Eagles back the Brits - and are glad they did

The HG Aerospace Eagles will track the team that would have ridden in the Championship last year had the season not been canned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some other teams in the league have been forced to rapidly change plans for 2021 after it became clear a number of riders would opt out of British speedway this year. Coronavirus, potential work permit problems after Brexit and new rules brought in by Polish clubs to restrict anyone who rides for them to one or two other leagues are all factors.

Championship league rivals Kent, for example, have lost Italian Nico Covatti, German ace Erik Riss backed out of Redcar, although Berwick, like Eastbourne, have been able to stick with their 2020 team for this year.

Eastbourne team: Edward Kennett, from Hailsham, Richard Lawson, Lewi Kerr, Kyle Newman, Tom Brennan, Drew Kemp and Jason Edwards.

Club director Ian Jordan said: “We're delighted to start the 2021 season with the same team planned for 2020. Discussions were held over the winter about team strengths with all other clubs having overseas riders.

“We were adamant, sometimes belligerent, in our desire to maintain the points limit, enabling us to field our all-British side. It would have felt a travesty had we been forced to break it up.

“We believe in loyalty, building structure for the future, allowing continuity and team spirit to give us a vital edge. Too often in sport. players are seen as commodities. Speedway riders risk their lives for our enjoyment but are real people, with mortgages, families to feed, experiencing real life strains that we all have.

“When the season can start we couldn't have seven more focused guys to represent us. Hopefully, they will give our wonderful supporters and sponsors a winning team and will win trophies."

Eastbourne returned to senior league speedway in 2019 and immediately went with an all-British team. They see young rider development as a key part of their strategy and intend to rebuild a strong asset base in future years.

It is hoped the famous Arlington training and practice schools will resume in 2021 with some leading riders and coaches lined up to hold specialist sessions involving both track time and bike preparation as part of an academy concept.

More young riders are coming through who will hope to follow in the tyre tracks of famous Eastbourne Eagles who came from the local area, such as Martin Dugard, David Norris and Edward Kennett. Hailsham teenagers Nathan Ablitt and Vinnie Joe Foord are two who will be looking to come through and represent the Eastbourne Eagles.

The club will also have a team of youngsters in a development league which is for riders taking their first steps in team racing. The club hopes to stage delayed 90th anniversary celebrations during the coming season.