Stags to run in 2014 National League

Scunthorpe Stags to run in 2014 National League after tie-in with Poole

SCUNTHORPE STAGS will enter the 2014 National League, after a tie-in with reigning Elite League champions Poole.

The Scunthorpe and Poole promotions have joined forces, in what they believe is a framework for success for introducing new talent into British Speedway.

In a fast-track approach to league racing, there will be opportunities for riders to progress from the mini-track at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway, to the Amateur meetings on the main track, to National League and then Premier League racing at Scunthorpe, and then eventually to the Elite League side at Poole.

It offers an exciting new approach to riders without any racing experience in speedway.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey said: “I received a surprise phone call from Poole boss Matt Ford in early December, and that got the ball rolling. To say I was surprised is an understatement.

“Matt put the idea to me with great enthusiasm, spurred on by the new fast-track approach in using British youngsters in the Elite League reserve berths.

“His contribution into the project is the reason that the Scunthorpe Stags will come to the tapes in the 2014 National League. Matt is our partner in the project, and it will benefit both Scunthorpe and Poole speedway clubs.”

The Scunthorpe Stags are unlikely to be the hunt for NL honours in 2014, as the emphasis will be on youth development.

Godfrey added: “We will have a team largely consisting of riders who are brand new to the National League, chosen by Scunthorpe Stags’ chairman Richard Hollingsworth, who is at the frontline of youth development at Scunthorpe Speedway.

“Richard, along with Matt, has enabled the project to happen. I know I can trust Richard to get on with running the Stags’ team.

“I believe this is a great day for British Speedway and that is entirely possible for us to develop another British World Champion, to follow in the footsteps of Scunthorpe-born Tai Woffinden.

“Supporters should not expect miracles overnight. It’s a development side and most of the team will be rookies.

“But the riders we will be bringing in have tremendous potential, and we’re going to take great pleasure watching them develop over the season and into future seasons.

“In recent years, we’ve seen Richie Worrall, Ashley Birks, Steve Worrall and Kyle Howarth, start their professional careers at Scunthorpe, and this season we will have a new wave of youngsters coming in.”

Scunthorpe previously ran in the National League (formerly called the Conference League) between 2005 and 2012. It was the club’s main operation between 2005 & 2007. From 2008 to 2012, two teams ran at Scunthorpe – the Scorpions in the Premier League and the Saints in the National League.

The Saints did not enter the 2013 National League, but 2014 sees the return of a Scunthorpe side in the sport’s third tier.

Due to copyright issues over the Saints’ name and logo, the team will revert to being called the Stags, the name of the Scunthorpe team at the town’s second venue, Ashby Ville, between 1979 and 1985.

* Just to clarify that while it is a partnership between the two clubs, ALL the Stags home meetings will take place at Scunthorpe’s Eddie Wright Raceway.