At an age when most grand-dads could be excused for thinking of putting their feet up and getting out the carpet slippers and pipe, Vic Duffy has no plans to cut down on his busy sporting programme.

Despite being 73 years old Vic travels regularly throughout the spring and summer from his Colchester home to ride for village cycle speedway club Great Wakering Rebels.

Prize guy - Vic Duffy with cycle-speedway and boxing trophies won during a long and varied sporting career Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

It's a trip he's been making for many years now for the South-Eastern League team and, despite rumours to the contrary, it's not one he's about to stop.

"There has been talk that I might be going to call it a day on the riding side, but while I think I can still go out there and pick up points for the club I'll carry on.

"If I thought at any time I wasn't worth my place in the side I'd call it a day."

Vic admits that one of the driving forces in his continuing to ride for Wakering is Rebels team boss Den Winch, like Duffy a long-time veteran of the sport.

Vic said: "Den is a remarkable character and for so many years had kept the Wakering club going against all odds. He hasn't enjoyed the best of health in recent times and I like to help him in any way I can."

In fact Vic has an all-round love for a sport which he first took part in soon after the war when tracks were formed on bomb sites.

He's an Irish international -- his grandfather was Irish -- and played a leading part with wife Iris in setting up the Colchester Stars Club.

Said Vic: "They have a lovely new track over there courtesy of a £6,500 grant and I'm still an official with them, but when it comes to riding Rebels are the club for me."

Published Tuesday, April 15, 2003

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