Top rider eyes move to Bandits in 2015

The announcement was made by promoter John Anderson this week, shortly after his return from the BSPA annual meeting at Kenilworth.

The rider has not been identified, but he is understood to have a good track record around Shielfield.

On the subject of team building Anderson said: “I know this is the most important factor for fans, they like to know plans for next season. However, all I can say at present is that to date we have no one signed up.

“We are still actively looking at various avenues of sponsorship and to get a team on track for 2015 is needing support and we have to go out and find it or look for folks to come forward!

“With permissions from clubs who own them we are talking to several guys and one rider, a proven Premier League top heat leader has already notified us that this is the club he wishes to join in 2015, so that is something we are chasing up as well, but there is a lot to sort out before we can make any sort of progress.”

Anderson and co-promoter Dennis McCleary represented the club at the BSPA annual meeting over the weekend.

McCleary commented: In an ideal world we would have liked to see some way of cost cutting across the board, but this is not proving easy.

“A potential idea was to look at the usage of young British reserves similar to the Elite League but where do you start? Do you look at one or two reserves in that bracket and how do you fill positions in Scotland and the north area of the Premier League?

“It is a catch 22 situation! It is of course up to individual teams to decide themselves how they build up their 1-7. However, we were delighted with other ideas which were adopted at the AGM as listed in their official statement.

“Also now included is the guest facility for your lowest reserve, allowing for any guest up to and including his average, plus a percentage increase allowed if you bring in a guest for a home meeting for a missing rider when it is eligible.”

The PL fixture draft will be started shortly by John Campbell the fixture co-ordinator but Berwick and Newcastle have agreed to resurrect the Tyne/Tweed Trophy as season openers, at Berwick then at Newcastle on the last weekend in March 2015, allowing for all the necessary finances to be in place.

This is so vital and the club can only re-iterate it again. Anderson said: “If you want to speak to us and we haven’t as yet spoken to you we are available anytime. A major or associate sponsors is paramount. Our email address is [email protected] or call on mobiles, 07503 540236 (John) 07831 181089 (George Hepburn) or (Lani) 07779 227535 With a minimum (allowing for Peterborough racing) of 12 home league fixtures, three league cup, one KO Cup and the opening challenge that totals 17 home Saturdays as a guarantee, although we would hope to make progress in some of the cup competitions.”

Berwick say they want to complete regular meeting in 2015 by the end of September, leaving October to cover for any spill-over.