(SPEEDWAY 1)
FORMER British Champion Joe Screen is back in speedway - having been appointed team manager of Premier League club Sheffield.Screen hung up his race-suit at the end of last season but has now joined the Owlerton backroom after an approach from skipper Simon Stead – and the Tigers have also signed youngster Josh Bates at reserve.Screen said: “Sheffield is a great track and the people are extremely passionate about their sport. I will be working closely with the team to bring some success.“The riders we look like bringing in will give us a solid team and I’m itching to get started. I’ve always got on well with Simon Stead and to have him alongside me as captain in my first job as a manager is great for me.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
SWINDON have confirmed they have released Josh Bates to enable him to ride for Premier League Sheffield.The Robins had selected Bates as part of the ‘fast track’ draft for Elite League reserves, but will now look elsewhere after the rider secured a team place at Owlerton, who share the same Thursday race-night as the Robins.Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “We have agreed to allow Josh to go to Sheffield as it is clearly what the rider wanted and we fully understand and appreciate that.“At the same time I am delighted to confirm we have settled our differences with members of the Sheffield consortium after the Nick Morris saga. We are happy with the outcome and wish Josh and Sheffield well for the 2014 season.”
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ISLE of Wight shareholders have voted to put the club’s licence to run speedway on ice for at least a year.Former director Martin Newnham made the proposal, which was accepted by 47 votes to 8 after many differing views were heard during the meeting.The verdict means it is highly unlikely that the Islanders will enter the National League this year, although the club will not officially register their decision until the end-of-January deadline.Shareholders plan to meet again at the Smallbrook Stadium on October 14.(SPEEDWAY 4)
THE funeral of renowned speedway photographer Alf Weedon will take place on Wednesday February 5.Alf passed away last weekend at the age of 93 after making a lifetime contribution to the sport with extensive involvement in photography and Track Shops.The funeral takes place at 1pm at the City of London Cemetery, Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park, London, E12 5DQ – which is part of Epping Forest, where the first-ever UK speedway meeting was held.
