Stan Greatrex

Who is Stan Greatrex?

Stanley Greatrex, commonly known as Stan, was a professional motorcycle speedway rider in the 1930s who went on to become managing director of West Ham Hammers.

Born in St Petersburg, Russia, his family fled the revolution in Russia in 1917 and he grew up in Coventry, England. Greatrex gained his early speedway experience at the Coventry track, and rode for Coventry between 1930 and 1933. In 1931 he had a brief spell on loan with the Leicester Stadium team. He was a successful rider in the years leading up to World War II for New Cross Rangers, and captained them in 1939.

Greatrex was part of the England team in the 1936, 1938, and 1939 Test series against Australia and the 1937 series against an 'overseas' team.

Greatrex had a motorcycle sales business in New Cross in the late 1930s.

After the war he became Managing Director at West Ham, working alongside Arthur Atkinson.