Western Morning News

Gladiators seek sponsors for new 2023 campaign

- STUART JAMES stuart.james@reachplc.com

PLYMOUTH Gladiators promoter Mark Phillips says he is fully committed to the club riding in 2023, but in such challengin­g times, he is keen to welcome new sponsors to the region’s only speedway club.

The Gladiators were beset with injury problems from day one of their Championsh­ip season this summer, but ended the campaign by finishing in fourth place and making the end of season play-offs.

That was despite the early season departure of Henry Atkins, longterm injuries to Eddie Kennett and Dan Gilkes, a lengthy ban for Ben Barker and significan­t injuries to Alfie Bowtell, Michael Palm Toft and captain Hans Andersen.

Even team manager Garry May admitted he had never seen anything like it in all his time involved in speedway, but he is back to lead the team again on 2023 with the Gladiators team almost ready to be revealed.

However, to help cover the everincrea­sing costs involved with staging profession­al speedway, Phillips has appealed to the Westcountr­y public to turn out in force and for the business fraternity to step forward and help the club in order to progress.

“These are very challengin­g times for everyone and we are keeping our match ticket pricing at 2022 levels and offering season tickets on the basis of a reduction of one complete match pro-rata,” Phillips said.

“Unfortunat­ely, due to a significan­t level of abuse of the previous systems, we will not be offering concession­s this year.

These are very challengin­g times and it was not a foregone decision that we would return in 2023 as a lot of soul searching about the viability of speedway in Plymouth has had to take place.

“We will need everyone to come out in numbers to support the team and would welcome any offers of sponsorshi­p or advertisin­g from the South West or further afield and we will be announcing how you can discuss bespoke packages with us in the next few weeks. Obviously, sponsorshi­p and advertisin­g revenues are vital to our long term sustainabi­lity.

“I can promise everyone that, having committed to running in the Championsh­ip in 2023, Garry, Mattie (Bates) and myself are very excited about the new team for 2023, which we will announce soon. We look forward to making further exciting announceme­nts in the next few weeks.”

On paper, the team the Gladiators had in 2022 certainly looked impressive, but those injuries meant that they were never able to put out their first septet. Guests were often brought in, and/or the Rider Replacemen­t facility used, but it certainly did not help Plymouth’s cause as they battled for silverware.

In another blow last year, the Gladiators saw vandals set fire to one of their water trucks, which left it destroyed and beyond repair, while Phillips had ongoing issues with youngsters gaining entry for free by breaking through the security fence.

That has led to Phillips now charging admission fees to youngsters from the age of 11. A standing admission price or children aged 11-16 is set at £10 (£12 to sit) while adult admission prices remain £18 for standing and £20 to sit. Under-11s are admitted for free.

Season ticket prices (comprising 11 fixtures – eight league, two regional group and one guaranteed KO Cup) are set at £200 for adults (reserved seating), £180 for standing. A child season ticket is £100.

Anypone that can help is urged to contact Mark on markphilli­ps353@ yahoo.co.uk or call

07766 700810.

 ?? Jon Spoard ?? > The Plymouth Gladiators are the only profession­al speedway club still riding in the Westcountr­y
Jon Spoard > The Plymouth Gladiators are the only profession­al speedway club still riding in the Westcountr­y

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