FORMER Danish ace Hans Nielsen, a four-time world speedway champion and the greatest Oxford Cheetahs rider of all time, paid tribute to former promoter Bernard Crapper, who died this week.

Speaking from his home in Denmark, Nielsen said: “Bernard and I never had any problems – it was always easy to negotiate with him and (fellow promoter) John Payne.

“They both did a fine job at Oxford. Bernard was always so cheerful and any rider out of form was cheered up instead of getting a telling-off.

“We had a great team together and up until I joined Oxford, I had not won anything.

“It was without doubt my best period in speedway, and Bernard made sure we had the best team spirit.”

Crapper’s co-promoter, John Payne added: “We went through some great and memorable times.

“I feel privileged that when Bernard took over the running of the speedway, I was the guy that he insisted ran it alongside him.”

Glyn Shailes, who worked with Crapper as the press officer at Oxford for more than ten years, said that he will be sorely missed.

“He was a joy to work for – always coming up with ideas, many of which caused nothing but laughter.”

“I remember when he convinced everyone he was signing an American woman rider – right until the tapes went up for the first heat everyone thought it was happening.

“It caused so much controversy in the sport – but that was just BC, an absolute joy to know and work with. He will be greatly missed.”

His funeral is at Trinity Church, Abingdon at 12.30pm on Tuesday November 30 (not November 23 as first reported)