Leicester have named Jim Lynch as the new Team Manager of the Lions.
Lynch was appointed by Coventry in November but with the Warwickshire club having pulled out of the Premiership it left the former Great Britain manager free to accept the offer.
“I hadn’t planned to resume my involvement in speedway until Coventry came along and I hope that their unfortunate demise is only temporary as it will be a big loss to the sport if they cannot find a way back. The offer of a job of team manager at Leicester did come as a surprise I must admit. I have been following in the news recent developments at Leicester and am impressed with the improvements being made since Damien Bates took over the club. After he had outlined his plans for the Lions to me it was an easy decision to accept the post.”
Lynch previously managed the Belle Vue Aces and during his career in speedway he has tasted success at the highest level of domestic competition when he steered Peterborough to the Elite League Championship title. He is aware that Lions fans are hungry for success after three seasons of poor results since their elevation to the top division. “Every team manager starts with the aim of making the play-offs and that is my goal and to do that we need to focus on our home form. I am aware that the win ratio at Beaumont Park has to increase for us to be successful and that is my immediate ambition to get some early wins which will give everyone in the club a boost.”
The composition of Leicester’s team from last season has changed. Only Josh Auty remains and with six new riders signed there is optimism that the club is set to enjoy an upturn in results. “Some clubs have gone for a strong top end at the sacrifice of lower down their riding order whereas others are more compact throughout. I like what I see with our configuration as it is full of exciting characters coupled with young unknown quantities. There is potential growth in the side and that kind of attribute wins matches.”
