{{Short description|Australian motorcycle speedway rider}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Use British English|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox Speedway rider | name = Paddy Dean | image = | caption = | nationality = Australian | birth_date = {{birth date text|18 April 1903}} | birth_place = Wollombi, New South Wales, Australia | death_date = {{Death date and age|1954|9|13|1903|4|18|df=y}} | death_place = Forbes, New South Wales, Australia
| career1 = West Ham Hammers | years1 = 1931 | career2 = Plymouth | years2 = 1931
| indivyear1 = 1927 | indivhonour1 = Australian champion (3 lap) }}
'''John Patrick Dean''' (18 April 1903 – 13 September 1954) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 |website=British Speedway |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref>
== Biography== Dean, born in Wollombi, New South Wales, lost two fingers in an accident involving a horse and cart, which enabled him to buy a motorcycle with the insurance money. He duly set four world records in Australia during 1926<ref name=PDA>{{cite news |title=Paddy Dean's accident |work=Sunday Mirror |date=26 May 1929 |access-date=5 March 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000844/19290526/278/0029 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref> and became the 1927 Australian champion over 3 laps.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyspeedway.nstrefa.pl/indmaustralii.php |title=Individual Australian Championship|website=Historia Sportu Zuzlowego |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref>
He was one of the most significant early pioneers of speedway, particularly in the United Kingdom, when he travelled over from Australia for the inaugural season of the sport in 1928. He took part in some of the first meetings ever staged in Britain.<ref>{{cite news |title=A 100% Thrill |work=Edinburgh Evening News |date=21 April 1928 |access-date=5 March 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000452/19280421/007/0001 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref> He was a major name throughout parts of Britain in 1928 being described as the World's champion Dirt Track rider.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thrills and Sensations |work=Musselburgh News |date=20 July 1928 |access-date=5 March 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002692/19280720/027/0001 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Dean returned to the United Kingdom in 1931, signing for West Ham Hammers and beginning his British leagues career riding for them during the 1931 Speedway Southern League season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1931record.pdf |title=1931 season |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> However he only rode three times for them after struggling with just one point from five rides.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/specialfeaturesrideraverages.pdf |title=Rider averages 1929 to 2009 |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref> He moved to ride for Plymouth for the remainder of the season in challenge matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/yearbyyear.html |title=Year by Year |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref>
He returned to his native Australia, where he continued to race.
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dean, Paddy}} Category:1903 births Category:1954 deaths Category:Australian speedway riders