Jan/100
Berwick Bandits 2010 Squad
Berwick’s speedway Bandits have named their full seven-man roster for the 2010 campaign.
Club owner John Anderson, speaking at tonight’s Christmas Dance organised by the Bandits’ Supporters Club, confirmed only two of his 2009 riders will line up, alongside two homecoming former Berwick favourites and three brand-new faces.
“When Lynda Waite and I took over this club a year ago, we had to hit the ground running” he admitted.
“This year we are better-placed and better-prepared. We can ensure we will provide the best-possible Saturday-night entertainment, ensure the riders we sign up are going to be available for all our fixtures and – just as importantly – ensure all the riders contracted are brought on terms which still meet the club’s budget. I think everyone will agree this coming season will see some of the best entertainment seen at Berwick Speedway.”
Anderson and Waite’s line-up – put together in conjunction with club manager Dave Peet — comprises club skipper Paul Clews and 10-year testimonial Bandit Michal Makovsky. The prodigal returnees are high-flying Czech star Adrian Rymel and Cumbria-born Craig Branney, while new faces belong to New Zealander Jade Mudgway, Nick Simmons (from the Midlands) and Yorkshire tyke Lee Complin.
“Of the new boys, I’m especially pleased at bringing a new Kiwi to the club” he said. “Berwick has had such a proud tradition of New Zealanders over more than 40 years – great riders such as Roy Williams, Dave Gifford, Roger Wright, Mike Fullerton, Robin Adlington, Bruce Cribb and the late, great Wayne Brown – and I have a really good feeling about getting Jade Mudgway into black-and-gold, and look forward to his joining these other greats in any future inventory of our famous Kiwis”.
“Lee Complin is a great rider to have on board” enthused Anderson. “He raced in our final two meetings of 2009 and took my breath away with his overtaking and spectacular broad-siding. When I approached his parent club (who are Sheffield) last month, I was so pleased to learn we could talk to him – and when Lee told me he had been hoping I’d touch base, it was a dream come true!”
Complin has been quoted as saying that the new Berwick is a track any rider should so look forward to racing on that getting paid for the pleasure of skidding at Shielfield Park is just a bonus!
Nick Simmons has been on the Berwick radar since he scored a dramatic eleven points as a guest for the club at Glasgow in June, tipping the balance in their favour as they pulled off a shock 6-point victory.
With five riders arriving, some of last year’s team have inevitably moved on. Berwick asset Josef Franc, who had found it difficult to commit to regular weekend racing because of his extensive European calendar, has been loaned out to Sheffield for the coming term.
While Anderson and Waite have been building the line-up, co-owner Lynda Waite has been devoting her abundant energies to building up the club’s sponsorship contracts.
She stated: “We now look ahead to 2010 and the fact that we want the club to progress. We are putting together a very good team and we are looking to move up the Premier League table, but as in any professional sport costs increase year on year. If you or your company are interested in joining us get in touch right away”.
“We are easy to talk to and you will enjoy being part of our friendly, family orientated team. We will give you excellent publicity, not just in this area but across the country via TV, Radio, Posters, Flyers, PA, Programme, Newspaper coverage, Race Jacket publicity and whole lot more. Contact either myself or John Anderson and we will come and meet you and discuss all aspects of how we could work together and promote each other. We look forward to hearing from you”
Contacts: LYNDA WAITE 01890 883313 (Cornhill Shop) or email lynda@cornhillvillageshop.co.uk
JOHN ANDERSON on 01620 892467 or email andersonbutcher@aol.com