sussex bulldog

Hi Steve normally you would be welcome but we are travelling on Saturday to meet up with relatives in Northamptonshire and staying overnight. Sorry :-)

Yes Pat and I will be there. Looking forward to it

This should be a real test for the Eagles. Any predictions ? I believe that it could be a last heat decider.

Bradley Wilson-Dean has turned down an offer to join a Premier League club. He has committed at the moment to remain solely with the IT First Eagles because a move up would mean him missing some Eastbourne fixtures. Bradley has been the target of a number of clubs almost from the day of his arrival in Britain and his signature has been chased by three or four clubs in recent weeks. Club chairman Martin Dugard said if Brad had joined a PL club, those fixtures would have had priority over Eastbourne's, even though the club had done all the work to bring him to the UK. "He would have missed four matches as things stand and that is without rain-offs. That's about half of our remaining home fixtures. "Bradley is a real crowd pleaser at Arlington and it would not be possible for us to find a suitable replacement," he said. Eastbourne have already revealed they are looking to next season in the National League with Wilson-Dean still being part of the team, although he would also ride in the Premier League. Careful fixture planning and co-ordination will be needed to ensure the New Zealander misses as few meetings as possible

New Zealand hot-shot Bradley Wilson-Dean takes the No 1 race-jacket for the IT First Eastbourne Eagles on Sunday when they face defending champions Cradley at Arlington. Wilson-Dean joined Eastbourne during the winter with a big reputation gained in his home country but no experience of British tracks. The 20-year-old immediately proved his worth and has shot to the top of the Eagles’ rider averages. Eastbourne club chairman, Martin Dugard, said: “We are getting exactly what we expected when we signed Brad. He is full living up to our expectations and more. “Brad is ‘box office’ wherever he goes as he is a born racer who doesn’t give up until the chequered flag comes down. “I can’t believe some of the moves he is pulling.” Dugard fully expects Cradley will provide the Eagles’ biggest test at Arlington so far this year. They head the league table with 13 points from four matches with Mildenhall second with 12 points from five matches and Eastbourne third with seven points from four matches Dugard said: “Cradley swept all before them last year and they are certainly the glamour club of the National League. They are once again setting the pace. “Our riders have the skill and ability to match them on Sunday and over the whole season. We look set for a thriller on Sunday.” With Wilson-Dean at No 1, team manager Glenn Martin has shuffled the riding order. Team: Bradley Wilson-Dean, Mattie Bates, rider replacement for Richard Andrews, David Mason, Marc Owen, Georgie Wood, Kelsey Dugard. Andrews suffered a broken thumb at Mildenhall last weekend and the rider replacement rule will be utilised to cover his rides. Last night (Wednesday, May 20) the Eagles were at Birmingham in the KO Cup.

If you are travelling from the north the best bet is to go via Camberlot Road and Upper Dicker then take the Arlington Road past Mitchelham Priory. From Eastbourne turn off at Eagles roundabout and head into Hailsham go north to Horsebridge and pick up A22 at Boship roundabout heading towards Uckfield. Take left up Coldharbour Road to Upper Dicker. At crossroads turn left towards Arlington Road past Mitchelham Priory.

Monday’s dust storm call off at Rye House has not cast a cloud over this weekend’s clash between the IT First Eagles and the Raiders at Rye House. Eastbourne club chairman Martin Dugard said he had no issues with the Rye House National League promotion and it would be business as usual when the two clubs meet at Arlington on Sunday in the National League (3.30pm). Dugard said “I feel very sorry for Andrew Silver (his opposite number at the Raiders). He did the best he could. We were very vocal about not wanting to ride because it was dangerous.” The meeting was called off after five heats with the Eagles leading 16-14 because the dust clouds made it too dangerous to race. Sunday’s meeting also marks a first return to Arlington for Brendan Johnson who was dropped by the Eagles before a wheel had turned. Dugard said: “I am pleased Brendan now has a team place. He is always welcome at Eastbourne. “It was out fault as a club that we had the average wrong for Bradley Wilson-Dean and had to change our team. “We wish Brendan all the best and hope he will have a safe meeting on Monday.” Sunday will be the Eagles third meeting in the National Trophy, having secured home and away victories against Kent over the Easter holiday. Dugard said: “Rye House will be our toughest challenge yet. Andrew has put together a strong and competitive team who will make us work hard for victory on Sunday. “I will be very surprised if we run away with it like we did against Stoke last week and King’s Lynn before that.” Eastbourne will be at full strength with David Mason returning to the team after illness.

A coach is running to Rye House on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4. There are plenty of places available but act quickly to get your name on the list. The coach will start at Bexhill Town Hall Square at 9.40am with pick-ups in: Polegate - at the bus stop in the High Street opposite town council offices at 10:05 Hailsham - in the High Street outaide Subway at 10:15 Cross in Hand - outside Heathfield Rugby Club at 10:40 Tunbridge Wells - Meadow Road bus stand at 11:15. The aim is to be at Rye House by 1pm. The IT First Eagles are "on second". First match at the Hertfordshire track is the Rockets v Somerset (2pm). Contact Karen at kteaglescoach@gmail.com You must have paid cash or by PayPal by Sunday, May 3.

Matt Bates has been drafted into the Eastbourne IT First Eagles team as a replacement for the injured Danny Warwick. Bates captained the Devon Demons (riding at Plymouth) last year in the National League and comes recommended by Richard Andrews and his father, Gary. Warwick is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious neck injury in last Sunday’s big win over King’s Lynn. He has now left hospital in Brighton and returned to his Poole home. Bates is 25 years old and began his speedway career on his 15th birthday with Weymouth. He will come in as a second string, having ridden last year as a heatleader in the curtailed Demons's season. Last season Bates and Andrews were both in the Devon team.

Fantastic racing but so sad about the injuries. Hope Marc and Danny make a speedy recovery and that George and Richard are ok.

Eastbourne IT First Eagles have named a full-strength team for their opening National League match on Sunday. Sixteen-year-old reserve Kelsey Dugard has been declared fit after an alarming crash in last week’s Championship of Sussex. Dugard lifted unexpectedly and man and machine ploughed through the safety fence. His father, club chairman, Martin Dugard, said: “Kelsey was badly shaken but he is fine to ride against the Young Stars.” Captain David Mason, who missed the club’s first two meetings at this level – the home away clashes at Easter with Kent in the National Trophy – is ready to take his place at No 1 in the team. Mason is recovered from flu which had confined him to bed and came third in the Sussex championship. Dugard commented: “King’s Lynn put down a marker for this league when they won last weekend at Mildenhall. “I expect us to win and get our league campaign off to the best possible start. “There’s a real buzz about this team and they must keep it going by winning in style on Sunday and entertaining the fans.” Eastbourne remind fans of the “family friendly” admission prices with children (0-12) admitted free and those 13-17 admitted for a fiver. Adult admission is £12. The club’s jackpot draw first prize is now boosted by a £50 voucher to spend at Zizzi’s restaurant in Eastbourne. Tickets are on sale as you enter the stadium. On Wednesday, April 22, the IT First Eagles go to defending champions Cradley who ride at Birmingham’s track.

Thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Sittingbourne and was made very welcome. Good racing in an excellent stadium although some strange refereeing decisions. Great to watch Ben Morley and James Shanes in action on their own turf.

Yes nobody touched him !

The Championship of Sussex will plug the gap in the Eastbourne fixture list caused by the postponement of the American Dream Team tour. Club director Connor Dugard moved swiftly to set up the individual meeting which will take place on Sunday, April 12 (3.30pm). The Dream Team tour became a victim of the visa problems which are bedevilling British speedway at the moment. The Americans would have been the second meeting of the club’s first season in the National League. The Championship of Sussex is traditionally the premier individual meeting at Arlington and was staged with regularity for many years. In recent times it has been a sporadic feature on the fixture list, last held in 2013 when Bjarne Pedersen emerged victorious. Dugard said: “We have arranged the Championship because we wanted to keep the momentum going and get people back in the habit of regularly coming to enjoy speedway racing at Arlington. “The local derby on Good Friday against Kent Kings opens our season and I was keen to make sure we didn’t have a blank date the next weekend. “It is also vital that our riders get as much track time before the league season begins. “All our riders are competing and they certainly will want to establish ‘bragging rights’ at this early stage.” Already confirmed: From the Eagles – David Mason, Richard Andrews, Kelsey Dugard, Georgie Wood, Danny Warwick, Marc Owen , Niall Strudwick plus Tyler Govier (Cradley), Adam Sheppard (Kent), and unattached Charley Powell, Matt Saul and Nick Laurence. “This line-up will give some of the unattached guys the chance to catch the eye,” Dugard commented. There are four more riders to be named, one of whom will Eastbourne’s seventh team member, yet to be officially named.

As long as we know :-)

Good luck Lewis. Glad you changed your mind and hope to see you in action during the season.

Eastbourne Speedway has announced this morning (January 30) that Brendan Johnson will not be riding for the club in this year’s National League campaign. Club chairman, Martin Dugard, said it was with regret that Brendan had been released. “At this stage I cannot give the full details but supporters can rest assured it is in the best interests of the club for this season and beyond,” Dugard said. “Circumstances have changed. It was a tough decision to make and we have circulated other clubs to say Brendan is now available. He is a ‘victim’ of speedway’s numbers game and that is solely the reason why we have taken this action. “We wish him all the best in 2015 and have told him that he is welcome to come to Arlington to practise before the season begins.”

Eastbourne Speedway has announced this morning (January 30) that Brendan Johnson will not be riding for the club in this year’s National League campaign. Club chairman, Martin Dugard, said it was with regret that Brendan had been released. “At this stage I cannot give the full details but supporters can rest assured it is in the best interests of the club for this season and beyond,” Dugard said. “Circumstances have changed. It was a tough decision to make and we have circulated other clubs to say Brendan is now available. He is a ‘victim’ of speedway’s numbers game and that is solely the reason why we have taken this action. “We wish him all the best in 2015 and have told him that he is welcome to come to Arlington to practise before the season begins.”

Kelsey Dugard and George Wood signed as reserves by the Eagles http://www.eastbourneeagles.co/news.php?extend.678

A well attended fans forum with Martin in the hot seat. He ran the meeting in a very friendly fun manner and introduced three of the 2015 team : David Mason, Marc Owen and Kelsey Dugard. George Wood was named by as the other reserve by club chairman, Martin Dugard. Kelsey, the fourth generation of the Dugard speedway dynasty, had long been expected to be named at part of the club's National League team. Wood, however, was a complete surprise. He has made his name in grasstrack racing but has not ridden speedway. As soon as conditions, permit, the plan is to get George on track at Arlington. Martin Dugard told the meeting the exact number of fixtures had not been fixed, although it could be between 15 and 18 and include challenge matches. The touring American Dream Team, with a female rider, was pencilled in but that would all depend on there being no visa problems. Admission would be: 17+ - £12; 13 to 17 - £5, 0-12 - free. There will be no season tickets to enable the club to offer, if it so decides, discounts or incentives for particular matches. There will be a second half of six heats, featuring young riders; including 150cc and 250cc machines. There are plans to bring back the junior track within the grounds of the stadium. An application for a grant from the BSPA is to be made. Connor Dugard, commercial manager, has secured a "good club sponsor". The company is yet to be named but already is suggesting marketing ideas, especially aimed at a younger audience. There was good news for the Eagles' travelling support. Martin Dugard said he expected the team being put together would win often on the road - the club is without a victory on away soil for more than two years. He said the advice they were receiving was that the Eagles would be a top four team in 2015 and would have a good chance of landing the league title.

David Mason is Eagles number 1.

As an Eagles fan I have every confidence in Martin and Connor Dugard that they know what they are doing and I am quite happy with the signings so far.

Excellent signing. Nobody can say he is not local.

I have also signed

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