TOP POLE HANGS UP HIS WHEELS - posted 22 July 2010

Top Polish rider Dariusz Pilas has announced his retirement from the sport.  The popular Sheffield Stars' rider rode his last match for the club in the recent Premier League victory at Birmingham just over a week ago.

In typical Pilas style, he ended his career on a 18+2 maximum as the Sheffield team won a hard fought match by seven points against the Brummies. Emotional scenes followed the end of the match as Dariusz announced the news to his fellow team mates.

Shaun Hudson, spokesman for the Sheffield club takes up the story.  "At the start of the season Dariusz told me that this would most likely be his last year with the club.  As the season has progressed, he has found it very difficult to juggle family and work commitments with his racing and, after what he described as the hardest decisions he has ever had to make, he has decided to call it a day."

Pilas commented "Since coming to Sheffield, I can say it's been the best four years of my racing career.  I have enjoyed my time with Sheffield immensely.  For the last two years we have finished runners up in the Premier League and I have rode with some really great riders who are just the best team mates."

Pilas punishing training regime has paid dividends for the club and young riders like Jamie Brown and Ryan Hoyland have benefited greatly since his arrival.  It's no coincidence that Stars' rider Andy Angel is having his best ever season since adopting Dariusz training methods.

Andy commented "Dariusz has shown me a whole new way of training and has helped me set up my bike to maximise my performance.  His professional attitude is inspiring"

Shaun Hudson further commented  "We are naturally sad to lose Dariusz.  However we respect his decision.  I shall miss our discussions and in particular is unique take on the English language.  He's a funny guy with a great sense of humour."

Dariusz intends to stay in Sheffield for the foreseeable future as he runs his own business in the city.  We understand he wants to return home next year where he is currently having a house built.  Some fans somehow can't see this totally being the end of Dariusz involvement with the sport.  He has a young son, Jacob, who we may well see on a cycle speedway bike in the years to come.

"From everyone at Sheffield and your many friends in the Cycle Speedway community we say thank you for all your contributions to the sport and wish you, wife Joanna, son Jacob, our best wishes for the future" said a club spokesman.

RICH'S ROAD TO RECOVERY - posted 28 May 2010

While Poole were very happy to secure their first home Premier League points of the season against Sheffield at the weekend, the club was even more happy to see the
familiar face of Richard Clanfield watching from the third bend. After 3½ weeks in a coma, combined with complications that lead to an operation to ease the swelling of
his brain pressure, he had nearly a month of recuperation in Poole Hospital before being discharged on May 20th.

His memory has steadily returned, although he has no recollection of the actual incident itself. He is hoping to return to work in the near future, although doctors will naturally be monitoring his progress for quite some time. Like all his friends within the sport, the doctors will look to his very encouraging recent improvement to continue.

Rich would like to take this opportunity to thank all the many people within the sport who have enquired about his health and sent him their best wishes. This support has certainly aided his recovery during these past few weeks. He hopes to catch up with you all during the season, beginning with the Whitsun events at Harbourside Park when he will take the role of relaxed supporter rather than being busy with track maintenance.


RECOVERY SLOW FOR SPOKESMAN LEGEND - posted 14 May 2010

Spokesman-online legend, Steve Harvie, is still confined to bed, five weeks after being involved in an horrendous fall during heat six of the Euro Vets competition at Wolverhampton.  He fractured his pelvis and it was later discovered that he had also ruptured his bladder.

Despite his injuries, Steve remains positive although he acknowledges his cycle speedway racing days are over.

"Everyone has been so good.  My neighbours bring in meals and I have had several calls from cycle speedway folk enquiring how I am" said Steve earlier this evening.  "I still manage to log into Spokesman every day but just at the moment I don't have the will or strength to write much" said the author of the controversial but highly entertaining Jock Strop page.

Editor's Note - I am sure all our readers will join in wishing Steve a swift and full recovery and hope that it's not long before he's back writing more Jock Strops.






WIFE TELLS RIDER TO GET ON HIS BIKE - posted 13 May 2010

Despite a lively start to the 2010 cycle speedway season, Andy James has been looking at ways to retain his Monarchs club champion title on 5th September – especially as the “young bucks” Timms, Mould, Groves and Heard are all looking to take it from him.

He has spoken to Archie about a new “Alli” and discussed gearings and set ups with those two super cycle speedway mechanics, Paul Timms and Mark Winwood.  Rumour has it even consulted sports psychologists about his pre-meeting preparation (apparently stay away from Carl Winwood was the most useful advice).

However wife Ange decided that whilst all of the above had merit, shoving a 500cc engine between his legs was what was required!! On Saturday, AJ had his first try at motor speedway at Scunthorpe and as you can see thoroughly enjoyed it.  Within the four hours he was there he had the bike sliding and is now hoping to go back and do it all again.

Well done Andy!  With Horspath at home next meeting don’t forget the Jawa!

FORMER CHAMPION HITS BACK AT DISCIPLINARY DECISION - posted 7 May 2010

Former national under-19 champion Nick Myhill has hit back at the discipinary committee who extended his ban following incidents at the Hethersett v Norwich South-East League match last season, calling the additional punishment "unjustified".

In a statement to spokesman-online, Myhill said "I would like to set the record straight for anyone who didn't read the witness statements. I never once denied invading the ref's
personal space, which I am sorry for. But I never laid a finger on him, which I understand was the main reason my ban was extended. I would like to point out again the fact that I was assaulted which I clearly stated originally but was obviously ignored. I'm sorry if it seems like I have an immature attitude but I feel my punishment was unjustified" said Myhill angrily.

DISCIPLINARY PANELIST DEFENDS MYHILL DECISION - posted 5 May 2010

A member of the disciplinary panel that extended the ban on Hethersett rider Nick Myhill has come out publicly in support of the decison.  Ray Pyke, one of the three man disciplinary committee, was keen to explain the panel's decision, telling Spokesman

"I was asked by the South East Commission to join two others to form a disciplinary commission to review the written evidence from Nick, the ref, Mel  Perkins and an independent spectator.  Having no history with Nick, I take great offence to his unwarranted claim of incompetence and worse personal vendetta.

"He was clearly guilty of the charges levelled.  He invaded the ref's personal space and by his own omission knocked the card out of the ref's hand.  I would therefore suggest he adopts a more mature attitude and  accepts his punishment in good grace" suggested Pyke.

LEE ARIS WINS ROAD RACE - posted 2 May 2010

British champion Lee Aris has won a cycle road race - at only his second attempt!

After 35 miles around the mile long circuit, the cycle speedway super-star beat a field of 60 riders in a thrilling sprint finish to take the fourth category race around the streets of Birmingham Business Park.  After finishing tenth in his first ever race and now winning the prestige Birmingham cycle club promotion, Aris is elevated to third cat class, a rapid rise virtually unprecendented in cycling circles.

Not content to be carving out a name for himself on the road, on Wednesday evening Aris makes his first attempt at track racing when he takes on a fixed wheel for the first time at Aldersley track in Wolverhamption.

We hope to bring you more news of Lee's successes in the not too distant future.

MYHILL CALLS IT A DAY - posted 29 April 2010

One of cycle speedway's most glittering careers appears to be over.  Following further disciplinary action taken against him following an incident in a South-East League match between Hethersett and Norwich last September, former national under-19 champion Nick Myhill has retired from the sport.

In an exclusive statement to spokesman-online, Nick Myhill said

"I just want to make clear with regards to my ban. I haven't seen any video footage of this "man handling" the referee, so how the hell have I been found guilty? Snatch the cards, yeh.  Push his chest? Whatever. He pushed me but I don't suppose that matters does it because he's such a top class referee, we have to take his word for it.

"It's funny how all the people involved in making the decision to ban me weren't even at the match. Anyway I could go on all day but what's the point? I won't be paying my match ban because I'm not parting with my money due to incompetance and personal vendettas. So looks like my time in the sport is over." 




MYHILL BAN EXTENDED - posted 27 April 2010

A former British champion has received a further three match ban and a suspended £50 fine for man-handling a referee.  Nick Myhill was found guilty following the incident during a South-East League match between Hethersett and Norwich last September.  The Hethersett rider was found guilty of snatching a red card from the referee and pushing the official in the chest.

Myhill was originally given the red card which warranted a routine £20 fine and two match suspension but delegates at the South-East regional meeting in January expressed concerns that the regional committee had not taken stronger action against a rider who allegedly shoved the referee.

A disciplinary panel was set up and imposed the additional ban and suspended fine.  Myhill was British under-19 champion in 2004.

WELL KNOWN PERSONALITY IN HOSPITAL - posted 13 April 2010

One of cycle speedway's best known personalities is in hospital.  After being involved in an horrendous fall during heat six of the Euro Vets competition at Wolverhampton, 'Jockstrop' author Steve Harvie was taken to Wolverhampton Hospital where he was detained overnight for observation.

He was released the following day and drove back to his Kent home where he suffered a relapse and was promtly admitted to Chatham Hospital where it was confirmed that he had fractured his pelvis and suffered a bruised bladder.  He is likely to be remain in hospital for several days.

Harvie had widely suggested that this may be his last season.  Now this injury may hasten his cycle speedway retirement. 

WOODHOUSE MAKES DRAMATIC RETURN - posted 6 April 2010

Joining the race to beat the 31st March sign-on deadline was Southampton star Shaun Woodhouse who will join the Poole Premier League squad for the 2010 season and his home town club for regional competitions. His best mate Gavin Wheeler was instrumental in coaxing Shaun back onto the saddle after a three year lay-off and once he has completed his remaining football commitments, the pair could team up to form a powerful spearhead for the Dorset club.

Poole spokesman Pete Barnes said the club was very pleased to have Shaun as a squad member having lost the services of Ben Mould, Aaron Lowey, Chris Roberts and Rich Clanfield since last season. Although Polish star Greg Gluchowski has also been added to the squad, he like the rest of the club's Polish assets are only available
for a limited number of Premier matches.

SECOND ENGLAND CALL FOR YOUNGSTER MATT - posted 5 April 2010

It was announced recently that Matt Beharrell, Wednesfield Aces and England cycle speedway young star, has been picked to represent England Under-16s in his other chosen sport, Rugby League. 

The 15- year-old rider, who plays for Hull Kingston Rovers when not riding cycle speedway for the Midlands side, will be travelling to France on 9th April for a nine-day tour which will see the England team take on a France Under-17 team.  Beharrell, who was highest point scorer when he represented a young England cycle speedway side at Newport, Wales on Saturday said:

"It's the ultimate honour to represent your country at any age and my goal has always been to play professional Rugby League but I want to continue to ride cycle speedway for as long as I can.  Both disciplines compliment each other, the cycling gives me leg speed and strength and the rugby gives me upper body strength, it's like rugby on a bike" he quipped.

AUSSIE JUNIOR JOINS POOLE - posted 5 April 2010

The Poole-Sea View Coaches club have confirmed that the talented Findon-based Australian junior international Shane Bentley will arrive in the UK on 10th May to compete for the Rest of the World Select v Young England on Whit Saturday 29th May. The following day he will contest the "Ade Gale" Junior Laurels individual event. It is hoped that this arrangement between both clubs could see a Poole junior making a visit "Down Under" during the winter of 2010/2011.

BIRMINGHAM'S SNIP SIGNING - posted 12 March 2010

Birmingham Monarchs are delighted to announce another key signing for the 2010 season.

With young stars Ben Mould, Chris Timms, Paul Heard, Nathan Groves and Marcus Wadhams already in the line up, there was one thing that this team really needed - and now they've got it.  The Monarchs have signed a top hairdresser for 2010.