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OLD DONS NEWS |
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Press Release Wimbledon Speedway PLC Press Release No 26 12th March 2003 Dons Take To The Track Wimbledon Speedway have clinched one of the most high profile sponsorships in British Speedway after reaching agreement with the GMB union and will henceforth be known as the "GMB Dons". The GMB is one of Britain's biggest trades unions, with Wimbledon Speedway joining Charlton FC, Brentford FC and Castleford Tigers RLFC as beneficiaries of their support. Chairman of Directors Ian Perkin was naturally delighted, " This is wonderful news for Wimbledon and the sport as a whole. To obtain the support of such a prestigious organisation in this the 75th Anniversary of British Speedway is marvellous news for all GMB Dons supporters." "We are very pleased that GMB Regional General Secretary Derek Hunter will attend our Press and Practice Day on Sunday 23rd March and get his first view of the team in their new race jackets." The Sun's "Millennium" Page 3 model Rebekah Teasdale is one of the star guests who will be present at the Press and Practice Day and will don Wimbledon colours to pose with all the riders and the Dons twice World Champion Ronnie Moore who will also be at the Press & Practice Day. Rebekah will inject a great deal of glamour to the proceedings and Ronnie will be on hand to celebrate the fact that in speedway's seventy fifth year, Wimbledon alone is the only stadium still staging speedway from the first division sides that dominated speedway in the boom years of the 1940's. and early 50's. There will also be a free collector's fair at the stadium for nostalgia buffs. All GMB Dons riders will be attending as they fight for the right to win the inaugural Tommy Jansson Shield, named after the former Dons idol who sadly died in a track crash in 1976. In a bid to inject greater meaning to the proceedings, each rider will receive individual track time and attempt to record the fastest time of the day, F1 style, with the winner at the end of the two hour session presented with the Tommy Jansson shield. Fans are again reminded that the doors open at 1.30 for a prompt 2pm start with admission absolutely free. In team news, Chris Schramm is going to be used on loan from Premier Club Newport this Saturday as the Dons travel to Mildenhall to give last years Conference Trophy winners a stern test. It is hoped that Schramm will be available to provide heat leader cover for the Dons in further matches as Wimbledon continue to search for the last permanent member of their side. Happily Jason Prynne has recovered from his foot injury after intensive therapy with Ipswich based physio Brian Simpson and forms a powerful spearhead with Schramm and Wayne Barrett. New signings Gavin Hedge and Danny Giffard will also be keen to make a good impression while skipper Chris Hunt and Andre Cross form a strong reserve pairing. Wimbledon Speedway PLC Press Release No 25 5th March 2003 It's The Dons For 2003 Wimbledon Speedway today announced that after several weeks of delicate negotiations the trade union have been appointed as main team sponsors of the Wimbledon Speedway team for season 2003. Chairman of Wimbledon Speedway PLC Ian Perkin said, "The Board of Wimbledon Speedway PLC are delighted to announce that the GMB have decided to become our main team sponsor for the forthcoming season and that hence forth the Wimbledon Speedway Team will be known as the Dons. This sponsorship agreement with one of the country's largest trade unions is a sign of just how far Wimbledon Speedway has come in the last twelve months and represents a major milestone in returning Wimbledon to its rightful place in speedway as the sports most successful club. The formal signing of the agreement will take place at the Press Conference which will be held immediately before the Dons Press & Practice Day scheduled to held at the Stadium on Sunday March 23rd at 2.00pm to which admission is free and a time trial competition will be held for the Tommy Jansson Memorial Shield. I hope that as many fans as possible will be able to attend that afternoon to welcome our new signings to the club and show the officials just how enthusiastic speedway fans are about their sport". |
| Wimbledon Speedway PLC Press Release N0 21 05th February 2003 Wimbledon In Sponsorship Talks Wimbledon are in constructive talks with a major UK organisation with a view to them becoming the main team sponsors of the Conference League side for the duration of 2003 season. The organisation in question are prominent throughout the country and also sponsor a premiership football side, and a successful outcome would represent a significant achievement for all concerned with Wimbledon Speedway. Dons Chairman Ian Perkin is optimistic that an agreement can be reached to the satisfaction of both parties. " Attracting a main team sponsor is paramount to the long term success of Wimbledon Speedway. Hopefully we will be in a position to make a positive announcement within the next few weeks." In a further boost for the London side, the local Environmental Health Inspectorate and the Board of Directors have reached agreement that will see all racing end at 10pm. On a maximum of three occasions the deadline may be extended to 10.15 to cover significant delays but no further extensions will be granted. To cater for the 10pm finish and provide time for a meaningful second half, it has been decided to bring forward the start time with the parade now commencing at 7.15pm with the first race due at 7.30pm. The recent appointment of Dingle Brown reporting directly to the Wimbledon PLC Board of Directors, has led may fans to mistakenly conclude that Dons Director Peter Gower has left the club. This is not the case and Peter wishes to assure everyone that he remains fully committed to Wimbledon and will be officiating in the pits on race nights. "I'm working on layouts and artwork for Signage and Advertising, and will be at Stoneleigh to help promote the Dons" commented the popular Gower. End of press release. Barry Pickering Wimbledon PRO |
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| Wimbledon Speedway PLC Press Release N0 23 25th February 2003 Prynne Starts Off On The Wrong Foot! Wimbledon heat leader Jason Prynne may be forced to miss the first weeks of the forthcoming season after breaking his foot playing football. Prynne, who is well known for his spectacular leg trailing style, is the latest in a long line of speedway riders to succumb to freak soccer injuries and is undergoing intensive treatment with ace physio Brian Simpson in a bid to make the opening home meeting on March 26th. Team Manger Dingle Brown admitted that this has given him a few headaches as he finalises the Dons lineup to challenge for Conference League honours. "After all the injuries suffered last season, to possibly lose Jason before a wheel has even turned in anger is frustrating to say the least! It's very much touch and go whether he will make opening night but the laser treatment is a step in the right direction." With the new season nearly upon us, invitations have been sent to head teachers of 150 local schools in Merton, Kingston, Sutton and Wandsworth to bring school parties along to Plough Lane. Chairman of Directors Ian Perkin commented " Last year was all about re-establishing the Dons and with the help of all the supporters who had seen speedway in London in years gone by, that objective was achieved. The next step is therefore to lay the foundations for the future by brining the sport to the attention of a whole new generation who have never seen it before. The offer to all the local schools to bring groups of their students to Plough Lane is a vital part of a marketing strategy expressly designed to achieve that aim. Speedways main problem has always been how do you bring the product, which has always been excellent, to the attention of the public in general and the Board of Wimbledon Speedway believe that establishing links with the local schools is an obvious way of solving that problem. If the plan is successful it will be another milestone in the return of Wimbledon to its rightful place as speedways most successful club" End of Press Release. Barry Pickering Wimbledon PRO |
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