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CLUB CALL
RAIN DOESNT STOP PLAY posted 3 March 2014
Coventry Cycle Speedway held their first official practice session of the 2014 season on Sunday in the pouring rain which made track conditions very difficult. Some twelve riders turned up to take part in the training session, led by Myke Grimes, including local youngsters Mason Phillips and Kyle Roberts.
Light drizzle was present at the start of the session, however heavy rain left standing water on the track - particularly entering turn one, though the track remains in good a condition.
Despite this, all who attended enjoyed and managed to boost their fitness levels, courtesy of the heavy conditions. Coventry's next practice session is this Wednesday evening from 6pm. All are welcome to attend and take part with helmet, gloves and a long sleeved top being the only requirement.
The club, which reformed back in 2011, is now ready for race action and was boosted by the news that Sky Sports shall be screening extended highlights of the 2013 British Final hosted on the Godiva City.
In the next fortnight, Sky Sports shall broadcast a 30 minute show of the British Final which was attended by hundreds of spectators. The event was won by Thomas Reed and contained the glitz and glamour that adds to the attraction of any sport. A big screen was hired for the occasion whilst a band and grid girls added to the attraction, not to even mention the world class racing on offer that was free for the public to view.
The track, located in the Hearsall Common area of Coventry, shall undergo one final work session in the hope that members can take to the track for the first time this season next Sunday (2nd March). Though any official home fixtures are yet to be announced, Coventry are inviting other clubs to challenge fixtures in the hope to gain some competitive race action before the Midland League campaign begins.
Officials also, recently, named the seven man squad to travel to Exeter on the first weekend of May to compete in the European championships. Coventry number one Myke Grimes is first on the list and followed by Joe Kemp, Kyle Roberts, Daniel Drewett, Mason Phillips and Josh Marsh. All the riders live in the Coventry postal code area.
One setback however is the absence of veteran star Joe McLaughlin who is forced to sit out the first part of the season due to injury. McLaughlin has been dogged by health issues over the winter and has been forced to dramatically reduce his work load off track.
For more information about Coventry Cycle Speedway you can visit www.coventrycsc.com or follow them on Twitter using @CoventryCS
Its been an anxious few weeks at Harbourside with efforts to finish the winter track projects thwarted by the continuous wet weather.
Fine weather over the weekend saw the project crew working at full tilt with 30 tons of topsoil raked into place and four tons of shale re-cycled from the drainage sumps ready to complete track preparations. Fingers crossed for better weather to continue so that new turf can be laid next weekend then it will be all systems go!
at yesterday's work session.
Coventry cycle speedway team, hosts of the 2014 British veterans final, have announced a locally based squad to represent them in the European club championships at Exeter in May. All the riders live in the Coventry postcode area.
The squad is: Myke Grimes, Joe Kemp, Kyle Roberts, Dan Drewett, Mason Phillips and Josh Marsh. All the Coventry team, together with team manager Lee Marsh, and a number of parents and supporters, are booked into the Travelodge M5 Exeter hotel for the championships, which start on Saturday 3rd May.
Leading rider Grimes has been named but his participation is doubtful as his partner is due to give birth shortly before the championships.
Since being set up back in October 2012, website manager Shaun Reynolds has built the site up to contain match reports, news and a whole bank of images - thanks to track photographers Ray Andrews and Mark Phillips, father of up coming rider Mason.
The heaviest traffic the Coventry site has endured was throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend. 200 people were regularly logging on to the site to find out information. To celebrate, newly appointed press officer Shaun Reynolds shall post a weekly feature based on members at the club.
Senior team manager Lee Marsh shall be the first man to give his thoughts. Marsh talks about his highlights of 2013 and what he's looking forward to in 2014 as well as much more!
Reynolds commented "I'm trying to create an identity for members involved in the club. It'd be great if some of our followers on Twitter, and members of the local general public, can become familiar with the names involved both on and off track."
You can read the first interview, featuring Lee Marsh, later on tonight using www.coventrycsc.com. Coventry Devlins Newsagents, gearing up for the new 2014 season, have appointed a new club secretary with immediate effect.
Warwick based Rob Barnett, who has previous experience in sports administration, is the new club secretary. Father of junior newcomer Charlie, Rob can be contacted via email at: [email protected] or on mobile: 07505 802861.
All parties are requested to make initial contact with Rob Barnett when contacting Coventry cycle speedway club.
Barnett takes over from temporary secretary Dave Foster, who remains chairman of the booming Hearsall Common community sports club.
Coventry Devlins Newsagents cycle speedway club held a highly successful AGM at the Maudslay public house in the Godiva city last Monday evening.
A wide representation of the club membership debated all areas of the club over two and a half hours of harmonious debate. They accepted reports, adopted policy documents and made plans for the new 2014 season, starting in March.
Long standing Coventry official and present-day chairman Dave Foster opened proceedings by welcoming members. The club soon adopted the minutes of the 2012 AGM and welcomed the treasurers report by Richard Burnett, a professional accountant.
Figures showed the Coventry club enjoyed a healthy position at the bank, helped by massive sponsorship and advertising revenue in 2013. Indications showed that the Coventry were on course for similar sponsorship income in 2014.
Four of the existing five person committee were re-elected. These were: Dave Foster as chairman, Richard Burnet as treasurer, Lee Marsh as first team manager and Andrew Drewett as junior manager.
The club elected newcomer Rob Barnett to the vacant post of secretary. Father of promising junior Charlie, Rob has had wide experience in other sport, including darts administration.
A number of supporting positions were appointed. These included Rob McGuire (track manager), Shaun Reynolds (website manager) and Dawn McCarroll (welfare officer).
Media expert Reynolds will also assume responsibility for the media officers role. He currently holds media positions in horse racing and speedway. He will issue weekly media releases once the season starts.
Members were told the biggest meeting programmed at Hearsall Common in 2014 would be the British Vets Final on Saturday 14th June. The club will also stage the Chris Allen Memorial Trophy, a Eurovets GP series round, and the Coventry under-13s and under-17s finals.
Coventry will compete in all three divisions of the Midland League, the British team championship and the Euro Club championships at Exeter.
BURY PREPARE FOR FINALS DAY posted 31 January 2014
Although cycle speedways big day is still more than six months away, Bury cycle speedway club members are already hard at working preparing for Finals Weekend.
The Goshen track surface has been turned over during the winter and work starts in earnest this weekend, rolling and levelling the circuit, considered to be one of the best racing tracks in the country.
And the circuit will have to be at its very best as it plays host to the new style finals day which now incorporates three finals, the under-16s joining the mens and womens finals on August Bank Holiday Monday.
Despite the wettest winter on record, Burys Goshen track is already looking in fine condition ahead of the new season and ultimately Finals Day.
Pleased at progress, Bury club secretary John Whiting told Spokesman We will be meeting with Bury Council in the near future as well as our partners at Goshen. We must not forget that it's also the Bury club's fortieth anniversary, a wonderful tribute to the Mann family who set the stage at Chesham all those years ago.
Theres still a lot of work to do but we are all looking forward to it said John enthusiastically.
So it's committees, assignments, ownership - not forgetting all the club members and volunteers at all the staging tracks who will have a vital role to play.
Hethersett Hawks-Swinton & Co held their annual general meeting and the members heard of several successes on track in 2013, a continually improving facility at the Memorial Playing Field but concerns at the lack of new members joining in the year.
A major recruitment drive will take place in 2014 with links to schools, other clubs and groups. 15-year-old Katie Adams has joined the committee, all of whom were re-elected. She will bring some new ideas on improving communications through social media and more exciting links from the website to attract and retain youngsters.
On the track, in 2014 the Hawks will again be racing in an expanding South-East League as well as a new National Friendly League. Local activity on Wednesday nights will give new recruits a vital next step in their development. In May the club will be staging the British under-19 individual championships while in the British team cup Leicester will be the visitors in round one in July.
Training starts on 2nd February with the first league action scheduled for 16th March.
Cycle speedways oldest continuous running club has closed its doors for good.
Sandwell cycle speedway club has finally shut up shop despite heroic efforts by founder member Brian Buck to keep the club going. Now the club is selling its remaining equipment and donating the proceeds to charity.
Earlier this afternoon, Brian Buck confirmed the news that everyone had feared but hoped would never come.
This is to advise you that the Sandwell club has now ceased to exist Brian told Spokesman.
The agreement with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to use the land on which the track is situated has now been terminated and a committee of four persons, Pete Dalley, Phil Hemming, Terry Astley and myself, has been formed to oversee the disposal of all of the club's equipment, the terms of the lease allowing us three months to complete this task.
The clubs two generators have already been sold and committee members visited the track site yesterday (Sunday) to make an inventory of all the saleable items available. All of the proceeds from the sale plus what remains in the club's bank account, will then be donated to the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.
I will be pleased to supply any interested clubs with a copy of the list which they can then peruse and consider making an offer for any items which they might be able to use. Please e-Mail me at [email protected] if your club would like a copy.
Excluded from the list are five new racing bikes which were purchased last March with a £900 grant from the Albion Foundation. As the club has not been able to fulfil the terms of the grant, these bikes are technically still the property of the foundation. I have had discussions with them over what we should now do, and they are suggesting that we offer them for sale at 50% of the original cost with this money being donated to their "Fund for the advancement of disabled sports people."
I would therefore invite any clubs interested in purchasing these to make us an offer based on £450 for the five or £90 for a single bike. All of these bikes have been used once only. I would stress that these bikes are a separate issue from the items shown on the list (which includes another seven used bikes).
I would like to take the opportunity of thanking everyone who has been so sympathetic to the plight of our club and those who have tried so hard to help keep us in operation. Their support, encouragement and good wishes have been much appreciated, but has sadly been all in vain. To quote St Wulstan, which ironically was used in a church service I went to last Sunday morning: "We have run the straight race, we have finished the course, we have kept the faith" said Brian proudly but with a hint of emotion in his voice.
Earlier this evening Wednesfield Aces newest committee member and club BY&J League coordinator Wayne Tipton made his way onto BBC Radio 2 with Simon Mayo on the Drive time Show.
The feature 'Friday Fixture' has regular sporting updates from minority sports and local groups.
Tipton shoehorned into a few minutes on air a mention for his sporting hero and former world champion Roger Ellis, youngsters club favourite and role model Lee Aris, Spokesman-Online for best news and coverage, along with a brief rundown of the mad capped sport we all love.
Before signing off Tipton won a wager with a work colleague which will see him receive breakfast every Friday for the remainder of the year by saying the word semolina live on the BBC.
Great work by Wayne and I and I'm sure the committee as a whole look forward to working with him in the 2014 season said club spokesman Glyn Rowley. To listen to the broadcast click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03qf50y/Simon_Mayo_Drivetime_All_Request_Friday/
and fast forward to 1:44:52
Coventry cycle speedway club will hold their AGM this Monday, 27th January, following on from their most successful year in history. The meeting will commence at 7.30pm.
Riders, officials, parents and supporters will assemble at The Maudslay Public House, Allesley Old Road, to review the so-called `golden` year of success of 2013, elect officials and make policy plans for 2014.
The club are likely to discuss racing competition, including the reformation of the Coventry League, which last saw the light of day in the 1970s. They will also consider competing racing in Poland in August and their confirmed entry into national competitions.
Initial plans for their major meeting of the year in 2014, the British Vets Final, is also high on the agenda, as is the response to the latest extortionate hike in fees from British Cycling.
Most of the existing committee are to stand for re-election and the club will be looking to find roles for their latest in-take of parents, who may wish to volunteer. Facilities improvements such as a power supply and water connection are also likely to be aired, alongside their aims of becoming an accredited `good practice` sports club.
New members Joe Kemp, Mason and Baillie Phillips, Kyle Roberts and Jack Bayliss, together with another confirmed newcomer, are expected to be welcomed to the club.
Chairman Dave Foster said: "We would urge all members and supporters to attend the AGM. Its open to all. Its a chance for all our booming membership to have their say and to influence the way the club is run in 2014."
East Park Wolves chairman Al Bentley has issued a public apology to his clubs riders and supporters after the West Midlands side missed the closing date for the British team cup.
I am really sorry that the club will miss out this year. With riders now on a first licence, we would have had the strongest team from when the club first started to field this season said a disappointed Bentley.
An entire cycle speedway track together will all its fixtures and fittings is being offered free of charge to any willing takers.
After struggling for years, the shutters are finally going up for good on the long established Sandwell circuit but in a dramatic last ditch bid to save the track, the closure committee is willing to give it to anyone interested in maintaining and running the old track
As there is now no prospect of being able to save Sandwell, we are setting in motion a plan to form a small committee of Pete Dalley, Terry Astley, Phil Hemming and myself to oversee the disposal of the club's equipment and to then arrange for the proceeds to be donated to a suitable charity explained Brian Buck.
However before doing anything we thought we should try to get a note on Spokesman to the effect that if anyone is interested in taking over then we would be happy to allow them to do so. I can't for a minute imagine that there is anyone out there but it is worth a try.
This is a very sad end for me especially after 62 years with the club. Its a day I hoped would never come but all good things must come to an end I suppose said Brian emotionally.
If anyone is interested in taking on the facillty at Brades Lodge please contact Brian Buck at [email protected]
The civic reception took place in the historic Council Chamber and pride of place was given to the Elite league trophy which the senior team won after 18 years in the competition. Captain Greg Gluchowski and Elite Division One team colleagues Arron Morgan, Leyton Glover, Aaron Smith and Wil Bristowe were all present for the occasion along with Division Two winners Callum Albin, Jay Briggs, Callum Smith, Niall Instone and Fraser Garnett.
Aaron Smith was congratulated on his British under-16 individual title along with fellow club individual medallists, Jasmine Oddie, Macie Schmidt, Chloe Albin and Leyton Glover. The Youth and junior GP squad was also well represented to recognise their continuing success in the SSW regional competition. Tribute was also paid to the achievements of Elite squad members Marcin Szymanski, Thomas Reed and Steve Harris on their World and national title successes.
Coventry Devlins Newsagents, fresh from a superb 2013 season, have today announced they have entered two major competitions for the 2014 season, confirming their astonishing re-emergence as one of the sports` leading clubs.
The Godiva city club have entered the 2014 Euro Club Championships at Exeter in May, their first international appearance since their amazing reformation in mid 2011. They are expected to join most Elite League clubs and the cream of foreign clubs in this prestigious competition which will be held in the West Country for the first time.
Coventry have also entered the 2014 British team knockout cup, their first appearance in this competition since 2003. They will hope to be drawn at home against a non EL club, where they would be hopeful of progress.
Team manager Lee Marsh said: "Our entrance to these top level tournaments signals our intention to be once again in all the major competitions on the track alongside our reknown promotional abilities in staging them."
Marsh is expected to field an all Coventry based combination in both championships, centred around such riders such as Myke Grimes, Joe Kemp, Mason Phillips, Dan Drewett and Kyle Roberts.
Last night members of Birmingham Monarchs cycle speedway club met at Hamstead Social Club as they planned and looked towards the coming season.
The meeting saw a great turnout of members and riders as it showed the spirit of the club and all muck in together mentality of the Midlands outfit. Chairman Phil Widdas opened the meeting and started by announcing and confirming positions at the club.
Phil was elected as chairman once more whilst Natalie Timms will look after secretary matters and Paul Timms will dust off his calculator as he will be the clubs treasurer. Team manager will be Phil Widdas as Mark Winwood stepped aside due to commitments and Steve Hodgkinson will look after matters for the junior sides as the youngsters have been under his wing from the training sessions with the BMX club last summer.
Press officer and website duty will be with Richard Stevenson once more and club captain was unanimous as Chris Timms will again take the armband for Birmingham.
Some good news from the meeting was the confirmation that Marcus Wadhams will be back at the club. Wadhams made a blast into the sport first time with his fast gating and he has been training hard in the gym as once more it shows once you get bitten by the cycle speedway bug it is hard to shake off!
Steve Hodgkinson raised a point regarding fixtures and due to the club only being in Midland League competition that there could be a possibility of challenge meetings. These will be decided once the fixture list has been confirmed so blank weekends can be highlighted and looked into. Other ideas were made by Hodgkinson as the club is looking to offer the recent influx of youngsters meaningful fixtures as well as the core training they will receive.
The committee members will meet up again just before the season begins but the feeling within the AGM was one of togetherness and all helping each other as the club looks to have a bright future.
Sheffield Stars have moved closer to completing their 2014 Elite League squad by completing the signing of Coventry's Mkye Grimes on the new Elite licence. Grimes had been on the Sheffield radar since last years friendly matches with the Coventry club, Andy Angell also played his part in engineering the deal by speaking with the Coventry racer about a move to Sheffield.
Coventry youngster Mason Phillips has also secured a place with the South Yorkshire men for the new season, Grimes and Phillips are training partners and it was to good an opportunity to pass up commented a Sheffield official.
The recent club committee meeting was also informed by chairman Ian Brown that Australian Test Star Bobby McMillan will be joining the Stars for the new Elite League season. Sheffield team manager Shaun Hudson also reported that Bartosz Giemza would again be racing for the Stars as would ex Bury rider Damien Zareeba who joins Sheffield on a full transfer. Jake Read and Dan Chambers have also confirmed they will be returning for another season.
A spokesman for the Sheffield club commented "We are delighted with the way that everything is progressing. Mkye Grimes and Gavin Parr are quality additions to our squad. Heckmondwikes Pawel Idziorek, who in our view has the ability to be the number one rider in the Elite League, is raring to go. Andy Angell will again be asked to captain and lead the side in what is shaping up to be another top season."
Sheffield are looking now to wrap things up quickly and would ask all riders who have not returned their transfer papers yet, to make this a priority.
Members of the Coventry cycle speedway club, jubilant after a highly successful year, are to meet in the Godiva city this Friday evening (29th December) for their annual Christmas drink and to toast a `golden` year of success and achievement.
The resurgent club, who at this time three years ago were still floundering with no competitive action, just three members and with the Hearsall Common track buried under years of weeds, have staged a resounding recovery and now rank as one of the the sports most progressive and successful clubs.
They have scored record sponsorships, rejoined competitive racing on all fronts, recruited over twenty juniors, unveiled a top class indoor venue for the sport and majestically staged the 2013 British final to critical acclaim.
Their senior team surpassed all expectations in 2013 by losing just four matches all season - astonishingly winning scores of last heat deciders to add to the excitement and enjoyment. It was off the track the club posted their real achievements, with a new wave of parents and volunteers assisting the club stalwarts to raise interest to new levels.
All of these accomplishments are sure to be recalled at the Christmas gathering at the Binley Park Inn, in the Binley area of the city. The annual Christmas drink is one of the most enjoyable events on the Coventry clubs social calendar and follows the recent highly successful Club Presentation Party and Christmas Curry Evening.
Members are sure to look ahead to an exciting 2014 and the prospect of staging the British Veterans Final, competing abroad for the first time since their revival, welcoming a number of new members and entering the 2014 Euro Club Finals at Exeter.
Editors Note What were the highlights of your clubs season? As New Year approaches, let us know your reflections on 2013.
Operation Clean commenced at the Hull track this weekend following the tidal surge that hit many parts of the area several days ago.
Following a visit from the insurance assessors, the club were given approval to commence work. Saturday saw the club house completely gutted and thoroughly cleaned out, although the insurance assessor has said they will be arranging for a professional clean to be undertaken in due course.
Unfortunately many years of hard work by many club members is now lying in skip in the car park adjoining the track or piled up waiting to go in a further skip which will be coming down next weekend. Both storage containers were also emptied and cleaned out although there is still further work to do.
Sunday saw attention turned to the track and work commenced to remove the layer of silt that covered most of the track which by close-of-play had seen over two thirds of the track cleared and the inside edgings and starting gate hosed down and cleared. In addition all the drains were checked and cleared as necessary.
Next weekend will see a further skip filled with what remains from the clubhouse and containers that can no longer be used, the remainder of the track cleared and hopefully some fresh shale laid to begin to bring the track back to the required standard. The club are currently exploring options for moving the container back into position which will necessitate either hiring a crane or hopefully getting a local company to assist us.
Newport cycle speedway club held a very successful annual awards evening at the local cricket club. Over 70 people attended the celebration of the clubs best-ever season, winning both divisions, going unbeaten, and also winning the Gold Cup and reaching the BTC semi-finals.
The annual award winners were: Rider of the Year - Mark Carmichael, Most Improved Rider Jacob Soper, Best Newcomer Josh Evans, Clubman - Aaron Hughes, Riders Rider Jacob Soper. Team sponsors, Dig It Landscapes, were very happy withthe season and were the clubs guests for the evening.
Newport cycle speedway club has been awarded a £1,500 grant from the local Chest Community fund. The money will be used to develop more club coaches and first aiders, provide additional club bikes for newcomers to use and printing 5,000 leaflets highlighting the clubs activities and opportunities for young people.
Not only did the flooding leave a carpet of thick mud in the buildings and on the track but the powerful surge of water moved one of the clubs storage containers. The water level can clearly been seen on the container (see picture).
Club secretary Andy Schofield was delighted with the response to help clean up the mess but told Spokesman that no further work will take place until insurance assessors have evaluated the damage.
Midland officials are working hard to bring Stoke back into the fold.
Following a recent visit to the well appointed Etruria Park track which has hardly been used since it was constructed a few years ago, BC commissioner Bob Prince has approached Potteries enthusiasts to see if there is any likelihood of the club returning to the Midland League next season.
I'm just trying to ascertain the best way forward towards getting cycle speedway active again at Stoke Prince told Spokeman.
Writing to club officials Prince suggested that the club could be saved by using guest riders.
I am aware that last season there was some confusion over the use of guest riders. This confusion led to the Stoke club pulling out of league racing. If the opportunity to use a limited number of guest riders was made available to the club, do you think there may be a possibility of the Stoke club re-entering the league in 2014? asked Prince.
Another option for the club is to stage a few rounds of the newly adopted racing structure, which will operate along the lines of the BYJL but which will incorporate all age categories and women's racing he added. It is easy to dismiss 2013 as one of the least successful for the Leicester club, however some 70 plus people saw an abundance of trophies on display at the annual presentation held on Saturday night. Chairman Ralph Doughty and secretary Tim Jarvis spent some thirty minutes handing out various pieces of silverware awarded for both team and individual success. Whilst the club is currently at a low ebb regarding senior riders, other sections continue to flourish.
Hull cycle speedway club has been hard hit by the storms and tidal surge that hit the east coast late last night.
Surveying the devastating scene at the Hessle raceway on the banks of the Humber, club secretary Andy Schofield told Spokesman It looks like a two to three foot swell has covered the track and has now receded leaving lots of water and mud. The building will be waterlogged and at least one of the containers.
We are meeting at the track this Saturday from 10am to assess the damage and clean up. Any help greatly appreciated said Andy. HETHERSETT PRESENTATION EVENING posted 2 December 2013
Hethersett Hawks-Swinton and Co celebrated a successful season on the track at their presentation evening attended by 40 members, families and supporters.
Competitions won by individual members at club, county, region and national level were acknowledged as well as members of both the club's South East League teams who received trophies for finishing runners-up in division one and two.
Much talk at the gathering was around a challenging 2014 with revised league competitions, including a new National Friendly League. Members are busy training on Tuesday evenings for the British Indoor Championships in Coventry on January 4th and 5th. A big recruitment drive for youngsters will also be a major feature in 2014.
ASTLEY CELEBRATE RECORD YEAR posted 2 December 2013
Astley & Tyldesley cycle speedway club members celebrated a very successful 2013 season at the annual presentation and social afternoon. The function room at the Astley & Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Club was packed, as close on 100 club members, families and friends attended. Entertainment was provided by Chris Morris and the Band of Rain, along with racing DVD's shown on a big screen and a splendid buffet was enjoyed by all present.
The final award of the day was the coveted Ron Hack Memorial Cup, for the club's Volunteer of the Year. This year's winner is Joanne Whitelegg, the club's welfare officer, who has ensured the well being of club members throughout the year, as well as carrying out sterling work at the club's weekly club nights and on match days.
Bury CSC have started their winter training sessions ready for 2014.
Because of extensive track work being done ready for the British finals next year, no training on track can be done for some months but Bury officials have devised a training plan to cover all the weeks leading up to the on track restart. After two weeks things are looking good for attendance.
Week one saw over 20 people attend the circuit sessions on Saturday, followed on the Thursday evening by another but cycle focussed circuit session, where 12 attended, and this week we had 14 people on a 10 mile mountain bike ride finishing on the mountain bike and BMX courses in Prestwich club coach John Burston told Spokesman.
Ehthusiasm is high and if previous winters are to go by significant fitness gains will be made by this initiative , especially as we now have access to very reasonable priced indoor facilities for the circuit training.
2014 is anticipated with a belief that the club will go forward in team spirit and success added John.
One of cycle speedway youngest clubs is fighting for survival after four riders transferred to a neighbouring club. Hard working club secretary Bernie Kemp confirmed the rumours, telling Spokesman
We are finding it difficult to keep running after four riders transferred to Coventry. At the beginning of the year Bretford were hopeful that they could step up withthe old riders. However two of the older children have transferred to Coventry as they feel that they need people with experience racing with them.Bretford understands their decision and that is up to each rider and parent to make the choice that is right for them.
Bretford have been an extremely successful club winning many individuals with their riders and having a good crop of juniors winning trophies so its disappointing to see our club on its knees said Bernie.
Coventry has supported the Bretford club offering coaches to help train the children next season. At their recent AGM Bretford decided to keep running with five riders in Division Three. Lee Kemp will step in to support the club in the Division Three fixtures when he can, so Bretford will give it another year and then make a decision whether it is viable to keep running or not.
Bretford do hope they can turn the club around. However if it does, Bretford will keep its older riders in future and throw them in the deep end in Division One in the Midland League explained Bernie.
At the club AGM, Bernie Kemp will continue to be secretary, Maurice Tweed will continue as chairman. Sharon Price will be treasurer. Graham Kemp will continue to keep the track and area tidy and Angie Hambidge will take over as team manager. Members of Norwich cycle speedway club gathered at Harford community centre on Saturday evening to celebrate the clubs successes during the season.
Among those receiving awards were Jamie Medler (Best Newcomer), Owen Wells (Most Improved), Danny Margitson (Best Under-16) and Lisa Wells (Norwich Star of the Year). The highly prized Rider of the
Following delivery of 30 tonnes of shale last week, the Hull track was re-laid at the weekend and the remaining shale put into the storage area for future use. Hopefully by re-laying the track before the onset of winter and the likely frosts it will bed in and provide an improved racing surface for the new and subsequent seasons.
BOMBER FLIES INTO PRESENTATION EVENING - posted 22 November 2013
After recently being announced as Coventry's first rider to feature for the Coventry Bees in 2014, the former British GP winner was more than happy to celebrate what has been a golden year for the Godiva city club. All junior riders were present on the evening and received their own individual trophy - presented by Chris Harris - whilst awards were given out to both senior and junior rider of the year as well as senior and junior clubman of the year.
Coventry Cycle Speedway would like to thank Chris Harris for giving up his time to appreciate the efforts of the Hearsall Common based club.
Coventry cycle speedway club, proud hosts of the 2013 British final, are to embark on British Cycling's Go-Ride programme to become fully accredited. This decision was supported by all present at a recent club meeting, attended by British Cycling regional manager, Nick Yarworth.
MIKE HACK STANDS DOWN AFTER 13 YEARS AS ASTLEY MANAGER posted 18 November 2013
Astley & Tyldesley cycle speedway club held their annual general meeting recently. All the existing club committee members stated their willingness to continue to serve in 2014 and they were all re-elected. There were however, some changes made amongst the posts.
Mike Hack stepped down as team manager after 13 years at the helm and is replaced by Paul Graham. Mike remains as club secretary and will be freed up to spend more time on development projects. One of the club founder members, Steve Mills, has returned to the committee and he will accompany Joanne Whitelegg, as an additional welfare officer, when he has completed the training. Both Paul Graham and Danny Hughes declared their intention to take coaching courses this winter.
The 2014 A&T club committee comprises: Bill Phillips (Chairman); Paul Whitelegg (Vice Chairman & Treasurer); Mike Hack (Secretary & Development Officer); Paul Graham (Team Manager); Will Evans (Junior Team Manager); Alan Farrell (Track Curator); Alison Dickinson (Social Secretary); Janine Paine (Social Secretary); Joanne Whitelegg (Welfare Officer); Steve Mills (Welfare Officer). The work of the committee will be supplemented by a host of other valuable volunteers within the club.
Club members were out in force on Sunday undertaking improvements to the Gin Pit race circuit. New edging kerbs were fitted to the outside back straight and an additional 10 tons of shale was laid on the track.
This is another large step forward for the East Park club whose continued development and improved facilities are proving a real success story.
£1,170 GRANT FOR ASTLEY posted 16 November 2013
Astley & Tyldesley cycle speedway club has received further good news - the award of a grant of £1,170 from Wigan Council's Small Grants Awards which will go towards the purchase of bikes, helmets, gloves, gazebo, carrier coaching and first aid courses, in readiness for next season.
Thanks go to Catherine White who made this application in July. This means that this year the club has been awarded £5,000 by Wigan Council, which is the maximum sum they grant to an organisation within a financial year.
Hull cycle speedway club held their annual general meeting on Tuesday and saw the best attendance for a number of years with several new committee members taking up positions for the forthcoming year.
Derek Hilton remains as the club chairman, with Andy Schofield retaining his role of club secretary and senior team manager and Sharon Angell continuing as treasurer. The meeting saw the resignation of Ian Swanborough as development officer and Adam Stephenson as riders representative (although both will still remain as club members) to be replaced by Di Bellis, Tracy Thomas and Craig Boddice respectively who is also to take up the role of joint junior team manager with Rich Pawson.
Completing the committee membership, Paul Stephenson continues as site manager, Josh Bellis as junior riders representative, Elaine Stockton-Garner as volunteer coordinator (a new role created due to the increasing amount of helpers the club is in the fortunate position to have), and Rich Pawson as press officer/club welfare officer and joint junior team manager.
The club is looking forward to 2014 with a renewed sense of optimism and hope to improve on what was sometimes a disappointing 2013 on the track. The meeting was on the whole a positive one, the main issue being the continuing problem of funding an ever expanding club, now standing at around 60 members, and meeting the increased running costs.
The club fortunately has money in reserve but actually had a deficit of £53 last year which, although not a large amount, is an early indicator that either costs need to be reduced or revenue increased. As a result, and because of the increase in British Cycling membership, it was agreed to increase annual subscriptions and the travel subsidy which hopefully those not present will appreciate the need for.
POOLE REFURBISHMENT UNDERWAY posted 9 November 2013 
Having concentrated on bends three and four last winter, the focus has switched to the inside lines and outside perimeter along the pits straight. The site is on reclaimed land and subject to constant settlement which requires regular attention commented Poole stalwart Pete Ross.
Northumbria cycle speedway club are riding the crest of the wave after a highly successful British Cycling Go-Ride day last Saturday attracted 17 youngsters, all bursting to have a go at the new sport of cycle speedway.
Hopes of reviving the sport in the Potteries has taken another step forward with the news that publicity guru Joe McLaughlin has offered his support to get the project off the ground.
I have made contact with long standing Stoke stalwart Andy Franks to see what interest there may be `on the ground`. It seems my call was perfectly timed as Andy made a number of positive comments and did list a number of people, riders and known officials, who he has agreed to contact and then report back McLaughlin told Spokesman
I suggested that a public meeting be called in the Stoke area, with a view of promoting interest in the reforming of the Stoke club. Andy agreed to this pending his discussions with past colleagues.
I have offered my services to handle the publicity surrounding the public meeting and I have also offered to do weekly media releases for one year if the project gets off the ground, should the Stoke club wish this. This would have the effect of continued professional promoting, directed at potential riders, volunteers, key stakeholders, relevant council officials and sponsors. This can, of course, be done from my desk in North Warwickshire.
It does seem this project may have `legs` and I call upon all those with an interest to assist where they can pleaded McLaughlin. Its a great shame that at a time of a cycling boom, fuelled by our wonderful Olympic cycling champions, that such a new facility as the Stoke track lays dormant he added.
The eagerly awaited rider of the year categories presented the judging panel with a tougher job than ever this year with so many fine team and individual performances. The under-8 award went to Danny Reeks who was top of the SW BYJL rankings while Jasmine Oddie got the verdict in the under-10 group. The under-12's is probably the strongest age group currently, and the deserved winner was Fraser Garnett.
The under-14 award was won by Jordon Brandon, a newcomer to the sport this season and a rider who has made an immediate impact in terms of his racing and enthusiasm. Another hard to judge category was the under-16 group with a number of worthy candidates with British under-16 champion Aaron Smith coming out on top.
On the eve of the Midlands annual general meeting, there is growing speculation that Stokes white elephant track at Etruria Park could be revived next year.
Following a visit to the redundant track, BC commissioner Bob Prince has called on other Midland cycle speedway enthusiasts to help relaunch the circuit.
I recently paid a visit to Stoke-on-Trent with my wife and we called in to Stoke track. How very sad that such a first class facility is being left to rack and ruin and what a poor reflection of the sport in general that this has been left to happen Prince told Spokesman.
We spend countless hours on trying to promote the top end of the sport whilst the grass roots are left to wither. I know that the general comment regarding the Stoke "club" is that there is no one in the area who is interested in keeping the sport alive, but we, as a sport can do more to help Stoke and other clubs facing similar problems.
Next season, with some forward planning, it will be possible to stage some race meetings at the Stoke track and this would be an ideal opportunity to promote the sport to the local community.
Prince has suggested holding a British youth and junior league match at Etruria next season.
This would be the ideal platform for us to promote the sport suggested Prince. "With cycling being the buzz word at the moment lets take the opportunity to do something positive for our sport urged Bob.
The parents had something to prove this year having never won the match previously! The atmosphere was just brilliant, the riders all encouraging their team mates, some great riding from everyone.
After an hour of racing the children were 10 points up but, with everything to race for, the parents fought on - but it was not their night. The children definitely showed that they had been paying attention at training nights, not to mention younger, fitter legs!
The final score was Children 111 Parents 100, well done to the children! What a fantastic evening even the weather held out, the afternoon showers making the track very grippy just right for racing. Thanks to everyone who took part.
As the season comes to an end Norwich Cycle Speedway would like to thank everyone who has helped out this year and remind you all of the club presentation evening on the 23rd November 7pm. Also the club annual general meeting on the 1st December 6pm for 6.30 pm start. Both are being held at the Harford Community Centre, so, see you there!
Astley & Tyldesley cycle speedway club have just finished their racing season and can look back on a very successful 12 months.
The club has increased its membership to a record high of 75 members. As part of this increase, the club recorded the fourth highest number of under-18 new recruits of all the cycling clubs in the UK during the summer. This has led to the club receiving a British Cycling Go-Ride racing jersey, signed by the Great Britain women's cycling team and a £150 coaching bursary.
The club received further good news last week with the award of a grant of £3,830 from Wigan Council's Small Grants Awards, to purchase bikes, helmets, gloves, coaching and first aid courses in readiness for next season.
On the track, the club recorded plenty of good results, with pride of place going to the Astley & Tyldesley under-12s team, who took the Northern League Division Three title by virtue of winning every match ridden.
The Tuesday night sessions running from 6.30pm to 9pm have seen peaks of 40 plus junior club members taking to the track. This season has been a resounding success with many new members and a few old faces coming back. Rider retention is key - with parents and the community playing their part at the club ensures these juniors will be back for more next year.
The final evening saw almost 30 youngsters braving the cold under floodlights and many will be returning this Sunday for the club championships for under 8s, 10s, 12s and 14s.
The Aces have booked the end of season presentation night at club sponsors Gilbert's Bar and tickets are still on sale.
The season ahead is looking great for the Midland League One, British Club and British Team champions. The newly established Dragons will be strengthened and a competitive force in the 2014 season.
For more details on club sessions contact the Aces at www.facebook.com/WednesfieldAcesor Twitter @WednesfieldAces
YOUNGSTERS GO WOBBLY posted 17 October 2013
From the left, Adam Turnbull, Becky Mason, Danny Miller, Louis Roberts, Bradley Sullivan, Lewis Turner, Tom Whitwam and Sean Ethridge. At the back are coach John Burston and club president Tony Mann.
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