Kenny McKinna retired from speedway after 20 years service to Glasgow Tigers, Belle Vue, Middlesbrough, Edinburgh Monarchs, and Scotland. This page has been established as a tribute to Kenny. Anyone with any recollections of Kenny from any of his clubs please e-mail me on johnlowe@callnetuk.com. Pictures will be added as they come available.
Kenny spent the early part of his career with his local club, Glasgow Tigers. Check out this link for some early pictures of Kenny from between 1979 and 1981.
Kenny McKinna is the No 1 Scottish rider. He started at Glasgow and after a spell in the top league at Belle Vue returned to Shawfield. He suffered an acrimonious split with Glasgow and amazed everyone by signing for the Monarchs. Glasgow have been made to suffer again and again for their decision to let Kenny go.
Kenny arrived at Monarchs in the Second Division and filled a heat leader rôle. He ended as Monarchs’ Number 1 in the last year of the Second Division and started the inaugural combined Premier League at a heat leader. Kenny found it harder in the combined league and filled second string and reserve rôles as well as heat leader . Kenny became captain on the departure of Les Collins.
Kenny in action
The new Premier League gave Kenny a new lease of life and he was near the top of the Premier League averages for most of the season. He qualified for the Premier League Riders’ Championship as Edinburgh’s Number 1 and was to be joined by Peter Carr as wild card. In the event, McKinna suffered an injury in scoring a paid maximum against Reading the night before and Robert Eriksson came in to replace him. Carr and Eriksson finished first and third in the final.
Kenny did manage to win an individual event when he came out on top in the Scottish Riders’ Championship at Armadale ahead of James Grieves, Scott Lamb and Stewart McDonald.
Kenny's last season in speedway was notable for his 20 year testamonial meeting at Armadale, the Gathering. This meeting was mercifully spared the horrible weather that dogged Armadale last season and was won by Sam Ermolenko.
