WEDNESFIELD SIGN FORMER DOUBLE BRITISH CHAMPION - posted 8 February 2010

Earlier today Wednesfield Aces confirmed the signing of 15-year-old Matthew Beharrell.

Team manager Roger Ellis accompanied by the club's Chief Executive Paul Bodley travelled up to Derbyshire to meet Matthew and his family to finalise the deal which brings Matthew to the Aces on a first licence.  He remains with Hull on secondary licence.

Roger went on to say that he saw Matthew as a very talented rider with loads of promise for the future and complemented the Aces line up well for 2010.  Matthew has twice won British titles at under-10 and under-13 level and in the BYJL has been Grand Prix champion at under-12 and under-14 level and is hoping his move to Wednesfield will be the catalyst for him to achieve more at both team and individual level.  Matthew is a member of Hull Kingston Rovers Rugby League junior team the Vikings and has secured a place at college to study Sports Science and
Management.

In addition the Aces have also resigned Ben Higham and Dylan Ratcliffe on secondary licences from Stockport.  Joint team manager Mick Aris added that with a larger squad this year there would be more oportunities for both Dylan and Ben to show what they can do in the Premier League.  Mick went on to say that having these young riders in the squad was a real challenge to both himself and Roger Ellis to help them improve their racing abilities.

CARMICHAEL COMES HOME - posted 8 February 2010

Welsh senior champion Mark Carmichael has returned to race for Newport this season and will compete on a secondary licence for the club in the South and South Wales League.  This will be a huge boost for Newport who will race in Divison One again after a few years out of senior league racing.

Mark has trained at Newport all his cycle speedway life and only left  when Newport dropped out bof senior league racing.  The club are proud of what Mark has achieved in the sport and look forward to his continued success.

Former rider James Turner is also to return to race for Newport this year and it is hoped a few more will join him soon.














TULLOCH PLANS A SURPRISE RETURN - posted 12 January 2010

One of cycle speeedway's best know characters is planning a full time return to racing.

After starting his career 48 years ago, the lure of the shale and clang of the start gate has proved too much for Dave Tulloch.  The super-vet has signed terms for East London and intends to compete in many EuroVets Grand Prixs as possible.  And supporters can follow all Dave's racing exploits on a new Myspace page which he is currently developing.

"I will have my own Myspace page up and running very soon.  It is currently being worked on but there's so much to upload" Dave told Spokesman.

"It will look like no other cycle-speedway profile web/myspace page.  It will cover my current and past cycle-speedway exploits, tons of pictures/programmes/league listings and my blogs that will be updated at least once or twice a week!  I have a vast archive of stuff I've accumulated since I started racing some 48 years ago!  I will be blogging about the past eg fave riders/what racing was like back then (remember Norwich who had a track in the speedway car park?) etc etc plus my current whereabouts and racing updates."

Dave is also an accomplished professional musician.  We carried a feature on Dave's musical exploits a few months back, so we asked him how thing have been going with Hoffman's Bicycle.

"I sacked my two guitarists back in late August due to personal differences but a week later had a brand new line-up ready to go!.  We played our first show this week (7th January).The album we were in the middle of recording has now been stopped and new material is under rehearsal in readiness for a studio visit late January to start again with our producer.

"Please do visit our new Myspace page to see and hear us!  We'll touring Germany in May plus several festival appearences.  Take a look at myspace.com/hoffmanstrip" said Dave.

Details of Dave's cycle speedway site will follow soon.

NEW SIGNING FOR NORWICH - posted 4 December 2009

As Premier League clubs start to strengthen their squads ahead of the 2010 season, Norwich Stars have announced their first mid-winter signing. 

Stoke first-claim rider Simon Munden will join the Stars on secondary registration. Last year, Munden, who reached last weekend's national indoor final, rode second claim for Birmingham but has now switched allegiance to Norwich.  Munden had hoped to continue his Premier League career in the colours of his local team, Stoke but they have not been admitted to the PL this season.

Murden is expected to be the first of many close-season signings as Premier League clubs, uncertain of the criteria for league status in 2011, do all they can to strengthen their teams.  It would appear than none of the eight clubs want to finish bottom of the league for fear that this may lead to automatic relegation from the league.

ASTLEY SIGN POLISH PROSPECT - posted 13 November 2009












Astley & Tyldesley have announced the signing of Polish rider Piotr Pluczynski. The 17 year old youngster from Krosno finished sixth in this year's Polish Junior Individual Final and qualified as reserve for the Polish Individual Final. Piotr has six years' racing experience behind him and is looking forward to making his racing debut in Britain in 2010.













STEPHENSON SIGNS FULL-TIME FOR LEICESTER - posted 2 November 2009

Leicester have completed the forms to bring Adam Stephenson to the club on a full transfer for the 2010 season. The eighteen-year-old Loughborough University student has been a popular addition to the club and is looking forward to a productive season racing in the Premier League.

The move does however leave the rider with a problem. If he is to represent Leicester in the Midland League he cannot then ride for Hull during the summer holidays.

“I fully understand the reasoning behind the new secondary regulations” said club secretary Tim Jarvis “But unfortunately the rules that have been put in place to stop clubs building regional super teams will adversely affect riders like Adam. Understandably he wants to help out his home town club whenever he can, and full cedit to him for that, but if he does he will spend much of the season watching the racing rather than sitting on a bike, as he will be barred from riding regional matches for Leicester”

“It would be nice to think that a solution can be found. I don’t believe that the regulations are there to stop people like Adam racing although he could well find himself sitting on the sidelines for many matches through no fault of his own.”

EDINBURGH SIGN ROBERT BANDOSZ - posted 26 October 2009

The Edinburgh Falcons are delighted to announce the signing of 19 year-old Polish rider Robert Bandosz from ZKS Zielona Gora.  Bandosz was a regular for ZKS in 2009 and helped his side secure promotion to the Polish Extraliga.
 
Bandosz first came to the attention of the Falcons at the 2008 European Championships in Poland when Scottish team manager Gavin Kennedy spotted him riding a bike sporting the Scottish saltire.  It transpired that Bandosz had family links to Scotland and when he moved to Airdrie recently to commence a college course, Falcons were quick to secure his services for next season.
 
Bandosz will join Scottish internationals Craig Newsome, Mikey Hewitson and Jake Slight in a strong looking Falcons top-end in 2010.
 
Meanwhile, the Falcons are staging an open session at Redbraes on Sunday 1st November primarily aimed at attracting new riders to Cycle Speedway.  Start time is 1pm and with a registration period open from 12:30pm.  The session is open to all ages and all equipment will be supplied.

WINWOOD OUT FOR REST OF SEASON - posted 8 September 2009

Unlucky Carl Winwood will miss the rest of the season after his high speed crash at East Park on Sunday.

The crash,which happened when his chain snapped in unlucky heat 13, has left Carl with ligament damage in his left wrist and also a broken left radius bone in his elbow.  He is expected to be in plaster for up to eight weeks.  Carl is obviously disappointed that a great season for both him and the club should end like this.

COLBY WILL BE A BIG LOSS - posted 18 August 2009

Norwich Stars are coming to terms with the loss of clubman Gary Colby who will miss the rest of the season after breaking his ankle in Saturday's British Open Club championship.

"Gary will be a big loss as he was hitting some good form" said club secretary Ian Grange earlier today.  "He is a big character for us in the dressing room and around the place.  I hope he will be there Sunday.  However we have Lukasz and Rafal back soon so that's a massive plus for us and I hope we can push ourselves up the table" added Grange.

PHILLIPS SIGNS FOR LIVERPOOL FC - posted 18 May 2009

One of cycle speedway's most promising youngsters has signed a contract with Liverpool football club.  After spending three years with Blackburn Rovers FC, talented Adam Phillips has joined the Liverpool Academy.

But the Astley & Tyldesley starlet has no plans to hang-up his wheels as the two sports only overlap at the start and end of both seasons.  This is just reward for young Adam for all the hard work he has put into football.  Training three times a week can be hard work but all the effort and time has paid off.

SENSICAL FRACTURES COLLAR BONE - posted 26 April 2009

Tom Sensical fractured his collar bone racing in Birmingham's Premier Combination match today against
Poole. Tom mistimed a dive on Arron Morgan and fell landing very heavily on his right shoulder.  lt is expected that he will be out at least four weeks.

TRANSFERS AND SECONDARIES APPROVALS SOAR - posted 10 April 2009

Last month we reported that British Cycling had approved 74 rider changes ahead of the new season (see below).  Now that number has grown to a staggering 110 moves by the time the transfer window closed on 1 April.  There were 42 transfers and 68 secondary registrations, an all-time high.

Since our last report Wolverhampton side East Park have signed on 13 riders on secondary licence while Poole have snapped up five riders from the redundant Weymouth outfit.  The Suffolk merry-go-round has swung into over-drive with Great Blakenham securing full time services of five Ipswich riders while Kesgrave also snap up five riders from other local clubs.

The revised list of signings are:

Astley and Tyldesley (5)
Transfers - Rafal Dulinski
Secondaries - Piotr Jamroszczyk, Mick Knowles, Dariusz Pilas, Leon Wild

Birmingham (10)
Transfers - Paul Heard, Matt Pearson, Tom Sensicall
Secondaries - Leighton Bates, Lewis Bates, Russ Evans, Richard Harrison, Simon Munden, Garry Pearce, Errol Thaw

Bury (2)
Transfers - Joseph Allen
Secondaries - Matthew Bailey

East London (1)
Secondaries - Toby Millen

East Park (13)
Secondaries - Lee Aris, Mick Aris, Mike Baugh, Armand Bentley, Stuart Bentley, Roger Ellis, Mark Griffiths, Liam Johnson, Mike Morgans, Jordan Rich, Mark Thomas, Matthew Turley, Tara Warren

East Newport (3)
Transfers - Callum Goward, Adi Mitha, Khalid Mitha

Edinburgh (1)
Transfers - Mike Hewitson

Exeter (1)
Transfers - James Robinson

Filton (3)
Transfers - Dave Frith, Norman Venson
Secondaries - Robbie Venson

Great Blakenham (7)
Transfers - William Brooke, Charley Brooke, Kane Grimmer, Colby Hack, Fynley Hack, Lewis Osborne
Secondaries - Aleksander Zielinski

Heckmondwike (3)
Secondaries - Christopher Bingham, Dave Murphy, Colin Wheeler

Hethersett (2)
Transfers - Phil Howells, Nick Myhill

Horspath (5)
Secondaries - James Bailey, Przemek Binkowski, Mike Burgess, Rafal Dulinski, Paul Gibbs

Hull (1)
Secondaries - Simon Gamble

Ipswich (4)
Transfers - Paul Jay
Secondaries - Daniel Johnson, Daniel Pike, Leon Yelland

Kesgrave (5)
Transfers - Ross Knight, Oliver Knight, Alex Noble, Andrew Turnbull, Ian Turnbull

Leicester (3)
Transfers - Leon Yelland
Secondaries - Adam Stephenson, Norman Venson

Newport (1)
Transfers - Dave Dean

Norwich (8)
Transfers - Barry Copping, Daniel Johnson
Secondaries - Jazz Abbott, Ben Collins, Tom Doyle, Phil Howells, David Martin, Nick Myhill

Poole (11)
Transfers - Tom Colling, Charlotte Cox, Daniel Cox, Ben Mould, Alex Purseglove, Brandon Weeks, Logan Weeks, Gavin Wheeler, Colin Wheeler
Secondaries - Dominic McCrae, Thomas Reed

Sandwell (6)
Secondaries - Johnathan Birks, Jamie Brown, Ryan Edson, Ryan Hoyland, Pawel Kozlowski, Mitchell Spear

Sheffield (6)
Secondaries - Andy Angell, Matt Beharrell, Remi Burchardt, Ben Dickenson, Darius Kurkowski, Lee Smith

Southampton (1)
Secondaries - Tom Colling

Stockport (1)
Secondaries - Terry Norman

Stoke (4)
Transfers - Lewis Bates, Garry Pearce
Secondaries - Chris Timms, Mark Winwood

Swindon (1)
Transfers - Shaun Rudman

Wednesfield (2)
Secondaries - Ben Higham, Dylan Radcliffe

WEDNESFIELD UNVEIL NEW SIGNINGS - posted 8 March 2009

Wednesfield Aces have signed two Stockport youngsters on secondary licences to bolster their Premier League squad.  They are Dylan Radcliff and Ben Higham.  The youngsters will be drafted into the Aces' premier team at various times throughout the season when managers Mick Aris and Roger Ellis think the time is right.  The signing of these two youngsters will hopefully raise the competition for places in the squad amongst the Aces own junior riders.

YOUNG SEAN BACK ON TRACK - posted 7 April 2009

Last year, Sean Bennett suffered a horrible injury to his arm while playing in school.  He was unable to race, though he did attend the BY&JL rounds and supported his then team, Newport. 

His commitment over the winter period to regain his fitness and prepare for 2009 was second to none.  His move to East Newport went smoothly with help and guidance from all the team, together with Dennis Carmichael and family, who kindly donated Mark`s original frame and forks.  This help and encouragement saw Sean regain his confidence and enjoyment of the sport.

All this and Sean is only seven!!!
 
His maximum scoring win in the under-8s'grand prix individual at Southampton on saturday is just reward for his efforts to overcome last year's difficulties.

We done Sean!  You family, friends and club members are really proud of you.

MISSING POLE - posted 2 April 2009

One of the biggest names in cycle speedway has been noticeable by his absence for far this season.  Popular Pole Lukasz Nowacki has yet to make an appearance for Leicester in either of their Premier League matches, leading to growing speculation that the World's number three ranked rider is taking an extended break away from the sport.

It is known that Nowacki put in hours of training over the winter, in readiness for the World championships in Adelaide and is thought to be jaded.

MURPHY IN HEALTH SCARE - posted 24 March 2009

Having raced for Poole against Horspath in a Premier League match on 15 March, while suffering with a chesty cough picked up on flight home from Australia, Dave Murphy started coughing spots of blood, so paid a visit to his GP looking for some anti-biotics to clear the infection.

After an examination and assessment of the symptoms by his GP in Skipton, Murphy found himself being sent straight to A&E for tests on a possible Pulmonary Embolism (ie thrombosis on the lung) - this theory made feasible when combining the symptoms with his recent long-haul flight from Adelaide.

"Thankfully, after day in hospital for lung X-rays and blood tests  etc, I was given the all-clear and diagnosed with a viral infection, probably picked up on the flight" Murphy told Spokesman.

There was a happy ending when Dave returned to his birthplace, Exeter, on Sunday and top scored for Poole with a 16+2 tally.

BRITISH CYCLING APPROVES 74 RIDER CHANGES - posted 22 March 2009

As the new season swings into action there has been an unprecendented orgy of transfers and secondary registrations.  Figures released yesterday by British Cycling confirm that 28 inter-club transfers have been approved and a further 46 secondary registrations have been authorised.

The main beneficaries appear to be Premier League clubs who have gone into over-drive to ensure they have enough riders for the extended PL season.  Birmingham lead the signing frenzy with nine riders, followed by Norwich (8), Great Blakenham (5), Poole (5) and Sheffield (5).

High profile signings such as Paul Heard and Tom Sensicall to Birmingham and Poole's transfer trio (Tom Colling, Ben Mould and Gavin Wheeler) have been well documented but other Premier League clubs have  also joined the frenzy, Great Blakenham and Norwich both dipping into the proliferation of East Anglian resourses and Leicester signing Leon Yelland from Ipswich.

On the other side of the coin, several riders have returned to their 'home' clubs, in many instances immediately signing secondary terms for the clubs they have just left or taking up allegience with a completely new team.  Under those arrangements, former British champion Phil Howells and Nick Myhill return to Hethersett but also link up with PL Norwich while Lewis Bates and Garry Pearce leave Wednesfield, return to Stoke and sign for Birmingham.

COPPING SIGNS FOR NORWICH - posted 20 March 2009

Barry Copping will make his debut for Norwich on Sunday at East London in the South-East League Division One after transferring to the Money Centre Stars full time from Somersham.  Barry has been without a club since returning home from the World Championships in Australia and he looking forward to a new challenge after the sad demise of Somersham Cycle Speedway Club.

COPPING BROTHERS ARRIVE BACK IN THE UK - posted 10 March 2009

Australia 2009 Tour Director Ian Brown has confirmed that Steve and Barry Copping are now back home in the UK. 

Ian told spokesman-online earlier this evening "I am pleased to confirm that Steve and Barry arrived home safely today and Steve is now under the care of his local GP. Apart from being naturally tired after their epic journey, Steve was pleased to report that he had not suffered too much during the long flight and that his leg had not worsened since leaving hospital on Saturday."

Steve Copping said "I am only mid way through a course of treatment provided by the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital in Adelaide but I have noticed that my leg is begining to improve a liitle." reported Steve. "I was a little concerned that the flight may have irritated my leg but my fears were not realised and once I moved to an aisle seat I was able to enjoy the flight home."

Steve hopes to return to work later this week and Tour Director Ian Brown can now relax knowing that all his party are back and accounted for.

BIRMINGHAM'S ACE CAPTURE - posted 9 March 2009

Birmingham Monarchs cycle speedway team have landed their biggest transfer signing to date, just days before the newly promoted club race into Premier League action.

They have swooped to sign England international star Garry Pearce from reigning British team champions Wednesfield Aces of Wolverhampton. Ironically, the Monarchs first Premier League match, this Sunday (15th March) is away – to Wednesfield!

Pearce becomes the latest top rider to sign for Birmingham. Over the past few weeks, the Monarchs have announced a succession of transfers, including Paul Heard and Russ Evans from Sandwell, together with Tom Sensicall from Leicester.

The 31-year-old Pearce hails from Stoke in Staffordshire. He began racing in 2001 for his local team, steadily rising through the ranks to claim a heat leader position.

Capped by England in 2005 against Poland, he has won an impressive array of both team and individual honours in recent seasons. Linking with glamour club Wednesfield two seasons ago saw Pearce firmly established himself as a leading Premier League points scorer.

Now widely experienced, having toured Australia, Poland and Holland, Pearce narrowly failed to qualify for the British individual final in 2007. He was a key member of the Wednesfield side who won the British team cup last year.

Birmingham are jubilant in landing the highly popular Potteries racer. Team manager Phil Widdas said “We are delighted to welcome Garry to our ranks. His signing for us demonstrates that top riders now want to join us – instead of our riders leaving Perry Hall for better racing elsewhere.”

Pearce, who recently became a father for the first time, said “After two great seasons with Wednesfield, I wanted a fresh challenge to really propel myself to the very top of the British rankings. I see every chance of doing that with Birmingham on a track that I have long considered one of my favourites.”

Manager Widdas has named Pearce in an extremely strong 11 man squad for Sunday’s trip to Wednesfield, 2pm start. The Birmingham boss will name his final eight shortly before the start.

MONARCHS MAKE ANOTHER NEW SIGNING - posted 2 March 2009

Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway team have swooped to sign one of the sport's hottest properties on the eve of the new season.  The go-ahead Birmingham team, based at Perry Hall Playing Fields, Perry Barr, have snapped up emerging flyer Tom Sensicall on a full transfer from East Midlands rivals Leicester, the reigning Premier League champions.

It’s a shock switch across the Midlands for the talented Sensicall. He has spent all his career quietly developing at Leicester, after taking up the sport as a 10-year-old in 1999. He has won a number of junior awards and has been a leading scorer of Leicester’s Premier League combination side for several seasons.  A former British ranked number four at under 13s level, Sensical has been capped by young England in a highly successful junior career.

Now 20 years of age, Sensicall now feels the time is right to step-up to senior level and attempt a real breakthrough at Premier League standard. He felt his opportunities were restricted in the powerhouse Leicester side and alerted Birmingham to his interest before Christmas.

The Monarchs management team wasted no time in agreeing terms. They met Sensicall, and his father Rob, in a Warwickshire hotel early in the New Year when the rider signed full forms for Birmingham. He is likely to figure strongly in the Monarchs Midland League and Premier League outfits.

Birmingham are delighted to capture Sensicall. Club secretary Mark Winwood said “The acquisition of Tom is another terrific boost for the club. He’s a highly promising rider and we look to see him really blossom at senior level with us.”

The Monarchs first Premier League match is on Sunday 15 March when they travel to Wednesfield in Wolverhampton for a keenly awaited local derby.

Birmingham are to announce another transfer signing this Monday 9 March 2009.

For further information on Birmingham Cycle Speedway, please ring:  07515 625941  07515 625941 .

FORMER BRITISH NUMBER ONE RETURNS - posted 24 February 2009

One of cycle speedway's top names is back in the saddle.  After five years out of the game, ex British and multi vet champion Denis Hubble will make a much welcome return to East London for this forthcoming season.
 
East London general manager Kevin Smith could not hide his delight as he told spokesman-online "I have always been an admirer's of Denis's style or racing.  His enthusiasm at training is already beginning to rub of onto other club members including me!  Some have bought new machinery and some of our much  older campaigners have even made more of an effort at training."
 
Hubble won the British individual championship at St Thomas's Recreation Ground, Stockport on an appalling wet day in 1986, beating Tim Snook and Jimmy Varnish in a tie-break for the title after all three finished level on 16 points.

He went on to dominate Veterans (over-40s) racing, winning the national championship four times in five years including a hat-trick of back-to-back victories in 2001, 2002 and 2003 before his career came to a premature end when he was suspended by British Cycling and fined £250.  Now the fine has been paid and suspension lifted, Hubble is looking forward to a full-time return to racing.  50 next month, he is eligible for the Super-Vets championship and is expected to pay a key role in East London's assault on the Veterans team championship.

MULTI BRITISH FINALIST SIGNS FOR MONARCHS - posted 23 February 2009

Newly promoted Birmingham Monarchs cycle speedway team have signed a top rated multi British finalist on the eve of the new season.

They have snapped up Sandwell heat leader Russ Evans on a secondary licence to bolster their Premier League challenge. Evans joins former Sandwell colleague Paul Heard at Perry Hall Playing Fields, who signed on a full transfer last month.

Evans began racing as a 14-year-old in 1999. Never prominent as a junior, he steadily improved to claim a heat leader position with Sandwell.  His big breakthrough in senior racing came in 2005, when he was a shock qualifier for the British final at Coventry.  He also claimed his first major championship victory by claiming the prestigious John Baugh Memorial Trophy against a star studded field.

An industrial kitchen fitter by trade, Evans cemented his arrival on the national scene in 2006, appearing in a host of all-star individual meetings and reaching a second successive British final at Bury (Manchester).  He made it a hat-trick of British final appearances by again reaching the coveted last 16 at Poole (Dorset) last August. He continued to improve his all-round skills, adding a new consistency and posting a host of starring performances for Sandwell nationwide.

Evans sees the move to Birmingham as an ideal one for all parties. He said “It’s important for any rider with ambition to race each weekend. This move to Birmingham allows me to do that at Premier League level and it also allows me to represent Sandwell in the Midland League.”

The 23-year-old continued “I am really excited about racing for the Monarchs. I am good friends already with several of the Birmingham lads and with the team that the club are assembling, we look set for a very successful season.”

It is expected that Evans will make his Birmingham debut in the crunch Premier League local derby on Sunday 15 March, when the Monarchs travel to Wednesfield in Wolverhampton. Birmingham’s first home Premier League encounter is on Sunday 29 March when Sheffield Stars visit Perry Hall Playing Fields.

Birmingham are to announce a further new signing on Monday 2 March.

For further information on Birmingham Cycle Speedway, please ring:  07515 625941  07515 625941 .

MYHILL SIGNING WILL BOOST HETHERSETT - posted 10 February 2009

Hethersett Hawks-Swinton & Co have completed the transfer of a former British under-16 champion for the coming season.  Nick Myhill started his  career with Hethersett in 1998 and won his British title in 2004 before leaving to have three seasons with Premier League Norwich in 2006.  Myhill, who is arguably the best rider in Norfolk at the current time, wants to step back from the commitment and pressures of Premier racing and come back to the Hawks to help them in their quest for a South-East Regional League title. 
 
Nick's signing will be a big boost for the young members of the team who finished a best-ever third in the League last year. The 2009 season opens on 22 March.

BURCHARDT IS ASTLEY'S NEW CAPTAIN - posted 26 January 2009