‘I was thinking I’d have a few more seasons with Potters...’
THERE WAS SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE AT STOKE SPEEDWAY THIS WEEK WITH THE NEWS THAT TEAM MANAGER MALCOLM VASEY WAS LEAVING. NEIL EVANS REPORTS.
MALCOLM Vasey admits he thought the rest of his speedway career would be spent with Stoke Potters - but says he couldn’t turn down the chance to rejoin Mildnehall.
The Potters’ team manager and co-promoter brought an end to his nine-year spell at Loomer Road this week to make the move to the Suffolk club.
Vasey, who mentored new Stoke team manager Adam Isherwood last season, admits to mixed feelings about the switch but concedes it is “a terrific opportunity at the right time”.
The multi-faceted official who previously spent eight seasons with the Fen Tigers as announcer and has always had an affinity with them concedes that the coupling of ‘Father Time’ and an arduous journey from his Great Yarmouth base to the Potteries have played a part in him accepting what he termed “the only other job he would have gone to”.
“I had always thought that I would finish my speedway career with Stoke and in some ways I’m sad that that won’t be the case,” said Vasey who has had experience in a variety of roles with a number of clubs including Boston, Scunthorpe and Mildenhall.
“Having said that, the opportunity to join Mildenhall makes life a lot easier and I am quite excited about taking on a new challenge with a club that has a good history.
“I wasn’t looking to leave Stoke and certainly thought I had another few seasons left where I could contribute to moving the club forward.
“But I have to admit the 450-mile round trip to the Potteries was becoming more difficult, whereas Mildenhall is only 65 miles each way from my home.
“It was taking me about four hours to get to Stoke and then you factor in the constant road works, road closures and so on and it wasn’t an easy trip by any means.
“That was part of the job, though, and I was happy to do it. But time catches up with us all and this offer from Mildenhall, and it was them who approached me, has come at a very good time and I am looking forward to taking up the new challenge.
“There are changes going on at (Mildenhall) West Row with new people coming in and the time is right to take on this fresh challenge.
“I have always had a strong affinity to Mildenhall and still know many people there from my days as announcer as well as from the many times I have been there since.
“It’s a lovely place with lovely people and there really is nowhere else that I would have considered leaving Stoke for.”
Vasey linked up with the Potters in 2010 which was their last in the Premier League before making the switch to the third tier of British speedway.
“Part of my coming to Stoke was to get more involved with a Premier League club but it turned out to be a difficult season and the decision was made to go in to a different league,” recalled Vasey.
“That first season in the National League was terrific to be fair and the second one not too bad at all either.
“As much as I had wanted Premier League racing I genuinely do have a lot of time for the young riders coming through and over the years the National League has allowed opportunities for those youngsters to break through.
“We didn’t always have a smooth ride at Stoke, but no-one in the sport puts more effort in than Dave Tattum (Stoke promoter) does. We have had differences of opinion on riders coming in but that is only to be expected and I have a lot of time for Dave and both what he has done and is trying to do.
“There is so much potential and good about Stoke and though crowd numbers have dwindled the supporters really are knowledgeable and loyal, they really are.
“Looking back, and I say this with all respect, I leave Loomer Road with it being totally different to when I arrived. The stadium and in-field look terrific and there is a positivity about the present and the future that is so encouraging.
“I take no credit whatsoever for the work that has gone on at the stadium. That is down to Dave and his team of helpers including people like Lawrence Fielding and Adam Isherwood. They all put so much into improving the stadium and facilities.
“Team managing can be a stressful position and it goes much, much further than turning up on race nights. There can be hours and hours chasing guests or new riders and keeping abreast of the rule book or planning the next meeting. But it’s a role I enjoy and whilst I will give Mildenhall 100 per cent I certainly wish Stoke Speedway every success.
“Dave (Tattum) was very understanding about my situation and was nothing but supportive. I thank him for that and I wish the club and supporters well.”