Thanks to Bryn for this update from the Wightlink Islanders. Ed
There’s most certainly a wind of change sweeping over the make up of the Wightlink Islanders line up with the revelation this week that the fourth member of their 2013 squad will be another new face and that the club are expected to announce a fifth signing this Saturday at their Christmas Dinner.
That fourth member of the Wightlink Islanders new-look squad is Tom Perry who joins his Dudley team mate from this year Darryl Ritchings, Ben Hopwood and Adam Ellis in what many believe is shaping up to be a side who will be real National League title contenders next year.
And if all goes to plan with any possible outstanding formalities being completed in time, the revelation of that further new signing on Saturday at Smallbrook will certainly help to cement those positive beliefs.
Co-manager Chris Hunt was delighted to have completed the agreement that brings youngster Perry to Smallbrook in 2013 saying, “as with last week’s signing of Darryl Ritchings, I’m delighted to be bringing Tom to the Isle of Wight and feel sure he’ll prove to be another excellent signing.
“We’ve had our eyes on him for quite a while now, moved quickly to snap him up when he was made available and I, my colleague Kevin Shepherd and everyone else here at the club are more than happy to have landed him.
“Team building for next year is going well after we reached the decision to freshen things up here on the island and that just what we’ve done with the signings made so far and the one I hope to be in a position to reveal at the Xmas Dinner event in the refurbished Premier Lounge at Smallbrook on Saturday.
19 years old Perry, who this year also rode for Somerset in the Premier League, is eagerly looking forward to the new challenges that his change of NL club will set him and confident that he’ll overcome them.
“First things first though,” he said, “and that’s to complete my recovery from the broken wrist I sustained at the end of this season in a match against Mildenhall and once that’s out of the way, hopefully I’ll grab a quick holiday before getting down to preparing hard for a great new season riding for the Wightlink Islanders.
“I’m really looking forward to riding for the club in 2013 especially as I top scored with 14 points for the Heathens in the league match there earlier this year and am currently actively seeking sponsorship assistance now my immediate future is sorted.
“2013 is certainly going to be a new challenge for me but I’m very much out to prove a point or two and the way the Wightlink Islanders team is shaping up, I think it’s going to be a very exciting season ahead.”
Indeed it’s certainly looking as if it will be and having welcomed Tom to Smallbrook, the question now is just who this fifth signing set to be revealed on Saturday is likely to be?
Eleven or so into seven doesn’t go
By making the new signings we have it does mean of course that we have no room in our side at the beginning of next season for several riders who served us so well in this year’s National League and will always have a place in our fans hearts and the club’s history.
Most notable of those who won’t be back at Smallbrook at the start of the 2013 season are regular team members this year Danny Warwick and Paul Starke and they’ll be missed of that there is no doubt.
We’d very much like to place on record our thanks them and all other riders who rode for us this year but won’t be included in our new look side, for their efforts in the club’s colours and wish them well for the future.
Time to get thinking caps on again …
Indeed it is for the club’s supporters are holding a Pairs Quiz Night next Tuesday (December 11th) in the Premier Lounge at Smallbrook getting underway at 8pm. Cost is a mere £2 per person so come on down!
Image: Lee Jordan under CC BY 2.0
