All change at the top
IT'S all change at the top for Berwick this week with the announcement that there have been two major comings and goings in the managerial set-up at Shielfield.
Lynda Waite, with the backing of her family, the Pitmans, was instrumental in helping save the club with current promoter John Anderson after former owner Peter Waite (no relation) put it up for sale at the end of 2008.
Along with team manager Dave Peet, they helped maintain the sport at the Borders track.
Now Waite and Peet have both gone.
Waite has decided to step down, with Berwick builder George Hepburn taking her place alongside Anderson at the helm.
And Peet has been replaced by Ian Rae, who will also continue in his role as track curator.
At this stage it's impossible to say what effect the changes will have on the club or the team.
All we can do is thank Waite and Peet for their services over the past 18 months or so, because without their involvement, it's pretty certain that Berwick Speedway might not have survived at the level it is currently operating at.
And our best wishes also go to Hepburn and Rae, who are stepping into their roles at what has been described as 'an exciting time for the club.'
As the saying goes, 'life goes on,' and this instance, so too do the Bandits.
Published Date:
28/07/2010
Modified Date:
28/07/2010
Another bad break
BERWICK, who have still not fully recovered from the double arm break sustained by Lee Complin in the first meeting of the season, have been hit by injury again with the news that in-form reserve Craig Branney is likely to be sidelined for six weeks with a broken wrist.
Branney slid off at the start of heat two in the home defeat by King's Lynn at the weekend, spun and hit the safety fence.
He said it was 'first bend bunching' and was 'a soft accident,' but he now finds himself out of the team for the time being, which he admits is 'a major disappointment.'
But as one rider finds himself out of the saddle, another is about to climb back into it.
For after two months out, Complin has revealed he intends to return to action this Thursday (May 20) when the Bandits race at Sheffield in the Premier League.
Providing there is no reaction, the Yorkshiremen will then make his home return against Scunthorpe on Saturday.
Published Date:
19/05/2010
Modified Date:
19/05/2010
Another fine gesture
BERWICK'S owners, who have won much praise following their take-over of the club, will make another fine gesture to the fans this weekend following the announcement that they are to give away a match-day programme (retail price £2) to every paying adult who attends this weekend's home Premier Trophy clash against Newcastle.
And talking of the programme, what a fine product this has become. Editor Dennis McCleary is to be congratulated on his upgrading of the programme which is now a full colour 32-page edition, featuring regular columns from the promoter, manager and captain, centre green presenter Dick Barrie, a full run-down on results and fixtures, photographs, a looking back section and of course a full match run-down on the riders and a centre-page scorecard.
Published Date:
21/04/2010
Modified Date:
21/04/2010
Well done Michal
CONGRATULATIONS go to Michal Makovsky and his organising committee for his testimonial meeting last Saturday, which went virtually without a hitch.
There were one or two late call-offs, but that did not detract from the quality of the meeting and British champion Chris Harris emerged as a worthy winner with a superb 15-point maximum.
This was Michal's night however, marking his ten years as a Bandit, and doesn't he deserve it. because he has been such a loyal servant to the club over the past decade.
Published Date:
31/03/2010
Modified Date:
31/03/2010
Injury set-back
BERWICK have suffered an injury set0-back with the news that winter signing Lee Complin is likely to be sidelined for several months following a double fracture of his arm.
The former Sheffield and Stoke man suffered the injuries when he fell on his debut against Newcastle in the Tyne Tweed Trophy.
So far the Bandits have been unable to line up a replacement and this week the club confirmed that for the time being it is their intention to run as a six-man team.
They will therefore open their Premier Trophy campaign this Easter weekend with the home and away fixtures against Workington, using rider replacement to cover - everyone except Adrian Rymel can take an extra ride.
Published Date:
31/03/2010
Modified Date:
31/03/2010
Ready for tapes up
WELL, the new speedway season is only a matter of days away now and Berwick are preparing for their opening meeting of the season, the traditional curtain-raiser which is the Tyne-Tweed Challenge against Newcastle.
The clubs will meet home and away this weekend (Shielfield on Saturday and Newcastle Stadium - formerly Brough Park - on Sunday).
It is a good opportunity for the riders from both teams to blow away the cobwebs, but as the Diamonds are being identified as one of the top three or four sides in the Premier League this season, this will be a good yardstick by which the Bandits' supporters can gauge their teams chances this coming year.
Naturally, Berwick would like to get off to a winning start, but Newcastle will be no pushover.
Anyway, with the new silencer situation having been resolved for the time being - riders can use 2009 silencers up to May - it's roll of Saturday night and the smell and sounds that one normally associates with the sport.
Tapes are up at 7pm.
Published Date:
17/03/2010
Modified Date:
17/03/2010
Late change called for
BERWICK have been forced into making a late change to their starting line-up, just a fortnight before the tapes go up on the new season.
Nick Simmons, who was due to make his debut with the club, has been forced to withdraw his services after he was called into hospital for an operation on an old shoulder injury. The op has been set for March 3 which co-incides with Bandits' first meeting of the season.
As a result, the club has had to move fast to secure the services of 21 year-old Danish riders Anders Andersen, and he will meet his new team-mates for the first time this weekend at the annual press and practice session at Shielfield on Saturday (March 13).
All we can say is 'welcome' to Anders.
He hasn't had much notice to prepare himself for the new campaign, but if he finds the form he produced at Glasgow before he broke his leg last year (40 points in six meeting) he should do okay.
Published Date:
10/03/2010
Modified Date:
10/03/2010
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