LEICESTER boss Stewart Dickson has given the thumbs-up to new plans to include a British youngster in every professional team.
A statement from British Speedway Promoters Ltd last week confirmed every Premiership and Championship club must track home grown talent from a pool of riders who are graded by star ratings.
Dickson has again underlined how Leicester were happy to work with whatever rules were put in place and he has already agreed in principle with a new signing to replace the retired Ellis Perks.
But he also has a note of caution as he believes the next crop of world class British talent to follow Tai Woffinden and Robert Lambert isn’t ready yet.
“We need to stick to the five-year plan,” he said. “Leicester Speedway welcome the news that both leagues are promoting British youth with one message.
“However, we need to be patient because I still believe it’s a few years yet before we can start to challenge on the international stage with the talented group of youngsters we currently have.
“It’s a massive step in the right direction for the sport in the UK. We were open minded before the talks and were happy to slot in with whatever was decided, no complaints from us.”
Meanwhile Watling JCB Lions ace Ryan Douglas continued his fine form in Australia with third place in the Jason Lyons Solo meeting at the weekend.
Douglas had to win the ‘B Final’ last chance race to make the final in Mildura and then finished behind winner Rohan Tungate, the former Peterborough man, and Glasgow’s Justin Sedgmen although he did edge out triple World Champion Jason Crump.
