LEICESTER are heading into the biggest week in the club’s history.
Both the Watling JCB Lions in the Championship and the Roger Webster Lion Cubs in the National League have topped their respective league tables, and then made it through to their Grand Finals.
Lions edged out Redcar in an epic semi-final to set up a Final clash with Glasgow, whilst the Cubs enjoyed a more straightforward progression but now face a big test against Kent.
And both sides could yet be celebrating a double, with the Lions already having won the Championship Shield, whilst the Cubs still have the KO Cup Final to come against Belle Vue.
The National League Grand Final takes centre-stage at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Wednesday, with what is now the first leg after bad weather forced the early postponement of Monday’s scheduled trip to Kent.
The Lion Cubs will now travel to Central Park next Monday (October 21) for the deciding leg, and will hope to have a lead to defend going into that meeting.
Promoter Neil Machin said: “Youth development is a grossly over-used word in British Speedway, usually to hide other failings, but this year’s Lion Cubs team was totally about progression, not an over 25-year-old in sight.
“Every rider wearing the Leicester colours in 2019 has made massive progress and climbed several rungs of that metaphorical ladder.
“These Lion Cubs now have earned total respect from other league members this year and have proven to have very sharp teeth in competition.”
The Lions, meanwhile, are building up to the biggest meeting in the history of the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena on Saturday.
Aggregate victory over Glasgow in the Championship Grand Final would give them a first-ever league title at professional level – but they know the Tigers will be formidable opponents.
Former British Champion Craig Cook leads the opposition and makes up a powerhouse top-order pairing with Danish star Rasmus Jensen, with the Lions looking to do as well as possible in the first leg at Ashfield on Friday.
Machin added: “Stewart Dickson has worked his magic to get us this far, and with a set of riders who equally want to taste success in what has been an incredible year.
“2019 will live long in our memories for all of the right reasons, and the people of Leicester will be proud to be a part of this success story called Leicester Speedway.”
The home leg of the National League KO Cup Final at Belle Vue has been set for Wednesday October 23, with the away match taking place 48 hours later.
FIXTURE SUMMARY
Wed Oct 16 – Leicester v Kent (NL Grand Final)
Fri Oct 18 – Glasgow v Leicester (Championship Grand Final)
Sat Oct 19 – Leicester v Glasgow (Championship Grand Final)
Mon Oct 21 – Kent v Leicester (NL Grand Final)
Wed Oct 23 - Leicester v Belle Vue (NL KOC Final)
Fri Oct 25 – Belle Vue v Leicester (NL KOC Final)
