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

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Monday, 10 December


Premier League News



Workington: Craig Branney is back again with Workington Comets to complete the team line-up for 2008. He re-joins younger brother John in the Comets side to contest an extended Premier League when it gets underway in March. Branney senior is delighted to be returning to his hometown track for a second successive season. “I was considered for a reserve slot one year, and even got to a virtual ride-off in pre-season practice, without landing the job. “I’ve just had to get my head down and work hard at my sport so getting the call at the end of last year to sign for the Comets was the moment I’d been waiting for. “I enjoyed riding for the team last season and I just hope that I can build on that and help move the team forward again,” he says. Owner Keith Denham said: “We’ve put together a side which I believe will be very competitive in what is likely to be an intense League. “Generally, from talking to the fans, they are happy with the side we have assembled at Derwent Park. “We might seem a bit top heavy with Daniel Nermark, Kauko Nieminen and Carl Stonehewer looking as good a top three as there is in the League. “But it will be up to the likes of the Branney brothers, Charles Wright and young Joe Haines to provide the back-up and make the progress which can turn us into a challenging side.” Workington’s new owner will unveil the new line-up to the fans before the season officially opens at Berwick on Easter Saturday, March 22 with the first home meeting at Derwent Park on Easter Monday, March 24.“We will be holding a press and practice day behind closed doors but will also be inviting the fans to meet the team on a Saturday open house. “They shouldn’t have to worry about getting time off work that day. “They will be able to come into the stadium, chat to the riders and take photographs as well as collect autographs,” said Denham. He is also planning a major publicity campaign in which the Comets will be going into all the schools around Cumbria. “I believe we went into two schools in Allerdale last season.“Well I intend to see that we have riders going to schools throughout the county all year round, pushing home the message that speedway is a sport to be enjoyed by young and old,” said Denham.

Source: Official Workington Website

Somerset: The 2008 Somerset ‘Sharp’ Rebels will certainly have a familiar look about them when they take to the track next season as the club confirm Ritchie Hawkins as their third signing for the new campaign.

Hawkins, the 2004 British Under 21 Champion, joins Jordan Frampton and Simon Walker in making it three riders who will now line up for the Rebels in 2008 who were part of last season’s septet.

In confirming Hawkins signature, Somerset promoter Mike Golding felt that there is still plenty of potential within the 24 year old, and is looking for this to come to the fore in 2008;

“I feel Ritchie had a steady season in 2007, and it was pleasing to see that there were no ill effects from the nasty injury he sustained the previous season,” said Golding, “Ritchie has plenty of potential still to realise and a second season at the Oak Tree Arena could be just what he needs in order to bring out the best in him.” “I see a 7 point rider in Ritchie and I expect him to be pushing this figure as the season progresses.”

For Hawkins, 2008 will be his third season with Somerset, his first coming in 2005 when he was a part of the quartet that lifted Somerset’s first ever trophy at Premier League level, namely the Premier League Fours Championship at Workington. The following season saw him join Workington, but a serious head injury brought a premature end to his year, but fully recovered he returned to the Somerset colours for 2007, and finished the year with a 6.06 average, which, after the reduction allowed for British riders will convert to 5.91 for 2008.

Lining up for Somerset for a second successive season is something of a novelty for the Poole based Hawkins as he explained;

“I am really happy to be staying with Somerset for 2008, this is the first time I think I have stayed with the same club since my time with Swindon, and it makes life a whole lot easier as you do not have to get used to a new track as far as set ups etc are concerned.”

“Mike [Golding] has been such a great guy to ride for that I had no hesitation in agreeing to ride for Somerset again next year,” added Hawkins, “I was a bit disappointed with my form at times last season, but everything it looking really positive for 2008, I already have a major sponsorship deal agreed with Scandic Clutches and another almost completed, but would always welcome more!” “I know what expectations Mike has of me for next season and I feel that I am more than capable of achieving those.”

In further news from the Oak Tree Arena, announcer Dave Lewis has decided to ‘hang up the mic’ as far as 2008 is concerned due to family commitments.

“The decision I have made not to continue with my role at Somerset was a very hard one to make indeed, for the last year has been probably the most enjoyable I have had since I started in this role at Swindon 10 years ago.” Explained the ever popular Lewis, “Mike Golding has been a fabulous man to work for and he deserves every success at Somerset for the effort he has put into the club and I can only see a good future for the Rebels with Mike at the helm.”“I will very much miss seeing everyone at Somerset - as well as the fantastic racing - on Fridays, but the need to spend more quality time with my family was becoming more and more evident, and of course, family has to come first. I will do my best to get to the OTA a few times in 2008, but in the meantime I would like to offer my thanks to everyone at Somerset for the support, encouragement and friendship they shown me in the past.”

“I was sorry to learn from Dave that he has decided not to continue announcing at Somerset, but I can fully appreciate the reasons behind his decision,” said Mike Golding, “I would like to go on record to personally thank Dave for 2007, the accolades he received from fans up and down the country for his announcing at the Premier League Pairs bears testament to what a loss he will be here at Somerset; he is going to be a very difficult man to replace.”

Source: Official Somerset Website



Sheffield: The Tigers have unveilrd three more riders in their push for the 2008 Premier League title – and they’re all familiar faces!

Ben Wilson, Joel Parsons and Paul Cooper have all signed new deals with the Sheffield Window Centre backed club and will join skipper, Andre Compton – who signed a new two-year deal last week – and Ricky Ashworth in the main body of next season’s side.

That means there is no place for James Birkinshaw and James Cockle at reserve, though the latter has already signed for Mildenhall. Two new signings will follow soon.

Tigers’ co-promoter David Hoggart said: “What a great position we’re in, enjoying the continuity with the bulk of a team which did us proud last season and we’re all looking forward to next March.

“Joel and Coops were promised some backing if they came back to Owlerton, they had expensive repair bills at the end of last season so naturally we hope those pledges of sponsorship come true in the coming weeks.”

Meanwhile Tigers asset Kyle Legault has joined Birmingham on loan – resisting a move into the Elite League.

“Despite Kyle’s transfer request which was played out in the press, we wish the lad all the very best”, said Hoggart. “It means both Kyle and Lee Complin remain assets of Sheffield Speedway and we are delighted that both riders have been fixed up elsewhere.”

Source: Official Sheffield Website


Birmingham: Birmingham Speedway are celebrating a thrilling double with the signings of Canadian ace Kyle Legault and inspirational skipper Jason Lyons for next season.

Legault is widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects on the scene and has turned down several other offers to race for the Brummies.

And Lyons, who first appeared in the sport as a rookie with Glasgow in the early 90s, has already written his name in Brummies’ folklore after a sensational season with the club in their amazing comeback campaign at Perry Barr.

Jubilant Birmingham boss, Graham Drury, said: “I’m delighted with the capture of Kyle, it’s actually the second time I’ve held talks with him because he was in our plans last season.

“There was confusion over his average back then and it all fell through, but this time we are sorted with the lad.

“Remember, this is a young lad who went within five rides of becoming a fully qualified Grand Prix rider last season and he made good progress at Mildenhall as well.

“Jason has already written himself into the record books as a Brummies’ Legend”, said Drury. “All along it was his first choice to come back to Perry Barr but we wanted to get the AGM out of the way and see what points limit we had to work with.

“It’s all worked out really well and I’m sure Jason will once again prove to be one of the top riders in the Premier League.”

Source: Official Birmingham Website


Stoke: It looks as though Jack Hargreaves will not be in the Potters’ colours next season.

Jack Hargreaves is unlikely to figure in Stoke Potters' plans for next season. The 19-year-old seems set to move away from Loomer Road as promoter Dave Tattum builds a new-look squad for 2008.

Tattum, who is hoping to announce more names to run alongside that of the already signed Lee Complin this week, said: "There has been some interest shown by other clubs in Jack and it is unlikely he will be wearing our colours in 2008."

Big things were predicted for Hargreaves, below, when he signed for Stoke as a 16-year-old. But that potential has yet to be realised and the teenager sees next season as one in which he must make strides forward.

"I look around at other riders in my age group and I can see there are things I must do to change my ways, otherwise I might not make the progress I expect from myself," he said. "I've messed around a bit too much and I regret much of that now.

“With a bit more dedication, I might have made more progress by now and I have no-one to blame other than myself. I'm not saying next season is make-or-break because it isn't. I'm still only 19 and hardly over the hill - but I do want to see real progress made next year."

Source: The Sentinal