Bandits sign Hall as replacement for Crang

This follows an earlier switch, with Hynek Stichauer being introduced for the injured Matic Voldrih, who broke his leg whilst racing in Slovenia.

Promoter and team manager John Anderson said: “We decided we needed a bit more strength at the bottom of the line-up, and with Luke Crang currently struggling to provide points despite making the most valiant efforts, we have very reluctantly asked Luke to stand down from the current team, perhaps to gain more experience in the National League, to make way for the more-experienced Richard Hall.”

“Richard’s been around a while, but is only 30, and a solid professional performer. Obviously we know he can score points in PL speedway and felt it was best for the club, and our fans, to boost the squad by making this move while the available points allow it -- and before another club made Richard an offer he couldn’t refuse!”

Hall’ who comes from Northallerton in North Yorkshire, has previously won both the Premier and Elite Leagues.

He was due to start the current season with Redcar, but failed to come to the tapes in March.

He will make his debut for the club in this weekend’s KO Cup clash against Ipswich at Shielfield.

Meanwhile, Hall’s reserve partner, Alex Edberg was taken to hospital following a bad crash in the home League Cup meeting against Workington on Saturday.

Edberg required medical treatment after a heavy fall at the start of heat 12 when brought down Comet Rene Bach.

It was the second major crash of the night as former Bandit Nikki Barrett sustained an arm injury when he smashed into the safety fence on the second bend at the start of heat one and was withdrawn from racing for the evening.

Edberg was complaining of pain in his hip, leg and foot and a county ambulance was called for, but the delay in its arrival meant the meeting could not conclude before the 9.30pm curfew and the 32-34 result, in favour of the visitors, stood.

The return meeting at Derwent Park, which was set for Sunday, was postponed because of heavy rain and will now be rescheduled for a later date.