Hargreaves’ high hopes for Tigers’ title charge
NEWMARKET JOURNAL APRIL 2011 MILDENHALL STADIUM FEN TIGERS PRESS AND PRACTICE DAY. JACK HARGREAVES.
FORMER Mildenhall Fen Tigers captain Jack Hargreaves sees no reason why the Suffolk side cannot go one better and lift this year’s National League title.
Having skippered the club to glory in last year’s National League Knockout Cup, Hargreaves narrowly missed out on leading the club to league honours with the West Row outfit, going down 92-91 to the Scunthorpe Saints in a pulsating final.
Despite not figuring among the Tigers’ one to seven this season, the 23 year old is optimistic the new-look squad can deliver the goods this time around.
“I think the team looks very strong on paper,” said Hargreaves. “Stefan Nielsen did really well last season and looks to be a good signing.
“I have only seen Josh Bates on the odd occasion, but I think if he settles he can definitely end the season on an average around the five-point mark.
“He has a great team working with him. From last year’s team I think you will see Daniel Halsey step up a gear and I can see him adding at least two points on his average, while Lewis Blackbird is another who should be building on his starting figure.
“As long as the boys can keep the consistency up, they will be in with a great shout of winning the league.”
Now working in a probation centre close to his home in Shrewsbury, the former Birmingham Brummies star has cited the main reason for keeping his kevlars in the cupboard this season is purely a financial one.
“There is nothing more that I would love to do than come back and race for Mildenhall, but financially things cost me a lot last year,” he added.
“It was a big shock last year to find out how expensive pieces of equipment had become.
“With my partner having another baby on the way, costs are going to be going up with my family, so I just don’t think I could afford to race this year as I would need to spend money, which I don’t have, on better equipment.”
With the captain’s role now up for grabs, Hargreaves feels there is only two suitable candidates to fill the vacant position.
“It is hard to say who will take the role on, but I think it rests between Lewis and Daniel,” added Hargreaves.
“If it was down to me I would probably just side with Daniel because he has that bit more experience. But I’ll leave that decision up to Michael Lee.”
Despite spending the next season off the track, Hargreaves hopes to be back on a bike sooner rather later, insisting he is not quite done for just yet.
“I will be popping back down to Mildenhall from time to time next year and both Lewis and Cameron Heeps have said I can have a spin on their bikes,” added Hargreaves.
“I still want to ride and at the end of next year I will look at the figures to see if it is feasible for another shot at it or not.”
Fast-rising Australian Cameron Heeps will get the chance to race alongside some of the biggest stars in speedway after being signed up to appear against the Peterborough Panthers opening meeting.
The 16 year old is to join up with fellow countryman Ryan Sullivan to form part of the Sullivan Seven side to take on the Elite League side on Monday March 19. Among Heeps’ team-mates will be reigning world speedway champion Greg Hancock and former world speedway champion Nicki Pedersen.
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