Cyril "Squib" Burton

Cyril Frederick "Squib" Burton (16 January 1908 – June 1990) was a motorcycle speedway rider who was one of the sport's early stars, becoming a leading rider for the Leicester Stadium team and for Rochdale, and going on to represent England.

Biography Burton was born in Cossington, Leicestershire in 1908. His small size as a child led to him being given the nickname "Squib", although as an adult he stood at 6 ft 1in tall. He began his speedway career at Coventry's Foleshill track, transferring to Leicester in Autumn 1928 where he rode in the novice class. He first raced in international competition in 1930, as part of the England team that faced Australia for all but the first of the five-test series. He also toured New Zealand as part of the England test team in the Winter of 1930–31. Burton also competed as part of the England team in the first two tests of 1931 against Australia and the final test of 1933. He rode for Sheffield in 1932 and 1933, back to Lea Bridge for 1934 and when they folded onto Walthamstow Wolves in July of that year before moving with the promotion to Hackney Wick Wolves in 1935. At retirement he had earned 7 international caps for the England national speedway team. The bike on which he won is now exhibited in the National Motorcycle Museum. Fifty years later he donated his trophy from that race to the Donington Park Racing Association Club. It was subsequently known as the Squib Burton Challenge Trophy and awarded to the highest scoring British rider at the British Superstock Championship rounds at Donington.

In 1950, Burton became the manager of the Leicester Hunters speedway team.

Squib's son, John "Burly" Burton, was a top scrambling rider of the 1950s, and 1960s.