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News Archive
2007
TEAM LINE UP COMPLETED...
Firstly young Kiwi Andrew Bargh will be
back at Smallbrook for his second season and will line up at
reserve alongside new Aussie signing James Holder.
The 21 years old nephew of former rider David Bargh
impressed all at Smallbrook in his first year with the
Islanders in 2007 and co-promoter Dave Pavitt feels there'll
be a lot of further improvement from him throughout the
forthcoming season.
"He showed last year that he has the potential to go onto
even better things in the years ahead," commented Pavitt,
"and having him and James at reserve will, I believe, give
us a real sting in the tail.
"Our fans really took Andrew to their hearts in 2007 with
his 'never-say-die' attitude to his racing which, perhaps,
didn't always see him the sort of scores his efforts
deserved but I'm confident that he'll be racking up the
points on a consistent basis throughout this year."
With 'Bargy' back for a second year, it means that the
Wightlink Islanders will be going into the new season, which
starts in March, tracking no less than five of the seven who
served the club so well throughout 2007- Jason Bunyan,
Krzysztof Stojanowski, Glen Phillips, Cory Gathercole and
young Andrew.
And the two changes to our line up that have been made were
inevitable given that it was time for Chris Holder to move
up into the Elite League, which he'll be doing with Poole,
and the unfortunate Chris Johnson ruled out by injury.
The securing of the return of Bargh to our fold left just
one place to fill to complete our line up for 2008 and all
at the club have been kept amused by the sheer number, not
to mention variety, of names that have been put forward as
guesses on various internet forums etc.
The club in fact targeted the rider they wanted as soon as
the maximum points limit for Premier League sides was set at
the Promoters AGM and a deal was swiftly concluded with the
rider himself jumping at
the opportunity to join the island side.
And that rider is none other than the vastly experienced
Paul Fry who has always shown a distinct
liking for the Smallbrook circuit on his previous visits
with various opposing sides.
"Not only does his average fit in very nicely indeed in
terms of building a side within the points limit," said
Pavitt, "but both he and I believe that he'll up that
average considerably in 2008.
"He's really looking forward to riding for us and I know
that he, along with each of the other six riders we've
signed, are capable of putting in good performances not only
at home but at all away tracks too."
And so the seven riders who make up the team that will carry
the Wightlink Islanders colours at the start of the season
are (NOT in riding order): Jason Bunyan, Krzysztof
Stojanowski, Glen Phillips, Cory Gathercole, Paul Fry,
Andrew Bargh and James Holder.
It's a very solid looking septet indeed and one that has
been put together bearing in mind that, with the abolition
of the "bonus point" for the aggregate victory over home and
away matches between sides,
sides will not be content with just amassing huge home wins
and will be looking for victories on their travels in
addition to winning in front of their home fans.
That in itself should lead to even more exciting racing
being witnessed at Smallbrook and a visit to the stadium in
Ashey Road, Ryde on a race night is simply a MUST
for both island residents and holidaymakers alike.
NEWS
FROM AUSTRALIA...
Good news from Australia came when we learnt of our new
signing James Holder's fourth place in the recent New South
Wales Championship in his homeland but we are at a complete
loss to work out why he has only been named as a reserve
for the Australian Championship series that got underway on
Saturday.
However both Cory Gathercole and our No.1 for the last two
seasons Chris Holder have been included in the main 16 rider
line up and it was the latter who got off to a scintillating
start by winning Saturday's opening round, staged at Mildura
in Victoria, ahead of Cameron Woodward, Travis McGowan and
visiting Swedish international Fredrik Lindgren.
Cory Gathercole kicked off his title campaign by finishing
seventh on the night and now the five meeting series moves
onto Gillman Speedway in Adelaide, South Australia this
Wednesday.
The dates and venues for the remaining four rounds are:
Round 2: Gillman Speedway, Adelaide, SA- Wednesday, 2
January
Round 3: Borderline Speedway, Mt Gambier, SA - Saturday, 5
January
Round 4: Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow NSW - Wednesday,
9 January
Round 5: Sydney Showground, Homebush Bay, NSW - Friday, 11
January
AND CORY MAKES FIVE!
Rising young Australian star
Cory Gathercole
has become the
fifth rider to be named in the Wightlink Islanders line up
for their assault on the 2008 Premier League title leading
to possible promotion to the Sky Sports Elite League.
Arriving on these shores, the now 21 year old current
Victorian State Champion from Irymple soon win the hearts
and minds of the fans at Smallbrook with his all-action,
full bloodied style of riding and he ended the season on a
very respectable average of just over six. That was very
commendable indeed in that he was seeing and riding all the
British circuits for the very first time.
He'll be very determined indeed to increase upon that
average considerably in 2008 and Wightlink Islanders
co-promoter Dave Pavitt fully expects him to do so.
"Yes I've a feeling that Cory will not only increase his
average by a lot," he said, "but has also set his mind on
challenging hard for the No.1 spot in our side and I for one
wouldn't bet against him achieving that goal.
"I'm really pleased that he's coming back to ride here and
now he is we have just two places to fill in our line up and
we're more or less there as it were with the two riders we
see filling those places and should be in a position to
confirm their signings shortly.
STOJ & GLEN MAKE FOUR...
The Wightlink Islanders took their number of confirmed
signings for their assault on the 2008 Premier League to
four at the club's Christmas Dinner at Smallbrook on Friday
night.
Polish star Krzysztof Stojanowski and the multi-talented
Glen Phillips signed on the dotted line in front of those
attending what proved to be a highly enjoyable and
successful evening.
These two latest signings join skipper Jason Bunyan and
rising Australian star James Holder as confirmed signings
for next season and the club's management hope to complete
their seven man side in the very near future.
If things go to plan, the club will be in a position to
unveil a further signing later this week and the last two
additions to the riding roster soon after.
The 28 year old Stojanowski, who originally hails from
Zielona Gora in Poland, has been with the club since the
early part of the 2005 season, is hugely popular with the
club's fans and he very much likes the Isle of Wight too, so
much so that he and his family reside on the Island in East
Cowes.
25 years old Phillips, who combines his speedway racing with
riding in both grasstrack and long track meetings both in
the UK and abroad, is another hugely popular member of the
Wightlink Islanders set up having first started as the
club's mascot!
JOHNO ON THE MEND!
Injured
Wightlink Islander Chris Johnson was another in attendance
at last Friday's event and received a rapturous welcome from
all present who were thrilled to see him looking so well
despite the very serious injuries he sustained in a crash
at King's Lynn in October.
Such was the extent of those injuries that it is nigh on
certain that he won't be riding at all in 2008 but he has
vowed to regain full fitness as quickly as proves humanly
possible.
GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON!
Wightlink
Islanders fans have a chance to exercise their minds on
Tuesday of this week (December 18).
They are invited to do so at the latest event on the winter
social calendar at Smallbrook which takes the form of a fun
Xmas and Speedway Quiz Night commencing at 7.30pm. All are
welcome to attend with the cost being just £1.
JOHNO SCARE...
Injured Wightlink Islander Chris Johnson
was rushed into hospital last week when his leg he so badly
injured in a crash at King's Lynn early in October became
infected.
Thankfully though, the course of ultra-strong antibiotics
the doctors placed him on did the trick and the infection
has now cleared up.
Being a typical speedway rider, he was allowed out of
hospital on Saturday - and promptly went along to the indoor
speedway meeting held in Brighton on Sunday!
And, all being well, he'll be at the club's Christmas Dinner
at Smallbrook this coming Friday.
GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON!
As well as this coming Friday's Christmas
Dinner when the next two signings for the Wightlink
Islanders assault on 2008 Premier League honours will be
unveiled, fans have a chance to exercise their minds a week
today - on Tuesday December 18.
For that sees the latest event on the winter social calendar
and takes the form of a fun Xmas and Speedway Quiz Night
commencing at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend with the
cost being just £1.
PAVITT REASONABLY CONTENTED...
Wightlink Islanders co-promoter Dave Pavitt was happy enough
with decisions reached at last weekend's AGM and now he and
the others involved behind the scenes at Smallbrook are
getting down to business in terms of completing their plans
for the 2008 season. As revealed earlier, as one Holder
departs the Smallbrook scene in the form of Chris Holder who
will be lining up for the Poole Pirates in next year's Elite
League, if all goes to plan, another will arrive to claim a
team place in 2008 in the shape of Chris's brother James.
"Yes we hope to be able to include James in our side," said
Pavitt, "and if our ambitious plans all come off, we will
once again be tracking a team capable of challenging for all
the major honours in 2008 just as we did in the season just
ended. "It will be a very hard job to match our record this
year of winning the Pairs and the Fours, reaching the cup
semi-finals and the end-of-season play offs let alone better
it but we fully intend to try"
ONE (OR EVEN TWO!) SIGNINGS TO
BE UNVEILED?
The club are holding their Annual Christmas dinner in the
Smallbrook clubhouse this coming Friday (December 14th), and
there are but literally a few tickets remaining. Those
tickets can be obtained by telephoning 01983 811180 during
office hours and that's the number to contact as well for
details of 2008 season tickets which are now available at
special discount prices until December 31st.
If all goes according to plan, then one (or possibly) two
new signings for 2008 will be revealed on the night and it
is hoped that the rider(s) in question will be in attendance
at the event. It is also very much hoped that if he is
feeling well enough, Chris Johnson who is now out of
hospital will be there too.
NEWS FROM DOWN UNDER...
The 2007 Wightlink Islanders riding squad are now scattered
around the globe for the duration of our winter and news is
beginning to seep through particularly of those who are in
Australia. Main news emanating from this weekend centres
around Australia and in particular Cory Gathercole who
competed at Broadford in Victoria in the Ashley Jones
Memorial Meeting dedicated to the memory of the former
King's Lynn rider who so tragically lost his life in a track
accident.
By all accounts it was a great meeting with some brilliant
racing watched by a big crowd and the hard luck story of the
day certainly belonged to young Cory who made such a
terrific impact this season in his first year in the
Wightlink Islanders' colours. After a blip with a fall in
his first ride he was undefeated in his next four rides to
reach the final. In the final the rider next to him (Jason
Stewart) rolled towards the tapes and only just managed to
pull up before touching them. Cory relaxed thinking there
would be a delay whilst Stewart was pulled back but up went
the tapes and the other three riders were gone leaving Cory
stranded at the start.
After a quick glare in the direction of the referee Cory
gave chase but was too far back to make an impact and he
finished fourth behind winner Kevin Doolan (who rode for
Belle Vue in this year's Elite League), Stewart and
up-an-coming youngster Richard Sweetman.
HOLDER UNLUCKY TOO THE WEEK
BEFORE...
Looking back to last weekend, and the Queensland State
Championship held at Mike Hatcher Park, Labrador on the Gold
Coast, it was potential 2008 signing James Holder who
suffered misfortune in that he blew an engine
when seemingly well on his way to qualifying for the final
and finished down the field on a total of seven points.
FULL DETAILS FROM THE PROMOTERS'
CONFERENCE...
Further to the
press release we issued yesterday (Saturday), with interim
details of what had been agreed at the British Speedway
Promoters Association AGM, further details are now to hand
as to what has been agreed following the conclusion of the
meeting earlier today. In that earlier release we told you
that:
*British Speedway will roar into an exciting new era next
March - with bosses predicting more competitive Leagues AND
promotion and relegation between the Elite and Premier
Leagues.
*The Premier League have welcomed Reading and have allowed
Oxford a limited amount of time to try to secure a deal with
their Cowley stadium landlords, the GRA for a return of
senior racing to the city.
*Scunthorpe have also been accepted into the Premier League
for 2008 which means the League now has 17 certain starters,
plus the hoped-for addition of Oxford.
The line-up reads: Berwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow,
Isle of Wight,
King's Lynn, Mildenhall, Newcastle, Newport, Oxford (subject
to lease agreement), Reading, Redcar, Rye House, Scunthorpe,
Sheffield, Somerset, Stoke, Workington.
*Premier League clubs will be allowed to build up their
seven man sides up to a combined maximum points limit of
41.5 in terms of riders averages and the Wightlink Islanders
management are very confident indeed that, once again, they
will be able to put together a very competitive side indeed
under that limit capable of challenging for all the major
honours.
*Promotion and relegation between the Elite and Premier
leagues will be introduced (see below for further details)
*Wightlink Islanders co-promoter
Dave Pavitt
has retained his position on the BSPA's management committee
but Sheffield's Neil Machin has decided to end his time on
it, and has been replaced by the vastly-experienced Alex
Harkess of Edinburgh. Pete Toogood remains Chairman for a
fourth season, with Wolverhampton and Redcar chief Chris Van
Straaten staying as vice-chairman, and the other member
being Colin Pratt (Coventry).
The further details now released following the conclusion of
the AGM earlier today are as follows:
THE PLAY-OFFS:
ELITE
LEAGUE TITLE:
The sides that finish in the top four
following the conclusion of the league matches will be
involved with the overall winners determined champions.
ELITE LEAGUE RELEGATION:
There will be a
play off between the two teams that finish bottom of the
2008 Elite League and the losers of that will meet the
winner of the Premier League playoffs (see below) in a
further play off for the one available place in the 2009
Elite League.
PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE AND
PROMOTION:
The sides that finish in the top four following the
conclusion of the league matches will be involved in the
playoffs, the winners being declared champions and moving
onto meet the losers of the Elite League Relegation playoffs
for a place in the 2009 Elite League.
OTHER KEY ISSUES
AFFECTING THE WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS:
TACTICAL RIDE:
Rule remains unchanged from 2007
COMPETITION INFO:
PREMIER LEAGUE KNOCKOUT CUP:
PRELIMINARY ROUND:
Scunthorpe v Sheffield, Reading v
Oxford.
FIRST ROUND:
Glasgow v
Birmingham, Rye House v Newport, Somerset v Newcastle,
King's Lynn v Reading or Oxford, Workington v Stoke,
Scunthorpe or Sheffield v Isle of
Wight,
Edinburgh v Berwick, Mildenhall v Redcar.
PREMIER TROPHY
GROUP STAGES:
GROUP 1:
Workington, Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Berwick.
GROUP 2:
Newcastle, Redcar, Sheffield, Stoke.
GROUP 3:
Birmingham, Mildenhall, King's Lynn,
Rye House.
GROUP 4:
Newport, Somerset,
Isle of Wight,
Reading.
*Promoted
clubs, Oxford and Scunthorpe, are not permitted to enter due
to potential fixture congestion.
SUPER 7EVEN:
(this includes such meetings as Premier League Riders
Championship, Premier League Pairs, Premier League Fours
etc):
A statement detailing the dates and
venues of the 2008 Super 7even series will follow in due
course.
JOHNSON HOME - AND HOPING TO BE AT
XMAS DINNER...
Everybody at the club were thrilled to hear the news
that Chris Johnson had been released from hospital at the
end of last week after sustaining very serious injuries in
the Wightlink Islanders final away Premier League match of
the 2007 season at King's Lynn.
And he's very much hoping that he will be fit enough to
attend the club's Christmas dinner to be held in the
Smallbrook clubhouse on Friday December 14th, tickets for
which are selling fast.
Tickets for the event can be obtained by telephoning 01983
811180 during office hours and that's the number to contact
as well for details of 2008 season tickets which are now
available at special discount prices until December 31st.
PAVITT
AND NEWNHAM LOOK FORWARD TO AGM...
Wightlink Islanders
co-promoters Dave Pavitt & Martin Newnham will both be
attending the British Speedway Promoters Association AGM
that commences this Thursday and continues until next
Sunday.
It's the meeting that will reach decisions on many crucial
matters affecting not only the 2008 speedway season but the
long term future of the sport. Such items as the make up of
the three league, the points limit governing a team's make
up etc., etc.
Both Pavitt and Newnham have been noting with interest all
the rumours and speculation that have been abundant of late
concerning team points limit for next season's Elite and
Premier Leagues.
"It's certainly been interesting reading various people's
viewpoints on the internet," said Pavitt, "and hearing other
people's ideas too.
"I don't think it's any secret that all of us involved in
the sport whether we be those behind the scenes or members
of the public realise that there are problems which we have
to address at this AGM.
"We're at a bit of a crossroads in my opinion and many
discussions have already taken place and I'm sure there'll
be a lot more talks too before we come to any decisions.
"Naturally Martin and I have got our own thoughts and ideas
on the subject but we'll be keeping them to ourselves until
the AGM where I feel that the general feeling will be that
whatever conclusions we come to, they must be for the long
term benefit of all clubs and not just a few.
"It is, without doubt, the most important AGM for many years
as far as I'm concerned and I'm confident that everyone
realises that we simply must get things right this time."
NEW SIGNING(S)
TO BE REVEALED AT XMAS DINNER?
"Premier League Pairs Championship winners, Premier League
Four Team Tournament winners, fours winners, reaching the
end-of-season play offs, finishing fifth in the final league
table and reaching the KO Cup semi-finals is a record we can
feel rightfully proud of," said Wightlink Islanders away
team manager David Croucher as he reflected upon the season
just ended.
"And whatever decisions are taken at the AGM, our fans can
rest assured that we intend to be right up there challenging
for honours next season."
Now following upon skipper Jason Bunyan already telling the
fans that he'll be back in 2008, the club hope to reveal
their next signing (or possibly TWO!) at the forthcoming
Christmas dinner to be held in the clubhouse on Friday
December 14th.
Tickets for the event are on sale now, and selling fast so
people are advised to book quickly by telephoning 01983
811180 during office hours and that's the number to contact
as well for details of 2008 season tickets which are
available at discounted prices until the end of December
and, naturally, would make an ideal Xmas present for any
Wightlink Islander supporter.
UNLUCKY CORY MISSES OUT ON STATE
TITLE...
With the 2007 British speedway season now over, riders have
dispersed to various parts of the country, and indeed globe,
for the close season.
Cory Gathercole, who had such a fine debut season in the
Wightlink Islanders colours, is now back in his native
Australia and rode in the 16 rider strong Victorian State
Championship at his hometown circuit in Mildura on Saturday.
He sailed through the qualifying heats in style, winning all
five of them with ease, but it all went wrong for him in the
final that involved the top four scorers from the heats.
He fell exiting the second bend, the race was stopped and
whilst Cory was uninjured he was excluded from the re-run
which was won by Cameron Woodward who rode for the
Eastbourne Eagles in the 2007 Elite League in the UK.
Cory will be hoping for better fortunes in the forthcoming
Australian Championship series that gets underway, again at
Mildura, on December 29. There he will be joined by the
likes of Chris Holder, who will be riding for Poole in 2008
and should have ridden at Mildura on Saturday but, alas, his
bikes had not arrived from the UK.
Chris's brother James though did take part and whilst he
amassed nine points from his five qualifying rides, that
wasn't enough to see him gain a place in the four man final.
TEAM PLANNING ON HOLD UNTIL NEXT
MONTH...
No further moves in terms of team planning for the 2008
season are expected to take place now until after the annual
British Speedway Promoters Association Conference that will
take place at the end of this month.
There discussions will decide the make ups of the various
league competitions etc and, once those decisions are
finalised, the Wightlink Islanders management will get down
to serious planning.
FANS
DELIGHTED AS JASON SAYS, "I'LL BE BACK!"
Wightlink Islanders skipper Jason
Bunyan delighted those attending the club's end-of-season
presentation night at the stadium last Friday when he told
them that he'll be back as the club's skipper in 2008.
There had been some speculation within the speedway
fraternity that the 28 year old star might be a winter
target for other Premier League clubs and, indeed, one or
two racing at Elite League level.
Jason himself though put paid to any such speculation by
announcing on Friday that he had agreed a deal with the club
to return to lead the club's assault on the Premier League
title next season.
"We're absolutely delighted to have announced Jason's
re-signing at this point," said co-promoter Dave Pavitt.
"Jason did an outstanding job as our skipper this year and
equally sure he'll do so again in 2008."
Further moves in terms of team building for next season
depend now on decisions taken at the forthcoming Promoters
AGM which takes place at the end of this month.
Once those decisions are taken, the Wightlink Islanders
management will look to finalise their 2008 team plans at an
early date.
BUNYAN SCOOPS "RIDER OF THE
YEAR" AWARD...
Various
awards were made at last Friday's function and it was Jason
Bunyan who took the top accolade, being the recipient of
"Rider of the Year" trophy.
Other awards handed out on the night saw Chris Holder take
the "Rider's rider of the year" accolade from his team mates
and Cory Gathercole the title of "Best Supporting rider."
The young Aussie, who's "full on" attitude in his first
season of racing in the UK certainly endeared him to all at
the club with that attitude often seeing him fall whilst
endeavouring to pass opponents also scooped the coveted
"A*se Upwards!" award amidst much mirth.
Most Islanders fans will be hoping that the 20 year old from
Mildura in Victoria will, like Bunyan be back in the
Wightlink Islanders line up next season.
MARTIN STEPS DOWN AFTER 10 YEARS AS
CHAIRMAN...
At the shareholder's meeting last week, Martin Newnham
revealed that he was stepping down from the role of club
chairman after ten years in the hotseat as it were although
he'll remain in his roles of both co-promoter and director
of the club. The new Chairman is Mike Bellman of GJ Aerials
who are one of the club's sponsors. |
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