PREVIEW: Northern League 2015

Northumbria’s Neil Magee has sent us a fantastic preview of the Northern League 2015 season. The season kicks off this weekend with Sheffield hosting the most pro-active club in the transfer window, Astley and Tyldesley. Hull make the long jaunt up to Edinburgh and Heckmondwike welcome Northumbria. Champions Stockport and Bury start their campaigns next weekend.

Here is Neil’s break down of how the Northern League sides will shape up over the course of the year, we’ve added in our own “ones to watch” also.


Northern League Division One

ASTLEY & TYLDESLEY

Erroll Thaw n/a
Stephen Whittaker n/a
Leighton Bates n/a
Richard Harrison n/a
Simon Munden n/a
Prezmek Binkowski 3.80
Damian Zareba 3.78
Radek Handke 3.69
Tomasz Wlodarczyk 3.60
Danny Hughes 3.00
Reece Pollitt 3.00
Luke Jamson 2.82
Paul Graham 2.79
Mark Mulvey 2.69
Joe Allen 2.49
Lee Phillips 2.33
Mark Graham 1.74
Max Evans 1.68
Ciaran Collins 1.59
Ron Makin 1.56
Gareth Paine 1.54
Emily Burgess 1.33
Matt Snell 1.25

Astley have made several signings over the winter to significantly boost their squad. Former Stoke quartet Thaw, Bates, Harrison and Munden all arrive from Horspath and have considerable Elite League experience also, while two top Poles have also been recruited from Sheffield in the shape of Zareba and Handke. Additional experience boosts the squad with Stephen Whittaker and Mark Mulvey perhaps backing up.

Reece Pollit will be a youngster to watch for and riding with such good partners as he is likely to have now, can only bring him on further. Luke Jamson and Joe Allen could find themselves at reserve if the Gin Pit outfit is at full strength, while a call to Poland for Binkowski and Wlodarczyk could see the team track four euro stars and end up with a team capable of beating anyone.

If they can get all their new signings on track and call in the big guns when it matters most, there is no-one to stop Astley taking the league title, though the meetings with Stockport will be worth watching out for. With probably the best facilities in the north already, now the club may well have recruited the best team to match it.

33/18 News “One to watch” – Reece Pollitt
Should thrive under the guidance of the new signings, expect Reece to be at the top end of the score sheets this year.


BURY

Chris Parish 3.44
Ben Scranage 3.21
Danny Taylor 2.87
Will Owens 2.80
Kristian Ramsden 2.78
James Elston 2.72
Paul Dyson 2.67
Neil Howarth 2.48
Dawid Renc 2.36
Gary Hollingsworth 2.00
Will Thacker 2.00
Tom Doyle n/a
Chris Dyson n/a

Bury have lost a few riders over the last couple of seasons, but retain a solid team that is more than capable of a top three finish. Their top riders are always consistent and they have several young talents who are improving in great strides at the moment to come through.

If team manager Neil Howarth can keep his top eight together and available for all matches, then Bury will have the measure of almost all but the top two and should have a very decent season.

33/18 News “One to watch” – Danny Taylor
Fast starting and accomplished track rider, at just 15 he’s strong enough to hold some of the quickest gaters around.


EDINBURGH

Craig MacLean n/a
Mikey Hewitson 3.48
Kamil Greszla 3.00
Neil Swanson 2.81
Chris Lee 2.60
Mark Lee 2.56
Neil McPherson 2.54
Ewan Kennedy 2.50
Jake Slight 2.44
Lee Lawrence 2.24
Douglas Morgan 2.21
Marcin Czarkowski 2.14
Callum Slight 1.80
Callum Cairney 1.67
Gavin Kennedy 1.40
Daniel Ordon n/a

The Falcons are a club which is developing some very interesting young riders at the moment, but it could be a couple more years yet until Mikey Hewitson has the back up to lead his team to a title challenge. Kamil Greszla was much faster last season, while the Lee brothers if they can be persuaded not to keep retiring have plenty of potential to be top riders. It’s the generation behind them that provides most hope for the club however.

If Edinburgh can keep this squad together and continue to add to it with their Div 2 squad
continuing to develop, the future is bright north of the border. In the meantime a top half finish may be the best they can manage for now.

33/18 News “One to Watch” – Craig MacLean
It’s unclear how often Olympic track champion, Craig, will turn out for the Falcons, but if he does, his progress will be very interesting to watch.


HECKMONDWIKE

Pawel Idziorek 3.85
Jake Wood 2.90
Adam Watson 2.62
Darren Kent 2.58
Mick Knowles 2.30
Sandra Tomborska 1.79
William Naylor 1.60
Justin Naylor 1.57
Ryan Summersgill 1.54
Declan Summersgill 1.50
Richard Wells 1.50
Laura Watson 1.49
Chris Summersgill 1.46

Having struggled for numbers, Hecky receive a boost with the experienced and fully committed Mick Knowles moving across Yorkshire from Sheffield. The league’s top rider Pawel Idziorek remains loyal to his first club and with stalwart Darren Kent backing them up there is hope for the odd win if all can ride at their best. Adam Watson is a key rider for the future in West Yorks, the fast finishing teenager set to be a very strong rider no doubt, perhaps even this season making the move up to being a full heat leader here.

It’s a shame Heckmondwike don’t ride Div 2, as most of their squad members are of this standard and need the meetings to bring them on. Kent has done a remarkable job to keep the club going and it is hoped he and the riders keep heart, through what will no doubt be another difficult year on track.

33/18 News “One to watch” Adam Watson
Getting quicker all the time and has the track craft to boot, will be a key rider for Hecky this year.


HULL

Andy Angell 3.67
Adam Stephenson 3.56
Corey Graham 3.00
Rob Stockton-Garner 3.00
Ben Swanborough 2.94
Sam Schofield 2.91
Lewis Aylmer 2.80
Craig Boddice 2.57
Nathan Everett 2.43
David Cooper 2.21
Chris Cooke 2.09
Rich Pawson 2.08
Josh Bellis 1.42
Jack Lister 1.33
Katie Greaves 1.09
Bartosz Giemza n/a
Dominic Bent n/a

Hull have a real star top two in multiple British Champ Andy Angell and Adam Stephenson, but are still waiting for a couple of their more younger riders to reach their peak, before they can really challenge for the top. Sam Schofield and Ben Swanborough are not lacking much in skill, but need to push on slightly to provide further back up as heat leaders. There are several riders in the pipeline who should continue to boost this excellently ran club, but they all need a little more track time yet.

If Hull can get their top two to all meetings, they should finish in the top half, otherwise they are in for some close matches with the bottom half of the league clubs. Should still be an interesting season on Humberside.

33/18 News “One to watch” – Sam Schofield
Very impressive in his silver medal performance at the British U16 in Bury. With a bit of self belief, will be up there with the best.


NORTHUMBRIA

Gavin Parr 3.64
Jason Keith 3.15
Michael Parr 2.91
Terry Kirkup 2.19
Daniel Wharrier 2.15
Keith Oldham 2.00
Dan Redshaw 1.98
John Wilson 1.83
Andy Knowles 1.57
Neil Magee 1.33
Jim Graham 1.00

In only their third season back in the sport, the north-easterners still rely heavily on veteran heat leader trio of the Parr brothers and Jason Keith for most of their points. This will be a season where more improvement must be shown from the two Dan’s Redshaw and Wharrier, with the clubs older riders trying to back them up, but sadly not getting any younger.

The Vikings are likely to be battling with Heckmondwike to avoid the wooden spoon, development of their young riders the main focus rather than results. Gavin Parr should remain one of the leagues top riders and continue his remarkable comeback to the sport, if he can maintain his fitness levels, which should be no problem for Northumbria’s ultra dedicated skipper.

33/18 News “One to watch” – Gavin Parr
Outstanding leader who will inspire his team and younger riders forward again this year.


SHEFFIELD

Jason Burke 3.50
Aiden Owen 3.00
James Bunting 3.00
Matt Parrott 2.88
Kyle Holland 2.81
Richard Hudson 2.79
Niall Morton 2.67
Zac Smurthwaite 2.58
Ellie Sullivan 2.50
Sam Haines 2.29
Jamie Langton 2.17
Ed Morton 2.00
Rob Mawhood 2.00
Luke Morton 1.88
Tom Whitwam 1.44

This will be a season when Sheffield’s many young riders must continue to step up, the South Yorkshire club having lost several top riders, as along with the two Poles being lost to Astley, Aussie rider Bobby McMillan has left for Coventry. Kyle Holland is a young man with real leadership qualities and could be the team future No.1, with Richard Hudson a steady rider already at this level and several others are on the verge of breaking through also.

A club that sets the benchmark in developing young talented and disciplined riders, must hope to continue this process. If things progress to plan, the Rockets could be a top side in just a few years provided their young squad stays together and develops the way it should.

33/18 News “Ones to watch”Aiden Owen and Jason Burke
Aiden is a naturally quick, aggressive rider who didn’t look out of place in Sheffield’s Elite League squad last term. Jason has been given the captaincy and will lead by example, expect to see him make a return to the top flight side also.


STOCKPORT

Jack Lush 3.58
Terry Norman 3.54
Ben Higham 3.45
Chris Eaton 3.26
Jake Read 3.22
Mat Lush 3.19
Joe Pickford 2.69
Ryan Harrison 2.13
Louis Wright 2.00
Connor Simpson 1.94
Dylan Radcliffe 1.75
Devon Campbell 1.63
James Barry 1.00

The current league champions will have a major challenger in Astley this season, but may also be under the cosh from university studies, which may rob them of key riders now and then. There is no doubt that in the Lush brothers and Jake Read, Stockport have a trio of the best young riders in the north and with Ben Higham and the still very competitive Terry Norman in back up, if they can get their full team on track, they could yet see off Astley’s various new recruits. They will need the likes of Joe Pickford to continue his rapid improvement if this is to happen however, while Chris Eaton also sports an impressive average after his return last season, Connor Simpson another man to watch who might play a key role.

Could retain their title if they can get their full team on track and win what will be a battle
royale when they face Astley.

33/18 News “One to watch” – Ben Higham
Seemingly under-rated, who mixed it up with the best at Bury in the British Final.


Northern League Division Two

ASTLEY & TYLDESLEY

Mark Graham 3.00
Gareth Paine 2.80
Ciaran Collins 2.76
Max Evans 2.44
Emily Burgess 2.29
Jon Quarmby 2.14
Ben Dickenson 2.03
Matthew Snell 2.00
Ron Makin 2.00
Chris Snell 2.00
Alex Semtyshin 1.75
Janine Paine 1.40
Joe Quarmby 1.29
Charlie Dickenson 1.00
Melissa Boylin 1.00

Astley usually give a lot of track time to youngsters, but with such a star studded Div One team now, could track a potentially strong Div 2 side also. Development will continue to be the key for them and few clubs have a such a committed youth set up, so the future is very bright.


BURY

James Elston 3.49
Danny Taylor 3.41
Dawid Renc 2.87
Will Thacker 2.82
Joe Holloren 2.23
Steve Mann 2.11
Adam Turnbull 2.02
John Whiting 1.60
Louis Turner 1.56
Sean Etheridge 1.33
Daniel Bowler 0.75

Bury track strong sides in Div 2 and have several young riders who are about to develop it seems into top riders, so this could be the year for the Comets to win at this lower level of racing, if they go fo it. If they can get their top six riders on track on their travels, few will be able to see them off and really they should have been up there challenging with Sheffield and Edinburgh last season also.


EDINBURGH

Gavin Kennedy 3.11
Callum Cairney 3.07
Douglas Morgan 2.98
Ewan Kennedy 2.95
Callum Slight 2.88
Marcin Czarkowski 2.87
Ewan Tulloch 2.40
Kieran Swanson 2.40
Louis Kennedy 2.00
Paul Kelly 2.00
Sean Hewitson 1.71
Skye Mitchell 1.67
John Murphy 0.33

Have lost Neil Swanson and Mark Lee from their title winning team, but could yet retain it as they have some younger riders set to make great strides this season. Keiran Swanson, Callum Cairney and Euan Kennedy were all much faster last year and should make the transition into top Div 2 riders soon. Add in always determined skipper Dougie Morgan and Polish flyer Marcin Czarkowski and the team wont need too much back up from a couple of veterans, to challenge again for the top.


GLASGOW

Andy McDougall 3.17
Lorn Traybis 2.80
Shane Lawton 2.45
Joe Beuckmann 2.37
Sean Webster 2.22
Colin Gray 2.17
Jim Alaxander 1.71
Ian Fraser 1.57
Chic Mackie 1.50
Dougie Webster 1.44
Brian Sibbard 1.00

It is great to see Glasgow back and doing what they are doing, a really difficult challenge to
re-establish the sport in the city being met head on. What happens on track is secondary for now to building up the club, with several blasts from the past helping out and Andy McDougal proving a sound leader.


HULL

Rob Stockton-Gardner 3.77
Chris Cooke 3.53
David Cooper 3.37
Nathan Everett 3.35
Rich Pawson 3.15
Dave Lister 3.00
Josh Bellis 2.87
Greg Brown 2.60
Andy Moody 2.33
Jack Lister 2.25
Charlie Wade 2.20
Ed Lister 1.67
Rich Moulson 1.63
Katie Greaves 1.51
Tom Rance 1.20
Masie Angell 1.00

Hull remain very committed to giving track time to their younger ones, which means they may not be at the top challenging, but if they choose to put out their strongest team, they will be very hard to beat. Rob Stockton-Gardner is a young man in a hurry if he only can do more meetings, with Nathan Everett and David Cooper continuing some solid improvement. Another club that others can look to in terms of how to develop and improve riders and this will no doubt be the case again this season.


NORTHUMBRIA

Dan Redshaw 3.40
John Wilson 3.30
Terry Kirkup 3.29
Daniel Wharrier 2.79
Neil Magee 2.66
Andy Knowles 2.56
Fred Mitchell 2.50
Keith Oldham 2.43
Jim Graham 2.23
Dan Thompson 1.60
Norman Carson 1.50
Lee Redshaw 1.18
Lewis Petre 1.00
Daniel Hepple 1.00

If Northumbria chose to put out their top six Div 2 riders, they could surely win this division, but the remit at the club is to give track time to all and continue to build up what is
still a very new club. The ‘two Dans’ may get some matches still, but it is the two ‘newer Dans’ who are likely to form the backbone of home meetings at least, with Daniel Hepple bravely coming back after a nasty injury in his first ever ride in the sport and Dan Thompson proving to be one of the keenest additions cycle speedway will ever hope to find. There remains a whole host of veterans waiting to step if there are places available and their experience can be passed on to the younger lads it is hoped.


SHEFFIELD

Adrian Brownell 4.00
Niall Morton 3.67
Luke Morton 3.25
James Bunting 3.16
Vicky Brown 3.05
Paul Fisher 3.00
Ed Morton 2.94
Ellie Sullivan 2.90
Rob Mawhood 2.83
Rebecca Davies 2.76
Jack Brownell 2.62
Sam Haines 2.57
Charlie Cottam 2.00
Niamh Morton 1.86
Daniel Rushton 1.75
Sam Turney 1.00

Sheffield lost out to Edinburgh in last season’s play-off and should be right up at the top once more this coming season. James Bunting is the main young man to watch out for now, he heading a pack of some real top youngsters, who will be no doubt backed up by the odd wily veteran now and then.


STOCKPORT

Ryan Harrison 3.14
Connor Simpson 3.13
Louis Wright 2.20
Devon Campbell 2.00
James Barry 1.85
Georgina Healey 1.40
Cian Simpson 1.20

A lack of riders at Div 2 level has gladly not put Stockport off from riding at this level, something which Heckmondwike could well note ? Certainly their involvement at this level has brought on several young riders quicker than just Div 1 rides would, although the penalty points incurred as usually Div 1 riders have to help out, precludes the team from enjoying much success in terms of match wins.


Thanks to Neil for his in depth break down. Let the tapes fly!