LEICESTER Speedway can announce a change of management arrangements for NDL and NDT meetings this season.
The club wish to place on record our sincere thanks to Dave Howard, who is unfortunately unable to continue in the role this season on health grounds.
Dave has overseen a stunning record of success for the Lion Cubs since the club joined the third tier in 2019.
Whilst rider progression has always been the main ethos – with Leicester introducing a succession of talented teenagers into league racing for the first time – the trophy success which has followed has been the icing on the cake.
The Lion Cubs became NDL Champions in 2019, 2022 and 2024, topping the regular league table in four out of five seasons. They also clinched the KO Cup in 2019 and 2022, the latter year seeing them add the NDL Pairs to their haul.
Remarkably, in their five seasons of competition, the Lion Cubs have maintained an unbeaten home record, a run which now extends to 42 matches.
And in the last three seasons, taking all matches home and away into account, the Lion Cubs have won a staggering 41 out of 50.
Dave has been a driving force on race-nights, always engendering team spirit and an atmosphere of positivity between the seven riders, and making astute tactical decisions along the way.
With the expansion of NDL operations this season to include the Fox Cubs team in the new National Development Trophy competition, Dave will be stepping back from his role and team management duties for NDL and NDT meetings will be shared between Stewart Dickson and Jen Crossland, both of whom are well known to the riders.
Dickson said: “We have a huge amount to thank Dave for during his time in charge of the Lion Cubs, and I’m sure his success rate puts him right up amongst the very top managers in the history of the NDL.
“We’ve always known the team has been in capable hands with him and that they would always represent Leicester Speedway to the best of their ability, and the record of trophies down the years is testament to that.
“It’s sad that Dave will no longer be manager, but we do understand the position and it’s good that he’s still going to be around at home meetings especially, as we all value the immense contribution he has made to the club.”
Dave leaves his post with all of our thanks and appreciation, and we look forward to seeing him at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park over the year ahead.
