Steve Harris passed away on 1st April 2026, after collapsing whilst at work. The grief of the 57 year old’s passing has been shared throughout the cycle speedway world, as well as by his family, friends, and work colleagues. Numerous heartfelt messages and expressions of sorrow have been shared on social media sites, websites, and direct messages to his family and club.
Steve was an undoubted legend of the sport of cycle speedway, having enjoyed an incredibly successful racing career, setting up numerous records. He began racing for his local Swindon team as a 14 year old in 1982. He developed quickly, racing in the 1985 British Junior Final and then making his British Senior Final debut in 1986. Later on, he spent a season racing for Heckmondwike in 1989, before switching to Bristol St. George, where he enjoyed three successful seasons. Steve then returned to Swindon in 1993, where he led them into the Premier League, and he inspired them to win the 1998/9 British Indoor Team Final. In 2002, Steve was tempted to move to Horspath, where he spent a hugely successful eleven seasons, with the Oxfordshire team recording numerous championship victories in the Premier/ Elite League, British Team Cup and British Indoor Team Championship. Steve’s next port of call was Poole in 2013, where he wore their blue and white colours for three seasons, before moving back to Swindon for their last two seasons in the sport, before losing their track at the Oasis Sports Centre at the end of the 2017 season.
By this time, Steve had moved to Wigan, and so he signed up for the Astley & Tyldesley club in 2018. He became Chairman and Team Manager in 2020, positions that he held until the end. Steve’s last match for A&T came just three days before his death and one month before his 58th birthday. Three of A&T’s four North & Scotland League titles came with Steve a key member of the team. He was also extremely instrumental in his coaching, helping the club’s younger riders to win World and British Individual titles.
Steve also held the post of Gt. Britain team manager, and GB’s last Ashes test series win in Australia in 2005 came under his stewardship. Having been reappointed as GB Manager last Autumn, Steve had been looking forward to the challenge of regaining the Ashes in 2027.
Steve made many visits to Poland, and he raced for the Bydgoszcz, Kalety and Swietochlowice clubs in the Polish League with great distinction.
As well as being a superb team man, Steve also excelled in individual competitions. He was the 1999 World Individual Champion and followed his success up with three World Veterans titles. He won the British Indoor title a record six times, the British Indoor o-40 title five times and the British Indoor o-50 title on two occasions. He also won the outdoor British o-40 title six times and the British o-50 title on two occasions. His total of 21 British Individual titles is an all time record for the sport, as is his record of having appeared in 25 British Individual Finals on the outdoor tracks.
The statistics are undoubtedly impressive, but perhaps the greatest tribute is that Steve achieved the extremely rare feat of being both highly successful and hugely popular within the sport. His ever friendly, helpful, sporting and positive attitude will be sadly missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Gone, but he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Steve.
Mike Hack
Astley & Tyldesley Cycling Club
