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Astley & Tyldesley will open their 2007 season this Sunday (11th March) with a
local derby match against Bury. And to add extra spice to what is always a
keenly fought encounter, this will be A & T's entry to the Premier League,
featuring the top nine clubs in Britain.
A & T team manager Mike Hack has been busily adding to the squad that finished
2nd in last year's Northern League. Polish star Remi Burchardt and former
England international Lee Phillips have both returned to A & T (from Bury and
Stoke respectively). Polish Junior international Marcin Malolepszy has been
recruited from Czestochowa, and this fast starting rider will be a great asset
to the team. Five riders have been signed on secondary registrations, for
Premier League matches only. Edinburgh duo Ewan Tulloch and Gavin Kennedy both
make welcome returns to A & T, along with their team mate Craig Newsome who has
had plenty of PL experience previously with Stoke and Wednesfield. Stockport's
Steve Ward, a British Finalist for the past two years, and Hull's rapidly
improving Andy Angell will both add plenty o f
punch to the squad. These eight new signings will certainly boost the remains of
last year's squad. Polish internationals Tomasz Wlodarczyk and Darek Kurkowski,
and British Finalist Chris Finnigan all return to spearhead A & T's charge on
the Premier League. Wlodarczyk (pictured) has been appointed team captain for
the 2007 season.
Off the track, the club has been busy re-surfacing the Gin Pit track in
readiness for the elevation to the PL. A new set of team shirts, in the club's
traditional colours of green, black and white, have been purchased, bearing the
logos of the club's eight sponsors retained from last season - Air Flo; Aqua
Clenz; D. Barnett (Brokers); CTA Direct; Roger Hannah & Co; Hypnotherapy4you;
Kensite Services; Rowlands Solicitors.
Racing takes place at the cycle speedway track, located next to the Astley &
Tyldesley Miners' Welfare Club, Meanley Road, Gin Pit, Astley. Admission and car
parking is free, with programmes and refreshments on sale. The Premier League
match starts at 2 pm, and is followed by a Combination League (2nd team) match.
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