The way we feel the day after an emotional high is usually in direct contrast to the manner in which our passions pulsated just a few hours previously. Psychologist Dr Elizabeth Lombardo describes this phenomenon as a “happiness hangover,” asserting that our instinctive ambition to hit a target is rewarding, a natural high, an adrenalin enriched episode. Conversely, when the goal has been metaphorically scored, and the game won, the fulfilment can quickly evaporate and be replaced by feeling emotionally spent ─ knocked out and in need of your bed. Between you and I, my most recent happiness hangover occurred at Wembley Stadium when my other favourite waste of time – supporting Notts County – totally tipped me over the edge; Cedwyn Scott eventually slammed home the winning penalty to send us back to the EFL and in doing so reclaimed our title as the world’s oldest football league club. I cried and couldn’t remove my shirt until morning!
I was therefore keen to catch up with Steve Worrall the day after his long-anticipated testimonial, to see how a professional speedway rider dealt with this sensation ─ since a trek to Kings Lynn had always been on the cards. The terrain we covered during this candid interview was more than the reflective piece I had anticipated. Steve’s passion for putting on a show and lifting the entertainment value of the sport as it jockeys for position in the grip of an ever-demanding cost of living crisis, is profound.
Indeed, as I entered the Wimborne Road stadium on that balmy night, I was immediately struck by a distinct difference. A live band created an instant carnival atmosphere; a support act to the main event, but one that nonetheless echoed the powerful mantra of Robbie Williams – let me entertain you! And the show never eased up, with every conceivable opportunity to entertain exploited. The Belle Vue team emerged to the classic Motorhead track “The Ace of Spades,” and the home side paraded to the swashbuckling, “He’s a Pirate” by Klaus Badelt. The periods between heats were packed with a series of eventful youth races and centre green interviews; and the grand finale? A Benny Hill tribute! More of that later. My first question was easy.
Waking up the morning after the night before, how are you feeling?
Steve’s initial reflection was that he felt a significant weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “There are perhaps two sides – firstly one of relief. We spent a long time throughout the winter planning for the first meeting that was rained off, and then the whole process had to be repeated. On the other side, I really didn’t want it to end. I really enjoyed the day, although I didn’t have to deal with it all.” Steve paid testament to his incredible team, especially his loving family, adding, “Once racing mode kicked in, I was able to concentrate on what I do best.” I was keen to establish if he had managed to defy the “happiness hangover” syndrome.
“When I went to bed I was so tired that I didn’t even put my phone on charge. I just lay on the bed shattered. Let’s put it this way ─ going to sleep wasn’t a task!” Speedway riders are human after all!
What went through your mind as you lined up with the other riders on parade and surveyed the thousands who had come to celebrate with you?
The ever-humble Pirate replied, “It’s not that strange to see so many people at Poole,” although conceded that the attendance figure had always been in the back of his mind. “I took a risk by investing in the meeting as I wanted to put on a show. I brought in certain riders, a band, and other things that you don’t often get at a regular meeting. But obviously, these extras cost money. You just hope that the investment pays off and people get behind it.” From my position they certainly did, and will no doubt feel that it was money well spent.
Did you shed a tear that night?
“I got a bit emotional once I was talking on the parade and handing gifts out to everyone. I admit that I was holding it back at that point! I was able to get some big names, but a lot of the riders are good friends and it was really good to share it with them.” Early doors I suspect that putting his crash helmet on was even more of a relief!
Your testimonial established an emotional bond from the get-go – a live band and a choice of music that continued the narrative of connection. Was this intentional?
Steve paid a special tribute to resident Poole DJ Karl West who has now been snapped up by the organisers of the Speedway Grand Prix series. “Karl is awesome, and I can’t take any credit for the music score. But music is a big part of it. As soon as you walk through the turnstiles you can be entertained. It’s all about value for money; there should be more to speedway than fifteen heats and away you go.” Steve elegantly identified a sweet spot that over the years has seemingly ebbed away. Public address systems can be pretty hit and miss at some raceways, but they need to be utilised for more than just giving the racing announcements. Steve, Karl, and the Poole promotion won the jackpot that night.
What’s the story of the man with the mike on the centre green who compered the evening?
“Because this was a free date in the regular Poole fixture list our regular compere was away on holiday so I drafted in Roy Clarke, who was initially my mechanic at Newcastle in 2012 before becoming centre green announcer at Brough Park. He now does the same at Redcar and Workington. He’s brilliant, with a great sense of humour and connectivity to the crowd ─ he added to the show.” Indeed he did, with moments of the late great entertainer in chief, Dave Lanning, shining through as he momentarily neglected to introduce poor Ben Cook before turning his mistake into an hilarious positive.
Whose bright idea was the super heat and, in your opinion, did Matej Zagar display cunning or did he just cheat when he ran over the centre green?
“That was my idea. Looking back at what other people have done in the past, I didn’t want the meeting to be a joke. It was branded as the champions of champions. There was no set up. No letting us win. It was genuine racing, and it was really cool that it went down to a heat fifteen decider. But I wanted to finish on a high along with some fun and this idea just popped into my head.” As for the antics of Matej Zagar, Steve was conciliatory. “Before the race I set out the rules that there really weren’t any, other than to stay on the track. Matej must have missed that bit!” Nonetheless, the Slovenian superstar’s anthem will always be the end sequence music score of The Benny Hill show!
10 years hence what do you predict for Steve Worrall and speedway?
“It’s hard to look too far into the future, although I accept that I’m not getting any younger! But I’m still enjoying speedway. I love doing it, so who knows? It would be nice to say that I’ll be here in ten years’ time, approaching forty-two. I really did enjoy putting the testimonial together.” And it showed – a consummate showman, who hopefully will be a future speedway promotor.
The meeting was hugely competitive – not dissimilar to a league meeting. Was there any form of rider briefing beforehand, and if so, what was said?
“We had a chat beforehand, and I thanked the lads for celebrating with me. I didn’t want any heroes and reminded everyone that we weren’t there for league points. Most importantly of all, I wanted everyone to go home in one piece. However, we also had a show to put on. In the pits it was so relaxed, and several riders told me that it was the most fun they had experienced at a meeting. On track they all got stuck in.” And what a night of racing it was!
In the words of Ronan Keating, “Life is a rollercoaster, just gotta ride it.” In terms of your speedway career, over the last decade, what has been your significant high? And low?
Steve immediately homed in on 2017. “When I rode for Great Britain in the World Cup. I still haven’t bettered that. But who knows, I might get another shot this year with a four man team (Oliver and Steady are you listening?). That season topped it all. The following year was the lowest point, when I broke my leg at the beginning of the season.” Before wrapping things up Steve philosophically added, “Who knows where I would be now?”
As he continued his onward trip as a lone wolf to link up with the rest of the Wolverhampton team, I was left with the distinct impression that Steve has a big part to play in the future of the sport, both on and off the track, and in the words of Freddie Mercury ─ arguably one of rocks all-time great entertainers – the show must go on!
© Ian Kirke 2023
Title photograph reproduced by kind permission of Steve Hone
@ianjkirke