Glasgow v Edinburgh Heat 9

Tigers captain Lee Dicken takes an almighty sweep round Andy Tully on the 1st & 2nd bends to join James Grieves at the front for a Tigers 5-1.

A New Season Approaches

Hello!

All close seasons are tough, but this one has been a killer. The weather has been horrific, work has been hellish, and just as it looked to be getting better, they made me redundant......

Ha!

Looks like someone's gonna have a bit of time on his hands then......

Just as well we're only two weeks away from the first action of the season, the annual Press & Parctice day (Sunday 14th March as far as I can tell). Then it all starts coming thick & fast. Last years cancelled Scottish Open at Armadale, then hopefully a challenge match against Elite League opposition, then we can set about dealing with the business of retaining the Spring Trophy. Before you know it, it'll be coming to the end of October and we'll all be facing up to another barren four months of Seasonal Affective Disorder, long dark nights and no bloody speedway. Enjoy it while ye have it........



Ok, a few new faces to get familiar with this season....

Nick Morris, who impressed a fair few folk last season on his various visits, as well as scaring us all a couple of times too for good measure.

Michael Penfold, a highly rated youngster who will no doubt be seen at Ashfield in some capacity this season.

Jamie Courtney, who rounded out the Tigers line-up at No7 and aims to fulfill a bit of unrealised potential.

and finally....The Moose! Travis McGowan comes to Ashfield on a huge average and with a massive reputation. He'll be expected to score fairly big right from the start, and yes, he won't retain his starting average (a virtual impossibility), but if he can keep to the high nines, or even stay in double figures, he'll be considered a success.

In the 'Other News' Category:

Mitchell Davey has a new website. It can be found here, as well as in the sidebar under 'Riders Websites'. Mitchell's site is rather good. Plain & simple, with no bells & whistles. A homepage, a news section, a sponsors area, profile & a nice wee line in merchandise. Have a nosey around folks. It also contains a header photo taken by some amateur called 'Ewen Nicolson'.

Never heard of him! ;)

The new Tigers racesuits have been causing a bit of a stir. They look damn fine, especially with the race jacket to be worn almost as a detachable part of the race-suit. I've always felt matching race-suits looked a bit naff for some reason, but the new Tigers kit really does look the business. Decide for yrselves.

Cheers to Markw over at the Easy Tiger for the heads up about this weeks Speedway Star, complete with child scaring front cover.......

Only kiddin'! ;) Great to see big Lee get some coverage and a two page centre spread interview. It's looking to be a decent bet he will be Glasgow captain this season, and I can't think of a better more deserving candidate. Shane was 'Mr Glasgow Speedway', but for many Glasgow fans, Lee isn't far off that status in some respects.

Ok, now go play in the traffic, I've got a job to find............

Tigers v Rockets Heat 12

Re-run of heat 12, minus Rusty Harrison. Chris Neath takes the lead, while Lee Dicken & Joel Parsons bash it out for 2nd. Parsons settles it on the third lap and the Rockets take the 5-1 maximum.

Great to see big Lee back and bothering the boards again. Some great moves and passes. Once he's dialled in to Ashfield again, he'll do just fine.

BUGGER!!! >:( (Pt2) Tigers 45 Monarchs 47

Tigers 'Man Of The Meeting', Lee Dicken. We need this guy next season, believe me...........

I did have heat 15 in the can by the way, but my finger slipped and deleted it. Sorry!! ;)

Not a lot to say about todays meeting. Another mugging, another heavy heart come six O'clock, something that only large quantities of Whitbread can sooth............. ;)

So, I'll just leave it at that. I'll be at the junior meeting next weekend, weather permitting (it doesn't look good folks!!) and then that's it! The end to what has been a real bitch of a season. Under no illusions that we'll have a championship winning side next year, but mid-table would be progress.........

Scorecard and match report can be found at the Unofficial Glasgow Speedway site.

Until next year.............

Adios!

Glasgow Tigers v Berwick Bandits Heat 10

Dicken, Makovsky, Ksiezak, Clews

Glasgow Tigers v Rye House Rockets Heat 8

Lee tries everything to get past Luke Bowen. Josh takes third, with Robert Mear at the back.

Glasgow Tigers v Redcar Bears Heat 14

Lee Dicken doesn't mess about in this one, taking the win that saw the meeting go down to the final heat.

Lee Vs Stoney

Not available on Youtube

Lee takes Stonehewer a bit wide on the 1st bend. Stoney then throws the 'strop to end all strops'. The dummy spitting was unfortunately missed by your intrepid camera man, he felt there was nothing in it and didn't realise there had been a stramash until later.

Tigers Line-up Finalised

Although not the quickest out of the blocks to sign a new team, Glasgow have managed to assemble themselves a squad which, whilst never looking to be of 'world beater' standard, is certainly interesting and bodes well for the future.

The final piece of the puzzle is Lee Dicken. Lee caught my eye last year, not so much for his speed (of which there was sometimes not a lot), but the way he rode. Watching him swing high and handsome, riding the boards to try and regain parity was always a treat. When his machinery caught up with his enthusiasm and fearless speed in the middle of the season, he found himself scoring big. A vital component as a reserve, he's also capable of mixing it with the middle order boys and the odd heatleader. A big welcome back to Funky Dicken, possibly on a permanent basis should his requested transfer from parent club Sheffield to Glasgow go ahead. Fingers crossed............

Ashfield Classic

On the start line. Heat 2 Lyons, Stancl, Dicken
Heat 2 action. Lyons leads Stancl and Chris Kerr does battle with Lee Dicken
Derek Sneddon
Jari Makinen
Lee Dicken

The scorecard can be found here and a proper report here.

Dicken Vs Franc

Ok, here it is..............Big Lee on the rampage..............

Some Video.............

Parker romps home in heat 9 against the Rebels. Lee Dicken brings it home in 3rd. Might post more later..............Cheers!