Post by PLUSTAR on Jun 5, 2010 17:31:42 GMT 1
« on: August 31, 2009, 03:19:53 PM »
Here are former Tigers heatleader Merve Janke's answers to the questions that some members of the forum posted to him a couple of weeks ago.
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Questions by : Jim Neil
Question 1 : Merve, How did you sign for the Tigers?
MJ: I went to a meeting at the Sydney Royal back in 1975 and was appoached by Mitch Shirra's father about riding in the UK. A month of so later I received some paperwork from the Glasgow Tigers. I was unable to get a work permit in 76 so had to settle for my first season in 1977.
Question 2 : How did you enjoy your time with the Tigers?
MJ: I had a great time with the Tigers, Jim Beaton and his family looked after me in the initial stages until I got on my feet. I had a lot of support from many people during my time with the Tigers and I am really greatful to all that assisted me. Tom & Mary Marshall, Ian & Ann Steele, Richard & Victa Devine to name a few, there were many more, I still have contact with a lot of people in the UK.
Question 3 : Is it true that you broke your two wrists riding at The Shay?
MJ: This is true, I broke my right wrist and had a few weeks off until the plaster was remove, Halifax had a few on the injury list so I decided to come back early to help out. In my first race and on the first lap I clipped the back wheel of the rider in front of me and speered into the fence, I put my hands out to stop my head from hitting the fence and broke both wrists, not the best end to a season.
Question 4 : How many times did you break your collarbone?
MJ: I have never broke a collarbone however did dislocate both shoulders on a number of occasions, the left one required surgery in 1978 however has been dislocated a couple of times since then. I always worked on the theory that if your going to hit the deck than just relax and it won't hurt as much, may be I was to relaxed causing the shoulders to dislocate. On some occasions they could be put back in at the track.
Question 5: I think it would be fair to say that injuries has a major bearing on your career with both the Tigers and the Dukes as you didn’t have much luck on that front. I remember you broke a wrist whilst at Halifax and in your first meeting back crashed out on the first lap breaking both wrists.
MJ: This was not one of my better decisions, the team was hit with a number of injuries so I had the plaster removed early so I could ride, turned out to be my last ride in Britain.
Question 6: You were still only in your mid twenties when you quit Britain, did your injuries play a part or were there other factors? Did you ever consider returning at any point, maybe even back to National League?
MJ: Injuries never played any part of my decision not to return to Britain, however I did consider returning a couple of years later. I continued to ride here in Australia for many years and still have the occasional ride for a bit of fun. My worst injury occurred here in Australia in 1988 where I spent nearly 3 months in hospital and 7 months before I returned to work.
Question 7: By the way, you most probably won’t remember this incident, but during the first ever meeting at Blantyre in 1977, you hit the fence and went careering across the centre green sending a first aider or two running for cover. That was me hooked on speedway and you became by all time favourite tiger.
MJ: I remember having a couple of practice rides at the Blantyre track before the opening meeting and was very comfortable with the track however, on the opening night things didn’t go to plan and from memory I didn’t have a very good meeting. I was never a gater and usually had to do all the work from the back and on some occasions was never patient enough.
Question 8: What was Kenny Carter like as a team mate?
MJ: Kenny Carter came across as very arrogant to most people but to myself and my family he was a great person and very generous, he was a lot of fun to be around and I think most people didn’t see that side of him. As a team mate Kenny and I were great friends, he would always help me if I was having problems and would not hesitate to lend me one of his bikes which happened on many occasions. Whenever Kenny came to Australia he would always make an effort to come and see us here in Townsville.