crescent girl

Dennis McCleary is available to talk about the projected move on 07713-101372.

Surely Dennis McCleary wouldn't allow his name to be attached to a false story?

Surely Dennis McCleary wouldn't lend his name to a false story?

Both teams made decent starts to the year in the challenge matches, now we get to see them in earnest on Saturday night. Probable line-ups would be: BANDITS: 1. Kevin Doolan, 2. David Bellego, 3. Matej Kus, 4. Matty Wethers, 5. Claus Vissing, 6. Liam Carr, 7. Steen Jensen. MONARCHS: 1. Craig Cook, 2. Aaron Fox, 3. Max Fricke, 4. Derek Sneddon, 5. Sam Masters, 6. Justin Sedgmen, 7. Stevie Worrall. Shielfield Park track was in excellent condition last Saturday, and the meeting went very smoothly -- what do we think will happen this time around?

From this morning's e-mailed Club Newsletter: TOMORROW NIGHT - AN INVITATION: The bikes roar again! Tomorrow (22nd) is our Press & Practice Evening, the weather is set fair and you are cordially invited -- admission is free. All our 2014 riders will be on show and the new race-jackets revealed for the first time. The Track Shop will be open, with your new season's souvenirs and apparel on sale. Food, plus hot (and cold) drinks will be available in the stadium bar area at the back of the stand. Expect the Bandits to be out on track sometime after 6.30pm. MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS: After the riders leave the track tomorrow evening, it is on to the Black and Gold where the promotion are staging a no-holds-barred Question and Answer session featuring riders and officials. Admission to this sure-to-be lively Q&A is only £5, including hot food, some music and a raffle. After checking out the track action, come on into the B&G and check out the answers to your questions, too! All the riders, plus promotion members will be on stage during the night. Proceedings are expected to get underway around 8pm. PRIZES PLEASE! Any donations of prizes for tomorrow's Q&A raffle would be very welcome! Bring one along on the night, or -- if you cannot make it (and if not, why not?) call Lani beforehand on 07779-227535. IN THE BOX, IN THE WARM: Fancy a nice early-season evening in the warm confines of our hospitality box? Commercial boss Lani Rae highlights that although several meeting dates are booked up she has a couple of good early matches still available. Due to continuing interest from groups, Lani urges potential match sponsors to stake their claim to a preferred date as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. She is also able to accomodate smaller groups, couples and even solo spectators who want to escape the chill of late spring -- do not be shy about asking Lani if she can fit you in at one of the opening matches! She reminds us the club's advertising and commercial hosting prices remain at 2013 rates, including programme spots and heat sponsorship during matches (although these are going very quickly). To discuss further, contact Lani Rae 07779-227535 or lani@berwickbandits.co

Good news in last night's club Newsletter. Ian Rae received nice recognition at the Berwick & District Forum's dinner, gaining their Service to Sport Award. To even be nominated was a boost for Razor and for speedway -- but winning ices the cake.

Come to Berwick! If notified in advance, stadium gates will be opened for wheelchair users who obviously cannot negotiate turnstiles. Once inside Shielfield, there is a special wheelchair area, on the first turn terracing, fully covered and raised to allow full view of track. No-one can stand in front of it to block sightlines.

Damn Bandits get everywhere!

A great team, their KO Cup demolition of the all-conquering Poole side was brilliant. Their big advantage, a big part of their success that season was the same seven riders racing right through without chopping and changing. Something many clubs (and supporters) should bear in mind in 2014 Matej is a "confidence rider" and will grow in confidence at Berwick, where he has close friends inside the Bandits' organisation, and a promotion which will encourage his return to SGP and WTC form.

Three very negative posts there, your glass definately half-empty! Hopefully, the positive vibes from everyone else will create the excitement you crave. As Liam Carr has not been announced as yet, I personally hope he will be signed up and not be driven away by such pessimism. Edinburgh would have him in a heartbeat, for sure!

Based on past years, will Winchester, Woodward, Grajczonek and Brady Kurtz not get automatic invitations as State Champs? Again as it has been, I presume ten are seeded, six join in from the qualifier? Which, apart from the State Champions above might be (given they have nominated) Holder, Batchelor, Watt, Schlein, Doyle and any one from Tungate, Smith or North?

AS available on the club website, contact Lovely Lani

You're not going to be funding a rider of Richard's quality and cost at the same time as you're funding an airfence and working out a budget which will avoid another fifty grand going down the tubes during the year. Be grateful for having speedway!

David Bellego was confirmed by club newsletter tonight. Newsletter also explains Paul Starke going back on deal to become a Berwick asset after being selected for Birmingham in the EL draft.

Carr in as No 7, yes. But Bandits need a better alternative that Paul Starke at No 6 to bolster Heat 2, etc.

If you've signed up to receive it, you'll have had your Newsletter tonight.

Well thought out, well set out. Good post!

No, I don't think anyone knows who you mean by "the right riders"? Pray tell.

Very good news, which confirms what was announced by Berwick's e-mailed Newsletter on Tuesday. Well done everyone, SRBF will use the funds to give Ricky support.

I think the directors have failed in their remit. Advertising and "promoting" this final meeting, only to then pull the plug with a somewhat feeble excuse of certain riders being required elsewhere seems about par for their course. Owners must feel it a last straw.

An interesting point, methinks

No-one in authority now seems to be caring about what has been identified as a critical problem over the future of the Tigers. Or are moves taking place behind the scenes? I feel sure their many well-wishers would like to know.

And it might be the last time........

Latest Newsletter has some great news... The club is just awaiting a few final sponsorship payments before finalising the accounting for the big Benefit meeting last month, but it is now clear the total figure, when independently audited, will exceed an amazing amount of £15,000. Organiser Dennis McCleary said 'It can never be enough, can it? However, it is money which wouldn't have been available to Ricky if we hadn't, with Sheffield's help, staged the big night. I have spoken with Dave Ashworth, and everyone seems very happy. As well as the riders, the volunteer staffing and things like free rent, ambulance cover and insurance we had extra help from folk who came in as independent gate checkers and suchlike, George English and his mum from Newcastle, off-duty licensed officials Willie Dishington and John Jack, plus of course all our own crew. Thanks, folks!' When a precise final total is declared, it will be announced by the Berwick and Sheffield clubs. To avoid a very real risk of tax implications down the line, the funds raised will be passed through the marvellous Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund (SRBF) who are ring-fencing all donations specified as being for Ricky Ashworth and who can then (as a registered charity) disburse the money to Ricky without fear of governmental interference.

I am unaware if Mr Gay reads these pages, but his good work in watching out for Klindt (especially) and Rene Bach at the starts suggests he was well aware of the criticisms being levelled (again, particularly at Klindt) on here pre-match. I would guess that Mr Dishington was equally particular at Edinburgh last night, as Klindt didn't get away with any of his speciality rollers, and was predictably dire as a result.