LEICESTER will end their tough season with a rider announcement for fans at their final home meeting against Somerset on Monday (7.30).
Club officials have spent the weekend working on a deal for a rider to join the Watling JCB Lions asset base and the news will be revealed at the meeting.
Co-promoter Neil Machin said: “We want our loyal fans to know the news first and to underline that we are building towards the future already.
“As one season ends we have to start working towards the future and that’s exactly what the owners have been doing.”
World Champion Jason Doyle leads the Somerset charge with the Rebels already assured of a play-off spot in only their second season in the top division.
And the meeting also doubles-up as a 90th anniversary celebration for the Watling JCB Lions with a host of former riders confirmed as attending.
Ray Wilson, who represented England at World Team Cup level in the 70s, has accepted an invitation – and current World Champion Jason Doyle, a former Lions favourite, will be in action for Somerset.
Other names from the past to confirm their attendance are Norman Hunter, Graham Plant, Mick Bell, Keith White, Vic White, Colin Meredith, Chris Sully and David Needham. More names are expected to be added during the weekend.
Watling JCB Lions bosses have also revealed there will be a special mini junior meeting at 7pm featuring youngsters representing Leicester Lions and Leicester Hunters. They’ll be wearing special retro race jackets which will be up for auction during the interval.
Fans are also reminded a special commemorative 48-page programme has been produced to look back at the club’s history – and the current day – and will be available at the usual sales points for £4.
TIMETABLE:
5.30pm Stadium Ticket office opens
7pm event starts with a 3 heat junior match. Leicester Lions (Dan Thompson and Jacob Clayton) v Leicester Hunters (Joe Thompson and Jordan Palin). They will be wearing special retro Lions and Hunters race bibs which will be auctioned off at the interval.
7.30pm Leicester v Somerset
Meeting ends with a firework display.
WATLING JCB LIONS: Hans Andersen, Ricky Wells, Charles Wright, Josh Auty, Scott Nicholls, Connor Mountain, Stuart Robson.
SOMERSET: Jason Doyle, Bradley Wilson-Dean, Nico Covatti, Richard Lawson, Jack Holder, Jake Allen, Aaron Summers.
