|
Hammers career : 1985-1986
|
NEIL MIDDLEDITCH joined the Hammers from British League Poole at the beginning of 1985. 10 years previous Neil had been crowned British Under-21 Champion and built up a reputation as a reliable heat leader with the Dorset side. Tonight, Neil returns to Arena-Essex to lead the Pirates into action on a track he is remembered at with distinction.
Although in the twilight of his career when he moved across to Essex to link up with the Hammers, the switch to Second Division racing did him wonders and he proved a top-line rider at the Arena-Essex Raceway.
Signed by Peter Thorogood to bolster heat leader strength in the Hammers' second season of racing, Neil left his mark on the Club's history on the night of 10th August 1985.
Lining up at Coventry in the famous crossed Hammers body colour, Neil became the first ever rider to bring a trophy to this club when he was crowned National League Riders Champion on an evening of high drama. He went on to average nine and a half points in his first season with the club and was a resounding success story, leading the Hammers to sixth place in a nineteen-strong league where he was an ever-present.
The following year he was disposed of the number one spot in the team by Andrew Silver yet still managed to improve that already impressive match average. The duo formed a formidable heat leader partnership alongside Martin Goodwin and managed to improve on the previous year's league placing, finishing in fourth behind Eastbourne and Poole but above local rivals Hackney and Rye House. Neil, who had assumed captaincy of the Hammers, announced his retirement from the sport at the end of that season, bowing out after two hugely successful seasons.
After a period of absence from the sport, Neil returned to the fore following his appointment as team manager of Elite League Poole in 1999. Working alongside the dynamic promotion of Matt Ford and Mike Golding, Neil has led the Pirates to huge success with league championship glory in 2003 and 2004. Neil is also the current Team Great Britain boss and aims to lead the national side to honours in this season's World Cup.
Year |
Matches |
Rides |
Points |
Bonus |
Total |
Average |
Full Max |
Paid Max |
1985 |
40 |
171 |
360 |
45 |
405 |
9.47 |
1 |
6 |
1986 |
36 |
151 |
342 |
19 |
361 |
9.56 |
6 |
3 |
TOTAL |
76 |
322 |
702 |
64 |
766 |
9.52 |
7 |
9 |
| 
