Mad Dog high on adrenalin

It was neither noon day nor sunny - just the opposite - but speedway rider Martin Dixon admits that the soubriquet is substantiated.

"I suppose I must be a bit bonkers," he says, "to have been doing it for so long."

He's had more breaks than Stephen Hendry, more plates inserted than a works canteen microwave, more casualty shifts than Dr Kildare.

"It's the adrenalin - 500cc, no brakes and no right turn. Besides, how many other people can honestly say that they look forward to going to work?"

Born in Hartlepool, now in Billingham, he got his first motor-cross bike when he was ten - "I really wanted a go kart" - loved and lived for it until lying about his age and signing, at 15, to ride speedway for Workington.

The minimum contract age was 16. When they realised that he couldn't take part elsewhere, his garage owning father Alec paid £100 to release him so that he could ride at Cleveland Park - with a promise from Middlesbrough promoter Ron Wilson that he'd repay it when the youngster rode his first maximum.

Three years later, Wilson was as good as his word.

He had three spells with Middlesbrough Tigers - including the team that 20 years ago next Friday lifted the town's first National League title for 35 years by beating Newcastle Diamonds - and has also ridden for the Diamonds, for Hull, Long Eaton, Stoke, Berwick, Kings Lynn (twice) and now Swindon.

"The longer you go on, the harder it is to finish because you know there'll not be another chance. You can maybe take a break when you're 25, you can't when you're 40.

"I've just got a bit further to drive to work than most, that's all."

After the worst injury, an horrendously smashed wrist and elbow, surgeons feared that they would have to amputate his arm. There's still a plastic plate in there, and restricted movement.

"They told me I'd never race again," says Martin. "It was the incentive I needed - to prove them wrong."

It took three years to return to competitive action, though - and then he broke his leg.

"I've always been a bit wild. At first if anyone was in front of me, I'd just ride right through them.

"I've never had that much ability on a speedway track, but I've had some big scores this season because I'm prepared to throw caution to the wind.

"When I can't do that, I'll know it's time to pack in."

At Swindon last night, his parents joined a large crowd for a special meeting in his honour. Other riders included former world champion Gary Havelock from Eaglescliffe, Darlington postman Paul Bentley (Hull) and Hartlepool plumber Paul Pickering (Stoke).

They were promised a memorable occasion - when Mad Dog finally had his day.

Unsigned and with just a nine word message, a picture postcard of Bamburgh Castle arrives at home. It's on the back of our informal little search for the region's most scenically situated cricket ground and may well have a point - "Most picturesque cricket ground? Photo overleaf to prove it."

Ambitious plans are drawn up for a £400,000 redevelopment of sports facilities in Evenwood, based around the existing cricket and football clubs and the Bulldog Billy Memorial Climbing Frame.

There'll be a 100m running track, BMX provision, all weather tennis and five-a-side football courts and a new pavilion and stand.

The plans, prepared by Groundwork West Durham, were sent to former Northern League secretary Gordon Nicholson, representing the footballers. Whilst enthusiastic, he sent them straight back again.

The proposed football pitch was 107 yards long. Gordon, perhaps more than any man alive, knows that the minimum is 110 yards.

"It would be typical," he says, "to spend £400,000 on a scheme to involve a football pitch, then discover that no one could play on it."

Whilst there may be a few domestic problems at Victoria Park just now, Paul Smith continues to know which side his bread's buttered.

Paul's the Hartlepool fan who for a wedding anniversary treat took his wife to the League Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday ("the pies were terrific"), has since marked the annual occasion at Chester and Cambridge United and on October 5 plans to acknowledge 11 years of wholly wedlock at the Friday night game at Rushden.

"Well," he tells the lovely Sue, "you know what they say about diamonds . . ."

It is not the happy couple to whom principally we wish to refer, however, but to their little lad.

Joseph, aged nine, is already a season ticket holder. At last week's home match with Kidderminster he bought his first golden goal ticket - number 76, as in trombones, one of three remaining.

Pool score first after 54 minutes. Joseph clenches his fists, jumps up and down and yells that he's won.

Dad patiently explains that it's not quite 76 minutes and is in turn informed that - new rule this season - it's not the first goal that wins, but the last.

A few minutes later, Kidderminster equalise. "The bairn must have been the only Poolie celebrating the opposition goal. Imagine his disappointment when again I point out that it's not the 76th minute."

The penny, if not the £1 coin, has finally dropped when Hartlepool are awarded a penalty. Watches suggest, Teletext later confirms, that it's the 76th minute when Ian Clark fluffs it. The game ends 1-1.

Joseph's inconsolable. "I hate Ian Clark. He owes me £50," he says.

His dad - from Sherburn Hill, near Durham - is sure there's a moral to soften the blow. "At this moment, I just can't think what it is."

All season, the sports pages have been full of Tow Law's injury problems. Before Tuesday night's match with Bedlington Terriers even the magic sponge man turned up on crutches, a case - as the Good Book almost has it - of physio heal thyself. His name's Jake Ferguson; his new nickname may without difficulty be imagined.

News of our old friend Mark Robinson, the cricketer with more noughts for his discomfort than almost anyone alive.

Proud Yorkshireman, now playing for Sussex, "Smokey" finished fifth in this season's bowling averages with 19.35, though his batting didn't quite make the cut.

Eddie Marshall, unofficial president of the Smokey Robinson fan club (Darlington branch) got chance of a bit crack during this season's game with Durham at the Riverside, asked about a recent absence through injury - a Robinson rarity - and discovered that something had been strained during a visit to the smallest room.

Mark has now been appointed Sussex's second team coach, though Darlo Eddie insists his top flight days aren't over.

"He confirms, however, that he has abandoned the plan to become one of the country's leading all rounders."

Frank Watson, long serving secretary of the Barnard Castle and District 5s and 3s League, sends a piece he wrote for Another Paper following a recent Durham v Yorkshire grudge match at the Rose and Crown in Mickleton - Teesdale bandit country.

Represented by Mr Robert Oliver and by the Backtrack column, Durham inevitably won - though Mr Watson, one half of the Mickleton Two, claims a miscarriage of justice.

His report also records that he raised the subject of women players - Barney welcomes them, Darlington is (shall we say) more traditional. "Modesty," he writes, "prohibits me from printing the reply."

Should a Teesdale Ladies' select wish to challenge the Brave Boys of the Britannia B, it can doubtless be arranged, however.

As in Mickleton, Co Durham, local rules may apply.

the six England football captains since 1960 whose surnames began with the letter "C" - Backtrack, September 25 - are Ronnie Clayton, Bobby Charlton, Ray Clemence, Mick Channon, Trevor Cherry and Sol Campbell.

Ian Cook today seeks from among the North-East's football "big five" the identity of the club which has gone longest since last finishing bottom of the division.

More penultimate excitement on Tuesday