Roger Frogley
Page updated 26-Dec-2010

Roger Frogley made his dirt track debut on 14 April 1928 at Kings Oak. His crowning triumph was beating Ben Unwin, the Australian star, at the International Match Race in front of a 40,000 strong crowd.

Frogley mostly rode for Crystal Palace Glaziers. A special trophy was put up in 1928 for the first four Palace riders to win races at more than 39mph - this was won by Roger, his brother 'Buster', Joe Francis and Arthur Willimott.

In 1929 he rode in 40 races, winning 18 of them. He won the "Home" Star Riders' Championship at Wimbledon on Monday 21 October - making him the first British Star Rider. Roger Frogley was the top scoring rider for England (with six points) in the first England v Australia Test Match at Wimbledon Stadium, Plough Lane, in 1930.

Due, in part, to his racing successes Roger was able to afford to take up the exciting new hobby of flying. He learnt to fly at the Brooklands Aeroplane Club, at Weybridge in Surrey. He retired in 1932 when the Crystal Palace track closed in order to pursue the family business at the Herts and Essex Aero Club at Broxbourne. He made an unsuccessful comeback in 1936.