Brief History
Berwick have been operational in consecutive seasons from 1968 through to the present day. For such a small club, Berwick have had relative success. They were Division 2 Knock-out cup winners in 1980 and 1989, and the division one equivalent in their only top flight season in 1991. To add to this there were two national league riders championships for Wayne Brown (1980) and Steve McDerrmott (1983).
Between 1982 and 1996, Berwick Bandits were based at the Berrington Lough track near Ancroft, Northumberland.
Berwick won the Premier League Four-Team Championship in 2002. In 2005, Berwick enjoyed one of their most successful seasons ever; they were 2nd in the Premier League, semi-finalists of the Knock-out cup, semi-finalists of the Young Shield and had a series of impressive away wins. The highlight being the 53-38 away win over the Exeter Falcons. In 2008 the Bandits made the final of the Young Shield, losing out to Workington Comets in what turned out to be promoter Peter Waite's last meeting in charge. For season 2009 the new promotion is spearheaded by longtime supporter and North Berwick butcher John Anderson, with popular Cornhill shopkeeper Linda Waite (no relation to Peter) joining John and his sons. On the 26th of July 2010 the Berwick promotion announced that there had been a change in ownership. Lynda Waite had stepped down from her role to concentrate on the family business at Cornhill village shop, she states she enjoyed every minute of her time at Berwick Speedway and will never forget it and will be proud to sponsor the 2010 Bordernapolis event so that her link with Berwick speedway would continue. After Lynda's departure, John Anderson then announced the new investor was George Hepburn, owner of Berwick building contractor George Hepburn and Son Ltd., a long term supporter of the Bandits and sponsor of rider Lee Complin. Following the announcement of George Hepburn's investment, it was then announced that Dave Peet (team manager, late 2008 - Mid 2010) had departed from the club and had been replaced by the track curator and staff manager Ian Rae. Rae’s association with speedway in Berwick-upon-Tweed extend back to his role as Stadium Manager at their Berrington Lough Stadium, followed by several years – up until 2001 – as team manager.
Berwick won the Premier League Four-Team Championship for a second time in 2012.
Read more about this topic: Berwick Bandits
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“The history of medicine is the history of the unusual.”
—Robert M. Fresco, and Jack Arnold. Prof. Gerald Deemer (Leo G. Carroll)
“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more”
—John Adams (1735–1826)