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Last Updated: Nov 28th, 2010 - 10:22:29 |
Berwick’s A & J Scott-sponsored speedway Bandits – having been apparently poised to roar into the closing months of the season with a settled, successful squad – find themselves yet again forced into team changes after losing star man Adrian Rymel to serious injury.
As a result the club are introducing, as a direct replacement for Rymel, Grzegorz Stróżyk (pronounced Stroo-shek) the 22-year-old Polish rider who made such a startling 11-point debut as a trialist on Saturday.
“We had the option of going with guest riders at No.1 for the rest of the year,” admitted a Bandits’ spokesperson last night. “However, we prefer to have our own men out there on track whenever possible, Grzeg was available on the doorstep – so we said: let’s give him a chance!
“Stróżyk is an ambitious young man – when his Polish club Wanda Krakow finished their season a couple of weeks ago, he packed two bikes into his van and drove to the UK, begging races from as many British clubs would let him ride trials after their matches.
“Other clubs were biting his ear after they saw his score for us on Saturday – but it was Berwick who got him his British licence and cleared his permission to start racing here, and it is us he has signed on with for the rest of the year!
“I should also make clear that his registration was only signed very late on Monday night, and not lodged with the BSPA office until Tuesday afternoon – so it was interesting to learn of people earlier posting on the internet that he’d already been signed up!
“Berwick Bandits will always make our announcements – through the regular conduits of our club website and official media briefings – but only when deals have been totally signed, sealed and delivered.”
In addition to Stróżyk, the A & J Scott Bandits will reintroduce Craig Branney to the colours.
The popular Cumbrian started the year in superb form, but was forced onto the injury list after crashing out against King’s Lynn in May, and again during his first match back in action, in July against Newport.
Both riders will feature in the deciding leg of the Tweed-Tees Trophy (Bandits lead 46-42 after Saturday’s first match) at Redcar on Thursday (7.30pm), and back at Shielfield on Saturday (7.00pm) in the club’s final regular-season Premier League fixture, against the cosmopolitan Stoke Potters.
“After that, the season stretches ahead into the tantalising prospect of the Young Shield play-offs, which we’ve safely qualified for,” said club owner John Anderson.
“This has been a difficult season, with so many injuries to key riders throughout the year – but we’ve kept things going, always trying to use our own guys instead of guests and not hiring and firing riders every few weeks like some other clubs.
“I’d like to thank our faithful fans, who have been turning out in increasing numbers recently, for their support. I can certainly promise them entertainment, too – the prospect of two crazy Poles (Marcin Rempala and new boy Grzegorz Stróżyk) racing as a pairing in the opening race is mouth-watering!”
Adrian Rymel: On Monday, Adrian was transferred from Edinburgh to the Queen Elizabeth Spinal Injuries Unit at the Southern General Hospital , 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF --- to which address any cards or messages should be forwarded.
This is the main centre for spinal injuries in Scotland, where specialist care is available to aid his recovery. It is currently impractical for visitors to call at the Hospital.
Today (Wednesday 8th) he will undergo a first operation since admission. This will be an orthopaedic procedure to adjust the broken area of his neck.
Adrian has also suffered severe damage to the right side of his spinal cord. His right shoulder was also damaged.
Adrian has been able to move his left leg and arm, and his right arm with difficulty. He has feeling down the right side of his body.
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