All change as starts get earlier and old skipper swaps sides
PRE-SEASON CLASH WITH COVENTRY SELECT SIDE SEES SWIFT RETURN FOR NICHOLLS
THE Lions have announced that they are moving away from their traditional Saturday start-time of 7.30pm for the forthcoming season.
All senior and junior team fixtures scheduled for Saturdays at the Paul Chapman and Sons Arena will now begin at the earlier time of 7pm.
Leicester’s senior promoter Stewart Dickson said: “We have been thinking about this change for some time and during last year we monitored our attendances for the meetings that began earlier, and for those we had by far the highest figures when compared to our normal 7.30pm start-time.
“It was noticeable, too, that we had an increase in adults with young children, possibly down to the fact that they would be home at a more reasonable time.
“Plans are coming together for the new season which begins next month.
“Extensive work is being carried out in and around the stadium with the emphasis on preparing the circuit for racing.
“The weather has been kind to us and this has meant that we have been able to complete many of the tasks as planned by our track staff.
“They are all volunteers and we are indebted to them as they give up their time at the weekends, which we appreciate.”
Leicester’s second team, the Lion Cubs, begin their defence of the National League title with home and away fixtures against the Belle Vue Colts at the end of March.
Meanwhile, the senior side are not due to start until Saturday, April 11, when they will race a pre-season friendly against a Coventry Bees representative side for the East Midlands Bowl.
The event, dating to 1951, was once the annual traditional opener each year between the two clubs and is one of the oldest derbies in speedway.
Coventry have been absent from senior competition since the end of the 2016 season due to the unavailability of their Brandon stadium.
“Ever since then there has been on ongoing campaign to bring the sport back to the area and it appears that they are making progress,” said Dickson.
“People care deeply about the club and want speedway back. By bringing together a team of seven riders all with past Coventry connections to race against Leicester is our way of playing a small part in the overall scheme of things as the fixture will help to keep the name of the Coventry Bees in the public arena.”
Invitations have already been accepted by Scott Nicholls and Ben Barker to represent Coventry.
Nicholls, who had three separate spells with the Bees during his long and distinguished career, guided the Watling JCB Lions to an historic Shield and League double last season and he is expected to receive an appreciative greeting from fans on his first return to Leicester.
Barker helped Coventry win the Elite League Championship 10 years ago, when the team was managed by Alun Rossiter, who since then has gone on to guide Swindon to three league titles.
Rossiter will take charge of his old club at Leicester one more time for the East Midlands Bowl.