Workington 2026

[Comet1234]

1 minute ago, Adamski1282 said:

So, as things stand, the two 2025 comets that have been signed for 2026 are the ones whose averages reduced throughout the season?

Presume this is the management hoping that 2026 will be the year they push on from whatever challenges/issues/injuries they had last year...

Yes, that’s unfortunately the way speedway works sometimes. Hooky was excellent last year but when you do well in the sport, occasionally it can go against you. The promotion obviously believe there’s more room for improvement with the riders they’ve brought back than there is in Jacob (not entirely sure about that)

Tate should definitely improve back to 2024 levels and hopefully last year was a learning curve for Vinnie and he can kick on, he’s never short on effort.

Certainly makes things interesting for Workington, should see some new faces. Have to feel big time for Jacob, hopefully he gets a place next year.

 

 

[JC81]

1 hour ago, Adamski1282 said:

Absolutely gutted by this news - was 100% rider of the year in 2025. Should have been first name on team sheet!!

 

If this is a Comets decision, it's at risk of alienating fans.

‘ Alienating ‘ . rubbish its team building . simples .

 

 we werent good last year , individually he was good but its about a team and his avrg obviously doesnt suit or  fit the shake up 

Edited December 7, 2025 by JC81

[JC81]

1 hour ago, Adamski1282 said:

The best way to keep fans coming back is to maintain some known faces of riders that perform well... Hooky had A LOT of supporters and was the best rider in 2025, yet doesn't appear to have been rewarded for his efforts (assuming this is a comets decision obviously).

they get rewarded in a  pay check

[Trotter65]

Unfortunately Jacob Hook isn’t the first rider to get a slightly inflated average from reserve that means clubs see it as a risk to start the rider in the top 5 the next season and will often go with a “proven” top 5 rider instead…it depends how much potential improvement they see in the rider

[lewy]

3 minutes ago, JC81 said:

they get rewarded in a  pay check

Eventually 

[JC81]

4 minutes ago, lewy said:

Eventually 

 point proven from plymouth thread . speak facts for once . 

Edited December 7, 2025 by JC81

[SCS]

Hook was good this year. if workington can not fit him in thought another team might of signed him

[JC81]

9 hours ago, Trotter65 said:

Unfortunately Jacob Hook isn’t the first rider to get a slightly inflated average from reserve that means clubs see it as a risk to start the rider in the top 5 the next season and will often go with a “proven” top 5 rider instead…it depends how much potential improvement they see in the rider

 exactly . i get hook is a popular lad  but cant understand some of things written saying oh its a disgrace . No it isnt  its speedway . Happens year  on year . get ovrr it .

he would be a big risk in main body on that avrg

[Supersteady84]

2 hours ago, JC81 said:

 exactly . i get hook is a popular lad  but cant understand some of things written saying oh its a disgrace . No it isnt  its speedway . Happens year  on year . get ovrr it .

he would be a big risk in main body on that avrg

Be a big risk on that average 🤔🤔 clearly there's a few things you don't understand 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[allthegearbutnaeidea]

Speedway is mental isn’t it. Punished for improving.

[2ndbend123]

I don’t think it was about being punished for improving. More like trying to price himself out of a team place. I like how everyone thinks it’s the promotions fault.

Also would Drew Kemp be an option for Workington? Looks like not in Berwick plans 

[Supersteady84]

10 minutes ago, 2ndbend123 said:

I don’t think it was about being punished for improving. More like trying to price himself out of a team place. I like how everyone thinks it’s the promotions fault.

Also would Drew Kemp be an option for Workington? Looks like not in Berwick plans 

Im sure its been mentioned that Saturdays don't really fit in his plans 🤷‍♂️

[2ndbend123]

I don’t think it was about being punished for improving. More like trying to price himself out of a team place. I like how everyone thinks it’s the promotions fault.

Also would Drew Kemp be an option for Workington? Looks like not in Berwick plans 

[allthegearbutnaeidea]

1 hour ago, 2ndbend123 said:

I don’t think it was about being punished for improving. More like trying to price himself out of a team place. I like how everyone thinks it’s the promotions fault.

Also would Drew Kemp be an option for Workington? Looks like not in Berwick plans 

Hold on, are you insinuating that Jacob Hook has proved himself out of a space with Workington, the lad who lived in a supporters house all season? Rather than the promotion just deciding to go for Etheridge and Zischke on similar averages, which is of course fine, but it does make a mockery of the sport.

If Hook didn’t improve, he’d be signed, just like Zischke, Foord, and I’m sure two of Etheridge, Voulas and Batchelor too.

[Normski]

6 minutes ago, allthegearbutnaeidea said:

Hold on, are you insinuating that Jacob Hook has proved himself out of a space with Workington, the lad who lived in a supporters house all season? Rather than the promotion just deciding to go for Etheridge and Zischke on similar averages, which is of course fine, but it does make a mockery of the sport.

If Hook didn’t improve, he’d be signed, just like Zischke, Foord, and I’m sure two of Etheridge, Voulas and Batchelor too.

Think reason Drew not apparently riding for us is due to Berwick being a Saturday track with all his new ventures abroad

[2ndbend123]

14 minutes ago, allthegearbutnaeidea said:

Hold on, are you insinuating that Jacob Hook has proved himself out of a space with Workington, the lad who lived in a supporters house all season? Rather than the promotion just deciding to go for Etheridge and Zischke on similar averages, which is of course fine, but it does make a mockery of the sport.

If Hook didn’t improve, he’d be signed, just like Zischke, Foord, and I’m sure two of Etheridge, Voulas and Batchelor too.

All I am saying is that the promotion can’t be held to ransom and I believe there was some of this financially and living arrangements.

[Marksman]

Yes it’s a shame for the lad and I hope he gets a team place somewhere, but it shows the promotion aren’t afraid to make the hard decisions.

If you compare to Etheridge, who is on a lower team building average, he rode in the middle order all season and is proven there. Jye actually averaged 7.82 at home (inc bonus) so proves how already valuable he is riding at No.4.

[PersonalResponsibility]

11 minutes ago, allthegearbutnaeidea said:

Hold on, are you insinuating that Jacob Hook has proved himself out of a space with Workington, the lad who lived in a supporters house all season? Rather than the promotion just deciding to go for Etheridge and Zischke on similar averages, which is of course fine, but it does make a mockery of the sport.

If Hook didn’t improve, he’d be signed, just like Zischke, Foord, and I’m sure two of Etheridge, Voulas and Batchelor too.

Hook has had one good season in the 4 he's been in the UK. This season he averaged nearly 2.5 points a meeting in heat 2, and he wouldn't get that opportunity next season. They probably thought he wouldn't continue improving riding in the 1-5. 

Foord had ridden half a season in the Championship before 2025 and Zischke clearly has way more potential than Hook. It's rubbish for Hook, but you can easily see why they've done it. 

[Mr Blobby]

2 hours ago, 2ndbend123 said:

I don’t think it was about being punished for improving. More like trying to price himself out of a team place. I like how everyone thinks it’s the promotions fault.

Also would Drew Kemp be an option for Workington? Looks like not in Berwick plans 

1. No he hasn’t, so stop making things up. 2. Who has blamed the promotion? All anyone is said is they’re surprised he’s not back.

Edited December 8, 2025 by Mr Blobby

[JC81]

3 hours ago, Supersteady84 said:

Be a big risk on that average 🤔🤔 clearly there's a few things you don't understand 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

 do you not understand ?

 

hes on a inflated  reserve avrg and in the  main body thats risk . Duh