Freddie Williams

Frederick Owen Williams (12 March 1926 – 20 January 2013) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Wales who was World Champion on two occasions. He was the winner of the Speedway World Championship in 1950 and 1953 and runner-up in 1952. With no Welsh team to represent, he earned 28 international caps for the England national speedway team.

Career Williams grew up in Port Talbot, where he was a classmate of Richard Burton, and they played together in the school rugby team. In 1941 he moved to Portsmouth where he started an apprenticeship in the dockyards as an engineer-fitter. He was a despatch rider in World War II, and began his speedway career as the war ended, after initially competing in grasstrack.

Williams rode for the Wembley Lions for his entire career, from 1947 until 1956. Williams became the first British rider to win two World titles (in 1950 and 1953), a feat only matched by Peter Craven (in 1955 and 1962) and Tai Woffinden (2013, 2015, 2018).

Williams represented England in test match series, gaining his first cap in 1949.

In 1953, Williams married Olympic skater Pat Devries. and Freddie acted as Ian's mechanic at the 1957 World Final.

Williams presented the winner's trophy to Australian rider Chris Holder at the 2012 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Williams is the only Welshman, to win speedway's ultimate individual prize.

World Final appearances 1950 - London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts 1951 - London, Wembley Stadium - 9th - 7pts 1952 - London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 13pts 1953 - London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts 1954 - London, Wembley Stadium - Res - Did not ride

Grasstrack racing Southern Centre Champion 1948.