Ken McKinlay
| Born |
June 7, 1928 Blantyre, Scotland |
|---|---|
| Died | 9 February 2003 (aged 74) |
| Nickname | Hurri-Ken |
| Nationality | British |
| Current club information | |
| British league | - |
| Career history | |
| 1949-1954 | Glasgow Tigers |
| 1954-1961 | Leicester Hunters |
| 1962-1964, 1970 | Coventry Bees |
| 1965-1969 | West Ham Hammers |
| 1971-1972 | Oxford Cheetahs/Rebels |
| 1973-1975 | Scunthorpe Saints |
| 1973 | King's Lynn Stars |
| 1973 | Coatbridge Tigers |
| 1973 | Cradley United |
| Individual honours | |
| 1956, 1957, 1959 | Midland Riders' Champion |
| 1955, 1965 | Brandonapolis |
| 1959 | The Laurels |
| 1964 | Australian Champion |
| 1957 | SA State Champion (Aust) |
| 1959, 1961 | Victorian State Champion (Aust) |
| 1960 | NSW State Champion (Aust) |
| 1964 | Queensland State Champion (Aust) |
| 1964 | WA State Champion (Aust) |
| Team honours | |
| 1965 | British League Champions |
| 1965 | British League KO Cup Winners |
| 1965, 1966, 1967 | London KO Cup Winners |
| 1970 | Midland Cup Winner |
John Robert Vickers (Ken) McKinlay (7 June 1928 Blantyre, Scotland – 9 February 2003 Leicester, England) was an international speedway rider, captaining Scotland, England, Great Britain and Europe teams. He also finished on the rostrum of the British Speedway Championship finals twice, second in 1964 and third in 1965. His nickname Hurri-Ken was given to him by famous speedway promoter Johnnie Hoskins.
McKinlay took up speedway while serving with the British Army in Germany, riding for the Neumunster forces team. He went on to captain the team and finished in joint sixth place in the 1948 Combined Services Speedway Championship. On his return to Britain, he started his career with the Glasgow Tigers in 1949 and had five successful seasons there. However, in 1954 the track closed and Ken transferred to the Leicester Hunters for a club record fee. He spent eight seasons with the Hunters, moving up with them into the First Division in 1957, and averaging close to 11 points in the 1958 and 1959 seasons. A spell with the Coventry Bees followed after Leicester dropped down to the Provincial League.
When the British League was formed in 1965 Ken was allocated to the West Ham Hammers, and as captain led them to winning the 1965 treble of League Championship, KO Cup and London KO Cup trophies. He was renowned for his team-riding with younger riders and his contribution throughout his five season with the Hammers was immeasurable.
1970 saw him return to the Coventry Bees for one season before he moved to the Oxford Cheetahs for a further two seasons. Ken considered retirement but in 1973 he was approached by the management of the Scunthorpe Saints to become rider/coach of the second division side. He stayed with the Saints for three seasons before retiring in 1975 aged forty-seven.
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