Berwick Bandits owner Jamie Courtney hails fans at end-of-season awards

Australian rookie Reid Battye ended a memorable season in style as he dominated Berwick Bandits’ end-of-season awards night on Saturday.

The 25-year-old - who also became a Knockout Cup winner in his first British season - was named Rider of the Year by the Bandits Supporters Club, BanditsTV, and an online vote via the club website.

Peter Kildemand, who retired from racing after the second leg of the cup final, was the Riders’ Rider of the Year, while long-serving volunteer Helen Dumble was presented with the club’s Unsung Hero award.

For the second Saturday in a row, the function suite at the Black and Gold was packed with hundreds of speedway fans as the Bandits celebrated their first cup win for 37 years.

Club owner Jamie Courtney also announced that he had re-signed Jordan Jenkins and Jye Etheridge for 2027 – Battye and Nick Morris had already been announced as returnees – while Drew Kemp will return to the club he rode so well for in 2024 and 2025.

Courtney praised the loyalty of the riders to the Berwick club. He said: “Let’s make no mistake, almost every club in the Championship has made it clear that they would like to sign Nick Morris, Jordan Jenkins, and Reid Battye - and it would be only to easy to go for the biggest offer on the table.

“Instead, they have stuck with Berwick because they believe that we are at the beginning of something special, but also because of the supporters of this club. The backing we have had all season, but especially in the cup final, was something out or the ordinary, and the turn out again tonight shows it.

“They back the riders to the hilt and in turn the riders want to win something for them. When I took over the club from John Anderson I didn’t expect to have to wait 10 years to win something, but it makes it all the more special.

“Despite the cup I am still disappointed we didn’t reach the play-offs because I think we could have done something in them. But we suffered a number of injury problems away from home and our guests – Leon Flint and Senna Summers apart – were rubbish. Now we can look forward to 2027 knowing what it is like to win silverware and determined to add to it.”

The KO Cup will be on display behind the bar in the Black and Gold during the winter months.