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END OF SEASON PRESENTATION REPORT
Wimbledon Speedway held there end of season presentation evening last night. This was a great night to finish off what has on the whole been a great season for the GMB Dons. The GMB Dons did well to finish 7th in the Conference League table and 4th in the Trophy Tables, this season. With 12 rain off's in all it has been a very hard season to fit all our fixtures, with Mark Buzz Burrows testimonial and the Laurels having to take a back step untell the beginning of next season so that we could fit all our fixtures in.
Most of the GMB Dons were present at last nights event, with only Gavin Hedge, Jon Stevens, and James Humby absent. Awards were given to all the GMB Dons for there commitment to Wimbledon Speedway. Barry and Buzz also received the Pit Bend loonies rider of the year award, along with Buzz also receiving website rider of the year. James Clement received the award for the most improved rider of the year from the pit bend loonies. Other awards were given to Dingle Brown.
Hopefully I will be able to add some photo's from the presentation evening to the photo album on the website soon, having a few problems with the camera.
END OF SEASON PRESENTATION
Wimbledon Speedway's end of season disco takes place this coming saturday night down in Mitcham. This Website will hopefully be updated with a report and photo's from the evening in the early part of next week.
Unfortunalty last night's Laurels meeting had to be rained off due to rain late in the day. Hopefully we will have better weather next season.
Cross has recently enjoyed his best form of the season and was expected to play a crucial part in proceedings against the Barracuda-Braves, but a sickening crash with Dragons reserve Darren Hatton after the conclusion of Heat 2 has literally left the Londoners short handed.
Team Manager Dingle Brown was disappointed to lose the services of Andre, ironically as Gavin Hedge announced his return to full fitness. "Losing Andre is a real blow, but James Theobald is very keen to make a good impression and has already scored some good points for the team this year."
"What makes it ironic is that Gavin is now available for selection but we cannot move anyone down to reserve to accomodate his return."
Despite the injury worries, a large crowd is expected at Plough Lane to witness the GMB Dons attempt to build a big lead for the vital return leg at the Norfolk Arena, with the Londoners seeking their first cup final appearance since 1988.
Dons Chairman Ian Perkin for one cannot wait until the meeting starts, "This is arguably the most important meeting for Wimbledon Speedway since we came back in 2002. We have a great chance of reaching the cup final and are looking forward to racing against a fine Boston side."
Perkin is also at pains to say that there are no hard feelings after the fracas that took place a fortnight ago."We have had some great matches with the Barracuda-Braves over the past couple of years and next week should be no exception. They have a number of track specialists in their side but I'm confident that we can hold our own and build up a significant lead for the return leg in Norfolk."
Legendary Radio DJ "Diddy" David Hamilton will be the special VIP guest next week at Plough Lane when Wimbledon take on rivals Boston in the first leg of the Conference Knockout Cup Semi-Final.
Hamilton, currently DJ at Primetime Radio, has been a keen speedway fan for many years and acted as Meeting Presenter at Wembley and Reading in the early 1970's.
"I was delighted to be invited along to Plough Lane for such an important meeting for Wimbledon. The semi-final promises to be an excellent occasion and I wish all the Dons riders the best of luck." commented David Hamilton.
GMB Dons Chairman Ian Perkin is calling on the Plough Lane crowd to give David a warm Wimbledon welcome, especially as he was present when the Dons beat Weymouth in the last round.
"David is a good friend of speedway and we are more than pleased to see such a recognisable personality lending his support to the GMB Dons."
However the Newcastle meeting was marred by a horrific crash for home reserve Ashley Johnson which resulted in the plucky youngster being taken to hospital with suspected leg injuries after tangling with Cross in a Heat 12 clash.
The impact of the collision cut Cross's helmet in half and also wrecked a large portion of the Newcastle safety fence and everyone at Plough Lane sends Ashley their best wishes for a speedy recovery and hopefully it won't be too long before he returns to the saddle.
Wimbledon set off for their Northern tour with high hopes of gaining success at Armadale, but led by an 18 point maximum for impressive Aussie Matthew Wethers, the Dale Devils easily repelled the challenge offered up by the Londoners, for whom Mark
Burrows led the way with 12 points. The Dons however were boosted by the return of skipper Wayne Broadhurst who has made a speedy recovery from his collarbone injury.
Last week's action at Wimbledon saw the Londoners finally end their barren 14 year run without silverware, with the Marrk Burrows- Barrie Evans partnership clinching victory in the final heat of the CL Best Pairs. The fact that victory was achieved at the expense ofdeadly rivals Mildenhall was not lost on anyone present at Plough Lane, with the Dons pair receiving tremendous applause after their heat 21 success.
GMB Dons boss Dingle Brown was understandably a delighted man in witnessing success for his charges, "This is a fantastic night for Wimbledon Speedway. The riders worked ever so hard to force a last high decider with the Fen Tigers, and the manner of our victory was exceptional."
The riders themselves were understandably relieved to have won the meeting in front of their home crowd. Terrace favourite Mark Burrows commenting that it was his first ever trophy success in twenty years as a spedway rider, although he dimly recalls winning an individual track meeting on the Isle of Man! Oxford are the latest visitors to Plough Lane this week, with the home side weakened by the loss of Evans on Premier League duty with Newport.
Wimbledon were once again planning to utilise rider replacement to cover for their missing No.1 against the three pronged Oxford spearhead of Chris Schramm, Craig
Branney and Chris Mills with a further two league points up for grabs.
Despite losing star rider Chris Collins to Mildenhall, the Hitmen still represent a considerable threat to the the GMB Dons, with new Workington rider James Wright and Aussie Trent Leverington leading the way for the visitors.
Sadly, the talented Lee Derbyshire sustained a serious injury in pre-season practice at Stoke, and everyone at Plough Lane wishes Lee well in his recovery.
Wimbledon line-up:
1. Barrie Evans , 2. Matt Wright, 3. Wayne Broadhurst (capt), 4. Gavin Hedge, 5. Mark Burrows, 6. Andre Cross, 7. James Clement
DONS UPBEAT DESPITE LOSS TO FEN TIGERS
Wimbledon remain upbeat about their chances of capturing their first league title in over 40 years, despite suffering a nailbiting 48-45 home reverse at the hands of reigning champions Mildenhall last week.
The Fen Tigers, containing arguably the strongest top four seen in Conference Speedway for some time, clearly benfitted from racing the previous weekend whilst it took the GMB Dons riders crucial time to determine race setups.
Wimbledon Team Manager Dingle Brown is in a postive mood despite the early defeat to arch rivals Mildenhall, "The side fought really hard on the night and tried ever so hard to overturn a twelve point deficit to force a last heat decider."
Brown continued, "The main thing about this team is the spirit and determination to succeed, and with Wayne Broadhurst now available to ride, I am confident that Wimbledon will be there or therabouts when trophies are decided in the autumn."
The visit of Mildenhall was marked by a warm reception for Fen Tigers Chairman Graham Drury who took all the good natured barracking in good humour. Despite the close season squabble with the Dons over the Wayne Broadhurst transfer, Drury insists that he wishes the London side well for the new season.
"Both Mildenhall and Wimbledon have made plain their ambition to ride at a higher level in the future, and believe it or not, I do wish the Dons every success for a good season, except when they race us of course".
The Mildenhall boss also still believes that new Wimbledon skipper Wayne Broadhurst is "the best captain in British speedway" and feels that the Dons will strongly benefit from having Broadhurst on board.
The GMB Dons have an early opportunity to get on the winning trail as they face Boston in Conference League action at the Norfolk Arena on Easter Day.
The Barracuda-Braves managed by the popular Malcolm Vasey have themselves assembled an attractive squad and the fixture between the two sides that brought last season's epic Cup Tie is eagerly awaited.
Barry Pickering
7th April 2004
3/3/04
Top 5 complete as Broadhurst signs for GMB Dons
Wimbledon GMB Dons have unveiled Wayne Broadhurst as their latest signing to complete what team manager Dingle Brown calls "one of the best balanced top fives" in this years Conference League.
The capture of the 2003 Mildenhall skipper Broadhurst gives the Londoners a very solid feel and importantly allows the Londoners to utilise the returning Gavin Hedge in a potentially valuable second string berth.
Brown commented on his latest signing, "Wayne is another crucial signing for Wimbledon Speedway and gives us a more than useful spearhead along with Barrie Evans and Buzz Burrows, while Gavin Hedge and Matt Wright will provide the backup we require."
The experienced Wimbledon team manger is clearly looking forward to his second year in charge and in particular is looking forward to young Matt Wright make further progress in an already promising career. "Matthew Wright is only 18 and is a rider who can only get better and better. We all saw the progress made by Dan Giffard last season, and hopefully Matt will make a similar improvement."
Popular 2003 Don Andre Cross has been getting in some much needed practice after last season's collarbone injuries in a riding holiday in Australia, and will be keen to secure one of the vacant slots in the GMB Dons line-up.
Other riders in contention for a reserve berth are James Clement, Jamie Courtney, Gareth Hickmott, James Theobald and Jon Stevens, and all have been invited to the Press and Practice day on Wednesday 17th March 2004 when a final decison will be made. Legendary Dons rider Ronnie Moore will also be on hand to present the Ronnie Moore Cup to the fastest rider on the night
and the gates open at 6pm with free admission to allcomers.End of press Release
Courtesy of Barry Pickering
Wimbledon Speedway To Take Formal Action After False Accusations Made About An Illegal Rider Approach
The Directors of Wimbledon Speedway plc are taking formal action
against officials of Workington and Mildenhall Speedway's after
being both publicly and privately accused of making illegal
approaches to sign Wayne Broadhurst a contracted Workington rider.
Chairman of the GMB Dons Ian Perkin is seeking a full apology from
both Ian Thomas of Workington Speedway and Graham Drury of Mildenhall
Speedway following their completely untrue assertion that Wimbledon
Speedway had made an illegal approach to the Workington contracted
rider and formal letters demanding that apology will be sent by
recorded delivery to both Ian Thomas and Graham Drury tomorrow
morning Friday 13th February.
"To suggest that a Wimbledon official would make an approach to a
contracted rider is defamatory to the reputation of Wimbledon
Speedway and we have been left with no alternative but to take the
necessary formal action to obtain the appropriate redress from both
Mr Thomas and Mr Drury", said the Wimbledon Chairman, "Clearly if a
rider of the proven quality of Wayne Broadhurst became legitimately
available to sign we would only to pleased to include him in our
squad, but to suggest that we have illegally approached any rider is
totally untrue and we will take the necessary action to ensure that
the good name of Wimbledon Speedway is properly protected."
TRIBUTE TO THE GMB DONS SKIPPER
On behalve of the Unofficial Wimbledon Dons Website I would like to pay tribute to Chris Hunt who has been a wonderfull Skipper for the GMB Dons over the past 2 years. It is with sadness that we will loss Chris this coming season due to the averages. I would like to wish Chris all the very best at Carmarthen this season and very much look forward to seeing him when carmarthen come to visit plough lane. So on behalve of everyone at Plough Lane we wish you all the very very best at Carmathen and hope to see you very soon and THANK YOU
From Becky
Press Release
2/2/04
DONS SKIPPER TO LEAVE PLOUGH LANE
The news has been announced that Dons Team Captain Chris Hunt is to leave Plough Lane. The ever present, Skipper for the last 2 Seasons, has ironically, been forced into the same situation that made him retire from Speedway in 1985. Chris has been caught in the averages trap with a Calculated match average of 5.008. The British Speedway Promoters Association, despite strenuous resistance from Ian Perkin and David Croucher have upheld Conference League coordinator, Peter Morrish's decision to round 'The Huntsman's average up to 5.01. This makes Hunt eligible to ride in the top 5 only, which positions have already been filled by Team Manager Dingle Brown, so Chris has decided to move to the Carmarthen Dragons.
David Croucher, Dons Co-Chairman for the last 2 years said, "To say I am disappointed would be a monumental understatement. Chris was so disillusioned with the sport in 1985, he sold all his equipment and did not ride again until we met at Reading Training Track in 1999. I invited him to ride for the touring Southampton "Saints" side that I was running out of Poole Stadium, and he readily accepted. When I became involved in the re-opening of Wimbledon, Chris, having ridden for the "Saints " for two seasons, was the obvious choice to Captain the Dons side. A better choice we could not have made. Chris has proved to be a great ambassador for both the Club and the Sport in general. I know what a massive disappointment this news will be to the Fans, the other riders and the Board of Directors, but I also understand why he has made this decision."
He continued, "As one of Chris's sponsors, promoter, Chairman etc, apart from having become close friends, we speak on almost a daily basis. We discussed the possibility of the Dons going up to the Premier League in 2004 as far back as early last year, and Chris made a conscious decision to retire at the end of 2003 if that was what happened. When we subsequently decided, as a Board, that finances would not permit the move up, Chris elected to give it one more Season and has spent the whole winter preparing his bikes and buying new equipment. To then find out that we have gotten our sums wrong and that he is over the average, was a bombshell. It all got down to just one more ride. One more race, without score, would have kept him below the 5.00 point limit."
When speedway racing returned to Plough Lane, Hunt committed himself to the Dons expecting to finish his racing career with the Club he was so proud to have been Skipper of. "Chris is as upset as anyone." added Croucher, "He will miss the fans, the Track Staff, the whole place, but he wants his last Season. He has spent money on machinery and is raring to go. It has always struck me as curious, that, although not often the highest points scorer, never a World Champion, the Grandstand roof rumbles at the cheer of the crowd when Chris is introduced at the start of a meeting. The fans love him, and admire what he has done for Wimbledon. During the difficult times through the 2002 Season when we lost the Track Licence, Chris was the tower of strength that I needed. I got tremendous support from all the riders, but Chris was the brick. It only needed him to say he'd had enough and I may well have packed up. As long as Chris hung in there, so would I, that was the deal. He was, in a way, as responsible for the success of the relaunch of Wimbledon as anyone, and I will always be so very grateful to Chris for all the effort, support and loyalty that he has shown me personally and the Wimbledon Dons Speedway Team."
His choice of a new Club reflects the character of the man. he could have approached Oxford, where he lives, or new Clubs Weymouth or Plymouth perhaps, but he spoke to Nigel Meakins at Carmarthen. Carmarthen are a Club that struggles financially, and is run by Father and Son Nigel and Gordon Meakins. "I know Chris will be looked after at Carmarthen and that the fans will appreciate him" said Croucher, "The Meakins family are lovers of the Sport and understand the difficulties facing riders at this level, I know they will look after Chris and that we shall see him at Plough Lane over the course of the Season. Although I would still have preferred it if he had stayed with us at Plough Lane, I can only wish him all the very best for what will probably be his last year of racing, and say that the Dons loss is the Dragons gain."
Club Chairman Ian Perkin has added his tribute to the GMB Dons outgoing Captain, "Chris has been a first rate Captain for the side and he will be a hard act to follow, I would also like to pay tribute to the hard work that Chris's wife Jan has put into the club as well, the pair of them are a huge loss and I sincerely hope that even if Chris is not riding for us this season both Jan & Chris will continue to be involved with Wimbledon Speedway for many years to come".
Chris Hunt has made his own statement about why he has had to leave the club, " I'm very sad to be leaving Wimbledon this year but as the averages are against me I'm afraid I really have no choice, my thanks to Dave and Ian for their help with this over the past couple of weeks. I would just like to say that the last two years have honestly been the best of my life and it has been an honour and a privilege to have been captain and I have enjoyed every minute. I would like to say a special thank you to everyone at the club who has supported me, especially Dave without whom I would never have returned to competitive racing in the first place. I would also like to thank Barbara Durand who has run my fan club, Vron and Will, Alistair and Julie, Emma and the pit bend loonies and all the Directors and staff at Wimbledon, I've made many friends there in the last two years and you won't get rid of me that easily as I will still come along and support the Dons whenever I can, so hope to see you all again soon. I would also like to wish the Dons a very successful season and without any injuries please this year. After speaking to Nigel Meakins the other day I'm now really looking forward to being part of Carmarthen Dragons team for 2004".
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