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Mildenhall 2023

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Jordan Jenkins
We have received a little criticism for not keeping you advised of the situation following Jordan's wrist injury at the weekend.
The reason for this is simple we wanted to provide you with honest facts rather than hope, rumour and conjecture. This is how we want to run the club and will continue to do so in this manner.
Following a visit to speedway injuries specialist Brian Simpson today we are now in a position to update you and it good news thankfully.
Following his crash at Redcar the position was not initially looking good and it did seem likely that Jordan may miss 4 to 6 weeks of our season, Such was the situation we spent the whole weekend looking to bring in a replacement for our captain for this expected period. Despite numerous phone calls to riders who for a variety of reasons were unable to come on board , although in some case they really would have liked to, we went into Monday a rider short.
We then received some great news from Jordan on Monday afternoon following a visit to the hospital, the injury to his wrist was not as bad as first felt and he had good movement in the wrist. Jordan advised us that he would be seeking support and advice from Brian Simpson today so we decided to wait until then before updating you.
We have spoken to Jordan in the last half hour and it is all systems go for Friday in the British U21 Final and on Sunday for us versus Kent.
We are over the moon that Jordan will be with us as we will be missing Jason Edwards after Eastbourne moved a fixture from 11th July (Euro's Final day) back to this Sunday afternoon.
We have booked Fen Tigers favourite Connor Coles to cover for Jordan and will issue, as normal, the full pre meeting press release in the next 48 hours.
Oh and finally another good piece of news, it's sunny for Sunday 
As always thank you for sticking with us through a difficult period with the weather and the ongoing Covid issues this season, it really is appreciated and we look forward to seeing you all on Sunday

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Potential 2022 team if 2021 team building rules remain in place:

Mildenhall
Nathan Ablitt 6.77
Sam Hagon 6.00
Connor Coles 5.84
Alex Spooner 5.65
Sam Beebee 4.00
Elliott Kelly 3.62
Vinnie Foord 3.00
Total 34.88

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WE ARE SEVEN!

Mildenhall Fen Tigers – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery – have announced the final member of their 2022 National Development League [NDL] side pending BSPA approval and it’s a returning rider – last seen as a teenaged member of the National Trophy winning side of 2014, carrying on into the 2015 campaign, now 26 and a father of two it’s a big welcome back to Jack Kingston.

Increasing the quota of Essex-based riders in the Fen Tigers’ septet as they seek to defend their NDL title, Jack has actually not ridden professionally since he departed the scene as a Cradley Heathens rider in 2016. But the opportunity to kick start a career that once saw him a hairsbreadth away from winning the GB Under 19 title has been too good for Kingston to refuse and, after a hush-hush ride at the end of last Sunday’s individual meeting at West Row, Jack’s‘ the Lad turned to by the Mildenhall management to complete what looks like a very solid squad for this season.

Kingston is very enthusiastic about this new opportunity, recognising that it’s a bit of Back To The Future moment for him,

“I suppose I might be seen as a Blast From The Past! And it has indeed been six long years since I last did ride in league Speedway. But in that time so much has changed in my life, I’m self-employed now and a family man with two sons (Alfie & Albert). For the first two years after I stopped with Cradley I didn’t ride at all but then I gradually eased my way back into the sport and the past two or three years I’ve figured in a handful of amateur matches around the place and I’ve done okay, never struggling to record double figures scores – though of course the caveat is that they were amateur meetings.

“There are lots of new faces, riders I don’t know at all riding in the NDL now; and of those riders that I do know, people like old team mates of mine, Ben Morley and Alfie Bowtell (who funny enough we’ll be facing next week in my first match back) are now number ones in the division! For me it’s going to be a case of riding without the pressure I once felt when I was a youngster and seeing where my points scoring takes me”.

Kingston’s consistent performances, albeit sporadically, in his time away from the professional ranks had made him a target for a number of clubs but it’s Mildenhall who’ve secured his signature and it’s a far more mature and settled individual that will coming to the tapes in the second string berth for the Fen Tigers this time around,

“I was just a teenager when I started out riding, firstly for the Lakeside Young Hammers in 2012 and then as an original member of the Kent Kings in 2013 – then I had my two years at West Row which was when I was doing my motor apprenticeship and, I’ll be honest, often the pressure of work was playing on my mind whilst also pursuing my Speedway career. You have be fully focused to ride Speedway for your own sake and safety and also for the team you’re in. and after going to Cradley I knew that was a problem so that’s why I stepped away from the sport for a bit.

“But I’m older (though I am still only 26!), much wiser and with my own business too now and I have not just matured as a person but I’ve matured as a rider too”.

With Kingston’s comeback to NDL racing coming a little bit unexpectedly Jack finds himself without sponsorship,
“It’s just me supporting my riding and things have hardly been helped by blowing an engine today (Easter Sunday) riding in a challenge match for my old team Thurrock Hammers down at Iwade. So, if there are people out there wanting to provide sponsorship, however large or small, I’d be very grateful of course.”

That close call in the GB Under 19 championship came in Jack’s first season with Mildenhall in 2014 when the Final was held at his old track, Central Park in Kent.

“Finishing on the rostrum in a major British championship is obviously my career highlight – and I very nearly finished higher than third. My first ride saw me up against Olly Greenwood and the then reigning GB U21 champion Josh Bates. It was a great race with the lead changing hands several times and people have always described it to me as a finish where one could’ve thrown a blanket over the first three so close were we all. I was third but then went onto win all of my remaining four rides as amazingly did Bates & eventual winner Greenwood – quite unusual for that to happen and it shows how close I actually did come”.

That highpoint marked out Kingston as a real rider to watch for the future, as did a succession of high scoring performances for the Fen Tigers (paid 17 against Leicester at West Row in the National Trophy competition which the Fen Tigers went onto claim springs to mind) and this is that second chance to fulfil such potential back at Mildenhall.

“I’ve been given an assessed average of 4.44 which has been reduced, though not by much in truth, from the 5.86 I finished on back in 2016. Averages are averages of course but I did feel I was worth more than that below six point figure back then, so we’ll have to see how the scoring on track this time goes”.

And going out for the first time back in the famous orange & black for Kingston will be happening this coming Sunday, 24th. April taking on Kent Royals in the first leg of a Knock Out semi final at Mildenhall Speedway – 3pm start time. 

Fen Tigers Co-owner Phil Kirk commented - "We couldn't be more pleased to welcome Jack back to Mildenhall and feel we may well have made a little bit of a coup here. We have been speaking to Jack for three weeks now and supporting him where we are able as he makes a return to the sport. 

He is a good guy who I feel sure will fit very well into the team and could well be a snip at his starting average. Whatever happens we will give Jack time to get race fit and back fully into the sport at this level, the talent hasn't gone away and we all will do what we can to ensure he enjoys being at Mildenhall and can concentrate on his riding while we support him behind the scenes"

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Quite a coup really. It looked difficult for Mildenhall to replace someone on Kelly’s average without going for a 3.00 novice but they’ve found a decent quality rider who’ll keep Muff & Warren at reserve, where they should be. 

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Nothing against Kingston who in the past looked a good prospect but I'm underwhelmed the Fen Tigers have signed a guy who seemed to lose interest a few years back and will find it tough coming back after a number of years away from League racing?

 

What about Jody Scott from Norfolk, very impressive lad whose 15 years old, presumably hungry and local?

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24 minutes ago, 25yearfan said:

Nothing against Kingston who in the past looked a good prospect but I'm underwhelmed the Fen Tigers have signed a guy who seemed to lose interest a few years back and will find it tough coming back after a number of years away from League racing?

 

What about Jody Scott from Norfolk, very impressive lad whose 15 years old, presumably hungry and local?

I too was expecting Scott to feature but maybe a year too early (for either party?). It would have also forced Warren into the 1-5 and generated a longer tail. 

Jack has proven time and time again his is NDL level on ability and its never been that which has held him back before. Hopefully his pockets are deeper and spare time more abundant than it was before.

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A great score for Bebee today hopefully he can stay injury free and kick on he sure deserves it. 

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Enjoyable meeting v Kent on sunday,, some great battles with the top end riders on both teams ,,and that includes Sam Bebee Tigers no 2,,,.Sam Woolley was solid at reserve for Kent,,but Kent had to depend on Morley and Bowtell for the bulk of their points,,so the second leg should be excitng and will probably go to the wire.....

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Looked like Mrs Horley didn’t like letting the riders move an inch at the start with the number of re-runs!

These riders are mostly inexperienced so for the sake of the paying public you would think a little bit of leeway would be introduced - or is that not allowed at this level.

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3 hours ago, GWC said:

Looked like Mrs Horley didn’t like letting the riders move an inch at the start with the number of re-runs!

These riders are mostly inexperienced so for the sake of the paying public you would think a little bit of leeway would be introduced - or is that not allowed at this level.

I believe there was a trainee in the box with Babs. Not sure if she was showing off or the trainee liked pressing the red button? Appears to be that it let run unless the mover gains a notable advantage either way for tiny infringements it makes it a tedious afternoon. 

 

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James Shanes signed as injury cover for Kinsley. What a high profile signing for this league!

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Congratulation to Jason Edwards on signing for Kings Lynn as their rising star. 

How can he still ride for Mildenhall, I thought you weren't allowed to ride in all three leagues.

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8 minutes ago, screm said:

Congratulation to Jason Edwards on signing for Kings Lynn as their rising star. 

How can he still ride for Mildenhall, I thought you weren't allowed to ride in all three leagues.

As was the case last year, when Leon Flint was required to immediately leave Berwick Bullets when announced by Wolves.

Hard luck on Fen Tigers, who had a good weekend to lift five league points, but now must seek to replace Jason -- but isn't this what the NDL's all about it?

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21 minutes ago, screm said:

Congratulation to Jason Edwards on signing for Kings Lynn as their rising star. 

How can he still ride for Mildenhall, I thought you weren't allowed to ride in all three leagues.

One rule might be used (if necessary)”in the best interests of the sport” amended from last year.!,

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