''And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.'' Abraham Lincoln



Acknowledgements


Mrs Andrea Coleman

Eddie Mateer

Ray Battersby
Joe Beattie
Jim Blanchard
Gavan Caldwell
William Clegg
Barry Cousins
Henry ten Dam
Rolf Eggersdorfer
Jon Ekerold
Graham Etheridge
Pierre Gabriele
Hugh Gibson
Nick Hudson
Dave Johnson
Frits Kruishaar
Ben Looijen
Manfred Mothes
Bert Mulder
Alan North
Mourne Observer
Alois Ohner
Helmut Ohner
Fedor van de Pol
Gerard van der Pot
Philippe Roche
Bill Snelling
Cor Snoek
Andrew Trotter
Norman Waddell
Frank Wick



Tom was loved and respected by many, many people including his fellow competitors, and his popularity even some 30 years on from the tragedy of May 1979 has never diminished, not just in his own country but all over the world.

Hopefully in some small way my tribute will act not only as a lasting memory of Tom, but also serve to bring his name to the attention of new generations of bike fans.

If I may, I would particularly like to thank Mrs Andrea Coleman for her help and encouragement and Eddie Mateer.

And to everyone who has sent messages, gave permission to use their photos or who have just taken the time to read my tribute, thank-you.

Stephen McKeown