Split Waterman

Squire Francis Waterman (27 July 1923 – 8 October 2019), better known as Split Waterman, was an English speedway rider who twice finished second in the Speedway World Championship final. Waterman took up speedway while serving in the British Army in Italy and went on to become one of the top riders of the post-war era. He made the headlines again in the late 1960s when he was convicted of gold smuggling and firearms offences.

Biography Born in New Malden, Waterman worked as a toolmaker's apprentice after leaving school.

Wartime service Waterman applied to join the Royal Air Force when the Second World War broke out but was unable to do so as his job as a toolmaker was classed as a reserved occupation. He joined the Local Defence Volunteers (the Home Guard) in 1942, before joining the Royal Fusiliers, and was posted to North Africa before being involved in the Allied invasion of Italy. and motorcycle racing events became a regular occurrence, and Waterman was involved in building a speedway track at Vomero Stadium. He became a proficient racer on his adapted BSA M20 bike and it was from speedway racing that Waterman gained his nickname. After falling in a race he split his racing leathers down the back, after which his colleagues referred to him as "split arse", which was later shortened to "split". and winning the National League Championship. In 1948 the Lions won the National Trophy and Waterman won the prestigious London Riders' Championship, as well as making his debut for England against Australia. Waterman earned more than £3,000 in his second season as a speedway rider. and qualified for his first of five World finals, finishing seventh. He successfully defended the title twice (against Aub Lawson and Jack Young) before relinquishing it due to injury. He qualified for the World Final again in 1952 but only managed twelfth but did win the National Trophy with Harringay. His career was almost ended in 1952 by a crash at Odsal Stadium in which he sustained two broken teeth and a badly broken kneecap. The first doctor he saw suggesting amputation of the leg. In early 1954, Waterman was elected as vice-chairman of the Speedway Riders Association, amid a dispute between second division riders and promoters over pay. A riders' strike was averted after Jack Parker resigned as chairman, with Waterman taking over that role in April. At the end of the season, Harringay closed and he transferred to the West Ham Hammers, but only stayed a season,

In 1957, he was on the move again to the Wimbledon Dons. After six appearances for the Dons he was dropped from the team in July and as a result announced his retirement from speedway. He returned, however, in 1958, riding in five meetings for the Southampton Saints. Waterman did not ride at all in 1959 but made a surprising return in 1960 for the New Cross Rangers. In January 1961, he took out a writ alleging misrepresentation against Premier Promotions, who had billed the wrestler Bert "Split" Waterman as "Split Waterman, ex-speedway star" in an advertisement for one of their wrestling events, which reportedly attracted hundreds of New Cross speedway fans as a result. He rode for the Rangers again in 1961 before finally ending his career after a couple of short spells with the Ipswich Witches and the Belle Vue Aces in 1962.

Waterman rode in thirty Test matches for England and captained the team in the 1953 series against Australia.

Later life After speedway, Waterman went into business in sheet metal working and plastic injection moulding, making plastic goods for companies such as Woolworth and Airfix. Waterman was convicted in March 1968 of attempting to smuggle gold out of Britain, as well as unlawful possession of firearms including two sub-machine guns, two rifles and three pistols, and possession of dies for forging coins. He was sentenced to four years in prison. The gold was thought to have come from a bullion van robbery in Clerkenwell. Priston was convicted of conspiracy to smuggle gold and possession of two pistols and a pen gun, and was sentenced to six months in prison.

Waterman married Avril on 15 September 1970 at Caxton Hall in London, and they later lived in Nerja on the Costa del Sol, Spain.

He died on 8 October 2019 at the age of 96.

World final appearances 1950 - London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 8pts 1951 - London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 12pts + 2pts 1952 - London, Wembley Stadium - 12th - 6pts 1953 - London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 13pts 1954 - London, Wembley Stadium - 5th - 9pts