Exciting times ahead for Aces

SPEEDWAY:

BELLE Vue Aces fans can look forward to a promising speedway season, both on and off the track.

Aces’ management have confirmed they are in discussions with Manchester City Council and, although details are scarce, the likely outcome is a move to a purpose-built £6m new home for the club.

The new stadium, with a 340-metre track and accommodation for 7,000 spectators, would be built next door to their current home, at what is currently a hockey centre.

On the track, Aces will boast an exciting new line-up with five fresh signings.

Danish Grand Prix star Hans Andersen and the vastly experienced Swede Peter Karlsson will form a powerful Scandinavian spearhead.

World Championship contender Andersson is a Belle Vue track specialist and has been in the club’s sights for a couple of seasons. Karlsson comes with the pedigree of leading Wolves to the Elite League title last season.

They will get strong support from local favourites Patrick Hougaard and James Wright. Hougaard made steady progress to heat leader status last season and will look to pick up where he left off.

On the other hand, Wright, hampered by injury last year, must hope he can finally turn flashes of brilliance from promise into consistent points-gathering form.

Fresh from Premier League success with Edinburgh, William Lawson is another promising youngster looking to make his mark in his first full season in the Elite League.

Charlie Gjedde, who missed most of last term with a serious shoulder injury, was hoping for a happy return, but the luckless Dane was forced to miss Aces’ Challenge Match victory over Sheffield last week with a knee injury.

The experienced Leigh Lanham will share the vital reserve berth with Sheffield starlet Ricky Ashworth.

The depth and balance of the new squad will make a play-off place a real possibility when the new season gets underway with the visit of Coventry on Monday, March 29.