This from Bryn on behalf of the Wightlink Warriors. Ed
Chris Popple is to join the Wightlink Warriors as the centre green announcer from the start of the season.
Chris, who will also be presenting at Leicester in 2016 said,
“Having followed the IOW campaign with interest since first learning about it back in 2015, I was very surprised and privileged to be invited to present the first fans forum on the Island and then later in the year the second forum. Now I am even more excited to be invited to present the speedway meetings on race nights and have accepted with pleasure.
“I have known Martin Widman since the early construction days at Leicester, where we worked side by side, and from that a friendship grew and I then met Barry Bishop having taken part in one of his ‘My First Skid’ speedway schools, at Leicester. Since that first meeting with Barry, who I found very easy to get along with, we kept in touch and a friendship grew there too. I am very pleased and excited to be working with two of the nicest people that I have been fortunate enough to meet in speedway, and equally excited to be a part of the Warriors team. I was told a lot about the stadium by a long standing friend Richard Lewin, who was once clerk of the course there some time ago. Richard always sung the praises of the track, the staff, and the residents on the Island, and although he often invited me over, I never did find the time to visit, and was much saddened to learn of its closing, in 2013.
“I will continue presenting at Leicester also, where I have been centre green presenter since the first season of the new Lions in 2011 and have learned the craft of presenting speedway, and I thank the promotion for their blessing and good wishes regarding my IOW connection.
“I would describe my style of presenting to be very similar to my 30+ year dj career, where I will strive to give clear, concise race night information to the fans, and also some tongue in cheek witty banter, integrated with some crowd participation, fans & rider interviews, and hopefully play my part in the smooth running of a meeting. I am looking forward to working alongside Phil, the resident dj, and feel that we can learn bits & bobs from each other too.”
Commercial Director Barry Bishop said,
“In addition to this Chris, will also be working with the Warriors very own DJ Phil Lynch from Ryde to help Phil get to grips with speedway presentation and we hope to see some real fun and games with the guys as they settle in to their routines. This is going to be a fantastic year at Smallbrook and we are thrilled Chris will be part of it.”
Skipper Brendan hard at work
Last weekend skipper Brendan Johnson brought an additional meaning to the term ‘getting more track time’ when he grabbed a paintbrush and joined the rest of the volunteer Warriors work party aiming to get the stadium in tip top condition for the start of the season.
And finally
It is confirmed that the Club aim to spread the word about the joys of the Isle of Wight and The Wightlink Warriors still further on Sunday February 21st by taking part in the Celebration of Speedway event at the Paradise Wildlife Park Herts, which as well as being a Zoo and award winning family attraction is also the home of the British Speedway Museum.
