George Short - Director

George is the owner and managing director at S & S Motors. He was born in Bootle on Merseyside and is an Everton supporter of many years. He was always interested in motorcycles and cars being one of four boys and with a father with a keen passion for bikes.

When he left school at 15 he initially went into the family butcher's business. However all this did was convince him that he wanted to be a mechanic.

He was taken on as an apprentice at Horsmans in Liverpool where he went on to become a fully trained mechanic. At eighteen he started to race on the short circuits he could reach from home with his mate who had access to a van. From early childhood his biggest ambition was to race on the T.T. course and he strove hard to fulfill this dream!

In 1963 he made his first foray into the Isle of Man and went to race in the Southern 100 race of that year. George also rode in the Manx Grand Prix for the first time in that year. 1963 was the year that fate leant a hand and he met his Manx born wife and he eventually arrived on the Isle of Man in 1966 as a young groom.

Over the years he became dad to four daughters. Once he was resident on the island he rode in any event he could - scrambles, trials and enduros which meant that every week-end was filled with bikes.

S & S motors came into being in December, 1970 when George went into partnership with Dave Shimmin (who later had to leave through ill health). The business went from strength to strength and has evolved into what it is today - a very successful business run by a motoring enthusiast who actually enjoys going into work each morning!

Doreen Short - Director

Doreen is the forecourt manager and is married to George and mother of Gilly. She is Manx born and met George when he came to the Isle of Man to race in the Southern 100 races in 1963.

She was a child bride and between George and herself they produced their fair share of the next generation, i.e. four daughters.

Doreen originally worked for a chartered accountant in Douglas and then stayed at home with her first two daughters, Jan and Gilly. Once free she went to work as a school secretary for 15 years until Hannah and Rachael were born.

When the Total Petrol Station was added to the business in 1991 Doreen became Site Manager.

Gill Spadoni- Accounts

Gill is George's second daughter and is married to Sanny, who is half Italian and half Manx. (what a combination!) They went through school together until they finally got together at 16 years old. Gilly and Sanny left the island at eighteen to go to university. Gill became a primary school teacher and Sanny became a computer consultant, but the call of the island was strong and after 14 years they came back to the island to live.

Not wanting to teach anymore she was looking for a new challenge and took on responsibility for accounts and administration.

Gilly is very efficient and will probably be your first contact with us should you wish to get in touch.

In the office with her every day is her Golden Retriever Harrison who has become our mascot, lying in front of the fire in winter and in the sunshine in summer, just doing nothing.

Rachael short -

Ninja - Garage Cat.

We acquired our cat, Ninja, about three years ago and she is the pride and joy of the mechanical and shop staff alike and she is spoilt rotten.

She will spend hours curled around either George or Steve's neck (she has some idea that she is a parrot). Ninja will also spend many an hour asleep on a bike. Even when you start a Ducati 999 up on full race pipes she will still be asleep on the seat of the bike. She just loves motor bikes, like we all do.

Carol Gandy - Forecourt manager

Carol is once again Manx born and has been with the family for four years after spending 23 years running the airport shop. Carol spends most of her spare time 'on the farm' up in Andreas. On most of her days off she can be found dipping sheep or moving cattle and horses around.

Her greatest love is for her god-children who she treats as princes and princesses.