Steve Jones becomes guiding light for Stags
34-YEAR-OLD Steve Jones will be the Scunthorpe Stags captain and number one for the 2014 season.
The Glasgow asset, who dropped just one point in his only previous appearance for the club, will perform a crucial role leading a team of inexperienced youngsters through the Stags’ first season in the National League.
Club Chairman Richard Hollingsworth confirmed the club had considered several options but felt Jones was the right man for the job.
“Getting the right personality was the most important factor in our recruitment”, said Hollingsworth.
“Decent team results will be a side effect of our riders’ improvement over the season and not the primary aim. With that in mind, there was no point going for a guaranteed nine-point average rider when other factors are more important. Steve’s strengths are his enthusiasm and positivity and we need a number one with those characteristics who can encourage, guide and motivate his young team mates whilst also riding at number one.
“That is no mean feat and we are very lucky to have a friend of the club like Steve who is so capable of fulfilling that role. On a personal front Steve also believes this is a gilt-edged opportunity to be a part of a team from the start of the season for the first time since 2008 which, ironically, was his best season in the third tier of British speedway. Since then a combination of his age and average have kept his appearances down to a late-season stand-in role.
“Steve did ride in the Premier League as a teenager and he believes he can not only reach that level again but surpass his previous achievements. Glasgow have been fantastic to deal with and, although Steve is a Geordie, he is based in Scotland and there are always Premier League opportunities for riders north of the border, be it on permanent basis or as short-notice guests.”
The club’s relationship with Jones really began in 2012 when he entered an amateur meeting and defeated Gary O’Hare, Jake Knight and Henning Loof in the ‘A’ Final.
He was soon given an opportunity to ride for the club in the National League and scored 12+2 from five rides but it was later deemed by the league that he had been ineligible to ride.
Another amateur meeting win followed before he secured a team place with the Isle of Wight until the end of the season. Then last season his season was cut short after breaking his leg in a National League standard challenge match at the Eddie Wright Raceway.
Hollingsworth added: “Steve had targeted a defence of his Summer Championship crown but his crash put paid to that. However, he has fully recovered and has been getting some laps in preparation for the season.
“His inclusion in the team is yet another advert for our amateur meetings with every rider set to ride for the Stags this season set to have won their places through them. We have another this Saturday and we still have team places up for grabs.
“After this meeting we will chose the seven riders to start the season but there will always be opportunities as the season goes along and we will also be looking into all the classes, including down in the novice class and the junior classes for riders to don Stags jackets in the months and seasons to come.”
Anyone wanting to book a place in this Saturday’s meeting should contact Hollingsworth on 07832-402167 or via richard@scunthorpespeedway.com by 7pm Friday night.
