The trials world on the south east was saddened by the death of well-known trials rider, Alan Ketley.
Alan was an accomplished rider in the SE ACU centre and at one time worked for Comerfords/Bultaco UK as a sales representative, looking after the many Bultaco agencies throughout the UK.
He had been sufering from Parkinson’s Disease for some years and was from Erith, South East London..
Details of Alan’s funeral arrangements are:
Friday, 29th October 2021 at Beckenham Crematorium at 09.30 am.
Trials Guru wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to his daughter at this very sad time.
Tribute to Alan Ketley from his friend Bob Adams:
The passing of Alan KETLEY “ Ketters “ is a huge loss to the trials scene. We travelled the UK & continent in his mini pick-up as well as tackling National trials. His most remembered achievement was beating Sammy Miller to win his first National.
Al rode for the South Eastern Centre team many times but the North Kent combine was his favourite scene. He was a champ in every class, Ariel, James , B40. He was a wiz on long steep hills where throttle control was key. He was truly a class act Brands Hatch in 1965.
Al was asked to ride the Bultaco Sherpa and rode it brilliantly. His dad only ever came to one trial, Weavers Down, and Al finished on clean THATS the way to show your dad how good you are! He worked for Comerfords in his younger years selling Bultacos all over the UK and servicing the dealers. Parkinson’s put paid to a trials return in the last decade. Al leaves a daughter “Amanda” and two grandchildren.
Bob Adams
TRIALS GURU 
So sorry to hear the passing of Alan (Ketters) as we called him, truly a great rider, and man, his passing will be sorely missed, Charlie Harris.
So sorry to hear the passing of Alan Ketley. I remember him riding in the first East Anglian National Trial 01-03-1970 riding #25 which started at Sudbury Suffolk and his Sponsor/Entrant was Frank Sheene father of Barry. On the day he won a Second Class Award losing 59 marks one mark behind R F (Bob) Adams.
I grew up with Alan at Kennington where his father and my father were shopowners I sold my BSA C 15 T which was his first trials bike and the rest is history Alan it was a pleasure knowing you most of my life rest in peace my friend Norman Hardey
I last saw Alan in the early 80’s riding NKTC and Erith club trials. When most ‘top’ riders were getting new bikes every year, he was riding a red tank Bultaco that was around 10 years old. No fancy kit either, he wore wellies and a pair of overalls, as can be seen in the photo above.
Despite their age, his bikes were always immacculate and Alan was obsessive with their set up. I saw him ride back to his car to adjust and handlebars by a fraction. He found the club events pretty easy and would frequently ride them without walking the sections first.
You could also know he was in a section, because of his constant soft throttle blipping.
Unfortunately, I never saw Alan at the very top of his game, riding in the Nationals. Not that you’d ever know just how good he had been, Alan was modest to a fault.