Midland Robin Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 CRADLEY HEATH will be captained by Australian ace Adam Shields when the iconic Black Country side take to track for a four team tournament at Swindon’s Abbey Stadium later this year. Elite league heat leader Shields, the nephew of former Cradley favourite David Shields who rode for the club in 1981, is the first confirmed rider on the Heathens’ team sheet and will lead a squad of riders, where possible, who have previous connections with the club. In another exciting move, Cradley fans will be pleased to learn that soon to be announced American and Danish riders will also feature in their team for the challenge tournament which takes place at Swindon’s Abbey Stadium on Thursday 30th July. Australian International Adam Shields, a popular Elite league rider and proven performer, has made a strong start to the 2009 with Lakeside. His Uncle, David Shields, spent a memorable season at Cradley’s Dudley Wood base in 1981. Shields gleamed 255 points from 58 matches for the club and played an integral role in Cradley’s famous 52-26 victory over Coventry at the Bees’ Brandon stadium on Saturday 8th August, 1981. Shields started the 1981 season in the difficult number two spot, and later in the season dropped to reserve berth. Quickly finding form, he rattled in some impressive performances, and on the back of that famous win at Coventry was Shields' best Cradley score - 12 points against Hull just one week later. Meanwhile, Swindon’s team for the evening will be captained Australian youngster Troy Batchelor. The exciting Robins’ heat leader deputises for compatriot Leigh Adams who will be preparing for the Latvian Speedway Grand Prix. Tickets for the four team tournament which includes teams from Cradley, Reading, Oxford and Swindon will be available to purchase online from www.swindon-speedway.co.uk in the coming days. For those based in the Midlands area an admission ticket which includes coach travel to and from the Abbey Stadium will also be available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Robin Posted May 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 READING legend Phil Morris is the first rider to be named in the Racers team that will take part in the Four Team Tournament meeting at Swindon on Thursday July 30 (7.45pm). The Berkshire club are still waiting for official news on their new stadium building plans, but in the meantime they will make an appearance at the Abbey Stadium where they will take on Swindon, Cradley Heath and Oxford. Morris rode for Reading for no less than fourteen seasons until he was somewhat surprisingly transferred to Birmingham prior to the start of the 2008 campaign. During this time he celebrated a Testimonial meeting and became one of the most popular and iconic riders to ever wear the club’s famous ‘winged wheel’ race jacket. The Welshman also skippered the Racers during his latter years at Smallmead and will again be leading the side when they make their track return for the four-team event this summer. Incidentally, Morris badly bruised his ribs in a track crash at Stoke on Saturday evening, but that is not thought to stop him making his eagerly-awaited return for the team he joined as a raw 16-year-old in 1991. Swindon’s staging promoter Gary Patchett said: “I’ve spoken to Phil and he’s absolutely delighted to be involved. “I’m aware he’s extremely popular with the Reading fans and we hope to be able to name other riders in the squad soon who have also had a strong link with the club.” Other team news for the event sees Australian ace Adam Shields captaining the Cradley Heath team and Troy Batchelor will be leading the Swindon side. Meanwhile, Swindon bosses are looking to put together a package for travelling fans that includes an admission ticket and coach travel to and from the Abbey Stadium. More details will follow on this shortly. Also, affordable sponsorship packages will be available and supporters are welcome and encouraged to get involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Maybe Monberg will ride for oxford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Robin Posted May 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 POLISH thrill merchant Adam Skornicki has been instated as captain of the Oxford squad that will compete in a four team tournament at Swindon’s Abbey Stadium on Thursday July 30th, 7.30pm. The confirmation of Skornicki’s inclusion means all four captains for July’s tournament between Swindon, Cradley, Reading and Oxford have been confirmed. Australian youngster Troy Batchelor will captain the Robins’ squad, Adam Shields fronts Cradley Heath, Phil Morris leads Reading and Adam Skornicki assumes the Oxford captaincy. The hugely popular Skornicki spent a season with Oxford in 2006 and became a firm fans favourite at the Cheetah’s Cowley base. Indeed, the Polish International didn’t miss a meeting for the club in 2006 and conjured 309 points from a total of forty two elite league and knock out cup fixtures. Skornicki's trademark flair, attacking riding style and infamous post match celebrations means Oxford fans remember him fondly. Now riding for Elite league Wolverhampton, the experienced thirty two year old sensationally collected victory in the 2008 Polish National Championship. Skornicki, a Blunsdon track specialist, has performed extremely well at the Abbey Stadium in the past few seasons and his inclusion as Cheetahs’ captain provides the Oxfordshire side with immediate strength. Swindon co-owner Gary Patchett said: "We want to try and include riders with a connection to the club for which they will be competing. Adam is a rider who is regarded highly by Oxford supporters and his addition should prove a popular one' Tickets for the four team tournament will be available to purchase online from www.swindon-speedway.co.uk in the coming days. An admission ticket which includes coach travel to and from the Abbey Stadium will also be available for travelling supporters from Reading, Oxford and the Black Country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Midland Robin - great news. Adam Skornicki was highly popular at Oxford in 2006 - I'm sure you remember him heading home Leigh Adams in a last-heat decider at Cowley All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Robin Posted May 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Midland Robin - great news. Adam Skornicki was highly popular at Oxford in 2006 - I'm sure you remember him heading home Leigh Adams in a last-heat decider at Cowley All the best Rob Unfortunately, I think the alzheimer's must be kicking in as I don't recall that one Rob On a more serious note I think we'll have all the teams confirmed this week although, so far in advance, there are bound to be a change or two by July. Cheers Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 On a more serious note I think we'll have all the teams confirmed this week although, so far in advance, there are bound to be a change or two by July. That's great - gives plenty of time to lure people along. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Hmmm, wonder who'd get Jonas Davidsson if he rides in the meeting. Any word on team managers on the night? I'd hope Tim Sugar would take charge of the Racers and suspect Rosco would manage the Robins, unless MR can tempt him out of retirement to line up for the Cheetahs Colin Pratt would be an obvious choice for the Heathens, but what about Oxford? Any idea's suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seb the Snail Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Unfortunately, I think the alzheimer's must be kicking in as I don't recall that one Rob I do! The same meeting that Davey Watt had to retire from for getting a stone in the wotsits! This should be a decent night; let's hope that the crowd befits the efforts being put on behind the scenes to bring some of our "lost clubs" back to the track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21st century heathen Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 This shaping up well, and I really do hope that the fans turn out in force. As I said on the other thread I think all at Swindon deserve this to be a success because of the gesture in the first place and the effort being put in to make this a 'proper' meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Yep 21CH, despite the BSPA trying their best to put a dampner on it. Fantastic too that a ticket & travel package is being laid on for the away support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Robin Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Hmmm, wonder who'd get Jonas Davidsson if he rides in the meeting. Any word on team managers on the night? I'd hope Tim Sugar would take charge of the Racers and suspect Rosco would manage the Robins, unless MR can tempt him out of retirement to line up for the Cheetahs Colin Pratt would be an obvious choice for the Heathens, but what about Oxford? Any idea's suggestions? We are speaking to Jonas at the moment, but haven't got confirmation as to his availability. Unfortunately, Davy Watt will be with Eastbourne at Ipswich for a re-arranged meeting. Wellie gave us permission to include a Reading team and he's been away til recently. I'll be speaking to him soon regarding their team manager. I can confirm, however, that Rosco will manage the Swindon team, Colin Pratt will take charge of the Cradley side and Colin Meredith will look after the Oxford team. More soon. Cheers Patch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 i think fans still following the sport will turn out but i carnt see many lost fans travelling to swindon on a thursday. still dont understand why the bspa couldnt be flexable but there you go. again!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Brown Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 i think fans still following the sport will turn out but i carnt see many lost fans travelling to swindon on a thursday. still dont understand why the bspa couldnt be flexable but there you go. again!!! Because they are utterly clueless and seem incapable of doing anything to support a promoter who makes any effort to move the sport forward. Brilliant effort from Gary to put this meeting together and make it a talking point 3 months before it takes place. This is a chance for the people of Oxford, Reading and Cradley to show how much they are missing their speedway and get behind in the case of Reading and Oxford an initiative led by their fiercest rivals. It does seem astonishing that the promoter of Swindon is trying to do a favour for 3 of the UK's oldest and most successful clubs and a load of clueless no names are trying to make it as difficult as they can to make it work Trying to promote speedway..............they will never let it catch on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Robin Posted May 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 FORMER Swindon and Cradley Heath favourite Paul Fry is the latest confirmed starter for the 4TT between Swindon, Cradley, Oxford and Reading which takes place at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday 30th July. The hugely popular 'Fryer' will ride for Cradley later this year some twenty five seasons since he first pulled on the Heathens’ race jacket! Still scoring plenty of points in the Premier league for Newport, Fryer made his Cradley debut in 1984 after time with the junior squad. His real breakthrough was being named in the starting senior team for the 1986 season. He had been signed in '84 from Exeter, despite never riding for the Falcons, as cover when Steve Collins injured an arm. During the following seasons, 'Fryer' progressed in the Dudley Wood second half events and at the reserve berth of the main team. Prior to his surprise signing by Swindon in 2000, 'Fryer' had always been an exciting performer on the Blunsdon stage. However, despite entering the veteran stage of his career, he was to prove a first-rate acquirement. Indeed, he was the catalyst as the Robins won their first major team trophies in 33 years by defeating Hull and Exeter, respectively, in the Knock-Out Cup and Young Shield finals in his first season on board. The move back into the Elite League brought Paul's time with Swindon to an end, but his four seasons of involvement were the most productive of his lengthy time in the saddle. In 184 appearances for Swindon Fry notched 1,706 points and amassed a total of nineteen maximums. Tickets for the four team tournament will be available to purchase online from www.swindon-speedway.co.uk in the coming days. An admission ticket which includes coach travel to and from the Abbey Stadium will also be available for travelling supporters from Reading, Oxford and the Black Country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Bert Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Will be great to see Fryer back at the Abbey, one of my all time favourite Robins riders and a great bloke aswell, always had time to stop and chat after meetings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racers and royals Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 We are speaking to Jonas at the moment, but haven't got confirmation as to his availability. Unfortunately, Davy Watt will be with Eastbourne at Ipswich for a re-arranged meeting. Wellie gave us permission to include a Reading team and he's been away til recently. I'll be speaking to him soon regarding their team manager. I can confirm, however, that Rosco will manage the Swindon team, Colin Pratt will take charge of the Cradley side and Colin Meredith will look after the Oxford team. More soon. Cheers Patch It might be a good idea to invite Mark Legg to team manage the Racers-it would help increase the crowd as i imagine there would be a long line of people wishing to speak to him ! ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted May 7, 2009 Report Share Posted May 7, 2009 Great news is that the Oxford Mail gave us the back page today, and Gary Patchett was on Radio Oxford yesterday and is again on Saturday I believe. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 It might be a good idea to invite Mark Legg to team manage the Racers-it would help increase the crowd as i imagine there would be a long line of people wishing to speak to him ! ! As Churchill would say: OH Yesss!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heathen76 Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 Pleased to say that events are causing significant interest from the Cradley perpective,whilst its going to be difficult to organise mass support, given that most folk work till 4.30pm in local industry,& will need to use holiday entitelment etc, initial enquiries would suggest a fair dose of the famous black country accent round Swindon way come the day!. The major local newspaper,(express & star) & BBC radio WM are also prepared to assist,although we have them concentrating on next wednesdays junior 2nd half at Brum for now!, with the "Biggie" at Swindon (the first time the Heathens have competed in a full meeting for a decade) to follow. HSSC also have a social evening with Nigel Pearson on Thursday 28th May, at the new Liberal Club in Cradley heath High St, admission free for members, & just £1 for non members. Many thanks to Gary for what should turn out to be a very well attended, and popular event, highlighting the current & unnaceptable position of three of British Speedways most successful & well supported teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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