Linlithgow Lions

The Royal Burgh of Linlithgow.  Home of Linlithgow Palace, birth place of King James V of Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots.  The town lies in the heart of Scotlands highly populated 'central belt' with major cities Edinburgh 20 miles east and Glasgow 33miles west of the town. Other major town's neaby include Livingston, Bathgate and Falkirk.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has also been home for the last 20 seasons of Linlithgow Lions. 

 

Linlithgow Lions are a Speedway club formed back in 2004.  They race their home meetings at the purpose built Pride Park Stadium.  The Stadium resides on the outskirts of the historical royal burgh of Linlithgow.  The stadium currently has a capacity of 15,800, of which 8250 are seats.  The Stadium and its facilities have been extensively upgraded since its inception in 2004.  The stadium currently has a SLSA rating of 2615.  What began as just a stadium has now progressed into a complete complex that boasts its own media centre, a casino and its own hotel.  It continues to evolve each year, already being Scotland's top Speedway venue and in the top 5 of British Speedway stadiums. 

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The club has just completed its 22nd season in the S-league’s Sovereign edition. They have just enjoyed their second consecutive season in the league’s Division 2.  The club has a long history in Division 2.  They first got promoted from Division 3 in SL9.  They then spent the next 2 seasons building before being promoted at the end of SL12. Their stay in Division one was short-lived as they finished 10th in SL13.  That same season the club managed to finish as runner up in the KO Cup and also as runner up in the Division One cup.  Back in Division 2 for SL14 the club won its first trophy as they took the Division Two title.  Back in the top division for SL15 the team once again struggled and again finished 10th.  They then spent the next 7 seasons in Division Two before being relegated to Division 3 at the end of S22. Their stay in Division Three was short as they won Division Three title and the Division Three Cup in SL23.  They missed out on promotion to Division One in SL24 by a solitary point, while last season a run towards the end of the season saw them finish 6th just four points from promotion but just 2 points from relegation so tight was the league last season.  

 

Since their second season in the league the Lions have operated an Academy League Team.  Although they have never won the league a number of riders have come through the system.  Some have had successful careers with the while others have developed then moved on to other clubs bringing in some much needed cash to help develop the next crop of riders.  Current league riders that the Lions brought through include Lions Legend Andy Smith, Mark Hart, Scott Sykes, Adam Moore, Andrew Waters and Rob Barron.  The club continue to bring riders through as Dean Lucas proves this season as he progresses to the senior team.  Joel Loomis is another on the current Lions roster who has appeared for the senior team.  The Academy team finished 3rd in the league last season, inflicting the first home and away defeat, on previous seasons winners Leeds Jaguars, a feat only matched one other time last season.  The future looks bright for the Academy set up at Pride Park and it is one the team are rightly proud of.