Around the PL Tracks - What the Papers Say

[Merlin]

What the Papers Say: 1st – 7th November



Edinburgh: DUTCH racer Theo Pijper is poised to start a transfer tug-of-war among speedway’s big guns. The Edinburgh Monarchs skipper wants to move to the Elite League after his third in Wolverhampton’s showpiece individual event. Pijper, 26, has been at Armadale for five years, but only signed a contract this season just weeks before the opening meeting. Monarchs director Mike Hunter said: “Theo had a storming end to the campaign. He’s spoken of the Elite League and signing for Wolves, among others, as a possibility.” The Sun – 1 November


Glasgow : FORMER Glasgow Tigers general manager Bob Snedden has died after losing his six-month fight against throat cancer. The life-long speedway fan and enthusiast was dedicated to the team and spent a lot of time helping young riders who have gone to establish themselves as Tigers' heroes. Glasgow Evening Times – 1 November


Sheffield : TIGERS co-owner Neil Machin has threatened to quit the club if the Premier League is weakened next season. He wants to keep the bulk of the Sheffield squad which took the club to the runners-up spot in the Premier League and Premier Trophy.But there is a fear that the points limit used to determine team strengths will be slashed. That would mean bad news for one, possibly two, of Sheffield's top five riders. The decision will be made by club bosses at the AGM in Coventry on November 17.

"I spend six days a week trying to sell this product within the city of Sheffield and if I don't believe we have a good product to offer supporters and sponsors, then I would have to go," said Machin. "I believe the rest of the Premier League will be looking at raising the standards. To talk about the negative effect of a lower points limit, just look at why there is a Dutch auction for young reserve riders on a three-point average.
A lower points limit makes them just as valuable as a top man in the team, it's a false economy. We are at the crossroads. I believe we should be negotiating with better Premier League teams, rather than weaker." Sheffield Star – 1 November


King’s Lynn: King's Lynn supremo Buster Chapman insists his Premier League treble winners are ready to take on the Elite League's finest next season. Chapman has ruled out a switch to speedway's top tier but hinted Lynn could be interested in a possible pre-season competition as a prelude to the Stars' title defence. Lynn's co-promoter admits the Premier League powerhouses would listen to proposals being mooted ahead of this month's annual promoters' conference…… Chapman's team building plans for next year become clearer after this month's gathering with a supporters meeting scheduled for November 22 at the Norfolk Arena to reveal early 2007 plans. Lynn's co-promoter accepts topping this season's stellar achievements is mission impossible.

“When you've reached the top of the mountain you can't climb any further,” he said. “I just want to keep on entertaining - that's my main goal. There's a buzz around speedway in the town now and we want to build on it. “We know we'll have to break up this team and that will be tough but it's a fresh challenge. Every other club starts from the same base so we just have to try and go again.” Eastern Daily Press – 1 November


Somerset : PIRATES co-promoter Mike Golding has confirmed he has brokered a three-year lease to run Somerset and that he is hopeful of keeping Magnus Zetterstrom at the Premier League outfit next season…….Golding added: "Magnus has been on loan to Somerset from Poole and it would be tremendous if we could have him again. He is away at the moment so we haven't been able to talk, but once he is back I would hope to be able to meet up with him. I have always got on well with Zorro and, hopefully, a deal can be struck to keep him at Somerset."

Golding continued: "Bill Hancock, the landlord at the Oak Tree Arena, brought back control of the lease from Pete Toogood, the previous promoter there. Bill's aim, in conjunction with myself who has purchased the speedway promoting rights from Pete for three years with an option to renew, is to improve the spectator facilities at the Highbridge track…..Golding hopes that Pirates will visit Somerset with a full strength team at the beginning of next season in a challenge match. He said: "We went to Somerset once before in the British League Cup but that was with an under-strength Poole team. It would be great to go up with our best side, which I'm sure the Somerset fans would appreciate." Dorset Echo – 1 November


Glasgow: GLASGOW’S bid to sign Adrian Rymel has hit the skids – despite the Czech Republic ace craving a move to the Tigers. Rymel was at Ashfield on Sunday monitoring Czech whiz Matej Kus and was locked in talks with Tigers chief Alan Dick. However Dick was eventually forced to pull the plug due to his Polish league commitments. Dick explained: “He would have to miss SEVEN of our home meetings due to fixture clashes.” The Sun – 2 November


Berwick : BERWICK will run in the Premier League in 2007 . . . and Michal Makovsky will be back to lead the team as captain….. Danny Warwick is also hotly tipped to be returning next year. Berwick Advertiser – 2 November


Workington: TOMASZ Piszcz and Aidan Collins were double winners at Workington Comets’ end-of-season trophy presentation night. Piszcz was named the Comets Supporters’ Club’s Rider of the Year and won the trophy for biggest averages increase. Collins was voted Rider of the Year by readers of the News & Star newspapers, the Times & Star’s sister daily, and lifted the award for most bonus points. Times and Star


Berwick : BERWICK Rider of the Year Danny Warwick has warned the Bandits he wants to be rewarded with a pay rise. The 22-year-old was saved from the scrapheap at the beginning of the season when gaffer Peter Waite offered him a contract. And he turned into one of the stars of a dismal season for the Borders club – running away with two fans awards…..Despite being out of pocket he’s still willing to return to the club next season if he’s offered a new contract. He said: “I’m happy to go back because I love the track and everything about the place. But I’d have to be offered more money to make it worth my while and I’m not sure what the situation will be. The Sun – 4 November


Somerset : SOMERSET Rebels are keeping their fingers crossed that the Premier-League points limit will not be lowered at the British Speedway Promoters' Association AGM. That's because, if it is less than the 33-point limit for the top-five riders which operated this season, they will almost certainly have to do without star skipper Magnus Zetterstrom Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News


Glasgow : SHANE PARKER is set to sign up for a FOURTH season with Glasgow Tigers – three years after vowing to retire. The Aussie ace agreed a one-year deal at Tigers in 2004 but is already looking forward to 2007 at Ashfield. The Sun – 6 November


Stoke : Mark Lemon walked away with the bulk of the awards at the Stoke end of season awards on Saturday.He scooped the Rider of the Year award and a trophy for most maximums scored during the season…..Other awards went to Robbie Kessler for being the most consistent rider, while Luke Priest was handed the SAS Spitfires Rider of the Year award. The Sentinel – 6 November


Somerset : MAJOR changes are planned for the home of one Somerset's most popular sporting teams. Landowner Bill Hancock has bought back the lease for the Somerset Speedway stadium at the Oak Tree Arena on the outskirts of Highbridge. The arena, often considered as one of the best in the country and home to the fast-improving Somerset Rebels team, could now be enhanced by Mr Hancock, and could also be used for other events as well as the popular motorcycle sport. Plans include improving the spectators' area and expanding the on-site facilities. Weston Mercury


Edinburgh : EDINBURGH MONARCHS will be sponsored by recycling firm Scotwaste again next season. Scotwaste boss Stewart Melrose said: “I love the sport. We’ve progressively upped our sponsorship over the past few seasons.” The Sun


Workington: FORMER Grand Prix star Carl Stonehewer is stalling on signing a new contract with Workington. He hasn't raced since suffering arm injuries in a crash in July 2005. Stoney, 34, won't make up his mind about the Comets deal until the New Year after starting a fulltime job outside the sport. Daily Mirror


Isle of Wight : WIGHTLINK Islanders co-promoters Martin Newnham and Dave Pavitt will attend the British Speedway Promoters Association AGM later this month confident that decisions reached will not unduly affect the club's intention to come to the starting tapes again next April. Newnham told the club's shareholders: "We aren't the richest club in the country. Outside the peak summer holiday period, our crowds are a lot smaller than all other clubs and given that, we have to work hard to maintain our viability by staging other events at the stadium to subsidise maintaining the sport here.

"We also have some good sponsors. We all put in a lot of effort throughout the year and manage to keep our heads above water. "That's why I think I can say that the way we see things, provided there is no drastic alteration to the points limit governing the maximum and minimum strength of sides for next year in either direction, we're confident we'll be lining up again for what will be our tenth season in the Premier League in 2007. "And, like we always have done in the past, we intend to put together a side capable of mounting a challenge for all the major titles. Although we didn't win any silverware in 2006, we did reach the play-off semi-finals and gave a good account of ourselves at most away venues, as well as putting on some cracking meetings at home, and provided some great entertainment. Isle of Wight County Press – 7 November .

[Merlin]

What the Papers Say: 8th – 14th November



Newcastle: Popular Aussie rider Christian Henry has become Newcastle Diamonds' first signing for next season after agreeing a deal with the Brough Park promotion last night. Last season 25-year-old Henry added two points a match to his start-of-season average and deservedly picked up the supporters' `Rider of the Year' accolade at the club's annual dinner last weekend. With Henry flying back to New South Wales in a few days time, both he and promoters Darryl Illingworth and George English were keen to sort things out before he left. However, English said the two sides quickly reached an agreement. "The key element was that Christian wanted to come and ride for Newcastle again just as much as we wanted him, so it took no time at all to finalise a deal." Henry's eye-catching performances this year had a few other clubs keen on acquiring his services but the Diamonds' bosses quickly got permission from his parent club Edinburgh to open talks to pave the way for a third successive year with Newcastle. English added: "Christian scored over 300 points in 40 matches for us and has the potential to improve further next season, so we were very keen to get him on board." The Evening Chronicle – 9 November


Sheffield : TIGERS starlet Ben Wilson is determined to bounce back after a disappointing start to his winter tour of Australia. The 21-year-old made his debut in the Ivan Mauger Golden Helmet series in Queensland, but only struggled to one point at the Maryborough circuit. But the Sheffielder was forced to use borrowed equipment while he waited for his own bike to arrive - and now he intends to kickstart his campaign this Saturday. "His own bike hadn't arrived," said Tigers chief Neil Machin Sheffield Star – 9 November


Exeter : I read with great interest and a feeling of gloom your reports on the problems of Exeter Speedway in their endeavours to move to Haldon Hill. What a pity that a sport which has graced Exeter since the late 1920s seems to be unable to find a place in our city in the 21st century. Obviously, I do not know the ins and outs of the planning application, but as a keen speedway supporter, I was concerned about all the fuss that was being made regarding the noise - and then delighted to learn that it had been proved there was no problem at all. I hope the good folk around the Westpoint Arena have read that their fears would also have come to nothing had they been tolerant enough. The latest problem seems to be over animals and birds which may or may not be wandering around the proposed site at Haldon Hill.

I seem to recall many years ago that similar problems were foreseen around the motorways and subsequently it was shown the sides of the roads were absolute havens for all the wildlife. Probably the same would be the case at Haldon. In addition, there was long-track racing and a speedway training track up at Haldon some years ago, which, unfortunately, I did not witness as I lived in Leeds at the time. One thing which does worry me about Exeter is that when compared to the days of my youth some 50 or 60 years ago, it is rather a dull place. The County Ground was the venue for speedway - now gone - greyhound racing - now gone - and rugby which still continues albeit at a site on the edge of the city. Exeter City were then a Football League side; now they are not. The Theatre Royal was a good touring venue where you could see big shows in the city centre, now the Northcott is remote and too small for ballet etc, and will remain so even after it has been improved. So what is there to attract tourists to our city? At times, I read Points of view and think that some - and I am sure they represent only a very few people - would like us all to live in caves, have no personal transport (unless someone with a red flag walked in front of us), and have absolutely nothing to entertain us. Is that really what we want? Who wants Plymouth to be the only centre of Devon? Letter in the Exeter Express and Echo – 9 November


Stoke and King’s Lynn: (Former Stoke and King’s Lynn) rider Adam Allott has been forced to retire from speedway aged just 23. Allott has been advised to call it a day after failing to fully recover from back injuries suffered at Scunthorpe in September. The youngster cracked vertebrae in his back and spent weeks in a neck and body brace. He returned to hospital this week to hear the vertebrae had collapsed. While it is still expected to heal fully, the rider has been told another cracked bone in his back will not. If he races again and suffers another bad accident, doctors fear he will be paralysed.

Allott said: "I honestly had not been expecting such bad news. I've had enough knocks to know that you can't take anything for granted, but I had genuinely thought I was on the mend and I just wasn't prepared to hear that." Allott was sent for a CT scan and said: "The doctor looked at the scan and agreed that the vertabrae had collapsed, but was now healing as it was, which means that I will possibly be a fraction shorter. It was still a bit scary, but maybe not as bad as I first thought. "I got the impression that the doctor felt I would recover my strength in a few months and he advised me to leave the brace on for another month around the home and then take it off and see how I go from there. He seemed confident that my back would be strong enough to lead a normal life within six months and that was good enough for me."

But there was a sting in the tail and Allott was told another bone in has back was cracked and would never heal fully. He said: "I'm not sure which bone it is, but if I run my hand down my back I can feel it sticking out. It's very close to the spinal cord and the doctor pointed out that while my back would be strong enough for me to race again, any bad knock on that area could potentially leave me paralysed. "To be honest, I had been in two minds about racing again - but the decision really has been taken out of my hands by the doctor because I would be silly to ignore such advice. In fairness, the doctor was great and told me that he was all for people doing what they want in life and that risks are part and parcel of life. "He knows how I feel about racing and he wasn't telling me not to, just what the possible repercussions might be." Allott comes from a family steeped in the sport. His great uncle Tommy Allott, grandfather Guy Allott, father Nicky Allott and uncles Ian and Trevor Stead all raced. His cousin, Simon Stead, rides for Belle Vue. Allott started out on the junior grass-tracks from the age of 10 and moved to speedway training schools at King's Lynn in 1998. He has raced for Buxton, Sheffield and his contract is now owned by King's Lynn following his transfer from Sheffield in the 2003/2004 close season. Allott has a string of team and individual honours including winning the Conference League and Premier League championships with Sheffield. He has represented his country at under-21 level and rode in the British under-21 Final and the European Junior Final. He is slowly coming to terms with the news, but remains philosophical. He said: "It could have been a lot worse and I can look back on a career that took me all over the world. I seem to have packed in a lot in a short space of time. I'll still continue to be involved in the sport if I can and will certainly get along to meetings. "But I have to heed the doctor's advice and I will call it a day as regards racing competitively again." The Sentinel – 10 November


Glasgow : GLASGOW have been forced to ditch plans to sign Ashfield sensation Mariusz Frankow. The Tigers had lined up the Poland star as one of their top winter targets after he contacted them and said he wanted to race in Britain. But last night Glasgow gaffer Alan Dick admitted: “The deal’s dead and buried.” Tigers are already resigned to losing loan signing Danny Bird after only one successful season at Saracen Park. Bird, who joined from Elite League Reading, helped team-mate Shane Parker retain the Premier League Pairs Championship. And he was ranked among the top five in the division as he formed a dynamic spearhead with the Australian skipper. But now he wants to step up into the top-flight and unless he has a dramatic change of heart seems certain to be in parent track Reading’s 2007 plans.

So when former World Under-21 finalist Frankow, 28, got in touch with the Tigers and said he wanted to race in the UK next season he looked to be an automatic replacement. He had wowed Scottish fans on his debut in last year’s Ashfield Classic when he finished fifth and had victories over Parker and former Glasgow great George Stancl. Glasgow invited him over for contract talks after this year’s Classic event – but that move eventually fell through when the meeting was originally put back a week and then scrapped altogether. And now the Tigers have heard from Frankow’s agent that he has agreed terms for at least another season racing in his native Poland. Because most of the Polish matches are raced on a Sunday his diary would clash with the Tigers’ own traditional weekend race-day. Director Dick confirmed: “We had to drop our interest in him, which is a shame. “Last winter we spoke to him regularly but his club Lublin would not release him. When he got in touch a few weeks ago to say he wanted to race in Britain in 2007 we set up a meeting to talk about it, but he’s now been ruled out. “It’s a pity because I am sure he would be a very big scorer in the Premier League. We are probably going to have to find a replacement for Danny Bird. Danny has already indicated to us that will be racing in the Elite League next year providing everything goes according to plan. “He’s in his mid-twenties and has seen riders of a similar ability step up and do well. He feels he’s got to make the jump this winter and we understand his reasoning. He only came to us this year after Reading had to release him from their Elite League side because his average was too high. “We have enjoyed having him and he loved his time at Glasgow. We will be talking toi Reading next week, but we expect them to confirm they want to include him in their own 2007 plans.” The Sun – 11 November


Workington: WORKINGTON Comets boss Tony Mole hopes to have the new team manager in place early next week. Mole has always said that he wanted the new man in charge to represent the Comets at the British Speedway Promoters’ Association annual conference - and that starts on Thursday. But the Kidderminster businessman is playing his cards close to his chest and has given no indication as to who he is looking at to take over from Graham Drury. Since November 1 Drury has been overseeing Birmingham’s preparations for the return of speedway to Perry Barr and he will be representing the Brummies at the conference when their acceptance into the Premier League appears to be a formality. Mole will have two Premier League tracks next season - Workington and Birmingham - but is close to selling his Elite League club, Belle Vue Aces. Protracted negotiations have been going on for a month and the deadline for signing is noon today. If there is a hitch, and the deal isn’t signed today, then Mole will retain the most famous club in speedway.

Several names have been suggested - mainly by fans - for the Comets job and the only definites who are in the frame are Workington announcer Dave Hoggart and former Somerset and King’s Lynn promoter Lawrence Rogers. The fans’ favourites appears to be ex-Hull boss Eric Boocock, while former Workington co-promoter and team manager Ian Thomas has been suggested as a possible if Belle Vue is bought and the new owners don’t see a role for him there. The absence of a team manager at this time of year is no real hindrance because so many things could change with regard to rules at the BSPA conference. There has been a suggestion that clubs will only be able to sign one rider with an average over eight points, which in Workington’s case would mean a straight choice between James Wright and, if he is ready to ride again, Carl Stonehewer. Mole has said that he wants his new man in place to pick up the baton where it matters - at conference - when all the rules and regulations for 2007 will be laid down. The Times and Star – 11 November


Somerset : FANS of Somerset Rebels speedway team can expect improved facilities at Highbridge's Oak Tree Arena following the arrival of Mike Golding as co-promoter. Golding, who has bought the majority controlling interest in the Rebels from co-promoter Pete Toogood attended the club's end-of-season presentation night at the Abbey Stadium, Glastonbury, on Saturday, when he met some of the fans. Addressing the company, he outlined his plans for the Rebels going forward and emphasised that it would be very much a joint venture with the club's landlord, Bill Hancock. Edithmead farmer Hancock bought back the lease for the speedway stadium recently from Toogood.

The new co-promoter has signed a lease with the landlord to run speedway for the next three years on the site. "Bill is very keen to improve the facilities at the Oak Tree Arena for the fans, my involvement being promoting the actual speedway side of things," said Golding. "The building of a clubhouse is very high on the agenda, but, as this will take time to complete, Bill is to arrange the siting of a marquee for the fans, where they can have a drink and have a bite to eat under cover, instead of being exposed to the elements as is currently the case." He went on: "I want to put together a team for the 2007 season that the fans can be proud of and one that will challenge for the major honours. But any further announcements on that front will have to wait until after the Promoters' AGM later this month. "I would very much like "Zorro" (Magnus Zetterstrom) to stay and spearhead the team in 2007 and I will have talks with him as soon as he returns from holiday. I would also like Mick Bell to remain as team manager, but I do understand Mick's reservations about carrying on due to the amount of travelling he has to undertake from his home in Banbury each week."

Golding, who has been Poole Pirates' co-promoter for eight years and will carry on in that role, added: "Finally, I would just like to reassure the Somerset fans that I have not bought into the Rebels just for them to become a feeder' club for Poole. "I look upon my involvement at the Oak Tree Arena as a totally-separate entity, and I would urge all Rebels' fans to get behind the club for what I hope will be a highly successful 2007 season." Toogood will continue as co-promoter, but the Salisbury-based property developer wants to concentrate on his BSPA role and business interests. Golding describes himself as "a full-time speedway promoter", having this year sold a taxi business he owned. When the chance arose to buy an interest in Somerset, I jumped at it and the deal was done quite quickly," he told the Weekly News. "I hadn't given a lot of thought to the Premier League previously and Somerset is really the only club I would have wanted to get involved with. It has one of the fairest tracks in the country and the club has tremendous potential, being just off the M5." At the presentation night, as expected, Magnus Zetterstrom was voted the fans' Rider of the Season. Simon Walker was awarded the Fred Fountain Memorial Trophy for Most Entertaining Rider of the Year, and Ben Barker picked up the trophy for earning the most bonus points during the season. Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News – 11 November


Edinburgh: EDINBURGH could be thrown out of Armadale after a complaint from a local gardener. Monarchs have raced at the track since 1997 but have had to re-apply for permission to race after a five-year licence expired. And the local council have received a complaint from a man who has been forced to give up gardening since the speedway bikes roared into town! Edinburgh director Mike Hunter said: “I can see no reason why we shouldn’t be granted another five-year licence. The Council has only received one complaint from one local.” The Sun – 13 November


Birmingham : Graham Drury heads for his first speedway promoters' conference as Birmingham boss eager to receive confirmation of next season's team-building criteria. Drury, who has been involved at Premier League level for the last two seasons with Workington, says that he is looking forward to constructing a team from scratch whereas his previous Comets line-ups contained several riders carried over from the regime of previous boss Ian Thomas. But owner Tony Mole immediately indicated that his move to re-open the Brummies would not be to the detriment of his operation at Derwent Park, meaning that Birmingham must establish their own asset base. He has yet to confirm who will be running Workington and therefore who will have first choice of the Comets' assets, although that issue is expected to be resolved at the conference in Coventry on Friday. That would then give Drury the option of using the assets not required at Derwent Park but he will undoubtedly need to bring in several fresh faces for the coming season.

Names heavily linked with the club include Wolverhampton's American stalwart Ronnie Correy, who was ready to move down to the Premier League last winter, as well as his fellow countryman Brent Werner - an asset of Mole's promotion but virtually certain not to be involved at Workington when the new season starts. Drury said: "I've always said this is a great opportunity for me to start with a blank sheet of paper at Birmingham and I stand by that. But, at the same time, it means I have to play a waiting game in terms of what riders may become available from other clubs." The extent of rider movement will depend largely on the points limit. Last year, that was set at 33 for the top five riders, with teams completing their line-ups with two graded British youngsters. If a similar limit is agreed upon for 2007, it will force several of the higher-placed teams from this year's League table into a number of changes. The promoters are expected to issue a full statement explaining any changes at the end of the three-day conference on Sunday evening. Drury and Mole will then meet the fans for the first time, with a public forum at Perry Barr already set for Wednesday November 29. The Brummies' gala opening night will be on Wednesday March 14, with six-times world champion Ivan Mauger, of New Zealand, among the special guests who will be present. Birmingham Post – 13 November


Workington : IAN THOMAS is coming back to Workington Comets for a third stint as part of a new management structure. Tony Mole will be at the helm as club owner, with Thomas acting as general manager and promoter, while a team manager will be appointed in the next few days. It’s a surprise turnaround for Thomas who looked as though he had quit speedway, having already started to expand his entertainment business interests.

But talks over the sale of Mole’s Elite League track Belle Vue broke down yesterday. Thomas was then confirmed as the Aces’ team manager and co-promoter for 2007. Then came discussions between Mole and Thomas over Workington’s management team for 2007, despite speculation that the Kidderminster businessman would sell his interests at Derwent Park. Thomas told News & Star Sport today: “Tony Mole would prefer not to have three clubs at the same time but I think it’s to his credit that he is not going to close down a track. It’s possible he might sell one at some point but for the moment I’m just pleased to be able to get involved at Workington again. “You might say it’s unfinished business because I have always wanted to win a seven man competition with the Comets.” News and Star – 14 November