LEICESTER Speedway are delighted to announce an extension of their main team sponsorship deal with Watling JCB.
The locally based JCB franchise, whose Head Office is in Whetstone, have been huge supporters of the Lions since first becoming involved in 2015, and they stepped up to become title sponsors two years later.
And after the club enjoyed significant success at Championship level in recent seasons, it’s a huge boost for all at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena to have Watling JCB back on board for the big move back into the Premiership this year.
Watling JCB was formed in 1976 and is now one of the largest JCB sole franchises in the world, specialising in selling new and used JCB machinery into the construction and industrial industries, and then providing product support for those machines.
Andy Raine, Special Projects Director of Watling Group, is a lifelong speedway fan who offers support to the team at all home matches – and he admits he’s relishing the upcoming new season.
He said: “We’re proud to continue as main sponsors of the Lions, and it’s great to see them moving into the top-flight and getting more exposure, which is good for the sponsors, the team and Leicester as a whole.
“I’m very excited about the club being in the Premiership, and obviously as we have close associations elsewhere there are going to be some interesting battles, particularly with Ipswich and Sheffield!
“We have close ties with Guy Nicholls at Tru Plant, who sponsor both clubs, and he’s a big supporter of speedway too, so I’m really looking forward to the season.
“Stewart (Dickson) and the owners have put a really good team together, and it’s one that’s going to challenge. I’m pleased to see Nick (Morris) and Dan (Thompson) staying with us so we have a nucleus from last year, and there are some exciting new signings.
“To have Max Fricke coming in as No.1 is going to be fantastic, as well as bringing in the likes of Bomber (Chris Harris) and Richard Lawson so it’s a good, strong team.
“We’re looking forward to supporting the team, keeping Leicester thriving, and also supporting the Bates family who do fantastic work in the speedway world.”
Lions co-promoter Stewart Dickson has hailed the continuation of what has proved a tremendously successful deal for both parties, as the countdown to the 2023 campaign continues.
Dickson said: “We really appreciate the backing of Watling JCB, they are one of the longest-running sponsors the club has ever had, and it’s great that we’ve managed to bring them a bit of success in recent years.
“The other good thing from our point of view is that Andy is actively involved and comes to every home meeting.
“I’ve had sponsors before who will give you money, which of course is always welcome, but who aren’t actually that keen on speedway!
“It’s great to see them back, and hopefully it will continue well into the future.”
The Watling JCB Lions race their first official fixture of the season against Ipswich in the KO Cup at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Thursday March 30.
