New sponsors
IT'S 2010 and the new season is only a couple of months away . . . so what better way to start the new year than with a new sponsor.
A&J Scott, the sawmills of Wooperton (south of Wooler) are the new backers for the Bandits, and we would like to welcome them on board.
Scott's describe themselves as a 'family business,' just like Berwick Speedway, which was one of the reasons why they were attracted in the first place.
Let's hope it's the start of a long and successful association between the two parties.
Published Date:
13/01/2010
Modified Date:
13/01/2010
Graham Platten
GRAHAM Platten RIP
IT was very sad yesterday to hear of the death of former track photographer Graham Platten.
Graham was a well-respected professional who was a regular on the centre green at Shielfield, and other tracks for many a year.
He was the official Berwick photographer between 2000 and the end of the 2008 season when he unfortunately had to stand down from his role because of ill health.
Sadly, over the past few months his condition deteriorated and it was with a heavy heart that I read of his passing on Thursday evening.
From a personal point of view, Graham was always a gentleman. He was a regular provider of pictures to accompany my articles in both the Berwick Advertiser/Berwickshire News and the Speedway Star.
He could never do enough for anyone, and nothing seemed like too much trouble.
Over the years I got to know him as a friend and colleague, he would always stop for a chat, and was always interested in what was going on around the club, and indeed, speedway in general.
Condolences go out to his family, who I am sure will miss him greatly, I know I will.
Published Date:
11/12/2009
Modified Date:
11/12/2009
Bandits complete
BERWICK have completed their starting line-up for 2010 . . . and the promotion are to be congratulated for getting it sorted out so early.
All too often in the past Bandits' fans have been kept waiting around until the last minute before their side was announced.
As it is, it's now all systems go for next March with a side which includes:
Adrian Rymel, Michal Makovsky, Paul Clews, Lee Complin, Craig Branney, Nick Simmons and Jade Mudgway.
Only time will tell if it's a side which will be competitive enough to challenge for any silverware next season, but that would be a bonus.
The emphasis on this side seems to be on entertainment, with seven riders, who on the face of it, will race all the way to the line and never give up.
That's good news for the fans because, as everyone knows, speedway is a sport, but it's also a form of entertainment, and the fans pay their hard-earned cash to be entertained.
For that reason alone, it should be smiles all round for Berwick supporters at the moment.
Published Date:
11/12/2009
Modified Date:
11/12/2009
Rymel returns
ADRIAN Rymel is on his way back to Berwick.
The news was confirmed by the club this week and is bound to bring a smile to some supporters' faces.
And it what might be considered an unusual step by the Bandits, they have offered the Czech star a two year deal . . . changed days indeed!
Rymel, who spent last season on loan with Workington, will be seen by many as the ideal way to start team-building for 2010.
It hasn't been confirmed by the club yet, but it appears the deal is linked to a possible testimonial in 2011, which would be his tenth year of racing in Britain as a Berwick asset.
The 34 year-old arrived with fellow countrymen Michal Makovsky and Josef Franc in 2001. He rode with the club until 2006 when there was a parting of the ways under former promoter Peter Waite. He did not ride Premier League in 2007, but returned to Bandits' colours in 08 before switching to the Comets for a year.
All we can say is welcome back Adrian . . .
Published Date:
11/11/2009
Modified Date:
11/11/2009
Well done 'Bomber'
CONGRATULATIONS must go to Chris 'Bomber' Harris for his victory in the Bordernapolis at the weekend and for setting a new track record.
Harris, a second time winner of the event, was the pre-meeting favourite and in that respect he lived up to expectations.
But his new track record, or should we say the manner of his record, took everyone by surprise.
For Sean Wilson's previous best of 64.2 seconds had stood for ten years.
But 'Bomber' blitzed it with a new best of 63.8, which should stand for quite a while . . . or will it?
Published Date:
28/10/2009
Modified Date:
28/10/2009
Rollercoacter season
WELL, we're nearing the end of the first season under the new regime . . . and what a year it's been.
Saturday's Bordernapolis will be the last meeting of the current campaign, and I'm sure promoters John Anderson and Lynda Waite will blow a collective sigh of relief when the last race is run.
For let's not forget, just over a year ago it looked as if there might be no speedway whatsoever at Berwick after Peter Waite put the club up for sale.
A last ditch rescue package was put together, and the rest, as they say, is history.
There have been highs, there have been lows, so yes it has been a rollercoaster of a first year.
But the main thing is they have come through it, the club is now thriving.
Riders want to sign for the Bandits next year following all the improvements which have been made.
And for once, fans can sit back safe in the knowledge that the tapes will go up again at Shielfield next season . . . now that's something which hasn't always been the case in recent years!
Published Date:
23/10/2009
Modified Date:
23/10/2009
Well done Michal
CONGRATULATION to Michal Makovsky on becoming the highest scoring Berwick rider of all time.
The Czech, who has had nine years with the Bandits, passed Steve McDermott's 20-year-plus record when he scored nine points at Workington last weekend.
With the official season over he has now recorded 3,209, beating McDermott's tota;l of 3,203, but with his Testimonial year to come in 2010 it is a tally which will creep even higher . . . and almost all the more impossible for anyone to beat in the future.
So once again, well done Michal - and keep on racking up those points in the black and gold.
You're a legend!
Published Date:
14/10/2009
Modified Date:
14/10/2009
Chance for juniors
FOR any supporters not planning on making the trip over to Workington for the second leg of the Young Shield QF (and there probably aren't many after the 37-57 defeat at Shielfield in the first leg) then they should get themselves down trackside for this Saturday's junior international challenge.
The match is being billed as Scotland v The Rest of the World. Several promising up and coming youngsters have been invited to take part in the meeting, and whilst the racing might not be as fast as the usual PL fare, we can promise that it will be just as exciting.
That's because these are young riders making their way in the sport, and as John Anderson says, it is a perfect opportunity for them to showcase and develop their skills.
Not all tracks put on events of this type - some seem to think they are not worth the effort - but these youngsters are the future of the sport and Berwick are to be congratulated on giving them an opportunity to race in a full-blown competitive fixture.
Published Date:
29/09/2009
Modified Date:
29/09/2009