LEICESTER have been handed a major boost for 2025 - thanks to the renewal of their main team sponsorship deal with Watling JCB.
The involvement of the locally based JCB franchise with the club now dates back a full decade, and the current sponsorship arrangement was first put in place in 2017 making it one of the longest standing relationships in the sport.
With their Head Office in Whetstone, Watling JCB is one of the world’s largest JCB sole franchises.
They boast an enormous range of new and used JCB machinery which can be sold into the Construction and Industrial industries, and they then aim to provide those machines with the finest level of product support available in the world today.
Watling JCB’s Special Projects Director Andy Raine is very much an active member of the Leicester Speedway set-up, and he is in attendance at the vast majority of Watling JCB Lions home matches.
He said: “I thought 2024 was a great season. The team did so well to reach the Grand Final, and whilst it would have been fabulous to go all the way, it was always going to be difficult and we have to congratulate Belle Vue on their success.
“But it was a positive year in so many ways for Leicester, and it gives the club something further to aim for next season.
“We are delighted to continue our involvement. It’s an arrangement which works well for all parties, and I must stress how proud we are to be able to directly assist professional sport in our own area of Leicestershire.
“I hope everyone can see the work and progress that has been made this year, and that they get right behind it again in 2025 and keep on pushing forward.”
The announcement was made at the club’s end of season party at Leicester CCC, with several of the riders in attendance, and various awards were confirmed.
Lions manager Stewart Dickson’s Rider of the Year was Sam Masters, whilst skipper Max Fricke took the Supporters’ Club award.
Luke Becker, who along with Richard Lawson, was racing in Germany on Saturday, was named as Most Improved Rider.
Lion Cubs captain Joe Thompson took their Rider of the Year award after leading the team to the NDL title, whilst Max James was Most Improved Rider.
With 2024 business now concluded, work has already commenced on planning for next year, and team announcements will be made in due course.
Photo credit: STEVE DIXON
