Leicester Lion Cubs
Club information
Track addressPaul Chapman & Sons Arena
Beaumont Park Sports Complex,
1 The Lions,
Leicester,
LE4 1DZ
CountryEngland
Founded2019
Team managerDavid Howard
Team captainJoe Thompson
LeagueNational Development League
Websitewww.leicesterspeedway.com
Club facts
ColoursRed and Yellow
Track size300 metres (330 yd)
Track record time59.94s
Track record date23 March 2019
Track record holderJosh Bates
Current team
Rider CMA
England Joe Thompson
England Arran Butcher
England Tom Spencer
England Vinnie Foord
England Max James
England Luke Crang
England Sonny Springer
Major team honours
National Development League Champions2019, 2022
National Development League Knock-out Cup winners2019, 2022
National Development League Pairs winners2022

Leicester Lion Cubs are a speedway team that was formed in November 2018 to race in the National League at the Beaumont Park Stadium in Leicester.[1] This team is the second and junior Leicester Lions speedway team racing at this venue.

History

The club experienced success in their inaugural season, when they won the league and cup double during the 2019 National Development League speedway season.[2]

In 2022, the club dominated the season by winning the league, successfully defending their National League Knockout Cup title (from 2019) and winning the Pairs Championship.[3][4]

Season Summaries

2019

The Leicester Lion Cubs first two signings for the season were the Thompson twins Dan and Joe as their reserves.[5] Ellis Perks was confirmed as the third signing for the Lion Cubs, he would start the season at number 1 and also double up with the first team Leicester Lions.[6] On 18 December 2018, the Lion Cubs announced their next two signings which were Danyon Hume (as captain) and Kelsey Dugard, [7] with the final two signings confirmed as Luke Ruddick and Jamie Halder.[8]

On 3 January 2019, Leicester confirmed they would be managed by club co-promoter Dave Darcy and he would be assisted by David Howard.[9] Danyon Hume was later named as team captain, on 31 January.[10] Kelsey Dugard was injured following injuries suffered in a crash during the Leicester Press and Practice day on 15 March and was replaced by Ryan MacDonald.

On 28 October 2019, the Lion Cubs won the title after home and away victories in the play-off final against Kent Kings, and on the following evening (29 October) they completed the League and Cup double by winning the National League Knockout Cup with an aggregate victory in the final over the Belle Vue Colts.[2]

2020-2021

After a Challenge match victory away at Scunthorpe 61-53 in their only meeting in the COVID-19 hit 2020 season, the Lion Cubs built a new team for the 2021 National Development League speedway season, with the team building points limit reduced to 35 with a new League focus on youth development. Only Dan and Joe Thompson returned from the double-winning side of 2019, with Joe Lawlor and Tom Spencer being joined by Jamie Halder and first year riders Ben Trigger and Kai Ward making up the initial 2021 declaration. However, Jamie Halder suffered a broken ankle in an unfortunate domestic fall prior to the first Lion Cubs meeting. After being granted a short term rider replacement facility for Jamie to start the season, a change was needed to be made and a third first year rider, Mickie Simpson joined the Lion Cubs to complete the seven riders. The team had an underwhelming season, Joe Lawlor announced his retirement from the sport and the Lion Cubs ended the 2021 season at the bottom of the NDL. However, all six riders who rode throughout the season showed average increases at the end of season compared to the start of the season.

2022-2023

The team dominated the 2022 season winning the National Development League, National League Knock-out Cup and National League Pairs (Dan Thompson & Joe Thompson). The Thompson brothers returned to head the team for the 2023 National Development League speedway season.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Lion Clubs are Launched". Speedway GB. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Leicester Lion Cubs vs Belle Vue Colts". You Tube. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  3. ↑ "LIONS CUBS WIN KO CUP". Leicester Speedway. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  4. ↑ "Lion Cubs crowned champions". British Speedway. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  5. ↑ "Twin Threat for Lion Clubs". Speedway GB. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  6. ↑ "Perks on Double Duty". Speedway GB. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  7. ↑ "Two in for Lion Clubs". Speedway GB. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  8. ↑ "Lion Clubs are Complete". Speedway GB. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  9. ↑ "Lion Clubs Announce Bosses". Speedway GB. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  10. ↑ "Hume Captains Lion Clubs". Speedway GB. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  11. ↑ "Lion Cubs complete". British Speedway. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
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