Last Updated on Friday 28th February 2003.
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Monday 27th January 2003.
KIRSTEN JOINS.
Today is the first day of the official close season and, as such, pre-arranged transfer deals are completed.
This sees Pirates involved in 4 deals although only 1 is on a permanent basis. But what a permanent deal to have waiting!
World Champion Jan Kirsten today officially joined the Pirates camp for a fee of £240,000. The deal was no secret as Pirates bought the rider at an auction on December 1st.
The other deals see Deon Standish, who is based in the Houston area, move to Tayside on loan while Jamie McNab moves to Tipton on a short term loan with Harry Moxon making the trip in the opposite direction, also on a short term deal.
Saturday 1st February 2003.
END OF SEASON PARTY NEWS.
Last night saw the riders and fans gather in Hooks' nightclub, at the stadium, for the end of season dance.
Along with the usual round of news there were also 2 trophies on display, the Division 1 championship trophy and the Scottish Cup. This proved a huge draw for fans and there were long queues waiting to getting their picture taken with the trophies and the riders.
The evening started with the usual round of awards.
First up was the Supporters Club Rider of the Year award and that went to teen sensation Jamie Jackson. George Seymour said of the choice, 'It was the signing of Jamie that made the season. We looked a reasonably good outfit but when Jamie started rattling the big scores in we knew we had a chance to achieve our promotion ambitions.'
'He was our trump card at reserve but he continued the big scores when he went to number 1 and maintained a 9.00+ average. He is something special but it was a shame his season ended on a low note when he broke both legs in December.'
Next was the Riders Rider of the Year award and that went to Rickard Reiner. The voting, involving every current member of the club, showed a big majority for the German star ranked number 7 in the world. He said, 'I'm delighted to receive this honour and flattered that my team mates think so highly of me.' Reiner also took the chance to inform the crowd that he had been offered, and accepted, the position of coach for the Pirates next year.
Outgoing club captain Deon Standish said of Reiner, 'Rickard is a quality rider and a quality team mate to have in the pits. He's always got time to give advice or help out. His appointment as coach is a natural progression and I'm sure he'll do an excellent job. Last season may not have been his best average wise but he became the first ever Houston asset to make a World Final and was there, for everyone, all season. It's a well deserved award.'
The final gong was the Supporters Club Most Improved Rider award and there was little doubt where it was heading. Jamie Jackson picked up his second award of the evening having increased his GSA last season from 4.80 to 9.73, a whopping 4.93! Jacko said, 'What a night! I'm so happy to have been given these awards and it, sort of, makes up for missing the Div1 Riders Championships because of my injury.'
Club promoter George Seymour then took the mic and informed the Pirates fans that there were going to be £155,000 worth of improvements during the close season. Capacity will increase to 11,000 with 7,000 seated and 4,000 standing places. Auto Auctions will be added and an air fence will be bought at a cost of £100,000.
He finished by announcing that the 3rd Annual Scottish will be held on Monday 24th of March, the first of 2 individual events to be held at the track this season.
Sunday 2nd February 2002.
LEHTO LEAVES.
Pirates have sold Kim Lehto to Division 1 Witham for a fee of £30,000 plus Martyn Palmer moving in the opposite direction.
Lehto, who has a GSA of 7.97, has only ridden 7 times in 2 seasons for the Pirates having spent most of his time out on loan. He was, however, instrumental in the clubs Division 1 cup success in 2001.
Making the journey in the other direction is 21 year old Martyn Palmer. He is a 2.00 rider although he boasts an 8.14 YDL average which is where he'll mostly be used. He is now the second YDL'er, after Seth Latimer, that the Pirates have purchased from Witham over the last 5 weeks.
This means that there is now no place for Mel Allis and he has been released from the club.
Promoter George Seymour said, 'Martyn is the 4th member of the YDL squad with an average greater than 8. Dean Hart should also go well there and Nik Mills is improving all the time. We have a strong YDL squad but our aim isn't to win the event.'
'What we want is to uncover talented riders who can step up to the Pirates squad and hold their place their. One of the reserve berths will be open in the early part of the season and all of these riders know that good YDL performances will see them get their chance in the main team.'
Sunday 9th February 2003.
SEYMOUR IS SCOTLAND BOSS AGAIN.
George Seymour, GM, promoter and team manager of the Pirates has been given the job as Scotland's national boss for the second time in 3 season's.
He was Scotland boss in 2001 when a bunch of largely untested Scots finished last in the first WTC. He was replaced, as per SL rules, after 1 season in charge but re-applied and was given the job when it became available again.
He said, 'It's a great honour and I look forward to working with the team again. Early plans will include seeking permission to host 2 test series before the WTC. I envisage 1 match at each of the 5 Scottish tracks (Houston, Glasgow, Cumbernauld, Aisha's and Tayside) with the 6th being held at Cardiff, the home of our Celtic cousins.'
'Mr Sloss did a decent job last season and I look to build on this and see us advance a little further in the World rankings.'
Sunday 16th February 2003.
SEYMOUR IS SCOTLAND BOSS AGAIN.
Jamie Jackson has been 'contracted' as one of England's 'big 5'.
Stu Brooks, England manager, has announced a revolutionary contracting system whereby 5 riders, Luke Mills, Scott Atkins, Lee Jarman, Chris Moran and Jackson are almost guaranteed their place. Form will be a factor and although the 5 will almost certainly, barring injury, be selected in England squads.
Their place in the team will be dependant on a variety of things but, should things be going smoothly, all 5 would be in the team.
George Seymour said, 'It's a great idea and will settle Jacko down. Last season he was bitterly disappointed to miss out on selection for the England World Cup squad but now he can look forward to the event in the knowledge that only injury should rule him out.'
Saturday 22nd February 2003.
MARCH FIXTURES ANNOUNCED.
The early season fixtures have been announced and Pirates have a fairly tough start to their life in the SL.
The season kicks off with a home tie against Waltham Abbey Hoods, the clubs first ever meeting, at Craigburn Park on Friday 14th of March followed on the Monday with the Bucks starting their home campaign against Aisha's Motor Juniors.
The next night Pirates visit Aisha's before hosting the Dandy Design Scottish Open on Monday the 24th. The month is rounded off with a trip to fellow new boys Broom Bears on Thursday 27th.
Friday 28th February 2003.
SCOTTISH OPEN LINE UP.
The line up for the third Scottish Open, sponsored by handmade greeting card company Dandy Design, has been revealed and it's a truly high class field.
Jan Kirsten represents Pirates on his new home track where he will be joined by Jason Nix (Weymouth) 8.41, Magnus Karlsson (Seaton) 8.61, Tony Thompson (Cradley) 8.71, ex-Pirate Paul Augustine (Glasgow) 8.33, Tobias Nielsen (Tipton) 8.00, Luke Mills (Bournemouth) 8.39, Daniel Capirossi (Aisha's Motor) 8.34, Marcus Gustafsson (Swanage) 9.29, Rory McMillan (Cumbernauld) 8.22, Chris Moran (Peterborough) 8.31, Michael Munns (Yeovil) 8.84, Jamie Whittaker (Bexwell) 7.80, Antonin Pavel (Ipswich) 8.54, Jonathan Phillips (Evesham) 8.22 and Andrew Stark (Walsall) 8.67 .
George Seymour, Pirates promoter said, 'It is a high class field and should ensure a healthy turn out. It should be a great evening's racing and we are delighted that our new sponsor, Dandy Design, are backing the event.'
'The company are fairly new to the greetings card business but make quality cards by hand and retail at about £2 to £3 each. All occasions are catered for and if anyone would like more info they should contact the owner of the business, Shona Seymour, through me.'
The new sponsor commented, 'I've always had a good reception with the cards I've made for people and it's time to branch out now. I was inspired to start including tiny, little, intricate items after receiving inspiration from the Bournemouth promoter when he streaked at Houston last year. It was then I realised that teeny things catch the eye too.'