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

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Sunday, 4 November


Premier League News



Edinburgh: The Edinburgh track won the award of the best prepared track in British Speedway by the Speedway Riders’ Association at their Annual Dinner Dance last Thursday. Second was the other track prepared by Alan Bridgett and last year’s winner, Wolverhampton while Eastbourne came third and Somerset fourth. The Daily Record made this short announcement:

Edinburgh Monarchs’ Armadale oval has been voted the best in the Premier and Elite Leagues.

At their Annual Dinner and Dance the Monarchs announced their first signing of the season in Aaron Summers the young Australian who had a six week spell riding with Edinburgh and Buxton during a short visit last year. Subject to any rule changes at the Promoters’ Conference in a few weeks’ time he will join the team at reserve with a 3.00 average. Before he left to return home last year Aaron scored 19 points in Buxton’s win at Stoke winning the last heat decider to preserve Buxton’s two point lead.

The Monarchs also announced the valuable and welcome continued sponsorship next season by Scotwaste, their main sponsors.


Berwick: David Meldrum bowed out of British Speedway on crutches. The Sun carried the following story:

DAVID MELDRUM’S Berwick Bandits career ended with him on crutches – he’s just hoping his farewell bash isn’t a limp affair too.The Scotland cap crashed in his last-ever ride for the club - suffering a broken leg and dislocated fingers. Tonight he’s honoured by the fans as he gears up for a new life ice-racing in the USA.He said: “Some people might suggest we have nothing to celebrate after finishing stone last in the league – that’s not the case. But I’ll be door-watching all night to see who turns up. Our season has been one disaster after another.Stan Burza is laid up in Poland awaiting back surgery while skipper Michal Makovsky has an arm op. Jac Rempala is in Russia and young Sam martin is back home in Australia while late-season signing Matej Kus is holed up in Prague.The only other rider likely to attend is Swede Andreas Bergstrom. Meldrum said: “I was only 15 when I started and our supporters know I’ve never given less than 100 per cent. I’ve been racing at indoor ice meetings in America for a few years now and it can be extremely lucrative.“It’s just a pity about the crash. I’d always wanted to go out on a high. Instead I went out in the back of an ambulance.”

Berwick announced that Jacek Rempala had been voted Rider of the Year at their Annual Dinner and Dance after finishing third in the Premier League riders’ Championship at Swindon late in the season.



Scunthorpe: are anxiously waiting to find out whether their application to join the Premier League next year has been successful. The following appeared in the Scunthorpe Telegraph last Wednesday:

Scunthorpe Scorpions might find out tomorrow if their application for Premier League speedway next season has been accepted.Promoter Rob Godfrey will be attending a general council meeting of the sport in Rugby"I think then we will have a very strong indication - and I am hopeful that we will be successful," he said."I can't see why not. We can't stay at this level. We have served our apprenticeship in the Conference for the past two years. We are ready for Premier League speedway here. We have the track, we have the facilities and we have the staff."And Godfrey has already started piecing together his new squad for next season - which includes two star Premier League names. He is hoping to sign Carl Wilkinson from Newcastle and Richard Hall from Sheffield Tigers, who has had Elite League experience with Peterborough."Carl was close to coming in as our No 1 when we first went into the Conference League three years ago," revealed Godfrey. “He has the Premier League experience that we need and has been on fire this season. Hen is getting better and better and better."He has said he would love to come to Scunthorpe, but there are procedures we have got to go through first. We have got to talk with Newcastle and see if either they are willing to loan him to us for next season - or whether we can buy him from them."It is also no secret that I would love to bring Richard Hall here. He was part of Scunthorpe speedway from our early days of running second halves at Hull. He would have ridden the last few matches in the Conference League for us this season had he not suffered a broken ankle."He wants to ride for Scunthorpe. There is nothing in writing or such yet, but I would be very surprised not to see him in a Scorpions jacket next season. And that would be fantastic for Scunthorpe fans. He would effectively be our No 1 rider because he could score points both on this track at Normanby Road - and away."He has Premier League experience with Sheffield, his parent club, and last season effectively helped Peterborough win the Elite League. He has had a bit of a rough ride this year and feels he needs to drop down to regain his confidence - and we are probably the best track for him."Richard is a big part of our thoughts and I would love to buy him from Sheffield." Godfrey also revealed that he will be looking at a Swedish star at Normanby Road next Saturday. "He wants to ride in the Premier League next season, so we will have a look at him."We will then sit down and try to put together the best team that we can for next season - as we have always done. We still hope Joe Haines will stay with us next season and it's the same with Byron Bekker, Ritchie Dennis and Benji Compton.Last night there was a bumper crowd at Normanby Road to get a taste of what Premier League speedway will be like with a the Scorpions took on Sheffield Tigers.


Workington: Kauko Nieminen was the Comets’ first signing of the season and was covered by the News and Star in the following article:

KAUKO NIEMINEN is the first rider to sign for the new-look Workington Comets ahead of the 2008 season. The 28-year-old Finn, right, who had been linked with a possible return to Glasgow Tigers, was unveiled as the Comets first signing at last night’s club presentation. New owner Keith Denham has told the fans that he intends to have the Workington team signed-up by the start of December. Nieminen, who was captain this year, had spent the 2006 season on loan to Glasgow after previously racing only for the Comets. A popular rider with the Comets fans since first signing in 2002, and a splendid ambassador for speedway in west Cumbria, Nieminen was one of the award winners last night. He won most Rider of the Night nominations during the season at Derwent Park to pick-up the special Justin Edgar Trophy. New owner Denham and co-promoter Ian Thomas have been discussing the formation and make-up of the side since the deal was completed and Nieminen was a natural choice to make. Nieminen, a Finnish international who rides regularly in Sweden, has helped promote the sport in west Cumbria this year by visiting schools in the area to talk about his career in speedway. He just pipped James Wright to the trophy after winning five Rider of the Nights, one more than his team-mate. But there was compensation for Wright – who still has to decide on his riding plans for 2008 and is still retained by Tony Mole’s R and D Aggregates – as he pipped Nieminen for another trophy. Wright won the award for the Comets rider who had increased his average the most. He had improved by 0.72 – going up from 8.42 to 9.14, while Nieminen had gone from 7.72 to 8.42 an increase of 0.70. The third trophy winner was second string Craig Branney as the rider who had earned most bonus points during the season. He collected 37, which were well ahead of any of his colleagues.



Stoke: News on Glenn Cunningham was carried by the website Worldspeedway.com:

INJURED Stoke star Glenn Cunningham is set to return to hospital for further X-rays on his broken thigh.Cunningham sustained the injury in a crash at Somerset early last month and has a rod inserted in his right leg from top to bottom.He said: "I'm still taking pain killers as well as having a few exercises to do, and naturally I hope some form of healing process has started."

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.

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

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Thursday, 1 November


Premier League News



Glasgow: David McAllan has returned home from hospital after his horrific accident in the Premier League match at Ashfield against Birmingham. The Sun says:

GLASGOW TIGERS ace David McAllan is out of hospital following a horror smash – but has been told he must have a metal rod in his spine for at least a year.McAllan suffered a back injury when he crashed into the perimiter fence against Birmingham 16 days ago. Tigers’ co-promoter Alan Dick said: “His physio has gone really well over the last few days and he’s walking again, although with the aid of a frame.


Somerset: The Rebels stage their end of season party on Saturday. The following appeared in the Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News:

SOMERSET Sharp Rebels' presentation night on Saturday will incorporate the official opening of the new clubhouse at the Oak Tree Arena.There are three main rider awards up for grabs: Most Improved, Most Entertaining and Rider Of The Season. Early indications from voting by the fans show that each will be a close-run thing. Reserve Danny Warwick was named as the 2007 winner of the Fred Fountain Memorial Trophy at last Friday's final home meeting. The presentation was made by Mrs Fountain and was warmly received by both rider and fans."To receive a trophy such as this is always special, particularly when you see that the previous winners include such as Paul Fry and Glenn Cunningham," said a delighted Warwick. "I always go out with the aim of trying to entertain the fans as well as win, so it is nice to know that my efforts are appreciated."Fans are reminded that 2008 season tickets are available as follows: Adult £286, concessions £220, child £88, all of which represent a huge saving compared to paying at the gate every week. The adult and concession package will include a free programme if the application is received before January 31. Applications should be sent, together with an SAE and passport-sized photograph, to Somerset Speedway, 9 Carisbrooke Crescent, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4EL.



Berwick: The Bandits seemed poised to sign Matej Kus according to the Sun:

BERWICK gaffer Peter Waite is set to name his first signing for 2008 but has to wait for a school rota to be released. Waite is eyeing Czech sensation Matej Kus after booting out five flops. However his teen target is in his final year at school and has several key exams to sit.He said: “Matej is the first of many we’ll be trying to sign. But he’s still at school and has yet to let us know the dates of his exams. We’re hoping he can fit in all of our meetings because we need riders 100 per cent committed.”


Berwick: It seems that David Meldrum’s speedway career may be at an end as he heads for America. This appeared in the Berwick Advertiser:

BERWICK'S longest-serving rider, David Meldrum looks as if he might have run his last race for the Bandits.Meldrum, who has been a loyal servant to his home-town club over the past 12 years, is currently recovering from a broken ankle he sustained towards the back end of last season, which meant him missing the final month of the campaign. But he is currently engaged to be married, and the indications are that he is hoping to move to America shortly to be with his fiance. But before he leaves some supporters are calling on the club to recognise his service with a special benefit meeting. Some have even suggested a testimonial, but promoter Peter Waite says he does not think that would be possible as his contract has not been held exclusively by the Bandits for all that time.Meldrum has raced for all or part of 11 of his 12 years in the sport with the Shielfield Park outfit - the only exception was when he had a brief spell with Somerset, although he also rode on loan at Newcastle. "I can understand how people feel about David," said Waite. "He is a home-town boy and that is why everyone around Shielfield loves him so much."He only lives a few hundred yards from the stadium in Tweedmouth and he has been part of the Berwick team for a considerable number of years now. But Berwick have not always held his contract, and that is where the difficulty lies. He was first contracted to ex-promoter Mike Hope, but there was a time when his contract was held by the BSPA. We bought it back, but in effect it was broken service."I know that sounds stupid when you think how many years he has raced for the club - there aren't that many riders around who show that much loyalty to the same team - and when you look around at how some riders are awarded testimonials when they have only been with a club for a couple of seasons it seems all the more ludicrous."I will have to see what 'Victor's' plans are, but he has been part and parcel of the scene here at Berwick for as long as I have been running the club and if he is planning to retire it would be nice to mark it in some way. David is a nice lad. He was never ever going to be a world beater, but he has had his moments, particularly around Shielfield, which is a track he knows like the back of his hand."On his day he was capable of beating anyone here. He was certainly a very useful rider to have as a reserve -cum- second string and quite often he proved to be a match-winner. On his travels he wasn't quite so hot, and over the last few years his form has dropped off slightly, but he was just starting to get his act together at the end of this year when he tragically broke his ankle."I don't know if he intends riding again, but I know he has just recently got engaged and there is some talk about him going to America. If that's the case he will be a big miss here, because he has been part of the fittings, and for that alone we will have to see if we can organise some sort of benefit, because I'm sure the fans wouldn't want to see him go without saying goodbye."


Rye House: It looks like the Rockets will have Stefan Ekberg in the side again next year according to the Harlow Herald:

PROMOTER Len Silver has already started speculation about the make up of next season's Rockets team by purchasing the contract of Stefan Ekberg. The 35-year-old Swede proved a revelation when he was signed in August and had a major influence on the Rockets' title success. Ekberg, who has riding commitments in his homeland and in Poland, proved a big hit with the Hoddesdon fans. And the Swedish speedway star has already hinted that he would like a return to action with the Premier League champions next year.


Oxford: With Oxford set to join the Premier League next year the local paper, the Oxford Mail, had the following article:

IF you want to see top quality speedway, then get along to Oxford Stadium every week - that's the rallying call from promoter Allen Trump.The Oxford Cheetahs promoter may find out this week whether his bid for Premier League speedway has been successful. But even if it is turned down, Trump says that he will back Conference League speedway - if the Oxford public back him."I'll provide a strong team, if there is the level of support," he said. Trump has lost money as an owner, but says he is dedicated to Oxford. He said: "I will need around 800-plus fans each meeting to cover the increased costs of running in the Premier League."On top of that, I need a guaranteed total sponsorship of around £35,000. I have promises from various sources if we get into the Premier League, and if Oxford wants it, the fans will have to add their support. We have set up a whole new structure, but it relies on bigger gates and sponsor- ship."Trump revealed that his ambition is to provide Oxford with high level action, but rules out the Elite League. “It has been shown in the past that Oxford cannot support an Elite League club," he added. "If it has to happen, I will continue in the Conference next season, but it would be difficult to have a meaningful season - ie, a meeting every week."Normally, the stadium landlords would expect to receive around £28,000 for a season, but in the Conference there would be only 16 meetings at home, possibly pushing my costs up to £1,600 (per meeting)."The problem is that the GRA want the money up front, which puts a big dent in the finances before the season begins. Oxford is a very tentative town in which to run speedway. You walk a fine line, but I like to think we have kept the crowds up with some fine performances so far."The result of Oxford's application could be announced as early as today, but the decision will need to be ratified at the AGM at the end of the month. As soon as the result is known, Trump intends to call a meeting at Oxford Stadium to outline his future plans and sponsorship.


Workington: Following yesterday’s news that the Comets had been sold the News and Star had the following article:

FOR a fan standing on the Derwent Park terraces 37 years ago watching the birth of the Workington Comets, Keith Denham has realised the dream. After several years of trying – with near misses on more than one occasion – he has struck a deal with owner Tony Mole to buy the Comets from R and D Aggregates. Chief executive of Workington’s biggest employers – Thomas Armstrong (Holdings) Ltd – he has the financial clout to suggest that the Comets could be major players in the ever-changing world of British speedway. That’s not an indication he wants to move-up into the Elite League, more a statement of intent with regard to the innovations he intends to introduce at Derwent Park. But this is no rich man’s plaything, and it is a personal purchase with no financial involvement from the company. He means business on his own, with a select team built round him. “I’ve been a speedway fan since the 1950’s and have followed the Comets since they first ran in 1970. I’m local and can relate to them racing in Workington. That’s why I was frightened that the club might fall into the wrong hands, going to people who might be able to buy it but couldn’t afford to run it. That might have been the end of it. “So I’m pleased the deal has been struck and we can get on with the job of marketing Workington speedway and provide the kind of excitement each week that makes people want to go back for more. One thing I can say here and now is that there will be no admission increase for 2008. They will be pegged at this season’s prices. “I will also be encouraging heavy promotion in other parts of the county, because there are speedway fans from Carlisle and Penrith right down to Barrow and Millom,” he says. And what would be his main wish for his first season in charge next year? He doesn’t pause – “To please the fans, giving them excitement and entertainment each week – even above winning trophies, although that would be nice.” Denham wants to make improvements to the Derwent Park track and the facilities at the stadium – but knows he needs to sit down and talk with the landlords from Workington Town. “I’m here for the long haul, not just a short stay and there are a number of things we can do to improve surroundings for fans. I’m talking about basics, like improving the car park and toilets, but also putting-up a fence behind the first and second turns, and also putting in corporate boxes on the second bend. “Whatever happens we will be improving the surface and one of the first jobs will be to dig-up and relay the first and second turns. We want the best track in the country,” he says. Denham has already studied the green sheet averages in readiness for recruiting a team for the 2008 season. He’s discussed possible signings with co-promoter Ian Thomas. “I would like to think we can have the team put together by December 1. Certainly that’s what I’m aiming to do, but obviously a lot depends on who we can fit into the team average. There’s no doubt that I want Ulrich Ostergaard back at Derwent Park. Now he really is a spearhead, the aggressive all-action, total-professional who gets people out of their seats. We have started talks with him and I hope that he’ll agree to join us permanently for next year,” he says. The new owner is to insist that the riders all wear the same coloured kevlars for next season. It’s that kind of togetherness he wants on and off the track as he prepares to lead the Comets into a new era, in what also promises to be one of the most crucial seasons the sport in general has faced for a while.