Team GB Under 21 Manager signs

With the new Speedway season now only days away the Lakeside Hammers have moved to strengthen their backroom staff by adding Team GB under 21 joint manager Neil Vatcher to their own team management set up.

Vatcher has earned a great reputation in a short space of time through his work with young Brits and joins the Hammers setup to look after the Club’s own assets who are racing in the joint Hackney Hawks venture with Rye House and to spearhead the Club’s search for future young talent. He will also be joining in the management of the first team to back up Co Promoter and current Team Manager Jon Cook.

Jon Cook commented on this addition to the Club’s management team by stating: “Neil and I have been in touch regularly throughout the winter and he is clearly a very smart and knowledgeable Speedway man who has learnt his trade via the mechanicing scene and has risen through the ranks very quickly. He has played a huge role in our decision to run the Hawks and without him and his commitment we would not have considered the venture and I believe he has a lot more value to bring to the first team squad over time as well. With Paul Hurry also continuing to be involved and heading Adam Shields’ backroom team as well as continuing his mentor role for Marc Owen and Shane Hazelden we feel we are putting in place now a management structure that will be a huge attraction for securing up and coming young British riders as Hammers of the future.”

The Hammers start their home season at the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday 25th March when they face the Swindon Robins but before then they stage their Press and Practice Day on Wednesday 23rd March. The Wednesday event will be open to the public from 1pm although the invited Press and Media will be asked to arrive at 10.30am. These Press and Media invitations will be sent out shortly.