John Glass (1911 – 1998) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Australia. During his speedway career he rode under the pseudonym Mick Murphy.[1][2]
 | |
| Born | 1911 Scotland |
|---|---|
| Died | 1998 Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| 1931 | Stamford Bridge Pensioners |
| 1931–1932 | Wimbledon Dons |
| 1933–1934 | Plymouth Panthers |
| 1935 | Hackney Wick Wolves |
| 1935–1936 | West Ham Hammers |
| 1937–1938 | New Cross Rangers |
Career
editGlass was born in Scotland but emigrated to Perth in Australia with his parents as a child.[3] In 1925, at the age of 14, he rode up to the Claremont Speedway track and asked for a trial. He had borrowed his father's helmet so asked that his name not be released. Therefore, the name Mick Murphy (the Irish champion) was created.[4] He won the 1930/31 New South Wales Individual Speedway Championship.
He arrived in the United Kingdom from Australia to race in the Britain during the 1931 season after signing for the Stamford Bridge Pensioners.[5] He also made an appearance for the Wimbledon Dons during 1931 and rode in the final of the National Trophy for Stamford Bridge, losing out to Wembley Lions.[6]
The 1932 season saw the formation of the National League and Murphy signed for Wimbledon but was positioned mainly at reserve.[5] He rode in Sweden and Germany in early 1932 and then confused reporters by switching to his real name John Glass for the 1933 season with Plymouth Panthers.[7]
In 1935, he represented the Australia national speedway team in four of the five tests that season.[8] In the 1935 Speedway National League, Murphy started the season with Hackney Wick Wolves before transferring to West Ham Hammers in June.[4]
In the winter of 1936/37, he won the Western Australia Championship. He finished his UK career with New Cross Rangers.[1][5]
Players cigarette cards
editMurphy is listed as number 32 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022, Mick Murphy" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Mick Murphy". Speedway Museum Online. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Stamford Bridge Speedway". West London Observer. 15 May 1931. Retrieved 2 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "Speedway Romance". Daily Herald. 20 June 1935. Retrieved 2 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b c "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Wembley wins National Trophy". Bayswater Chronicle. 17 October 1931. Retrieved 2 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway Thriller". The People. 9 July 1933. Retrieved 2 August 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway Rider passes riding test". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 December 1945. Retrieved 2 August 2023.