Scorpions release Wilko

HENDERSON INSURANCE Scunthorpe Scorpions have reluctantly parted ways with club legend Carl Wilkinson, after a 36-48 home defeat to Glasgow Tigers at the Eddie Wright Raceway this evening (Sunday).

The reverse to Tigers was Scunthorpe’s seventh home defeat of the season in the SGB Championship, with Wilkinson failing to score from three outings.

‘Wilko’ first joined the club in 2008, on their elevation to what was then the Premier League.

He has spent seven seasons with the club (2008-2011 and 2015-2017), and only Josh Auty and David Howe have scored more points in Scunthorpe colours since they first joined official league competition in 1972.

Scunthorpe promoter Rob Godfrey says: “I want to say a big thank you to Wilko, for all the years he’s spent riding for the Scorpions. He’s been an integral member of so many of our sides and produced many memorable moments at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

“That made it a difficult decision, because he has been such a big part of the Scunthorpe Scorpions for many years. He helped establish us in this division of racing.

“We knew we’d reached the right time to make this change. But Wilko’s been loyal to the club down the years, and I felt that he deserved one more opportunity to prove that we needed to keep him

“But, sadly, he didn’t have a good evening against Glasgow and team manager Dave Peet had to break the news to Wilko following the meeting.

“It’s never nice to release a rider, especially one with a long association to the club, but at the same time, we have to make the decisions which are the best interests of the Scorpions, and also take on board any feedback from supporters.

“The fans want a winning side, and so do I. We needed changes, and we will be making changes, which take into account the long-term as well as the short-term. They need to be done this week, and we will be putting out a further announcement later in the week.

“But, in the meantime, it’s a big thank you to Wilko, from all at Scunthorpe Speedway, for all the entertainment and all the good times over the last decade.”

Scorpions’ new line-up will be in place for the home meeting against Workington next Sunday (5.30pm).