Around the Premier League Tracks 2007 - the close season 2007/8

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Wednesday, 14 November


Premier League News



Sheffield: It seems that Sheffield have been hit by a second transfer request from a rider who didn’t figure in their plans last season. Canadian Kyle Legault has already rocked the club with a demand for a move last month.

Co-promoter, David Hoggart, said “I find it staggering what both Kyle and the other rider concerned are not even talking to the club and it shows a lack of respect to Sheffield and the fans.

Source: BPSA website

There was further coverage of this news in the Sheffield Star:

Sheffield Speedway can confirm they have received a second winter transfer request.

Following hot on the heels of Kyle Legault's demand for a move away from Owlerton, club bosses Neil Machin and David Hoggart have been rocked by a second request. And they have revealed how they believe the request, on behalf of a rider who didn't figure last season, has come from the same advisor as Legault's.

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Hoggart told the Sheffield Star: "I can confirm that the club have received a second transfer request from a rider we believe is taking the same advice from the same person as Kyle Legault. We find it particularly disappointing that the advisor concerned sees fit to try and damage our business when they don't have a penny in the sport. Perhaps they should take over a club of their own and buy our assets from there.

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"I'm afraid we are not prepared to confirm the identity of the second rider at this stage as there are issues to be resolved. It is our opinion that Kyle would be better off on loan to any Elite League club of his choice," said Hoggart. "The loan fee would be manageable to the club concerned, but a transfer fee which is not unsubstantial would put some clubs out of reach.

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"Kyle has three-years service and as such would be giving up three-years towards a testimonial. He needs to think all these things through, but we are disappointed he has so far not got back to us. At this stage I find it staggering that both Kyle and the other rider concerned are not even talking to myself or Neil Machin and it shows a complete lack of respect to Sheffield Speedway and the fans."



Oxford: The club is keen to compete in both the Premier and Conference Leagues next season.

Owner, Allen Trump, who rescued the club from probable closure last June, is set to apply for membership of both leagues at the sport’s AGM at the end of the month. Cheetahs’ manager, Peter Oakes, said “There have been lots of rumours but I can confirm Allen wants to see the club racing at both levels next year.”

Source: BPSA website


Isle of Wight: There has been a further update on injured rider Chris Johnson:

Isle of Wight star Chris Johnson who suffered very serious injuries in a crash on September 26 during the Wightlink Islanders away league match at King's Lynn, has undergone a further operation on his damage leg. That operation took place at a specialist unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where he was transferred to from Norfolk.

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It involved the plastic surgeons removing Chris's Tibia and all the muscles and blood supplies surrounding it, and then use pieces of it to fill the 10cm gap currently in his Femur. He is now under close observation to make sure the blood vessels heal and do not clot otherwise he will be rushed into theatre to correct the problem.

Specialists have told Chris he won't be able to even start weight bearing on the leg for about a year due to the severity of the break. This is a very long time to be on crutches but he is in good spirits and believes that with extensive specialist treatment the time scale will be reduced.

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Get well cards /messages / should be sent to Chris Johnson, Ward 3A, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU.

Source: worldspeedway.com



Scunthorpe: Following on from the news that the Scorpions had signed Swedish rider Viktor Bergstrom further information tells us:

The Lincs FM Scunthorpe Scorpions have made their first signing in preparation for their first season in the Premier League in 2008. Whilst the signing obviously depends on the club being accepted in to the league at the AGM, the Scorpions’ management have reached agreement with 20-year-old Viktor Bergström from Kolmården in Sweden to line up for the side should they get the go ahead.

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Viktor is one of Sweden’s leading young riders and rode in the Swedish Elite League last season for Västervik for Vargarna in their Allsvenskan League and won a league title in the Polish second league with Rawicz. Viktor, who turns 21 on Wednesday, spent Friday and Saturday in Scunthorpe and had extensive practice on Saturday before joining supporters for a social night in the Scorpions’ clubhouse.

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Team Manager and Co-Promoter Kenny Smith expressed his delight at the signing “Viktor is a real prospect, a talented rider with the right attitude. I’ve seen Nicki Pedersen and Bjarne Pedersen start out at Newcastle and I have a similar feeling about Viktor. It will obviously be hard in his first season, riding new tracks, but he is definitely one for the future”.

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Smith’s fellow promoter Rob Godfrey added “Viktor will fit in well at Scunthorpe. He has a lot to offer and he is desperate to take his speedway to the next level. He rode about forty meetings last year but if we are accepted in to the Premier League he’ll get fifty meetings with us alone. It can only be good for him and I’m sure we can help get the best out of Viktor. He gates well, rode the track superbly on Saturday and is very professional. He’s a nice lad too and I’m sure he will become very popular”.

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Viktor, who is working long days in the building trade over the winter to ensure he starts the season with four complete bikes, said “I am really looking forward to riding for Scunthorpe next year. It’s a great track with nice people all around. I think it is going to be a really good season and I will do my best to live up to everyone’s expectations”.

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Whilst their have been plenty of discussions regarding the other team members for next season the club really have their hands tied until November 28th when the club expect the final decision regarding their application to join the Premier League.



Somerset: The Rebels will again have Sharp Retail Systems sponsoring them again next season:

SOMERSET Rebels speedway team have announced that their 2007 team sponsors Sharp Retail Systems have confirmed a two year-deal to continue their backing. The quality of the racing at the Oak Tree Arena was one of the main reasons behind their decision according to managing director Mark Saunders.

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He said: "2007 was Sharp's first season as the main team sponsor of the Rebels and while we have been involved with riders and clubs in the Elite League over a period of time, we have been very impressed by the quality of racing we have witnessed in the Premier League this year, and in particular at the Oak Tree Arena.

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"I have seen some of the best racing in my life at Somerset, especially one race between Magnus Zetterstrom and Gary Havelock which was just incredible and a great advert for the speedway. Much of the credit for the quality of racing at Somerset must go to track curator Ez Curtis and his team."

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Saunders went on: "However, it is not just the racing that has attracted us to remain as team sponsors. We have been impressed by the efforts of the whole team at Somerset to improve the facilities at the Oak Tree Arena. We at Sharp feel sure that Somerset Speedway will go from strength to strength and we want to be part of this success."

Source: Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News