Linlithgow Lions

Edvard joins the Lions for SL31 having spent SL30 with third division winners Greenhill.  He started his career on the continent and has ridden for Pori, Prague and Krakow.  Before finding his feet at Horsens.  Last season at Greenhill he added 1.75 to his starting average.  which for a newcomer to the British league is impressive.  Looking forward to SL31 he's already had a lot of laps around Pride Park and should do well.

The German youngster joined the Lions during last season for £150,000.  It now seems like a bargain.  He finished 3rd in the World Under 19 Final last season and also finished an impressive 9th in the World Under 21 Final.  The plan was likely to be just get him an actual average having rode 6 matches but he was that impressive he eventually rode in 25 matches for an average of 4.55. Started SL24 well with the lions before a loan move to Willenhall.  The time in division 1, as he admits himself, was good experience.  SL25 was by his own admission a let down.  Things never seemed to go quite right all season. SL26 saw him take the strides everybody was expecting as he added over 2 points to his average.  A small step back in SL27 as his average dropped by 0.30. SL27 who cares SL28 was where the step up came, spending a lot of the season at number 1.  Added 0.80 to his average in SL29 and firmly established himself as the Lions number 1.  SL30 bright spot for the Lions he impressed many,  his average may have dropped by around a point but back in division 2 for SL31 that should easily increase. 

Matthew Joyce started his career as a 15 year old with Willenhall Wolves. He has made great strides in those 8 seasons winning a number of titles with the Wolves.  He was British Under 19 champion in SL20, British Under 21 runner up in SL21 before taking that title in SL22.  Started SL24 like a train before injury put paid to his run after just 4 league matches.  He featured in 1 more Wolves match last season before a loan move to the Lions.  It was one that suited both the club and the rider himself.  As he formed a formidable top 3 with Slater and Smith. His finishing average of 9.21 the highest in his career so far.  SL25 was a season of stability for the young English man as his average dropped.  SL26 was something of a season to forget for as he was hampered by an injury during the season.  Increased his average by just over a point in SL27 and was looking back to his best.  Continued that trend in SL28 increasing his starting average slightly.  SL29 saw him increase his average mainly based on his home form which was exceptional.  A poor SL30 saw his average drop by over 1.5.  SL31 is a new chance and one he should easily take and improve. 

Joined Burnham Bombers during SL26 on a 6 point average.  Like all newcomers that dropped to a 3.00 by the end of the season.  He had 5 matches during SL27 4 for Burnham 1 for the Lions.  He averaged 3.33 over those matches and was learning all the time.  Rode 1 match in SL28 for the Lions in that match he scored a paid maximum.  SL29 saw the Aussie youngster hit the ground running adding over 3 points to his starting average.  He impressed many during SL30.  His average was consistent through out and the experience will have done him the world of good.  SL31 could be his major break out year.

The 21 year old started his career with Leeds.  He progressed through the youth setup at the Jaguars making his first team debut in SL26.  He has steadily improved year on year with the Jaguars.  He spent last season on loan at fellow first division side Wimbledon Werewolves where he achieved his 5.36 average.  He came fourth in the British Under 21 final in SL30 before finishing 3rd in the World Under 21 Final head at his new home track Pride Park.  Being surplus to requirements at the Jaguars for SL31 the Lions made there move and secured his services.  Pre season is going well and hes showing the potential everybody knows he has. 

The latest star off the Lions Academy production line. British U19 Champion in SL26 he had a quite remarkable season for the academy side finishing with an average of 10.50.  His Academy form was enough to earn him 4 matches in the Lions full team in which he averaged a mind boggling 7.14.  Adding 3.69 to his average in SL27 it was fair to say he hit the ground running in his first full season in the Lions team.  SL28 saw his average drop by a point.  A tough season for the Scotsman.  Had a steady season with his average ending the season 0.1 lower than he started in SL29.  Featured in only 23 matches due to the speedway numbers game.  His first taste of Division one was something of a baptism of fire.  His average dropped 0.5 during the season.  For SL31 he will start at reserve where he should flourish, building his confidence again.

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The Scotsman joined the Lions last season for £260,000 from the unattached list.  He started his career with Cork before moving to Canvey for two seasons.  Paull was his next destination where he again spent two seasons.  SL28 saw him get his big chance in the top division with Stowmarket where he maintained his average.  He moved North to Calderwood in SL29 where he added over 0.50 to his average.  With the Cougars unable to fit him in he was released before the Lions picked him up after week 6 of SL30.  He found the going tough to start but showed on a number of occasions what he is capable of.  It's hoped he can form a potent reserve pairing with Charlie Jenkins, and start adding to that average and undoubted potential he has. 

The product of the Lions Academy Ryan started riding at the age of 9.  He has progressed through the formulas getting on a 500cc bike just 2 years ago.  He rode the final 2 Academy matches of SL28 averaging 4.00 to give him a taste of more senior racing.  He rode in every Academy match of SL29 gaining a 9.05 average.  With the senior team doing so well the inevitable averages meant changes.  Ryan got his chance and took it.  He raced in 17 matches gaining a 3.93 GSA.  The SL30 season was all learning for him as he missed just one match all season.  His average dropped a little but considering the competition he did well.  Will start SL31 at number 8 in the team, but will get plenty of riders in the reformed Academy team until he gets his chance. 

The latest in the line from the Lions Academy.  He rode four matched for the Academy side last season gaining and GSA of 4.50.  The 16 year old is a local lad the fans have really got behind having watched him progress in second halves and practice sessions since he was the 6.  Made an appearance for the senior side and didn't disgrace himself last season.  In the difficult number 6 position in division 1.  Will hopefully take what he learned forward into SL31