Carl Blackbird

Carl Blackbird

Name: Carl Blackbird Born: 26.03.1965, Peterborough, England Place: Peterborough, England British Cubs: Mildenhall (1981-1985), Ipswich (1984, 1988), Belle Vue (1985-1987), Reading (1989), Edinburgh (1990), Long Eaton(1991-1993), Oxford (1993),  Honours: British Junior Champion (1985), British Finalist (1986) Eldest and most successful of three brothers who all started off at Mildenhall. By 1984 Carl had reached the top of the tree at National League level, so he moved to Belle Vue for £20,000 in 1985. Capped for England but didn't realise his full potential with Aces, moving on to Ipswich (1988) and Reading (1989). Edinburgh gambled big money on signing him early in the 1990 season, at the same time as they introduced Frede Schott. Unfortunately Carl almost immediately regretted the move, and tried to back out and join Poole on the grounds of 'easier travel'. Monarchs would not release him, but perhaps they wished they had after a patchy year. Moved to Long Eaton for a couple of good seasons, then rode briefly for Oxford before bowing out of the sport. Year Team Meet Race Pts Bon Ave Max Paid 1981 Mildenhall National League 10 26 13 5 2.77 - - 1982 Mildenhall National League 22 64 56 15 4.44 - - 1983 Mildenhall National League 39 177 252 32 6.42 1 - 1984 Mildenhall National League 34 145 312 13 8.97 - 6 1984 Ipswich British League 41 140 139 35 4.97 - - 1985 Mildenhall National League 9 39 92 2 9.64 1 1 1986 Belle Vue British League 29 113 149 25 6.16 - - 1987 Belle Vue British League 44 172 287 30 7.37 1 - 1988 Ipswich British League 37 179 246 31 6.19 - 1 1989 Reading British League 35 153 186 25 5.52 - - 1990 Edinburgh National League 31 163 252 39 7.14 - 1 1991 Long Eaton British League Div 2 28 153 309 25 8.73 2 2 1992 Long Eaton British League Div 2 22 115 226 5 8.03 1 - 1993 Long Eaton British League Div 2 20 99 180 20 8.08 - 1 1993 Oxford British League Div 1 1 3 1 0 1.33 - -