Connor’s triple crown

Connor Coles was the big winner at Berwick Speedway’s end of season presentation evening.

The popular Devonian picked up three awards to underline the progress he made in both FTS Bandits and GHT Bullets colours before his season was cut short when he suffered shoulder and arm injuries in the home defeat by Glasgow in August.

He was only able to return to work last week but made the trip north to the Black and Gold on Saturday night.

And the journey back south was accompanied by three awards after he was named as both Bullets and Bandits Rider of the Year, both categories voted for by supporters via the Berwick Speedway website, and the Berwick Bandits’ Supporters Club Rider of the year.

Rory Schlein was voted Bandits Riders’ Rider of the Year by his team-mates with Jamie Halder the recipient from the Bullets.

Berwick co-owner Jamie Courtney admitted that he was extremely disappointed with the on-track results this season which could largely be attributed to a huge injury list suffered by both teams.

“We certainly didn’t get what we had planned for on-track and to not even qualify for the Championship play-offs was way short of our expectations.

“Everyone worked hard to put things right, but it just didn’t happen.

“Without the sponsors and volunteers it just could not happen. A small town such as Berwick could not continue to compete again the big town clubs.

“Not to mention the supporters who kept coming even when we were getting beaten at home. By the end we were down to the hardcore – largely the people who are in the Black and Gold tonight – and it is especially for them that we are working to get it right in 2024.

“Everywhere suffered from the cost of living crisis last winter but I think that in a town such as Berwick where household incomes are already significantly lower it bit especially hard.

“It made the decision to spend money on a night at the speedway that much harder and the results didn’t help, even if the racing was top quality and a string of meetings went to last-heat deciders.

“We’ll be announcing our season pass prices soon and one thing that we were criticised for was the withdrawal of concessionary admission last season. I hold my hands up and say that we have listened to the criticism that decision attracted, and it will be reinstated in 2024.”

PICTURE: TAZ MCDOUGALL