Ritchie eyes family double

RITCHIE HAWKINS will seal a unique family double tomorrow night if he leads Ipswich to cup final glory.

If Hawkins’ team can overturn a four-point deficit against Peterborough he will lift the Knockout Cup four days ahead of the 25th anniversary of his father Kevin doing exactly the same thing.

That would make them the first father and son in speedway history to both manage a team to a major trophy.

Dad Kevin took Peterborough to the league and cup double in 1992.

Now Ritchie, 33, hopes to make up for the disappointment of losing the league title in the Grand Final.

“The difference is dad did it all in his first season at Peterborough and I’m in my second season in charge of the Witches,” he said.

“I was only eight but I remember a lot about it because when I didn’t have school, I travelled to meetings with dad. If I can do what dad did as a manager then I will be very proud of my achievements.

“When I was growing up all I ever wanted to do was be a rider and to ride for Peterborough.

“Now all I want to do is beat them by more than four points to win my first trophy in management.

“Dad came to the first leg on Sunday and he will be there again on Thursday, but we haven’t really talked about it too much.

“But I know he wants to see me lifting that trophy at the end of the night.”