Having originally raced in the 1928 season, Triss Sharp became the league's youngest skipper when he was handed the job at Crystal Palace the following year. When the star riders were subsequently allowed into league racing the following year, he handed the club captaincy over to Roger Frogley, but was to remain loyal to the Palace until joining Coventry in July 1933.

He joined New Cross in 1934, but never quite got to grips with the tightness of the affectionately nicknamed 'Frying Pan' circuit, retiring at the end of the season.

The one and only time he qualified for the Star Championship final in 1930, he was unfortunate to be ruled out through injury. Sadly, that was to be the story of his career. As with so many other riders, injury marred his progress in the sport.

His sons, Triss and Bryan, turned to motorcycle racing and during the '50s and '60s the Sharp brothers were among Britain 's leading off-road riders. On a mixture of lightweight and heavyweight machines Triss Jnr reached the top in scrambles and international six day events.

Click here for a picture of Triss Sharp at Crystal Palace

Thanks to 'Speedway - The Pre-war Years' by Robert Bamford [ISBN 0 7524 27490]