LEICESTER’S KO Cup winning captain Sam Masters has become the second rider to be confirmed for the club’s 2027 line-up.
Masters led the Watling JCB Lions to silverware in his first season as skipper when they defeated Ipswich over two legs back in July.
The experienced Australian has been part of the club through all of their recent successes, including Grand Final appearances in 2024 and 2025 as well as last year’s initial Cup triumph.
He experienced mixed fortunes on track personally this year, resulting in his average dropping to 5.96, but he remains a very capable performer at this level with much to offer both when racing and in the pits.
Masters will retain the captaincy next season and he admits a return to the Hydroscand Arena was always his preference for 2027, with his future resolved early in both leagues as he will be back with Oxford in the Championship.
He said: “There was no reason for me to leave. I’m not one to change clubs when I don’t need to, and we’ve been pretty successful at Leicester.
“Okay, we haven’t won the league, but we’ve made Finals and won a few trophies over the last three years, and Stewart (Dickson) is awesome to work with.
“We always enjoy our time when we turn up there on a Monday or Thursday and everything seems to work well, so there’s no reason to change.
“Stewart wanted me back, which I was stoked with, so I’m happy to stay. I had a bit of a rough year this season, I did my job at times but at others I didn’t, and I wasn’t overly stoked with my performances.
“But it’s one of the first years that my average has dropped, and I know why and I’m trying to work on it. I had a bit of an injury which I’m getting on top of, and it’s definitely not as bad as it was.
“It would be really nice to win the league at Leicester. I know that’s what Paul (Cairns), Jen (Crossland) and Stewart are all aiming for. The team is looking good and we’re not just making up the numbers.”
Masters joins fellow Australian Ryan Douglas as a confirmed signing for next season, and the Lions’ new Rising Star will be announced on Friday.
