STOKE host Buxton and Crewe in a three-team tournament challenge at Loomer Road on Saturday night, 7pm.
Buxton rode in the National League last season but unfortunately closed over the winter while it is the first time a Crewe side has taken to the track in a full meeting since October 1975 at the old Earle Street track in Crewe.
Potters promoter Dave Tattum said “I was disappointed to see Buxton close as they were good close neighbours of ours and quite a few people had mentioned about doing a meeting with Crewe in especially with it being the 50th anniversary of the Kings which is being celebrated by their very active supporters club which is still going.”
The home side will be led into action by Tom Perry who will be accompanied by Joe Lawlor, Luke Priest and Joe Alcock.
The Hitmen from Derbyshire will be led by last seasons’ captain Tom Woolley along with Connor Coles who also linked up with the Hitmen last season as did Corban Pavitt with another former Hitmen rider Shelby Rutherford completing the line-up.
For the Kings former Potters skipper Tony Atkin returns to racing and he will be looking to show that he’s not lost any of his track craft and he will receive some solid support from last seasons’ Stoke rider of the year Max Clegg which will form a very powerful top two for the Kings. Arran Butcher and William O’Keefe complete the Crewe line-up with both riders looking to impress as they are both currently unattached.
Potters team manager Adam Isherwood said “I’m sure it will be a good competitive meeting and that it will turn out to be close. All the Stoke lads are in the meeting with Buxton having riders that have ridden for them three of which are from their side last season and with the Kings well you have Max Clegg who ended the season with quite a few maximum’s and finished third in the Pride of the Potteries and of cause our former skipper in Tony Atkin who will want to put himself in the shop window along with both Arran (Butcher) who we know has potential as does William O’Keefe who is also unattached at the moment so the teams are very even. I’ve been asked why a three-team tournament and we wanted to do something different for the supporters and to involve Buxton and Crewe and I certainly hope that supporters will come out and enjoy wat I believe will be a great meeting.”
LINE-UPS STOKE: Tom Perry, Joe Lawlor, Luke Priest, Joe Alcock BUXTON: Tom Woolley, Connor Coles, Shelby Rutherford, Corban Pavitt CREWE: Tony Atkin, Max Clegg, Arran Butcher, William O’Keefe
