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Post by Merlin on Dec 11, 2008 19:47:29 GMT
Newport look very strong next year if they have really signed Chris Holder. Must be James surely. As they have already signed Wato and Lemmo? Oops - yes I did indeed mean James Holder. And to think I read that through several times before posting it!  |
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Post by Merlin on Dec 12, 2008 16:13:17 GMT
Friday, 12 December
Premier League 2009 [/size]- Round Up [/color][/b]
Edinburgh: Ryan Fisher, one of the two Monarchs’ announced signings to date, has agreed to double up with Swindon next season in the Elite League where he will meet up with Krzysztof Stojanowski who has joined the Elite League club after riding with the Isle of Wight last year.
Newport: The Wasps are expected to make a major announcement about next season on their new official website later today.
Redcar: The Bears have announced that they will be entering the Cubs in the newly formed National League next season. They also have plans to run training schools once again at the STMP in the New year under the management of new promoter, Brian Havelock.
Sheffield: Another day, another signing for the Tigers as Paul Cooper returns to the club for his fifth straight season for the Yorkshire outfit. There had been some speculation that he might have moved on this winter but he insists his heart has always been with the Tigers. He said “ I shall start next season in the main body of the team, but I’m determined to try and challenge for one of the three heat-leader spots”. This is Sheffield’s sixth signing and means that they have just over seven points left for their seventh to complete the side.
Somerset: An official announcement about the future of Somerset Speedway should be forthcoming soon, probably this weekend, with vibes on the various forums suggesting some good news.
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Post by Merlin on Dec 13, 2008 12:46:03 GMT
Saturday, 13 December
Premier League 2009 [/size]- Round Up [/color][/b]
Birmingham: The Brummies have announced the signing of Robert Ksiezak as their fourth recruit for the new season. His starting average for next season is 6.62 and he joins skipper Jason Lyons, Richard Sweetman and young Ben Taylor as a confirmed starter - with another new signing close to completion.
Brummies boss Graham Drury said: "Robert has been given a big financial incentive to achieve an average of eight-points and above next season - and he regards it as money safely in the bank for October. That's a measure of how determined and confident the lad is and he's impressed me during our contract negotiations. He's a good lad with a lot of ambition and he will be moving into the Birmingham area. He's looking forward to a change of track after spending four seasons in Scotland with Edinburgh and Glasgow. The travelling will be a lot better for him."
Edinburgh: According to the local press the Monarchs hope to announce their reserve pairing for next season tomorrow.
Newport: The news from Newport is that the sale of the stadium to the new promotion team has been completed guaranteeing the Wasps’ future. There will be a training school tomorrow at the track with two more new signings for the Wasps tomorrow evening.
The Wasps have produced a new logo with a different wasp which will be used on their new race jackets. They also hope to reintroduce the New Year Classic and will most likely have their press and practice day for the new season on 6th March.
Somerset: At last comes the official news that Somerset will be running again in 2009 after a lot of speculation over whether the sport might have seen the last of racing at the Oak Tree Arena. It’s still too early to announce team signings for the Rebels - not even the new promotional team has yet been announced - but it seems that at least of three of last year’s side have expressed a desire to return to the club for the new season. A forum for fans, helpers and staff will be held on Monday, 22nd December at the OTA clubhouse.
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Post by Merlin on Dec 14, 2008 19:47:54 GMT
Sunday, 14 December
Premier League 2009 [/size]- Round Up [/color][/b]
Edinburgh: The Monarchs have announced their third signing for the new season. Matthew Wethers returns for his seventh season at Armadale at the age of 23 to Join Ryan Fisher and Andrew Tully. Edinburgh are currently in negotiations with a rider to fill one of the reserve berths and will make no further announcements until that has been resolved.
Newport: The Wasps have announced the signings of James Holder and Jordan Frampton for the new season. James rode for the Isle of Wight last year while Jordan lined up with Somerset. Both riders are on loan for the new season and join Craig Watson and Mark Lemon with Jordan Frampton filling a second string role and James Holder one of the reserves berths.
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Post by Merlin on Dec 16, 2008 16:35:17 GMT
Tuesday, 16 December
Premier League 2009 [/size]- Round Up [/color][/b]
Glasgow: It looks as though former captain, Trent Leverington, may not have far to look for a new team since his name is being linked to a number of tracks up and down the country.
Somerset: The Rebels have issued a press release confirming the take over deal which should guarantee continuity of speedway at the Oak Tree Arena for next year and thereafter. The landlord of the stadium, Bill Hancock, has agreed to purchase the entire Somerset Rebels’ retained rider list from former Promoter, Mike Golding, which will see Premier League Speedway continuing to run at the Highbridge venue. A three year deal has been done with Dave Croucher which will see the former Wimbledon and Isle of Wight man running the whole Speedway operation. Croucher said “I am delighted to be given this opportunity, to go to a track which I have always rated very highly, and take the Somerset Rebels into their 10th consecutive Season. BSPA Chairman, Pete Toogood, will remain as a Co-Promoter, and Steve Bishop will also remain as joint Team Manager as we attempt to repeat the successes of previous Seasons at the helm of the Somerset Rebels Team."
Croucher, who has been Isle of Wight Team Manager for the last 4 years, will continue with his Great Britain Under 21 duties, but will be leaving the Isle of Wight Club who are now racing in the newly formed National League. "I've had 4 great years on the Island, worked with some outstanding Riders, won a few Trophies, and have made a lot of friends, it's been absolutely great, but I felt this was an opportunity I could not possibly turn down." Team building has started in earnest as David Croucher looks to put a side together that will challenge for honours in 2009, and challenge for honours as top of his priority list.
Some former Rebels are already committed, like Jason Doyle, who has agreed a deal to go back to Elite League Poole Pirates, which is of course his parent club, so the Rebels are now actively seeking a new number 1 and have high hopes of attracting a top rider who will be warmly welcomed by the fans, indeed one which will not only put a smile on the Rebels fans faces, but also the faces of the fans at every other Premier League track in the country when the Rebels come to town.
Jordan Frampton has likewise agreed a deal to go to Newport on a loan agreement but remains a Somerset asset with a possible return to the Oak Tree Arena a possibility in future seasons. He had agreed a deal with the Wasps fearing that the Rebels might not run next season to ensure a team place and has decided not to go back on his word.
A meeting and social evening has been arranged for the 22nd of December when all fans, helpers and staff (both past and present) are invited to a Forum at the Oak Tree Arena Clubhouse. The meeting will start at 8.00pm. Next year the stadium will open from 5.00pm to allow long distance travellers and others to park their vehicles and be ‘fed and watered’ in good time before the meeting starts.
Workington: The Comets have completed their team line up by signing Adam Roynon and Tom Hedley. Roynon is a Coventry asset who rode for Birmingham last season until breaking a leg in June against Rye House with whom he had won the 2007 League Championship. He is hoping to be able to double-up with the Comets and Coventry next season.
The 20-year-old comes in on a 6.21 average and Keith Denham, Workington owner, reckons that is a steal. “He had achieved an average in access of nine but hadn’t ridden sufficient matches at the time of his injury to push him up, so we have signed a rider with enormous potential,” he said. Barrow-based Roynon won three trophies in his first full season of Conference League racing, winning the League Championship, the Conference Trophy and the Knockout Cup. He is the son of a former Workington rider from the 1970’s, Chris Roynon.
Hedley, also 20, who hails from Mildura in Victoria, spent 2007 at Newport and created a favourable impression with the Wasps. He achieved a Green Sheet average of 5.20 (from 34 matches) 153 rides and 199 points. He had a big crash at Sheffield at the tail end of 2007 and picked up a head injury, which forced him to miss Newport’s final three matches of the season. He signed for Somerset early in 2008 but later went back on his word and didn’t ride in Britain last season. He has been featuring prominently on the Australian circuit this winter and is said to be geared-up for another crack at British speedway. Recently he finished fourth in the Victorian Championship in Mildura and will be competing in the three round Australian Championship, which takes place in last week of December and first week of January.
Keith Denham said: “He will be a very useful second string next season. He‘s had experience of the British tracks and is going to base himself in Workington so he will be giving everything to the cause.”
Workington’s full line-up is now – Kevin Doolan, Tom Hedley, Adrian Rymel, Charles Wright, Adam Roynon, John Branney, Richard Lawson.
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Post by Merlin on Dec 17, 2008 15:13:52 GMT
Wednesday, 17 December
Premier League 2009 [/size]- Round Up [/color][/b]
Newcastle: The Diamonds have signed Casper Wortmann for next season. He rode for Mildenhall last season during which time he suffered horrific injuries As a result he is still on his assessed 3.00 point average so will come into the Newcastle line up as reserve.
Newport: The Stars have announced their last two signings as Brent Werner and Nick Simmons. Werner rode for Somerset last year while Simmons had a spell with Elite League club, Belle Vue. The team line up now reads: Craig Watson, Mark Lemon, Chris Kerr, Jordan Frampton, James Holder, Brent Werner and Nick Simmons.
However one potentially small fly in the ointment is that Chris Kerr will require a new work permit before he can ride for the Wasps. Under the rules it seems that any rider requiring a new work permit because of a change of track and who failed to make his assessed average before that change has to resume on his old assessed average. In Chris Kerr’s case that would mean that he will be on an 8.00 point average with the Wasps unless (a) I’ve got it wrong or (b) the rules have been changed or can be relaxed because of his injuries. He would have to occupy the number 1 position in the new Wasps’ team but given the averages of the other signings could he be fitted in?
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Post by Merlin on Dec 18, 2008 15:27:55 GMT
Thursday, 18 December
Premier League 2009 [/size]- Round Up [/color][/b]
Berwick: It seems that the Bandits have more to concern them than their last two signings. According to the Scottish Press this morning, new Berwick team manager, Dave Peet, says that the Shielfield track is disgusting. He added that the majority of the safety fence is way below an acceptable standard and needs to be replaced as soon as possible. The safety of riders is paramount so the Bandits will also be putting in extra lighting on the bends.
Birmingham: The Brummies have re-signed Tomas Piszcz for the new season. Piszcz won the club’s most entertaining rider award at the end of a short spell last season and finished with an impressive 8.34 average including bonus points – but he’ll start the season on 7.11 as he didn’t complete 12 matches for a new average. He joins skipper Jason Lyons, Australian duo Robert Ksiezak and Richard Sweetman and talented British youngster Ben Taylor as the fifth signing in the 2009 Perry Barr side.
The Official Birmingham website adds that a further update on the next signing (possibly Scandinavian?) – a rider who has never raced for Birmingham before and who is described as high profile – will be announced within the next 48 hours.
It also seems that Phil Morris will not be included in the Birmingham side next year after missing a large part of the 2008 season on the injury list.
Newcastle: Contrary to yesterday’s Roundup, the Diamonds’ latest signing Casper Wortmann’s 3.00 point average is genuine and not assessed.
Newport: The announcement of Chris Kerr’s signing for the Wasps has been watered down on the Newport official website to the club ‘having held talks with the American’. Could the work permit issue be a real stumbling block? The club’s owners are determined not to wait until the last moment to complete the team and have only the one place in the side still to be confirmed.
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Post by Merlin on Dec 19, 2008 14:24:39 GMT
Friday, 19 December
Premier League 2009 [/size]- Round Up [/color][/b]
With Travis McGowan signing for Swindon Robins and James Wright returning to Belle Vue Aces the number of top class heat leaders available to sign for Premier League clubs has reduced even further. Most teams have signed at least four of next year’s septet. Those that haven’t include Somerset (understandably), Newcastle and Stoke.
Edinburgh: Thomas H Jonasson becomes the Monarchs’ fourth signing for the new season. The 20-year old turned in some tremendous performances during 2008 and finished with a maximum at Stoke before badly breaking his leg riding in Sweden. However he will be fit long before the start of the season and is looking forward to resuming riding for Monarchs. He is regarded as one of the best young riders in World Speedway and is again expected to be one of the main contenders for the World Under-21 Championship. He will again have quite a heavy schedule with matches in Sweden and Poland as well as the UK (though next season he will not ride in the Swedish Allsvenskan League).
The inclusion of Jonasson means that William Lawson, no. 1 in the 2008 averages, cannot now be accommodated in next year’s team due to the points limit. William has already indicated that he would like to ride in the Elite League and every effort will be made to assist him to find a berth. He has been told that he can’t be fitted in to the 2009 side.
Redcar: The Bears’ fans got the news they anxiously awaited when Ty Proctor finally agreed terms to ride for the Redcar side next season. He joins Carl Stonehewer, Robbie Kessler, Ben Wilson and Benji Compton as their fifth signing. The 21-year-old Australian not only won the fans vote as the outstanding rider last season but scooped the board with the titles of 'Most Improved Bear' and 'Most Exciting Bear'. He is predicted to have a big future in the sport and Bears' fans will be delighted that the 'Wonder from Down Under' will be plying his trade on Teesside.
Meanwhile Gary Havelock is expected to confirm his intentions soon as to whether he will continue with the Bears while manager, Brian Havelock, now considers his options on who will fill the remaining reserve berth.
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Post by Merlin on Dec 20, 2008 15:13:27 GMT
Saturday, 20 December
Premier League 2009 [/size]- Round Up [/color][/b]
Birmingham: The Brummies have signed Ludvig Lindgren as their sixth signing for 2009. He joins Jason Lyons, Tomasz Piszcz, Richard Sweetman, Robert Ksiezak and Ben Taylor on a 7.00 point assessed average. This leaves the Midlands side with just one rider to announce for one of the reserve berths with 3.79 points left.
Lindgren, the younger brother of Swedish Grand Prix star Freddie, had a brief spell with Elite League Wolverhampton towards the end of last season. He finished on the rostrum in the South Tees Silver Helmet and also beat several Elite League stars in the World Under-21 Final last season. Once he completes 12 matches for Birmingham he will become one of their assets.
Newcastle: Former Glasgow skipper, Trent Leverington, becomes the Diamonds fourth signing for 2009 joining Jason King, Craig Branney and Casper Wortmann. Trent comes in on a 6.33 average leaving the Geordies with 20.85 points left for their remaining three signings.
Newcastle are still looking for a number one and a rider to fill one of the reserve berths.
Stoke: The Potters have announced their third signing for the new season. Klaus Jakobsen returns to the team on a 4.87 average. He joins Lee Complin and Jason Bunyan in the 2009 side.
This leaves them with 23.28 points for their remaining four riders.
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Post by Merlin on Dec 22, 2008 15:37:42 GMT
Monday, 22 December
Premier League 2009 [/size]- Round Up [/color][/b]
Berwick: The Bandits sixth signing for next season is Paul Clews on a 5.41 average. He joins Michal Makovsky, Josef Franc, Tero Aarnio, Danny Warwick and Guglielmo Franchetti leaving the Bandits with 7.99 for their one remaining rider. Paul has been appointed club captain.
Clews filled in for much of the latter part of the 2007 season before joining the Tweedside club full time following the sad closure of his initial 2008 side, the Newport Wasps in May, and remained a firm favourite with the fans right through to the Young Shield Final. It had been suspected by many pundits that a signing by Birmingham may have been on the cards but it was announced this weekend with great relief from the club’s new promotion that Clews was back for another term and would lead the side as skipper.
Newly appointed Berwick team manager Dave Peet said: “Once we realised Paul was not required by Birmingham we got straight in touch and were delighted to learn he was thrilled and indeed honoured to return to his home of last year and was over the moon to accept the roll as captain.” Clews provided some of the 2008 highlights for the Bandits’ fans who took his forceful and exciting style of racing to their hearts. His passing moves made him a real club hero.
Somerset: Although the Rebels have yet to announce any signings for next season that situation may change at the meeting of fans and others connected with the club to be held at the Oak Tree Arena tonight beginning at 8.00pm.
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