Despite the loss of Dave Norris and Dean Barker from his meeting due to rearranged commitments with Eastbourne, Matt is delighted to announced that one of the sport’s all time top names, Sean Wilson, has agreed to ride at his Farewell Meeting on September 22nd.

Wilson’s appearance at Somerset’s Oak Tree Arena will be one of the very few opportunities that speedway fans will be able to see him take to the track during the 2006 season due to him not securing a team place this year.

The 36 year old Yorkshireman finished top of the Sheffield averages for the 7th time in a row last season, and rounded off the season by winning the Premier League Riders’ Championship, his 3rd success in this prestigious event.  It was, therefore something of a surprise when Sheffield announced that they would not be retaining his services in 2006, and so it was that Wilson entered his testimonial season without a team berth.

“I was really delighted when Sean stepped forward when I heard that the two Eastbourne boys were unable to ride.” Said Matt at the announcement. “Though Sean hasn’t been riding on a regular basis this year, he is still a class act and to have a rider of his calibre at my meeting is unbelievable!”

In addition to Wilson’s appearance, Chris Neath has confirmed his availability for the meeting.  An Oak Tree Arena specialist, Neath’s connection with Matt goes back a long way, as he explains.

“Matt and myself used to have rare old battles in our junior grass track days, in fact with Simon Stead also being in the line up, it will be just like the old days having the 3 of us together again.”  “Obviously what with riding against each other week in, week out in the junior grass track competitions our families became good friends, as did Matt and myself.” 

With 8 out of the 14 names now announced, speedway fans up and down the country can look forward to further riders being announced in the forthcoming weeks.