Mildenhall Fen Tigers – Wikipedia

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Mildenhall Fen Tigers
Mildenhalltigers.jpg

Mildenhall Fen Tigers
Track address Mildenhall Stadium
Hayland Drove
West Row
Mildenhall
Country England
Founded 1975
Team manager Malcolm Vasey
Team captain TBC
League National Development League
Website www.mildenhallfentigers.co
Colours Orange and Black
Track size 260 metres (280 yd)
Track record time 49.68
Track record date 14 July 2013
Track record holder Steve Boxall
tier 2 Champions 1979
tier 2 Pairs Winners 1987
tier 2 Fours Winners 1984, 1987
tier 3 Champions 2003, 2004, 2012, 2021
tier 3 KO Cup Winners 2003, 2004, 2011, 2012
tier 3 Pairs Winners 2012
tier 3 Fours Winners 2004, 2012
tier 3 Trophy Winners 2000, 2002, 2004, 2012, 2018

The Mildenhall Fen Tigers are a British speedway team, founded in 1975 and currently riding in the National Development League.[1]

History[edit]

1971–1989[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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 competes 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]

Season summary[edit]

Riders previous seasons[edit]

References[edit]

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