Around the Premier League Tracks 2007 - the close season 2007/8
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Friday, 2 November


Premier League News



Isle of Wight: News of Chris Johnson who suffered serious injuries following his crash at King’s Lynn late in the season appeared in this article by Bryn Williams in the Isle of Wight County Press:

CHRIS Johnson, who suffered very serious injuries in a crash during the Wightlink Islanders’ away league match at King’s Lynn, underwent a ten-hour operation on Wednesday of last week, to stabilise his pelvis and to make some temporary repairs to his left leg.That operation took place at a specialist unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and doctors have told he 20-year-old rider that the signs are good. Despite now having undergone four major operations since his crash and facing the prospect of even more to put right the damage he suffered, he remains in good spirits.He has also been overwhelmed by the messages of support he has received from the IW speedway fraternity. Speaking from his bed, he said: “I would really like to thank everyone who has sent me cards etc and taken the trouble to visit me since my crash and say how much it’s helped to keep feeling positive.“I’m keeping as cheerful as I can in the circumstances but I know I have to face more operations and have a long way to go before I’ll be allowed out of hospital and then a long road to a full recovery from my injuries.”There was some good news, however, as Wightlink Islanders skipper Jason Bunyan delighted those attending the club’s end-of-season presentation night at the stadium last Friday by telling them that he’ll be back as the club’s skipper in 2008.There had been some speculation within the speedway fraternity that the 28-year-old star might be a winter target for other Premier League clubs and, indeed, one or two racing at Elite League level. Jason himself though put paid to any such speculation by announcing on Friday that he had agreed a deal with the club to return to lead the club's assault on the Premier League title next season.“We’re absolutely delighted to have announced Jason’s re-signing at this point,” said co-promoter Dave Pavitt. “Jason did an outstanding job as our skipper this year and equally sure he’'ll do so again in 2008.”Further moves in terms of team building for next season depend now on decisions taken at the forthcoming promoters AGM which takes place at the end of this month. Once those decisions are taken, the Wightlink Islanders management will look to finalise their 2008 team plans at an early date.


Workington: The Comets are the team in the news these days following their sale to Keith Denham. It seems that James Wright was not part of the sale and speculation has started about where and in which league the Premier League Riders’ Champion will ride next year. This was an article which appeared in the News and Star:

STAR rider James Wright is set to make a crunch decision on his future with Workington Comets.The Premier League champ was NOT included in the takeover deal for the club – and could opt for the Elite League. Promoter Tony Mole agreed the sale on Tuesday with new owner Keith Denham, but 21-year-old Wright will be listed as retained by R&D Aggregates Ltd. Also included on that R and D Aggregates list are fellow British riders Lee Derbyshire and James Mann, neither of whom rode in British speedway last season. Australian Rusty Harrison, a Workington asset who spent most of last season on loan to Stoke before deciding to retire, is another who has not been included in the deal. Italian Mattia Carpanese, who went home before the end of his first season with the Comets, is among five non-British riders not included in the sale. The others are Harrison, Charles Ermolenko, Shaun McConnell and Charles Venegas. Wright has been riding in the Elite League with Belle Vue, his last season of being allowed to double-up and will have to make a decision on his 2008 riding plans. Mole, whose R and D Aggregates company re-launched the Comets at Derwent Park in 1999, said today: “James has yet to make up his mind as to which league he will ride in, be it Elite League or Premier League, or which club he will ride for in the 2008 season.” Meanwhile the Kidderminster-based businessman has lodged a planning application with Dudley Council in a bid to revive the famous old Cradley club. Mole, who successfully re-launched Birmingham in March after a 20-year absence, has targeted a site at Oldnall Road, close to their former Dudley Wood home.He said: “It has taken a long time to get to this position and naturally we feel confident we have addressed all the issues thoroughly.” In recent years Mole had bought Belle Vue and Mildenhall before selling his interests and after this week’s sale of Workington he was left with only Birmingham. Both Mole and Denham will be at the Comets’ prize presentation in the Washington Central tonight.