Mildenhall_Fen_Tigers

Mildenhall Fen Tigers

Mildenhall Fen Tigers

British motorcycle speedway team

The Mildenhall Fen Tigers are a British speedway team, founded in 1975, who last raced in the National Development League during 2023.[1]

Quick Facts Club information, Track address ...

History

Mildenhall Stadium

1971–1989

The original track was built in 1971 on farm land owned by Terry Waters, with chef Bernie Klatt the driving force behind establishing speedway in Mildenhall.[2] Klatt had been the head chef at the officers club at the nearby air force base, and later established a restaurant at the track.[2] The track moved to a second area on the same farm in 1973.[3] After running as a training track, the Mildenhall team entered the New National League (division 2) in 1975.[4]

The team competed in division 2 for 15 consecutive seasons from 1975 to 1989. Their best season was the 1979 National League season, where the team won the league title.[5]

1990–2005

Mildenhall versus Oxford in 2004

The team disbanded after the 1989 season but the track remained open from 1990 to 1991. The 1992 season started with fixtures in the Gold Cup and league before the team withdrew from the 1992 British League Division Two season. The club finally found some stability in 1994 when they joined the third tier of British speedway. They had 12 seasons in division 3 and won the league and cup double twice during the 2003 Speedway Conference League and 2004 Speedway Conference League.[6]

2006–present

The club moved up to the Premier League in 2006 when new promoter Mick Horton took over.[7] He also formed a junior side called the Mildenhall Academy that rode in the 2006 Speedway Conference League.

In 2007, Stadium owner Carl Harris formed Fen Tigers Limited with the intention of selling the company shares to the fans. Lifelong supporter Simon Barton bought a major shareholding in the club until the promotion sold to Keith & Jonathan Chapman in August 2008.[8][9] Team manager Laurence Rogers was replaced with former Tigers rider Richard Knight. At the beginning of the season the club struggled to find a sponsor, so uniquely, the fans collectively sponsored the team.[10] Following the 2008 season the club dropped back down to the third division.

In 2010, the team withdrew from the league and had their results expunged but the following season they bounced back by winning the Knockout Cup. The 2012 National League speedway season was even better as they won the league and cup double, although finishing 2nd in the regular season table they won the play off final.[11]

In 2021, the team competed in the third division for the 12th consecutive season and ran out the champions for the fourth time since 2003.[12][13]

After the 2022 campaign there was uncertainty as to whether the club could line up for the 2023 season but in January it was announced they would compete.[14] In 2023, the team went on to win the Knockout Cup[15] but then declared their intention to sit out the 2024 season, following an ownership change.[16]

Season summary

More information Extended content, Year and league ...

Riders previous seasons

More information Extended content ...

References

  1. [1]
    Bamford, Robert (2008). Methanol Press Speedway Yearbook 2008. Methanol Press. ISBN 978-0-9553103-5-5.
  2. [2]
    Butt, Randall (1980) "Dream Come True", Speedway Star, 15 November 1980, p. 7
  3. [3]
    "Fen Tigers are Ready", Speedway Star, 2 November 1974, p. 14
  4. [4]
    Rogers, Martin (1978). The Illustrated History of Speedway. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 129. ISBN 0-904584-45-3.
  5. [5]
    "British League Tables - British League Era (1965-1990)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  6. [6]
    "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  7. [7]
    Bamford, Robert (1 March 2007). Tempus Speedway Yearbook 2007. NPI Media Group. ISBN 978-0-7524-4250-1.
  8. [8]
    "Lynn promoter takes over Tigers". BBC. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  9. [9]
    "Stars buy Mildenhall speedway". Lynn news. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  10. [10]
    "Speedway fans become club sponsor". BBC. 27 February 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  11. [11]
    "Mildenhall Fen Tigers on brink of grand slam". ITV. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  12. [12]
    "National League table". Speedway GB. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  13. [13]
    "FEN TIGERS ARE CHAMPIONS". Speedway GB. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. [14]
    "Green light for Fen Tigers". British Speedway. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  15. [15]
    "Fen Tigers awarded KO Cup". British Speedway. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  16. [16]
    "Fen Tigers call time out". British Speedway. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
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