Eddie Crooks - how it all began

From a teenager in the Isle of Man to Manx Grand Prix winner, this is the story of Eddie Crooks.
There is so much to tell you, and we'll keep adding new articles and pictures as we unearth more information.
 
Hope you enjoy a blast into the past.
 
Martin Crooks

Introducing Eddie Crooks

Eddie Crooks was born on 28th October 1931 at George Street, Ringley, in the Irwell Valley, 6 miles from Bolton, Lancashire.
 
The image on the right is Eddie at about four years of age on his Uncle Jack's motorcycle, this could have been when he fell in love with motorcycles!
 
His parents, Joe & Vera Crooks had decided to move to the Isle of Man after the Second World War. They left for the Isle of Man in early March 1946 and moved into the a Guest House that they called "Ascot" soon after they arrived there, where Vera and Joe became popular hosts.
 
Living on the Isle of Man, home of the famous TT Races must have been great for any teenager with a passion for speed.
 
Eddie was interested in watching the Peveril Club motorcycle trials and it wasn't long before Eddie had bought himself an old "scrapper" to practice on.
 
His first competition was on a BSA Bantam that he and a neighbour shared in a Peveril and DMCC trial near Laxey. This progressed to more trials and scrambles on a variety of machines.

Eddie - 1950s