what does Kevin's wife Judith think of his speedway obsession?

"I'm lucky because my wife is the only woman I know who is into sport and the speedway," he beamed.

"This means we never argue about what we want to watch on the television."

"We met at Cradley Speedway and my brother met his wife at the speedway. The speedway is a place to go and meet someone because the girls like going along to eye-up some of the dishy riders.

"Judith and I have been married 18 years but she drew a line at having our wedding at the speedway – unlike my brother.

"We went to the speedway at Cradley for his reception. The craziest thing I ever did was go and watch the speedway in Poole, then travel to Ipswich to watch them race there before travelling home."

Kevin says even his 12-year-old daughter Jessica is a fan. "Jessica loves the excitement and the fact that everyone is friendly.

"It is not like at the recent football match in Rome – there is no animosity at the speedway," he stressed.

"The next date on everyone's calender is the Grand Prix which takes place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in a few weeks time – I can't wait," added Kevin.