Scunthorpe V King's Lynn - Easter Monday, April 9th (follows Scunthorpe V Sheffield)

[lucifer sam]

The start of the new season for the Saints!!

 

Here's the Press Release regarding the double-header:

 

TABLE-TOPPING Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions will be looking to continue their excellent start to their League Cup campaign when they entertain local rivals Sheffield Tigers at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Easter Monday (3pm).

 

The match will form the first half of a double-header, which also sees the Jotun Paints Scunthorpe Saints in National League action against King’s Lynn Young Stars.

 

And that’s not the only action this weekend. The Scorpions are also away at Newcastle in a League Cup match on Easter Sunday, while the Saints trio of Adam Wrathall, Tom Young and Richard Franklin compete in the semi-final of the British Under-21 Championship at Stoke on Saturday.

 

Scorpions’ team boss Richard Hollingsworth said: “It should be a great day of action at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Monday.

 

“We want to get one over Sheffield this season. It’s just 45 miles to Sheffield from Scunthorpe, so they are our local rivals. It’s always a bit of a grudge match against the Tigers.

 

“They are a successful club and they are like the big boys next door. Sheffield are one of only three of the current teams in the Premier League that we haven’t finished ahead in the league table in one or more seasons since 2008 (the others are Workington and Ipswich). We will be looking to put that right this season.

 

“We won’t be complacent against the Tigers on Monday, but I am convinced that we can defeat them and take the three League Cup points on offer.

 

“Following that, we have the Saints in action for the first time in 2012, so it promises to be quite an afternoon”, added Hollingsworth.

 

Monday’s adult admission price is £16, just £2 more than a single Premier League meeting, despite the extra 15 heats of action. With the Eddie Wright rightly acknowledged as one of the best racetracks in the country, it is a fixture for the speedway connoisseur and fans have been known to travel large distances to the Eddie Wright Raceway for bank holiday action.

 

The Scorpions management are still searching for a replacement for the injured Tom Armstrong, so will utilise guests this weekend.

 

Adam McKinna rides at Newcastle on Sunday, while Steve Worrall guests for his parent club at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Monday. It will be a busy afternoon for Worrall, as he will also line-up at No.1 for the Saints.

 

Premier/National League Double Header Admission Prices:

Adult: £16.00

Student/OAP: £14.00

Child (10 - 16): £5.00

Child (0 - 9) Free (accompanied by paying adult)

Family Ticket £37 (2 adults, 2 Children 10-16)

Match Programme: £1.00

 

Teams for this weekend (English unless stated):

 

Henderson Insurance Scunthorpe Scorpions (for both matches): 1. David Howe, 2. Thomas Jørgensen (Denmark), 3. Josh Auty, 4. Michael Palm Toft (Denmark), 5. Tero Aarnio (Finland), 6. Adam McKinna (Scotland) / Steve Worrall, 7. Ashley Birks.

 

Newcastle Diamonds: 1. Mark Lemon (Australia), 2. Christian Henry (Australia), 3. Ludvig Lindgren (Sweden), 4. Claes Nedermark (Denmark), 5. Stuart Robson, 6. Steve Worrall, 7. Richie Worrall.

 

Sheffield Tigers: 1. Josef Franc (Czech Republic), 2. Hugh Skidmore (Australia), 3. Ricky Wells (United States), 4. Richard Hall, 5. Emiliano Sanchez (Argentina), 6. Klaus Jacobsen (Denmark), 7. Joe Haines.

 

Jotun Paints Scunthorpe Saints: 1. Steve Worrall, 2. Richard Franklin, 3. Tom Young, 4. Adam Wrathall, 5. Gary Irving. 6. Danny Phillips, 7. Oliver Greenwood.

 

King’s Lynn Young Stars: 1. James Cockle, 2. Brendan Johnson, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Adam Lowe, 5. Jake Knight, 6. Tom Stokes, 7. Scott Campos.

 

And here's the latest Saints news:

 

JOTUN PAINTS Scunthorpe Saints have added Gary Irving and Richard Franklin (pictured) to their eight-man squad prior to their first National League meeting of the season against King’s Lynn Young Stars at the Eddie Wright Raceway on Easter Monday.

 

23-year-old Irving comes into the team as a replacement for Jason King, who has been snapped up by Premier League Berwick Bandits and is therefore now ineligible to ride for the Saints.

 

Meanwhile, Franklin comes in on Monday as cover for Max Clegg, who does not celebrate his 15th birthday until next Wednesday (April 11th).

 

Regarding the departure of King, Saints boss Stuart Parnaby said: “We always knew Jason would be snapped up by a Premier League club at some point, although maybe we didn’t expect it so soon.

 

“But with the number of injuries so far this season, we were just waiting for the phone call.

 

“Although he didn’t get to ride in a National League fixture, he has still contributed to the Saints’ cause. He has been at the Eddie Wright Raceway helping out the younger members of the team.

 

“And he’s told the lads if they have any problems, to give him a call, because he’ll be there for them. That’s a nice gesture and we wish Jason well at Berwick.”

 

Parnaby is clearly delighted to be continuing his association with Irving, who will form a dual spearhead at the top of the Saints line-up, alongside Steve Worrall.

 

“I have a soft spot for Gary”, Parnaby admitted. “We rode half a season together at Scunthorpe in 2008. Gary was just returning from a big road crash, and we got to know each other.

 

“He’s rode a lot at Scunthorpe, not only in National League, but also amateur meetings. He’s very much part of this club. I’m glad he’s back riding a fifth season for the Saints.

 

“It will be a confidence booster for him to be riding for us in addition to Premier League Workington. If has had a bad meeting for Workington, he can ride for us, knock up the points and get himself back on track.

 

“I know he’s been struggling a bit with his starts, and we’ll help him with that.

 

“We suspected it was only a matter of time before Jason went Premier League, so I had already been speaking to Gary. We’re grateful to Workington for their help in allowing Gary to join the Saints and I’m sure it will be beneficial to both clubs.”

 

19-year-old Franklin rode for the Saints in 2009, before riding for Dudley in 2010 and 2011. However, his found himself surplus to requirements by the Heathens this season.

 

Parnaby said: “Richard is a Scunthorpe asset and was looking for a club. He will come in for Max on Monday, since Max isn’t 15 years old until later in the week.

 

“Monday is a great opportunity for Richard to show the speedway world what he is capable of.

 

“With the number of National League teams reducing from 10 to 8 this season, after the departure of Newport and Belle Vue, unfortunately there were going to be riders left on the sidelines.

 

“Who knows what will happen after Monday. There are highly likely to be other opportunites for Richard to ride for the Saints. Alternatively, another club may be able to offer him a permanent place.

 

“But, as he’s our asset, it’s in our interests to get him out there riding.”

 

Franklin’s inclusion in the team on Monday will drop Oliver Greenwood to reserve for the clash against the Young Stars, where he will partner Danny Phillips.

[Liamhgk13]

Looking at the forecast I don't think there will be any speedway on Monday!! Fingers crossed it changes and we can look forward to the double header!!

[lucifer sam]

Here's a preview of the new season for the Saints:

 

 

SCUNTHORPE SAINTS SEASON PREVIEW

 

JOTUN PAINTS Scunthorpe Saints team boss Stuart Parnaby has set just one aim for his young side in 2012: “I’d like not us to finish bottom.”

 

That may sound a slightly unambitious target for the reigning National League champions, who clinched the title in such unforgettable fashion at Mildenhall last October.

 

But it’s a much more inexperienced Saints side that takes to the track this season – with the onus on finding future prospects for the Premier League Scorpions.

 

And Parnaby, now in his third season in charge of the Saints, has been here before… in 2010.

 

He expands: “We had the same ambition not to finish bottom two years ago, during my first year as team manager.

 

“That year we had Ashley Birks and Steve Worrall in as rookies, with Richie Worrall also coming in during the course of the season.

 

“We eventually finished two places off the bottom of the table, and just look where those three lads are now!

 

“I feel this season is similar to that one. Again we’re bringing in some new faces into the National League, in the shape of Oliver (Greenwood), Danny (Phillips) and Max (Clegg).

 

“We are going to put no pressure on them at all. They’ve just got to go out there, ride the bike and enjoy themselves and hopefully score a few points in the process.

 

“We will keep the pressure off them, and see how they develop over the course of the year. And then hopefully we can have another go at winning the National League in 2013!”

 

The Saints team for 2012 splits into three levels of riders. There’s the spearhead of Steve Worrall (aged 20) and Gary Irving (23), who in addition to riding for the Saints, also ride in the Premier League for Newcastle and Workington respectively.

 

There’s then the mid-section of the team, featuring Adam Wrathall (20), Tom Young (20) and squad member Richard Franklin (19), all young riders looking to build on previous National League seasons and move up a step.

 

And then there’s the aforementioned rookie trio of Greenwood (16), Phillips (15) and Clegg (not 15 until next Wednesday) whose only league appearances are three outings for Greenwood during 2011.

 

Parnaby explained the presence of Worrall and Irving: “They are there to take the pressure off the rest of the team.

 

“Maybe by saying that I’m putting pressure on Stevie and Gary, but to be honest, at this level, they are quite capable of going out there and knocking up double figure scores in each meeting.

 

“I feel both probably need just one final season of doubling-up between the Premier League and the National League.

 

“Riding for the Saints will be a confidence booster for both Stevie and Gary. If they are having a hard time in the Premier League, they can go out for the Saints and get some race wins under their belts, and it will help restore their confidence.”

 

Skipper Adam Wrathall returns for a fifth season with the Saints in 2012.

 

“It’s a big year for Adam”, says Parnaby.

 

“He’s got to come out of the shadows and grab a heat-leader position. I don’t need to put any pressure on him, because I think he’ll do that himself.

 

“He wants Premier League, and to grab the eye of promoters, he needs to add a couple of points to his starting average.

 

“For the final meeting last year at Newport, I took a load of rookies down, and Adam was given the No. 5 racejacket. He scored 14 points. He revels with a bit of extra responsibility, and that’s what he’ll have with the way the team is set up this season.”

 

Welshman Tom Young, a signing from now-defunct Newport, has impressed over the winter, winning the amateur Winter Series Open Class Championship at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

 

Parnaby commented: “I think the change of track will really help Tom. I think he found it a bit hard at Newport, both on and off the track.

 

“But he’s coming to a club where he is going to be settled and there is no question of him being taken in-and-out of the side, which happened with him at Newport. He has a permanent team place with the Saints.

 

“He’s really come on over the winter – I think it’s because he’s enjoying his speedway. At one point during the practice day, he was out there with David Howe and catching him.”

 

Oliver Greenwood and Danny Phillips have already caught the eye in the first two Midland Development League matches at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

 

Parnaby said: “It’s good that Oliver and Danny have also been riding in the Midland Development League. There are only a certain number of National League meetings over the season, so it’s good extra experience.

 

“It’s also got them used to riding around the track under floodlights, which is totally different to riding in the daytime.

 

“As Max is not 15 until just after the first league match at home to King’s Lynn, Oliver and Danny will be at reserve for that, as were are bringing in Richard Franklin, who will ride at No. 2. Hopefully that will help Oliver get off to a good start, and also take any pressure off Danny.

 

“After that, when we track three 3.00 men, I think it will be Oliver up in the team and the other two at reserve. Although they are all young, Oliver is just that little bit older and more experienced.

 

“Meanwhile, there are likely to be other opportunites for Richard, when one of our regular seven are missing. He is currently named as part of our squad. For instance, for our second meeting of the season at Mildenhall, Stevie Worrall is missing, as Newcastle will be riding that day.

 

“It makes sense to use Richard. He’s a Scunthorpe asset, and doesn’t have a club in 2012, as Dudley have decided not to use him.”

 

Max Clegg has been part and parcel of the set-up at Scunthorpe for five years, having done many laps around the club’s mini-track.

 

“Max is very much part of the Scunthorpe family”, enthused Parnaby. “He seems to have been here all his life.

 

“He’s from Brighouse, which is also my town. I see him down the park every night, when I’m walking the dog and Max is on the BMX ramps.

 

“I’ve started bringing him to Scunthorpe for the Premier League meetings, because I help out Thomas Jorgensen and now Max is helping me with that. It’s all about getting him involved.”

 

At one point early in the 2011/2012 closed season, it looked like Scunthorpe may not run a team in the National League for the forthcoming season.

 

But the enthusiasm of the likes of Parnaby, his wife (and assistant Saints’ team manager) Rebecca, Scorpions’ team manager Richard Hollingsworth, plus that of the supporters, persuaded promoter Rob Godfrey to enter the Saints in the National League for both 2012 and 2013.

 

In a recent article in the Speedway Star, Godfrey revealed it costs him around £1000 for each Saints’ fixture, but that is offset against bringing in riders for the future of the club.

 

Parnaby said: “I’d just like to say thanks to the supporters. One of the reasons we’re back this season is because the fans persuaded Rob to continue with it. Rob does listen to the fans, and they made it clear that they’d love to see the Saints back, and here we are!

 

“Scunthorpe started off as a Conference League track when the club returned in 2005, so I think a lot of the supporters are very interested in watching the lads at a grass roots level.

 

“It’s like one big family. The supporters can come and have a chat with the riders and the management, and have a laugh and a joke with us. It’s a very good point about the place.

 

“Meanwhile, I can’t wait for our first meeting of the season against King’s Lynn on Easter Monday”, concluded Parnaby.

 

Scunthorpe Saints 2012:

Steve Worrall (8.36)

Gary Irving (7.91)

Richard Franklin (4.84)

Adam Wrathall (4.70)

Tom Young (3.25)

Oliver Greenwood (3.00)

Danny Phillips (3.00)

Max Clegg (3.00)

 

Teams for Easter Monday clash at the Eddie Wright Raceway (follows Scunthorpe v Sheffield League Cup meeting):

 

Jotun Paints Scunthorpe Saints: 1. Steve Worrall, 2. Richard Franklin, 3. Tom Young, 4. Adam Wrathall, 5. Gary Irving. 6. Danny Phillips, 7. Oliver Greenwood.

 

King’s Lynn Young Stars: 1. James Cockle, 2. Brendan Johnson, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Adam Lowe, 5. Jake Knight, 6. Tom Stokes, 7. Scott Campos.

Edited April 8, 2012 by lucifer sam

[June]

An excellent post Lucifer Sam which explains everything us fans need to know. I think this is exactly what the NL should be all about, pity all teams aren't run in the same manner, having said that I know about the stand alone clubs needing to win etc. We are lucky at Scunny to have a prem side too. I love watching the youngsters and look forward, yet again to see these kids progress. Come on you SAINTS!

[em1500uk]

Hope the weather holds out for this (even though I'm not going!)

[Allitt Racing]

Meeting Off

[lucifer sam]

Hope the weather holds out for this (even though I'm not going!)

 

Unfortunately it hasn't. Double header called off, track already wet and more rain scheduled to fall all day. Sheffield LC fixure re-arranged for Friday (April 13th) at 7.30pm, no new date for Saints vs KL Young Stars as yet.

 

All the best

Rob

[em1500uk]

Shame, but not a surprise. The forecast for Monday even on Friday was terrible! It has been raining here in Norfolk already today, so even if I had contemplated going, I wouldn't have risked travelling out.