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Post by Administrator on Oct 26, 2009 17:49:12 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Monday 26th October 2009 MORE GOOD NEWS FOR HAMMERS SUPPORTERS
Following the success of the Lakeside Hammers in the recent Elite League Knockout Cup Final their Co Promoters, Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook, have today announced further good news for their supporters. As a thank you to their loyal supporters 2010 Season Tickets will now be available at the same prices as this season up until the end of December. The prices are: - Adults - £290, Senior Citizens and Students - £240 and Children aged 6 to 15 - £72. Current Hammers Season Ticket holders will receive an Application Form for the 2010 season via email although they will also be available on the Club’s online shop via their website at HYPERLINK "http://www.lakesidehammers.com" www.lakesidehammers.com In addition Application Forms will be available at the Raceway Tavern this coming Wednesday, 28th October, during their Celebration Evening, which will see the riders receive their awards for winning the Knockout Cup. The famous Cup will also be on display. During the Celebration Evening special A2 sized posters commemorating the Club’s Cup win will be on sale along with Club merchandise. The pit boards used during the 2009 season depicting the individual riders will be put up for auction during proceedings and those who wish to view the boards may do so on the website. The celebration Evening gets underway at the Raceway Tavern at their Arena-Essex Raceway at 8pm and everyone is invited with admission free of charge. With numbers strictly limited in the Tavern fans are requested to turn up as early as possible.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 10, 2009 13:27:13 GMT
speedwaygp.com/en/newsdetail/a823?SID=ddd7caec0076a143a3a275a02fb95823RICO RETURN? Former Grand Prix rider Lee Richardson would have no qualms about returning to Lakeside on loan after leading the Hammers to their first ever Elite League trophy this term. The Team Great Britain international helped the club defeat Coventry in the Knock-Out Cup Final last month. This was Lakeside’s first silverware since their decision to enter the British top flight in 2004. Richardson is owned by Swindon, but with Leigh Adams set to return to Blunsdon again in 2010, the Brit knows he may have to look elsewhere. Having achieved great success with the Hammers, the 30-year-old, who will also race for Elit Vetlanda in Sweden next year, admits he would be interested in spending another campaign in Essex. He said: “Obviously, Swindon own me, but given my average, there is not a lot of chance of me going back there. “I would love to stay at Lakeside if the possibility arises. Swindon have first refusal on me and I’d obviously like to go back there one day. “But that won’t happen because as long as Leigh Adams is racing, that won’t be possible. It isn’t possible to fit both of us in and pick a good team as well.” Richardson’s Swedish plans for 2010 are already made and he joins World Champion Jason Crump, SGP returnee Jaroslaw Hampel, Patrick Hougaard, Jurica Pavlic, Thomas H. Jonasson, Martin Vaculik, Robin Aspegren and Fredrik Staaf in the Vetlanda squad. But the former Grand Prix racer, who rode in the series from 2003 to 2006, admits he is looking for a change of club in the Polish Extraleague after four years with Czestochowa. He said: “I’ll stay with Vetlanda in Sweden, but I’ll be moving clubs in Poland. I’ve had problems with money there this year. “I took a pay cut at the start of the year and there have been a lot of problems during the year with money. They (Czestochowa) still owe me money at the moment. “I’ve been there four years and I think it’s sometimes good to have a change. So I’ll probably be switching clubs.” speedwaygp.com/en/newsdetail/a823?SID=ddd7caec0076a143a3a275a02fb95823
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Post by Administrator on Nov 16, 2009 17:45:30 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Monday 16th November 2009
HAMMERS BOSS LOOKS FORWARD TO SEASON AHEAD
Hammers Co Promoter and Team Manger Jon Cook is already looking forward to the new season after his return from the Annual Promoters’ meeting in Bournemouth.
This year’s Conference has seen very few changes to the Sport, unlike most previous meetings, and Cook himself has been elected on to the five man board responsible for the day to day running of the Sport.
Jon commented after the Conference saying: "Having missed last year’s Conference and travelling down to this year’s full of dread for another round of changes and unnecessary tinkering I have to say the weekend has been the most sensible of any AGM's I have attended. Clearly we have areas within the Sport on which we can improve and improve greatly in some instances, but the answer to those problems lie with long term planning and a proper strategy rather than rule changes that often last little more than a season. I think all Promoters have accepted this is the way forward. "As a result the room now has a very fresh look about it, particularly at the top table where I am delighted to be sitting with my friend and colleague, Jonathan Chapman, a man who oozes ideas and positivity and, along with the other members, I feel we can bring about considered change to take the Sport forward".
With regards to the Hammers likely line up for 2010 Cook said "We will be talking to all our assets over the next few days to tell them whether they figure in our plans and will set about building our first choice team for next season to carry on the good work of 2009. I would hope that the majority of the team would be familiar to Hammers fans, and to that end we will be announcing our first two confirmed returnees on Friday. "I will also be talking to Swindon with a view to a return for Lee (Richardson) and we are close to agreeing a swap deal to bring a new face to the side towards the lower end of the team, which we hope will be in place within the next fortnight."
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Post by Administrator on Nov 20, 2009 7:56:24 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Thursday 19th November 2009 SHOCK HAMMERS RETURN FOR KASPRZAK
Former Lakeside Hammers favourite Krzysztof Kasprzak is to make a surprise return to the Essex club following a furious day of rider activity on Wednesday of this week.
The 25 year old Pole last rode for the Club in the 2007 season, the first of the Stuart Douglas era, and was a firm favourite with the fans, showing a great mastery of the tight Arena-Essex circuit. He will line up as one of the Club’s Heat Leaders and comes in as a direct replacement for the previously included Great Britain international Lee Richardson who now has been left out of team plans after doubts surrounding his availability, which occurred when his parent club Swindon contacted the Hammers Management on Wednesday afternoon.
A clearly delighted Kasprzak commented: "I am very happy to be going back to Lakeside. I like the track, the riders and the fans and it’s good to be back with Stuart and Jon again. I was using the Club’s workshop in Hemel Hempstead last season and it’s good to be able to keep my set up there and ride back with the Hammers".
Explaining the turn of events Co Promoter and Team Manager Jon Cook said: "Speedway can be pretty crazy at times and once we learnt that Krys was looking for a change this year we agreed a deal within an hour. We had no reason to think that Lee would not have been available to us and had agreed a deal but those circumstances changed and to be able to bring Krys back to the Club was then a no brainer. "I hope that we see Lee racing in the Elite League and pass on our thanks to him for a superb year of service. It’s a shame matters ended in the way they did, but we appreciate that’s the nature of the business. Its great to have Kyrs back as time and again he has shown his liking for our circuit and both he and his sidekick Mark Courtney will again add to the great team spirit we have enjoyed."
The Hammers had planned to announce two signings this Friday before Wednesday's events but they will now be reassessing their options in light of events and no more team news is likely to be released for the time being. Kasprzak will join the team on a loan deal from the Poole Pirates and the Club wishes to thank Pirates owner Matt Ford for his help in making the move possible. The Club will be informing their assets that will not be included in team plans for 2010 over the next week and will release those details at that time, although they have confirmed that young starlet Jerran Hart will remain on loan at Scunthorpe.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 26, 2009 17:08:34 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Thursday 26th November 2009
HAMMERS RELEASE KYLMAKORPI
The Lakeside Hammers will race in 2010 without Finnish international Joonas Kylmakorpi after giving permission for other Elite clubs to talk to the rider.
Kylmakorpi was the longest serving member of last year’s line up and he joins England International Lee Richardson and the retired Phil Morris as the third of the 2009 side not to be included in next season’s team plans.
The Hammers Co Promoter and Team Manager Jon Cook commented on this decision by saying: "Joonas has been a big part of this Club but he has had a terrible run of injuries during the three years of our promotion and also the year before we took over. "Each previous winter Stuart (Douglas) and I took another gamble on his average and his fitness for the forthcoming year but this winter we feel that a change of club is the most likely way we can help Joonas change his luck. On his day he is amongst the most exciting riders around our Raceway and we are sure Hammers fans will give him a welcome reception on his return in another team’s colours next season".
Joining Kylmakorpi on the available list will be Czech Republic rider Lubos Tomicek, who made a brief return to the UK with Belle Vue last season.
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Post by Administrator on Dec 1, 2009 16:23:04 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Tuesday 1st December 2009
DANIEL DAVIDSSON JOINS HAMMERS IN SWAP DEAL
The Lakeside Hammers will include both Davidsson brothers in their 2010 line up with the announcement that Jonas's older brother Daniel has joined the Club as a full asset in a swap deal that sees fellow Swede Ricky Kling's registration switch to the Poole Pirates.
Davidsson will slot into one of the Hammers reserve berths, a position he successfully filled for his former club in their 2008 Championship winning season when Daniel's early season return to the UK was one of the reasons for the turn around in the club’s form. Having displayed a liking for the Arena Essex Raceway both then and in the Pirates nightmare 2009 season, when he was one of the few riders to beat his brother around his home circuit, the Essex based Club believes he will prove to be a great long term signing.
The Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook commented on this signing stating: "I first enquired about Daniel last August when we could have fitted him into our line up but at that time Poole were concerned that he may have pushed up his average and that would have been detrimental to their plans should they have wanted to reintroduce him. "Since then both Daniel and Jonas have been mega keen to link up at Lakeside and once the points average was approved at 40.95 it was clear we would have an opportunity to bring Daniel in. By making the move permanent we can benefit in the seasons ahead from the time and effort we will all put in so establishing Daniel as a consistent Elite League performer, as has already been the case with his brother. "We wish Ricky well in the future, but he had already requested another year away and never really enjoyed his home circuit. It’s a good move for all parties concerned."
Daniel Davidsson joins Krzysztof Kasprzak as the second new addition to the Hammers line up, with both Lee Richardson and Joonas Kylmakorpi not in the 2010 team plans.
Fans are reminded that the special KO Cup celebration 2010 Season Ticket offer ends on 31st December with both Adults and Concessionary prices rising at that time by £25 and £20 respectively. The Club will announce matchday admission prices in the New Year where they will show the first increase in prices since 2005 in line with the across the board rise in admissions in the Elite League.
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Post by Administrator on Jan 14, 2010 9:35:57 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Wednesday 13th January 2010 HAMMERS COMPLETE THEIR 2010 LINE-UP The Lakeside Hammers are now in a position to announce the names of the riders who will represent the Essex based Club in the 2010 Sky Sports Elite League. The Club had previously named two new signings in Polish star Krzysztof Kasprzak, and Swede Daniel Davidsson, the brother of Jonas Davidsson. Kasprzak comes on loan from Poole whereas Davidsson comes on a full contact. In addition to these two riders the Club are now pleased to announce the return for the 2010 season of Hammers assets Jonas Davidsson from Sweden, Adam Shields from Australia, Kauko Nieminen from Finland and British rider Stuart Robson. The final place in the septet goes to a former Hammer, Paul Hurry, who as a 16 year old started his career at the Arena-Essex Raceway. The Club are also announcing their official No.8 to complete their squad. This position goes to Jerran Hart, who is already a Hammers full asset. 18 year old Hart will come into the side as and when required but will continue to gain experience by racing for Scunthorpe in the Premier League and Mildenhall in the National League. The Hammers Team Manager and Co-Promoter Jon Cook is delighted with the 2010 Hammers squad and explaining the selections states: "Once we took the Cup win at the end of last season it was Stuart and my aim to keep the nucleus of that team together as we felt that we had a good thing developing and with another season together we could bring more silverware back to Essex. “Once the points limit, surprisingly for us, was set at 40.95 and not 42 we planned to keep those riders who had the greatest potential improvement in their averages and to fill the gaps left with riders we know will slot into the team. Everyone of this year’s team has at least half a point they can add to add to their average and some can improve by a lot more than that. 'The targets we have set them individually will guarantee us success if reached. Jonas, Adam, Kauko and Robbo are all a pleasure to deal with and each of them genuinely enjoys riding at this Club. Adam even puts up with his dislike of our track to do so, and in Krzysztof we have possibly the very best rider around our Raceway back to lead the team, although both Jonas and Adam want his No.1 spot.
2Bringing Daniel to the Club was something we tried for last summer but in many ways we gain from the fact it didn't happen then as I am sure his average would have increased and may have counted him out this year. "I don't expect him to get to the heights of his brother’s form overnight but I believe we can work together to get him back to where he was in 2008 pretty quickly. Bringing Paul back to fill the No.7 berth is sure to raise a few eyebrows but it’s a no brainer on our part. The only decision to make was whether Paul also doubled up and that’s a major reason why we have waited until today to name the side. We had several offers for Paul to fill this role but the only rider we would have considered to share with Paul was Robert Mear and unfortunately he is without a Premier League ride and therefore he cannot double up." He added, "The nature of Speedway and its averages means that planning for the future at the cost of the present is not a good idea and this year’s League at reserve is no place for riders to make a debut move into the Elite League thus Paul's experience will be absolutely crucial and if he is only half as effective for us as he was against us last year then we will be in for a great year. "We will be purchasing his contract from the BSPA and Paul has set himself a target of being out of the reserve berth by the time the first averages come out ,which, judging by his current level of fitness, I think he has got a real chance of achieving.
"Having Jerran continue his Speedway education at No.8 is also a great bonus and when called upon I am sure he will prove a worthy member of the squad, such has been his improvement over the second half of last year.
“Our goal is clear this year and that is to finish in the top four. The winter changes mean that’s all we need to achieve. Once there we have no points handicap to make up or defend and at that point there will be very few teams in the Elite League who will fancy their chances against us over two legs. "The best team on paper for me is Poole, who benefit, quite rightly, from our points average system that helps the previous year’s lower table teams, and I think that they are the team to judge us against. Over two legs I think a result would be too close to call and that is our plan, although getting into the top four is obviously the first task." For full profiles of all of the Hammers 2010 squad please visit the Club’s website at HYPERLINK "http://www.lakesidehammers.com" www.lakesidehammers.com
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Post by Administrator on Jan 25, 2010 9:36:59 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Sunday 25th January 2010
HURRY HAPPY TO BE HOME
The 2010 Elite League season sees the return to the Arena Raceway of one of The Hammers favourite sons, Paul Hurry. The skipper during the first season of Stuart Douglas' and Jon Cook's takeover of the Club, Paul then endured a torrid few seasons battling a serious, long term arm injury. At one stage during the recovery process, the medical professionals had even talked of the possibility of Paul losing his arm, such was the extent of the damage to the bone. Certainly anyone who saw any of the X-rays would find it hard to believe that they would ever witness Paul's bravery and determination on a Speedway bike again. The ex England international is made of stern stuff, however, and his determination and sheer force of will has seen his recuperation come a full circle as he rejoins his local Speedway team, looking forward to the season ahead. We caught up with him during his preparations for the season opener in March.
How does it feel to be coming back full time with The Hammers? "It feels fantastic! I first rode here as a junior back in 1986, and I've grown up with the supporters and the Club through its many incarnations, so it's always going to be special for me."
It's been a long road back. How is the arm now? "Starting to ride again last season was a big test, but this is the first winter that I've had no operations since 2003! Nine ops, three bone grafts, six plates and forty two screws - it has been a long, hard slog. I'm doing hardcore workouts in the gym, the arm is healed and stronger than ever."
The first winter without an operation means the first time you've been able to prepare properly for the season ahead. How are you set for 2010? "It's gone really well - I'm probably fitter and stronger now, and better prepared physically, than I've ever been before a season starts. On the bike side, I will be concentrating a lot more on Speedway this year, and less on the other competitions, so there's a lot more time to prepare the bikes well in the workshop and as soon as it warms up a bit I'll be out testing and practising."
What are your hopes for this coming campaign? "Firstly, I want to enjoy my Speedway, stay injury free, and get back to winning races home and away. I'd like to do my bit to ensure that The Hammers hit the all important play offs - that's a minimum target."
How do you feel about the make up of the 2010 Hammers team? "I'm really looking forward to racing with these guys. Obviously, I know most of them really well, and have ridden with them a lot already. I've known Robbo for years, and Adam (Shields), KK (Krzysztof Kasprzak) and myself were team mates in 2007. I got to know JD (Jonas Davidsson) pretty well when I was coaching the younger riders at the track in 2008, and of course, I road with his brother Daniel at Poole last year. Kauko (Nieminen) is new to me, but everyone speaks so highly of him, I think we will gel straight away."
And, of course, you are re-uniting with Jon Cook. "It will be fantastic to work with Jon again. There are not many people that have his passion and expertise. We have a really good understanding that goes back many years. As a Team Manger he knows the rules inside out and can see moves coming before the opponents Team Manger has even thought about them."
You are clearly a fans' favourite at the Arena-Essex Raceway - any messages for them? "The Hammers fans have always been really good to me - even when I came back as an opposition rider last year. They've supported me through some really tough times, and now I have an opportunity to repay some of that support. You won't see anyone more determined than me out there this year - determined to bring more silverware back to Essex!"
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Post by Administrator on Feb 8, 2010 17:23:27 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Monday 8th February 2010
HAMMERS DELIGHT IN STAGING PRESTIGIOUS EVENT
The British Under-21 Final is one meeting appearing on the Lakeside Hammers 2010 Fixture List that has given their Co-promoter and Team Manager, Jon Cook, particular satisfaction. The event has been staged at the Arena-Essex Raceway for the past two years and Jon Cook is delighted that the Essex based track has become the regular choice for the prestigious meeting. Jon Cook commented on this news that the Final will stay at the Raceway for the third consecutive year by stating: "We are very excited about being allocated this meeting once again this year and for the Hammers fans there is the added interest of being able to watch one of our own riders, Jerran Hart, competing in the meeting and, hopefully, laying down a challenge to reach the rostrum. These meetings in the past have provided some excellent entertainment and a very high level of competition and we are looking forward to staging the meeting on April 16th." Jerran Hart is a Hammers full asset and will be their Official No.8 this season. He will also compete for Scunthorpe in the Premier League and Mildenhall in the National League. In addition he is the current Under 18 British Champion having won the title in 2009. In 2008, the first year that the British Under 21 Final was staged at the Essex based Club, it was won by Tai Woffinden, who will be competing in the Grand Prix Series this season. In second place was Adam Roynon with Coventry star Ben Barker taking third place. Last season the title was won by former Eastbourne rider Lewis Bridger, who will be riding for Peterborough in the Sky Sports Elite League this coming season. Runner up was the 2008 Champion Tai Woffinden with Joe Haines claiming third place. Fans from up and down the Country will be putting Friday 16th April in their diaries and, once again, a large crowd is anticipated. The British Under 21 Final will be the first of the ‘Super 7even’ Speedway meetings to be held in this Country in 2010.
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Post by Administrator on Feb 11, 2010 8:45:12 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Thursday 11th February 2010
KK COUNTING DOWN TO HIS COMEBACK
Former Lakeside Hammers number 1 and top Polish International, Krzysztof Kasprzak, is counting down the days to his return to the Arena-Essex Raceway next month. Slotting neatly back into the number 1 race jacket that he last wore at the back end of 2007, Krzysztof realises that he will be up against stiff competition within his own team this season. "We have a very good top three for 2010," he said. "Adam Shields is very fast and also very consistent, whilst Jonas Davidsson is extremely quick, particularly around Arena-Essex. I will have to pick up the form I had here in 2007 to ensure I keep top spot." Indeed 2007 proved to be a very good year for Krzysztof, establishing himself as a firm favourite with the Hammers fans, putting in an outstanding performance in the Speedway World Cup, and qualifying for the Grand Prix series, all in the same season. "As a Pole, I was raised on the big tracks, but I learnt a lot when riding the smaller and more technical track at Arena. I'm looking forward to 2010 again being a very big season for me," he said from his home in Leszno. "I enjoyed working with Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook, and I like the set up at the Club. The bosses both get on very well with my friend and mechanic, Mark Courtney, and that makes things work very smoothly for me." Krzysztof was also pleased to see the return of Paul Hurry, another Hammers favourite. "I think Paul riding at reserve will be a real trump card, especially at home," he stated. "His knowledge of the track is fantastic and in the Sky Sports Elite League this year it will be good to have his bravery and experience in the reserve berth. I hope between us we can give the Hammers crowd a lot to cheer about this year". The 2010 season gets underway at the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday 19th March when local rivals, the Ipswich Witches, will be the opposition in the second leg of a challenge match.
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Post by Administrator on Feb 12, 2010 13:02:19 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Friday 12th February 2010 HAMMERS ANNOUNCE THEIR 2010 PRICES The Lakeside Hammers have confirmed they will be bringing their Adult admission prices in line with all other Elite teams this season by moving it up a pound to £16. However all other prices will remain below the national average with no rise in child admission, which remains at £3, or charges for the unemployed of £10, whilst concessions for Senior Citizens, Student and Disabled also increase from £11 to £12. A Family ticket for two adults and two children will cost £36.
Explaining this year’s admissions structure Co Promoter Jon Cook said: "The League as a whole has moved to £16 and we believe that still represents an excellent night’s entertainment. This will be the first increase at the Raceway for at least 4 seasons and it’s fair to say that during that time all of our other costs have increased. However, we have decided to peg the costs for Child admission and to increase the school holidays ‘Kids for a Quid’ scheme which will now also include Easter as well as our summer programme of meetings. "This proved a great success last year and we expect it to be again this time around. With the recession still upon us we felt retaining the unemployed admission at £10 was a sign that we appreciate the hardship some of our Hammers followers are currently experiencing".
Cook continued stating: "We have a good looking Fixture List for the season ahead and having chosen to run bi weekly during the Football World Cup when general public interest will be elsewhere we have a packed August for fans to enjoy. "Season Ticket sales have risen every year from the 80 we inherited to 252 last year and we are well on course to break that record this year. Tickets will be available until April and are priced at £315 for Adults, £260 for Concessions and £72 for Children aged 5 to 15. These prices increase by £10 per ticket if they are purchased using Credit or Debit cards via our online shop, which can be accessed through the Club’s official website at www.lakesidehammers.com "Our focus, however, as it has been in each of our three years here, is to grow our support year on year and we feel that our new pricing plan will help us with that cause.”
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Post by Administrator on Feb 18, 2010 8:39:10 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Wednesday 17th February 2010
HAMMERS ANNOUNCE SEASON LAUNCH FOR FANS
This year the Lakeside Hammers will be opening the doors to their fans at the official Press and Practice Day by moving the session to the late afternoon/early evening of Wednesday 17th March. The gates of the Arena-Essex Raceway, the home of the Hammers, will be open to fans at 5pm and supporters will be able to enjoy watching a full practice from this year’s eight man squad before a special signing session with all the riders being available for photographs and autographs including the complete team being assembled for fans to take their own team pictures. The fans will be admitted to this evening at the Raceway free of charge.
“The fans are a big part of Press and Practice Day - both Jon Cook and I felt that this way many more of them will be able to make their way to the Arena-Essex Raceway after work or school for their first hit of Speedway this year,” said Co-Promoter Stuart Douglas. “We will look after our professional Press requirements earlier in the day, and the extended session will give the lads plenty of track time to blow away the winter cobwebs ahead of our big opening night against local rivals, Ipswich Witches. For all of us, the season can’t start soon enough!” Those Hammers supporters who have not yet purchased their 2010 Season Tickets will be able to do so at the Raceway on the Wednesday evening. These Tickets will be available for collection during the course of the evening. In addition the Hammers Club will be open for placing orders for all official merchandise, including the new teamwear items for the 2010 season. Fans will also have the opportunity to place orders for the new replica team shirts. Those fans who place their orders on the Wednesday evening for these shirts will be able to collect them at the opening meeting against the Witches.
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Post by Administrator on Feb 23, 2010 10:05:33 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Tuesday 23rd February 2010 SPREADING THE HAMMERS GOSPEL Hot on the heels of confirming the 2010 season launch, the Lakeside Hammers have announced that Ian Smalley will be stepping up to the newly created role of Marketing Manager for the Club. Having worked closely in the background with the Club’s Management Team for the last few seasons Smalley, a life long Speedway fan, will be developing a range of new initiatives to help spread the Hammers message. Smalley commented: “It’s been great fun over the last couple of years and we’ve developed some great ideas and some fantastic relationships. On the back of the team’s success last season, now is the time to push on and find as many new angles and opportunities as possible to help increase the profile of the Club even further.” Co-Promoter Jon Cook said: “Moving forwards, Speedway needs to attract a new generation of supporters. Ian's expertise in new media and communication makes him an ideal person to let these potential new fans know that Speedway is a fabulous sport and great entertainment". Using his experience as a Creative Director, Smalley will initially be tasked with increasing the Club’s news output from the start of the season, whilst also exploring both new digital and traditional channels to continue to increase awareness of the Hammers in and around London, Essex and the South East. Smalley continued: “We’ve got some exciting initiatives in the pipeline, some which will be specifically aimed at attracting younger fans to come along to the Raceway. The input of the Hammers fans is also vital in spreading the word and we are creating a new marketing tool kit to help with this. It’s their Club, so any thoughts and ideas to help attract both new and lapsed fans are always appreciated”. Ian Smalley can be contacted by email via the Club’s official website at www.lakesidehammers.com
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Post by Administrator on Mar 8, 2010 10:15:41 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Monday 8th March 2010
HAMMERS GET OUT IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
The Lakeside Hammers Kent based rider, Paul Hurry, will be getting out in the community with the Hammers Community Manager, Mark Sexton, in the build up to the start of the 2010 season. Hurry, who started his Speedway career as a 16 year old with the Hammers, returns to the Essex based Club this season. He will join the Club’s Community Manager by making a personal appearance at the opening of a new store close to the Hammers Raceway. On Friday 12th March the pair will be at the opening of a new Chelmsford Star Cooperative Society store in South Ockendon. The store, which will be known as the S. Ockendon Cooperative, is situated at 3-4 Canterbury Parade, South Ockendon, Essex RM15 6NH and they will be there at 10am. This is not the first occasion that the Hammers and the Chelmsford Star Cooperative Society have worked together as they were involved in some joint initiatives last season. Over the course of the forthcoming season Mark Sexton will be getting out in the community not only at schools but also several other sporting clubs and youth groups. The season gets underway at their Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday 19th March at 8pm when they face local rivals, the Ipswich Witches, in a Challenge match.
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Post by Administrator on Mar 16, 2010 21:39:28 GMT
PRESS RELEASE Tuesday 16th March 2010 THE HAMMERS JOIN FORCES WITH THE ROYAL NAVY Reigning 2009 Speedway Elite League Knockout Cup champions, The Lakeside Hammers, have announced their pride and delight in confirming that The Royal Navy will be a key Corporate Sponsor for the entire 2010 Elite League season. The partnership, which follows the successful alliance established during the Hammers KO Cup winning 2009 season when The Royal Navy sponsored two of the Hammers live Sky Sports meetings, will see The Royal Navy branding on the 2010 Hammers team kevlar’s, bike covers and air fence banners along with a range of other joint promotional and branding opportunities, including live Sky Sports broadcasts, full colour programme adverts throughout the season and a range of interactive initiatives. "Sponsorship deals of this calibre are a rare entity in British Speedway, but this will pave a way forward for all Speedway clubs in the UK," said Hammers owner, Stuart Douglas. "If a brand as magnificent as The Royal Navy can exhibit this kind of confidence in us, then it is demonstrable evidence of the marketability of our Sport. I hope this will provide inspiration for us all." The exciting relationship has been developed with Commander Steve Pearson, who heads up The Royal Navy’s Media and Communications PR division. His main role is to help increase the awareness and understanding of the vital role that The Royal Navy plays both in UK waters and around the globe. Commander Pearson commented: “We are always looking at new channels and initiatives to tell our story, to inform people why we have a Royal Navy. The Royal Navy is important to our Country as over 90% of all our trade arrives by sea everything from electrical goods to food and of course lots of our energy needs and we need to make sure that remains protected.” “Along with global security via our surface fleet, Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, aircraft, submarines and our Royal Marines, The Royal Navy also delivers much more, some of which is often unknown, including our activities in global counter narcotics and counter piracy patrols, also providing humanitarian support as seen recently with RFA Largs Bay in Haiti, through to fishery protection and search and rescue closer to home.” Cdr Pearson added: "Speedway is a vibrant family Sport that crosses the generations and we saw a really positive effect from the Sky Sports meetings last season, so this is a really exciting opportunity, to get our brand out there throughout the season and also, and as equally important, for Armed Forces personnel to follow one of the most dynamic British team sports” Along with Commander Pearson, Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook and five members of the 2010 Hammers team, Captain Adam Shields, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Stuart Robson, Paul Hurry and Kauko Nieminen recently visited HMS Kent at The Royal Navy Dockyards in Portsmouth, where they met crew members and took part in an official press shoot to launch the partnership. A buoyant Hammers Co-Promoter, Jon Cook added: “The tie up of The Royal Navy and the Hammers is manna from heaven. To be associated with such a prestigious name and a prestigious force is beyond our dreams. We had a smaller tie up last year, and it’s grown from there. If you look at the history of The Royal Navy, protecting all of us, for the Hammers to have such a tie up is a real feather in our cap” HMS Kent, a Type 23 frigate, will be The Lakeside Hammers affiliated ship for 2010, with updates of her activities provided throughout the season. In addition a range of local community based initiatives, including ship visits will, hopefully, be established as a part of the Hammers forthcoming community programme. Further information about The Royal Navy can be found on their website at HYPERLINK "http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk" www.royalnavy.mod.ukA short behind the scenes video of the Press Launch can be viewed on the Hammers You Tube channel ( HYPERLINK "http://www.youtube.com/lakesidespeedway" www.youtube.com/lakesidespeedway)
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