Paul Fry (speedway rider)

Paul Fry
Born(1964-10-25)25 October 1964[1]
Ledbury, Hereford, England
Died1 April 2010(2010-04-01) (aged 45)
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1984, 1986–1987Cradley Heathens
1984Arena Essex Hammers
1988, 1999Stoke Potters
1989–1990Long Eaton Invaders
1991King's Lynn Stars
1992–1996Exeter Falcons
1997–1998, 2009Newport Wasps
2000–2003Swindon Robins
2003Peterborough Panthers
2004Belle Vue Aces
2004–2006Somerset Rebels
2007Mildenhall Fen Tigers
2008Isle of Wight Islanders
Team honours
1986, 1987British League KO Cup Winner
1986League Cup Winner
2000Premier League KO Cup Winner
2003, 2005Premier League Fours Winner
2000Young Shield Winner

Paul David Fry (25 October 1964 – 1 April 2010) was a motorcycle speedway rider from England.[2][3]

Career

Fry made his debut with the Cradley Heathens in 1984 and rode for a number of clubs during his career. He won several team trophies including the British League Knockout Cup with Cradley Heath in 1986 and 1987. He joined Exeter Falcons in 1992 and spent five seasons with them.[4]

He won the Premier League Knockout Cup with the Swindon Robins in 2000.[5][2]

In 2003, he was part of the Swindon four that won the Premier League Four-Team Championship, which was held on 27 July 2003, at the Abbey Stadium.[6] He won the same event again two years later in 2005, when he was part of the Somerset Rebels four who won the Championship, held on 20 August 2005, at Derwent Park.[7]

In 2007, he was awarded a testimonial meeting at Somerset's Oak Tree Arena. He spent his final season in 2009 with Premier league team Newport Wasps and briefly doubled-up with the Poole Pirates.

Death

Fry died at his home in April 2010 aged 45. The cause of death was initially undisclosed.[8][9] A later inquest disclosed he died from hypoxic brain injuries, caused by hanging.[10]

World Longtrack Championship

Finalist

1993 - Germany Mühldorf 5pts (15th).

References

  1. ^ Oakes, P.(2006). Speedway Star Almanac. ISBN 0-9552376-1-0
  2. ^ a b "2008 Rider index" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  3. ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  4. ^ "A home debut for Falcons Swedish star". Torbay Express and South Devon Echo. 28 March 1992. Retrieved 8 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Paul Fry". British Speedway Promoters' Association. 1 April 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  6. ^ "2003 season fixtures and results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Somerset Rebels 2005 season review". BBC. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Former Rebels speedway star Paul Fry found dead". BBC Sport. 1 April 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
  9. ^ "Sadness at death of Fry". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Death of Hereford speedway star Paul Fry probably a "cry for help"". Hereford Times. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2024.