Thanks to Bryn for the latest news from the Wightlink Islanders speedway team. Ed
Former Wightlink Islander, and the brand new World Speedway Champion, Chris Holder is guaranteed to be given a tremendous reception from all attending Tuesday night’s action at Smallbrook when he returns to the Isle of Wight for the first time since clinching that oh-so-coveted world crown a week ago Saturday in Torun, Poland.
As we have previously reported, we at the club are all very proud indeed to have helped Chris (or ‘Noddy’ as he was affectionately known by our fans!) reach the very top of our high action dangerous sport, with him having spent the first two years of his UK speedway career racing for the Wightlink Islanders in 2006/7 after arriving on these shores as a raw teenager from his native Australia.
Chris then moved onto his current Elite League club Poole in 2008 and, at the age of 25, has now become World Champion – the first of many world crowns we hope he’ll go onto win and, hopefully, inspire many more coming through the ranks at our club both now and in the future to go onto glory on the world stage!
So Chris’ visit on Tuesday demonstrates that he hasn’t forgotten his UK beginnings as he was embarking on his now successful world title trail and so we very much hope that fans will turn out in force to help him celebrate his world crown.
Third time lucky against Mildenhall
Following the last two weeks enforced postponements brought about by our glorious British weather, we hope those elements are a whole kinder this coming Tuesday (Oct 16) and allow the second leg of our National League play off semi-final against Mildenhall at Smallbrook to go ahead at the third attempt.
And could we perhaps be seeing on track amongst the team we’ll be fielding on Tuesday a current Wightlink Islander who will follow Chris’ lead and go onto reach the very top in our sport at some time in the future?
Well that question will be answered in the years ahead but, in the immediate future, the current Wightlink Islanders will be facing the not insignificant task of having to overcome a 22 point deficit after their 58-36 defeat at Mildenhall in the first leg if they are to reach the final where they would meeting either the Stoke Potters or the Dudley Heathens.
As previously reported though we’re under no illusions about the enormity of the task we face but guarantee that all of our riders are totally committed to the cause as evidenced by the fact once again that teenage reserve Adam Ellis will be flying in from his home in France early in the morning so he can ride in the match. He does so having both persuaded his school authorities across the channel to let him AND turning down the possible opportunity of sunning himself in Sardinia where his dad Jon and crew will be and, no doubt, glued to their mobile phones for updates from ex-rider Matt Read and brother Ben who’ll be his mechanics on the night!
Yes let’s very much hope it’s ‘third time lucky’ as far as the weather is concerned and who knows the on-track luck goes our way, the Wightlink Islanders are inspired by Chris Holder’s presence and who knows, a 22 points deficit to overcome may NOT be out of reach!
So we’re urging Islanders (and mainlanders!) to turn out in force at Smallbrook stadium, Ashey Road, Ryde on Tuesday night to cheer on the Wightlink Islanders as they attempt to achieve a remarkable aggregate victory in a match that gets underway at the usual time of 7.30pm.
No date as yet for Saturday’s postponed match at Stoke
As previously reported, Saturday’s away National Trophy match at Stoke was yet another victim to the glorious 2012 United Kingdom weather.
We had hoped to bring you news of a possible re-staging date in this release, but the Stoke management have not been able to provide same at this stage.
Hopefully we’ll soon be in a position to bring you an update on that in the next couple of days.
Image: Lee Jordan under CC BY 2.0
