The origins of the team began in early 1956, following the demise of
Brafield Flying Foxes in the
Southern Area League and the slightly earlier demise of
Ringwood Turfs. The Southern Area League was faced with a serious problem in that only three teams (
Rye House Roosters,
Eastbourne Eagles and
California Poppies) would have lined up for the
1956 season and therefore the promoters got together and agreed the formation of a team that could race at the three remaining venues. The 'Home fixtures' for Southern Rovers would consist of riding at one of the venues not belonging to the fixture they were engaged in (for example the home match against Eastbourne would be held at either Rye House or California) Rovers' team manager Les King also lost the services of their rider Vic Hall (formerly of Brafield) to injury. The following season the team secured a base at the home of
Rayleigh Rockets at the
Rayleigh Weir Stadium, which led to some match reports as the team being called Rayleigh II or Rayleigh Rovers. The experience of riding away must have helped as Southern Rovers won the title the following season (
1957 Southern Area League). Five riders made the top ten league averages for the season; Colin Gooddy,
Leo McAuliffe, Stan Clark, Brian Meredith and Vic Hall. and had their results expunged. == Season summary ==