New man to join Cats (From Dorset Echo)

New man to join Cats

8:50am Saturday 24th July 2010

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WEYMOUTH Weyline Wildcats’ chairman Phil Bartlett will unveil a new signing at tonight’s National League clash with rivals Plymouth (7.15pm).

The new addition arrives at the Wessex Raceway as a temporary replacement for the stricken Terry Day, who remains sidelined after suffering severe concussion two months ago.

And his first task will be to help the rock-bottom Wildcats engineer a victory over the Devils this evening.

Bartlett is keeping tight-lipped on the identity of his mystery man but did reveal that the rider in question boasts National League and Premier League experience, and has previously raced at the home of the Cats.

He said: “Terry’s been signed off for another couple of weeks and I can’t keep using the rider- replacement facility, so I needed to get someone in to fill the gap.

“Using rider-replacement for as long as we did put pressure on the other riders, and their machines, so it wasn’t an ideal situation.

“But we’ve now got someone with Premier League experience and it’s a win-win situation. He will be unveiled tonight, he’s just come back from injury but I’m sure he’ll be a hit with the fans as he’s a hugely experienced rider and it’s like bringing in another Byron Bekker.”

Tonight’s opponents have also made changes to their line-up recently with Paul Starke and former Wildcat Lee Smethills biting the dust, and being replaced by Ben Reade and Dane Nicki Glanz, who returns to Speedway after an 18-month lay-off.

Previewing tonight’s showdown, Bartlett added: “It’s not going to be easy but we’ll put up a fight and our new rider will make us stronger.”

Meanwhile, the Wildcats have been drawn in Group B of the National League Best Pairs, which takes place at Newport on Saturday, August 7 (2.30pm), alongside Buxton, King’s Lynn, Mildenhall and Scunthorpe.

Wildcats: 1 Bekker, 2 TBC, 3 Brown, 4 Cottham, 5 Cockle, 6 Andrews, 7 Chessell.

Devils: 1 Glanz, 2 Gough, 3 Bates, 4 Stephens, 5 Simmonds, 6 Pickard, 7 Reade. Referee: Mick Bates.

* Prior to tonight’s meeting there will be a Southern Classic Speedway Bikes display by the Jubilee Clock (10am-4pm), with Weymouth riders Tom Brown and Richard Andrews also on show.

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