Our forerunner, The Velo Club Noviomagus had been going since 1962 with JP at the helm for much of the time after he packed up racing in 1966. The Noviomagus was formed from a breakaway of the old Chichester C.C. from lads who wanted to get away from the traditional Time Trial orientated club. Incidentally the name Noviomagus (Latin for Chichester) was suggested by Roger Sumner who later emigrated to Canada and only recently was sadly killed in a road accident (see Cycling Weekly Obituary Dec 23 2000).

Velo Club Noviomagus riders in 1971

Left to right: Pete Wyatt, Chris Lattesl, unknown, Pete Dollery, Mike Perry (owner of Maestro in Nyetimber), Clive Hand, Phil Wood and Gerry Bromyard.

A staged photograph taken at Pilley Green Lodge to launch the sponsorship deal with Millers Driving School, hence the "L" plate on the jerseys.

Photograph courtesy John Pendleton.

Jeremy Dove 1978

Arguably one of the most naturally talented riders of his generation, Jeremy "Busby" Dove was unbeatable when inspired.

His numerous wins included the Wessex Division Circuit Championships and he briefly rode as a professional.

The picture was taken outside Spokes Cycles shop when they were sponsoring Velo Club Noviomagus.

Photograph courtesy John Pendleton.

Over the years the connection with Chichester became less and less, and what with commentators always having a problem with pronouncing Noviomagus (we were called all sorts of weird and wonderful things), we decided to change our name in 1981 to Southdown Velo. By the way, the VC Noviomagus is not completely dead, as a handful of ex-members reformed the club a couple of years ago and wear the original club jersey design (green, red and white - the Italian national colours at the time).