It will be ‘business as usual’ for the Bandits in 2020

The club issued a statement this week which confirms the Shielfield Park outfit will go to the tapes in the Championship league next season.

Boss Jamie Courtney said: “I can confirm that it will be business as usual in Bandit country for the 2020 Speedway season.

"Although nothing is set in stone until the BSPA AGM, we will be making our commitments to run in the SGB Championship once again.”

The annual meeting will beb held later this month, but Courtney has already started to assemble his side … and that means the immediate return of two familiar faces to Berwick fans.

Courtney said: “I am delighted to announce that Jye Etheridge, the Bandits ‘Rider of the Year’ for three years running, will be back in Berwick colours for his fourth straight season.

"And 2019 riders' ‘Rider of the Year,’ Leon Flint, will also be back racing for his hometown team once again!

“Both riders are a massive part of the club. Jye has been amazing since joining us in 2017 and Leon was a superstar in his debut season and we are all excited to witness his progress first hand here at Shielfield Park.

“The pair are both firm favourites with the fans. They give us a good start to our team for 2020 and further signings will be announced in due course.”

Courtney says plans are well underway to assemble a side that will look to go one better than the last two years and clinch a place in the 2020 end of season playoffs.

"Team building is going well and once we have confirmation on the official team building average from the AGM, myself and Gary (Flint) will put the final parts of the jigsaw together.

“Last year was our first working together in this respect and on the most part it was an enjoyable experience.

“We have a loyal and trusted back-up team around us, and of course the fans are so dedicated, and all of that makes our task a lot easier.”

Off the track Jamie Courtney will continue his commitments at the helm with co-owner Scott Courtney assisting in the commercial department, while Gary Flint will enjoy his second term as team manager/promoter and Steven Dews will continue his role as co-promoter.