DATE OF BIRTH: 4 August 1931, Taibach, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, Wales.
BRITISH CAREER: (1952-63) Swindon.
CAREER RECORD WITH SWINDON: Meetings: 447 (264 League; 44 National Trophy; 3 Knock-Out Cup; 2 Queen's Cup; 12 Southern Shield; 2 Inter-Divisional Tournament; 32 Britannia Shield; 2 Midland Cup; 6 Central Challenge Shield; 79 Challenge; 1 Four-Team Tournament) Rides: 2,008 Points: 3,452.5 Bonus: 333 Total: 3,785.5 Average: 7.54 Maximums: 27 (13 full and 14 paid)
CLUB DEBUT: 12 April 1952 versus Long Eaton (Home) Southern League; 3+1 points (2 rides).
IAN WILLIAMS, like his one-time Swindon team-mate Bob Roger, was a member of a famous speedway family. His two elder brothers (Eric and Freddie) became riders of repute and, of course, Freddie was a double World Champion, taking the title in 1950 and 1953. Ian's arrival and signing for Swindon was due to a marvellous slice of good fortune.
The Robins, who were short of riders at the beginning of 1952, had visited Wolverhampton on 11 April for their opening Southern League match of the season, which they lost 45-39. The Wolves team had been strengthened by the addition of five new riders and Ian was there, accompanied by his brother Freddie, for second-half trials. With so many new signings, the Midlands outfit was unable to guarantee Ian a team place, but luckily Robins' boss Reg Witcomb was in the right place at the right time and quickly offered him a berth.
The Welshman duly made his Swindon debut the following evening in a league match versus Long Eaton at Blunsdon, scoring a paid 4 points from two rides. Unfortunately, the meeting was later deleted from the official records after the Nottinghamshire outfit had prematurely closed, citing poor crowd levels.
Despite his lack of experience, Williams did very well in that initial season with Swindon, scoring 169 points for a healthy league average of 6.11. His most notable performances occurred at the Abbey, where he hit a paid maximum (9+3 points) versus St Austell on 21 June, and a four-ride full-house against Aldershot on 13 September, both in league fixtures.
Things went even better in 1953, with the home league match versus St Austell on 1 August being a particularly special meeting. In the heat two, Ian literally scorched around the then 410-yard circuit and equalled the track record of 74.2 seconds, which had stood since 14 July 1951.
Just for good measure, in the same meeting he established even quicker records of 74.0 seconds in heat six, and then 73.6 seconds in heat eight! By the end of the term, he had boosted his average to 8.39 and sat nicely on top of the Robins' league averages ahead of Mick Holland and Danny Malone.
A year of consolidation followed in 1954, when Williams posted another very solid league average of 8.26, but he had to give second best to the flying Bob Roger at the head of the Swindon figures. In 1955, Ian was elected captain of the Robins and he took the extra responsibility in his stride as he netted 239 league points for an average of 8.09.
Superbly managed by Bob Jones, Swindon took the Second Division Championship in 1956, with Williams recording a brilliant 9.52 league average, having formed a formidable spearhead alongside Bob Roger and George White.
Led by the same dynamic trio, the Robins followed up their success by lifting the National League title in 1957, finishing a single point ahead of the mighty Belle Vue. Ian's contribution of 183 points gave him a league average of 8.17, which was a terrific effort in what was his first season of top-flight racing.
Meanwhile, in the World Final at Wembley, the Robins were represented by the three main players in their back-to-back title successes. Unfortunately, Williams netted just 3 points and didn't enjoy much luck after a promising start, but the most important thing was that he'd made it to the big night in the speedway calendar.
Swindon slipped back to sixth place in 1958, but there was no let-up from Ian, who upped his average to 8.34, having plundered another 185 league points in the Robins' cause. Williams continued to give sterling service to Swindon the following year and, as the 1960s dawned, he was still riding well.
At the beginning of 1962, Ian thought a change of scenery might do him some good and, with the Neath side being formed by Trevor Redmond, what better than a Welshman riding for a Welsh side? The Speedway Control Board thought otherwise, however, and blocked his proposed move into the Provincial League.
So, Ian was to remain with Swindon for another couple of years, handing over the club captaincy to Mike Broadbank at the start of 1963, prior to announcing his retirement at the end of the season. He had given twelve seasons' loyal service to the Robins, riding in a grand total of 447 matches and scoring 3,452.5 points.
These days, he would most certainly have enjoyed a deserved Testimonial meeting. Regrettably, such things didn't happen way back then, but at least his mighty contribution to the Swindon cause will never be forgotten.
Today, Ian is still a very active man and can often be spotted enjoying his speedway on race nights at Blunsdon. He has also retained his wonderful sense of humour. Fittingly, he became the first former rider to be inducted into the Legends' Lounge at the Abbey Stadium, upon its launch on 8 June 2006.
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DATE OF BIRTH: 4 August 1931, Taibach, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, Wales.
A year of consolidation followed in 1954, when Williams posted another very solid league average of 8.26, but he had to give second best to the flying Bob Roger at the head of the Swindon figures. In 1955, Ian was elected captain of the Robins and he took the extra responsibility in his stride as he netted 239 league points for an average of 8.09.
