1984 brought Reading fans a new idol to worship. However his arrival was not without its complications.
In early 1983 Racers narrowly beat a touring Getingarna team. Anders Michanek (making his final Smallmead appearance) top scored with eight points from three rides. Riding at number two a youngster called Per Jonsson scored four paid six. He had already caused a stir in Sweden by finishing fifth in the 1982 Swedish Championship, still aged only 16. Reading, whose appetite for Swedes could never be sated, noted his name down as one to watch.
A productive domestic season in Sweden, where he finished sixth in the averages, further enhanced his reputation in 1983. A protege of three times world finalist Torbjorn Harrysson, his form prompted Jan Andersson to say that he wanted to see Per riding for Reading in 1984. By Christmas the deal was done. In 1984 no less than 20 Danes raced regularly in the British League. As European Community members, Danish riders didn't need work permits. The growing feeling that the British League was being overwhelmed by foreigners resulted in those riders who did need work permits being subject to more scrutiny. Sweden's entry to the European Union was still over a decade away, so Per required a work permit.
Given his pedigree no problems were expected. Just days before the season started Racers team plans were thrown into confusion when the Department of Employment turned the permit application down. Despite support from the BSPA and the Speedway Riders Association (the riders trade union), it emerged that opposition from the Speedway Control Board had been instrumental in determining the outcome.
Time after time in 1984 the SCB demonstrated a staggering degree of incompetence. The high profile cases of Michael Lee (which ended in a one year ban for the rider) and the Sunday People bribery allegations (to which the SCB responded very slowly) being the most obvious examples.
On the Jonsson permit refusal SCB manager Dick Bracher said: "We've heard it all before, a lot of riders come over here with big reputaions but fail to live up to them. The criteria for overseas riders is a six point average and one has to doubt if a rider barely 18 is capable of achieving that in their first season in the British League."
On 26 March, five days after Per's 18th birthday, Reading's appeal took place in London. Pat Bliss, armed with plenty of facts and testimonials argued the case. Per's strongest advocate Bob Radford had threatened to resign if the appeal failed. The successful outcome meant he remained as team manager. On April 1 Per made his debut at Poole scoring seven points from five rides (including one as a tactical substitute). At Smallmead the following day, watched by a dozen or more family members and Anders Michanek, he scored eight points from four rides. Among the riders he headed that night - Michael Lee and Sam Ermolenko.
There is no record of how red Dick Bracher's face was at this moment. Yet history repeated itself the following year; the SCB proved equally intransigent when Swindon recruited Jimmy Nilsen.The Swedish authorities allowed Jonsson to skip his domestic commitments, allowing Per to establish himself in Britain. A long drawn out League Cup campaign finally ended in July with Reading winning the Southern Group. Jonsson averaged over seven and aided by one of Tim Hunt's more productive spells made a late run, climbing from sixth (out of nine) two thirds of the way through the competition.
Per scored consistently throughout the season. As the season entered October Ipswich lead the league with Belle Vue and Cradley still hoping to overhaul them. All three had a Monday evening trip to Smallmead in their diaries. Reading (who finished fourth) would have a major say in the identity of the league champions.
First to visit were Belle Vue. Reading resisted the Aces challenge (40-37), with an Andersson/Jonsson 4-2 in a last heat decider. 18 year old Andy Smith (paid 11) top scored for the Aces. Cradley provided an even tougher challenge and Reading had to come from six down to win 40-38. Again an Andersson/Jonsson 4-2 in the last heat maintained Racers 100% home record.
By the time Ipswich arrived they knew that a win at Smallmead would give them the title. A 3,000 crowd, the year's largest, watched as Ipswich stormed into a 22-8 lead on the way to a convincing 46-32 win. The score equalled Reading's record home league defeat.
Racers home programme ended with a 43-35 win over Eastbourne after an Andersson/Jonsson 5-1 in the final heat. The night ended with a 'greybeards' race. It featured (in finishing order): Bernie Leigh, Mick Bell, Vic White, Mike Vernam.
