HISTORY

While everything that has been is History, what it has been can define the future. The Lions started out many season's ago in Sovereigns British speedway League here we give you a run down of the teams History.... So far.

Linlithgow Lions speedway team took to the track for the first time back in SL8. Promoter Ross Purnell taking the licence of Norwich Panthers who closed at the end of SL7. SL8 turned into a steady season for the Lions. A 7th place finish in Division 3 was a decent start, they also finished Runners Up in the Division 3 Cup.

In to the second season and some success for the Lions as they raced to 3rd place and so gaining promotion to division 2. A second round exit in the Knock out cup was an improvement on the season before and a semi final place in the division 3 cup also.

SL10 and the Lions were off and running in Division 2, well we were sort of. It was a bit of a culture shock for the Lions team and managment as they struggled all season. Eventually finishing 8th in the league.

SL11 saw the Lions continue in division 2 following the closure of some clubs. Again though they struggled in the league only managing to achieve the same as the previous season finishing 8th.

SL12 and the gods had shined on the Lions once again as they remained in division 2. 3rd time luck as they say as this season they finished 3rd in division 2 gaining promotion to division 1.

The Lions had made the big time in SL13 entering the hardest division in any speedway league. And so it proved as the Lions struggled to make any impression on the teams some of whom had been around since SL1. Thier 10th place finish not unexpected. What was Unexpected however was there run of form out with the league. They would make the finals in both the Knockout Cup and the Division 1 Cup. Losing out to Leeds Jaguars in the Division 1 Cup and finishing runners up to Eastbourne Seagulls the most decorated team in Sovereign history.

SL14 and the Lions were back in division 2. It would be an excellent season for the team as they went on to win the Division 2 title. A sem final place in the division 2 cup, and a best ever fourth place finish in the 4 team tournament a good effort from the team. They would bow out there first ever European campaign at the first round.

SL15 and back in division 1. This season was much the same as the last attempt. A 10th place finish dissapointing for the team. This time however thier was no silver lining as they bowed out of all other competitions at the first round stage.

SL16 back in divsion 2 and a nightmare of a season. A 2nd round exit in the KO Cup the best of a bad season as the Lions finished 9th.

SL17 saved once again by closures else where in the league the Lions started the season in division 2. The season was much improved on the previous one as the Lions finished the league in 6th place. They would once again reach the semi finals of the division 2 cup.

SL18 is probably the season most would like to remove any record of. The Lions finishing 10th in division 2. The team only able to gain 9 wins out of 36 matches during the season. It was a season where riders brought in underperformed, heat leaders turned into reserves only in SL19 to return to heatleaders again, a season where injury also took hold of the team no sooner had one rider returned than another was out injured.

SL19 and a much changed team took to the track. It was a team built to consolodate the Lions place in division 2 having once again been saved by closures elsewhere in the league. The team although unspectacular managed a 6th place finish in the league and a run to the semi finals of the division 2 cup.

SL20 started off horrendously. 1 draw in the league after 6 matches the worst record of any team in any division. It was thankfully not to last as a change in personel changed the teams fortunes and they moved up the table. With an eye on SL21 the team slipped to 8th place in the table knowing thier place in division 2 was safe, and with a platform to build on for the next season.

SL21 seemed almost like a rerun of SL20. The team started off poorly losing 5 out of there first 6 matches. The arrival of Robert Zemljic kick started the season and the Lions soon found there stride to finish 6th in division 2 secruing there place there for another season.

SL22 was a bad one. The team went the season undefeated at home, only 1 other team in the league managed this feat. However it wasn't enough to secure second division racing again. The Lions Relegated to the third division for the first time since SL9. The biggest issue seemed to be a complete lack of any away form.

SL23 Division 3 racing and a dominant season in that division it was. As the Lions romped away in the first few weeks of the season before settling down and eventually winning the division by 12 points. Some new faces made there debut's and some others have moved on. It was a case of Job done for the Lions as they saw themselves back into Division 2 for the coming season.

SL24 back in Division 2 the season started pretty mediocre. It looked as thought the Lions would once again be fighting to tave off relegation. A change after 12 matches changed all that. Matthew Joyce arrived on loan from Willenhall and the team ended the season on fire. Missing out on promotion by just 1 point. They did however have a good run in the 4TT getting to the semi finals. The major win was that of the Division 2 cup. The first cup win in Lions History.

SL25 Saw the team 6th in the league. It was another disappointing season league wise. The team did manage to win the Div 2 Cup for the second season in a row, becoming only the third team to achieve this in the divisions history. The biggest move was the arrival of Matthew Joyce signed from the unattached list for over one million pounds.

SL26. Having bossed preseason and been favourites the Lions had a nightmare that would seen them finish 7th in the league just avoiding relegation. New signing Matthew Davey arrived for £300,000. The team would lose the Div 2 Cup going out in the semi finals. The biggest Speedway show in the world made its way to Scotland as Linlithgows Pride Park stadium hosted the British Grand Prix.

SL27. A season of much promise came to little in the end. A run in the divisional cup ended at the semi final stage with an aggregate loss to Huntingdon. But it was the league that

was most disappointing for the fans and promotion alike. The inability to pick up points away from home the downfall for all teams, and one that hurt the Lions badly. They were close on many occasions but just didn't manage to get over that line. A 6th place finish to the closer to relegation than the hoped for promotion.

SL28 and the Lions are in the running. The team put up a spirited performance as they finished 6th in Division 2. 1 mere point from promotion in the end. In the Divisional cup they failed to get past the qualifying round while in the KOC they progressed to the second round.

SL29 and the team from the off was pushing for promotion. It would be a goal they would achieve finishing 2nd in the division just 1 point off the top spot. They would get to the third round of the KOC as well but it was in the Divisional cup where the real success was as they made it a record equaling 3rd Division 2 Cup Winners joining Willenhall and Brickhill in that feat.

SL30 Back in division one and the same old story. A lack of Academy team causing issues with squad space limited transfers moves. Finishing bottom of the Division a real disappointment compared to the previous season. No real high spots at any point. The team crashing out in the first round of all competitions.