Linlithgow Lions

Successful Preview Show 4!

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    A year ago the Linlithgow promotion took to the stage at the Pride Park Conference Centre for the second Preview Show. 366 days later and they returned to a capacity crowd.  With the SL30 squad anticipated all to be present the Centre was electric with anticipation.   

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    As the lights dimmed the crowd went quiet as the large screen started showing a history of the Lions, from the team that joined the League some 23 seasons ago in a somewhat ramshackle stadium, to the luxury that Pride Park now gives.  A light show fitting of a top concert followed. Before our host for the night appeared.

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   After a short introduction for the first time on the night Promoter Ross Purnell was brought onto the stage to talk about the previous season.  " Well where do we start I suppose is the question.  It was something of a baptism of fire for the team.  We looked good in preseason and I was confident we could make a dent in the league when it got going.  It just never happened.  We forget that the teams in Division one, a lot have been there for so long they have the money to do as they please.  Get all those big name riders and those of us fortunate to make however fleeting an appearance in the top division just can't compete.  

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We equaled our worst ever season.  Which I'm disappointed with.  The team for many reasons just never settled.  They never really fired at the same time.  We won a few matches at home but never really troubled anybody away.   With most teams having GP riders we constantly lost heats 13 & 15 which was hard to take.  I know the guys weren't happy themselves but for most it was there first time in the top flight.  

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We finished bottom of the table.  As you can imagine the prize money we get for that is, well it wouldn't pay for a round of drinks for you all.  We live and we learn but more importantly we move to the next season. " 

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   To end the chat about SL30 the heat of the season as voted for by the fans via an online vote was shown.  A Pride Park Classic from the match against  Leeds back in week 17.  As the commentary ended the lights went down, and a new video started to play.  This was the part everybody had come to see.  The team for SL31.

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   Each rider was brought out to a hail of cheers, pyrotechnics and the song they hoped the crowd would be hearing, after they had one a heat, a lot of at Pride Park this season.  The assembled squad a young team but already with an abundance of experience.   After the MC managed to get some great interviews from them all, Promoter Ross Purnell was brought back on stage to explain the team and the decisions made during the off season.  

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     Before talking about the team that's been put together he started by talking about those that have moved on "Firstly I have to thank Ray Smith.  He moved on during last season to Bolsover where I'm sure he will continue this season.  He's such a great guy easy to deal with and when Bolsover came asking we talked it through with him and he knew himself it was time for a new challenge.  He's top of some of our all time stats and It will be hard to remove him from there.  Before last season even ended we had sold Kimmo Luoma.  It became clear quite quickly that while the deal with Bolsover was worth a risk.  That risk just wasn't paying off.  We made a deal with Small Heath.  Probably not my best deal ever, should have got more for him but I'm not willing to ask for massive money to a new developing team.  I'd thank him for his services and wish him well at his new club. "

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   Moving on to next season with some big welcome news.  He continued "  We made a mistake last season and I'm happy to admit that.  But for those who like to watch the youngsters develop the first thing to say is the Academy team is back for SL31.  We will begin with  quite the team as well.  Jake Rahman and Ryan Dickson will spearhead the team to start with.  We all know what they can do.  Thomas Wills, Danny Walton and Ross Salisbury will be forming the centre of the team,  to bolster numbers we've added Luke Lamb and Harry Munn from Runcorn.  Both come to us free of charge and thanks to the Runcorn management for that.

 

The senior squad for this season was built in under 2 days.  We needed a new number one, we went looking and Greenhill offered Edvard.  We looked and decided yeah this can be our guy.  He's probably the most organised rider I've ever worked with.  Makes things really easy we can phone him and say can you do this date, checks with his manager and we are sorted in minutes.  We've had guys from the continent I'm sure I'm still waiting for answer from on dates.  Once we had Edvard we needed that final rider.  Well Aaron Joyce became available and we though can we really deal with two Joyce's at the same time?  Yeah of course we can a quick deal was done with Leeds and Aaron was up here on track the following weekend.  He's a much sought after rider and I'm delighted he's come to us.  The others are all returning from last season.  Most have been here for a number of years and due to our awful last season are all on low averages.  Which they shall all make look very silly.  Somehow I've managed to build this team and have Charlie and Jake at reserve.  Quite how I have no idea, but with Ryan sitting at number 8 we have, I think the best reserves in all 3 divisions. I better give Dirk a mention as at times last season he was what was holding this team together.  He really is a joy to watch.  Hopefull this season we've got it right and he won't be relied on so heavily, but I know he will be going for that number one spot in the team Edvard has right now, but also know he wants to dominate the rest of the division.  With Ray moving on really only could have one candidate for captain and Matthew will continue that role this season.  If we can get him back to his best form I fear for the other teams."

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  After the interval Promoter Ross Purnell once again took to the stage to discuss the situation with Pride Park saying "My dream continues.  Their really is no other way to describe Pride Park.   For me it's been a real version of the movie A Field of Dreams.  You know the quote "build it and they will come" well its fair to say by the number amassed in here you did come and in your thousands and for that I'm very grateful.  Without the fans we wouldn't be here.  We made changes to the track two seasons ago now, and it's made for some great racing so no revamp of the track this year again.  We have however added over 1000 seats.  Added a couple of new executive boxes and upgraded our Fine Dining.  I'm sure as you came in you noticed work is continuing on a couple of things.  The first won't effect many of you but our Media Centre is having a make over.  It's been getting a bit tight so we are extending it a bit to help especially for when we get those big meetings.  The other thing you will all notice is that at last the Stadium Screen is getting bigger.  We had hoped it would be in place already but the one they sent originally had a fault so we had to wait on a replacement.  I can confirm it is now here and is being wired up.   A couple of areas have had a bit of work done to them just general maintenance.  "

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With that the team all made their way to the stage for a question and answer session that was meant to last about 20 mins, but inevitably lasted an hour, before things were wrapped up.

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It was another massive success and with it being streamed live for the first time, the Lions again showing the rest the way forward.