Coventry Bees
Encyclopedia
The Coventry Bees are a motorcycle speedway
team based at Brandon
near Coventry
, England
. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League
in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium
. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane. After the war, the club became The Bees and have been involved in every season since 1948.
They won the British Elite League Speedway
Championship in 2010
, defeating the Poole Pirates
in both legs of the play-off grand finals. It was the ninth time that the club have been crowned League Champions, following on from successes achieved in 1953, 1968, 1978, 1979, 1987, 1988, 2005 and 2007
.
On 28 October 2007, the Bees lifted the Elite League Knockout Cup
for the third time in their history defeating the Swindon Robins
in the final, completing a clean sweep of all three major trophies, having already annexed the Craven Shield
by beating Swindon Robins and the Poole Pirates
over the three leg final.
The club is owned by local businessman and Brandon Stadium owner Avtar Sandhu, and the promotion licence is held jointly by Colin Pratt
, Alun Rossiter
and former Oxford Cheetahs
promoter Allen Trump.
On 24 November 2010 following changes to the rules for rider averages made at the Annual General Meeting of the BSPA
, the Coventry Bees and Peterborough Panthers
walked out of the meeting.
As a result on 27 November 2010 the BSPA omitted both teams from the 2011 Elite League
for failing to declare their intent to compete in the 2011 league at the AGM.
The decision is set to be the subject of a legal challenge by both clubs.
On 17 February 2011, it was announced by the BSPA that both Coventry and Peterborough would not be competing in the 2011 Speedway Elite League
. Both clubs rejected an offer from the BSPA issued on 31 January 2011, which would have permitted both clubs to continue with their proposed legal action (including claims for compensation from any losses) whilst resuming their league membership with immediate effect.
On 15 March 2011 it was announced that both the Coventry Bees and Peterborough Panthers would be part of the 2011 Elite League season.
However this was not officially confirmed by the BSPA despite announcements by Peterborough and Coventry bees co-promoter, Allen Trump.
On 8 April 2011, the BSPA officially confirmed both teams had returned to the Elite League for the 2011 season.
On 11 August 2011 Edward Kennett resigned from Coventry Speedway, after it was deemed his silencer was 'illegal' when racing against Lakeside on 6 August. Kennett said this was caused by 'a member of his team' who had 'tampered with it'. Kennett was banned from racing for 7 days by the SCB and appeared in front of a disciplinary hearing on 16 August where he received a 6-month worldwide ban.
On 21 September 2011 the Bees was put up for sale by owner Avtar Sandhu.
On 31 October 2001 it was announced that, subject to BSPA approval. Peterborough businessman Mick Horton would take over as owner of the club.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
team based at Brandon
Brandon, Warwickshire
Brandon is a small village in Warwickshire, England. Along with nearby Bretford, it forms part of a joint civil parish of Brandon and Bretford. Administratively it is part of the borough of Rugby...
near Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. A Coventry team was first formed in 1928 and competed in the Southern League and then the National League
Speedway National League
The National League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1932 until 1965 when it became known as the British League. Prior to 1932 there were only small regional leagues competing within the sport in the UK. The National League was re-incarnated in 1975 as the second division...
in the pre-war era at Brandon stadium
Brandon stadium
Brandon Stadium, located in Brandon, Warwickshire, England, is the home of the Coventry Bees motorcycle speedway team and is also the city's main Greyhound racing stadium. The stadium's capacity is 5,000 and was built in 1948...
. There were also meetings at a stadium in Lythalls Lane. After the war, the club became The Bees and have been involved in every season since 1948.
They won the British Elite League Speedway
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
Championship in 2010
2010 Speedway Elite League
The 2010 Elite League is the 14th since its establishment in 1997. The first fixtures of the season took place on 29 March and the season ended on 27 October...
, defeating the Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League...
in both legs of the play-off grand finals. It was the ninth time that the club have been crowned League Champions, following on from successes achieved in 1953, 1968, 1978, 1979, 1987, 1988, 2005 and 2007
2007 Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association .-Season summary:...
.
On 28 October 2007, the Bees lifted the Elite League Knockout Cup
Elite League Knockout Cup
The Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
for the third time in their history defeating the Swindon Robins
Swindon Robins
The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League....
in the final, completing a clean sweep of all three major trophies, having already annexed the Craven Shield
Craven Shield
The Craven Shield is a Speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association...
by beating Swindon Robins and the Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates
Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the British Elite League...
over the three leg final.
The club is owned by local businessman and Brandon Stadium owner Avtar Sandhu, and the promotion licence is held jointly by Colin Pratt
Colin Pratt
Colin Pratt in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire) is a former motorcycle speedway rider and current promoter of the Coventry Bees who compete in the British Elite League.-Early career and retirement:...
, Alun Rossiter
Alun Rossiter
Alun John Rossiter is a retired speedway rider, and team manager of British Elite League team the Swindon Robins.-Career:...
and former Oxford Cheetahs
Oxford Cheetahs
The Oxford Cheetahs were a British Speedway team based in Oxford, England. From 1972 to 1975 they were known as Oxford Rebels, which was the name the team took to White City in 1976 as White City Rebels. The new Oxford team, in the National League, took back the name of Cheetahs...
promoter Allen Trump.
On 24 November 2010 following changes to the rules for rider averages made at the Annual General Meeting of the BSPA
British Speedway Promoters' Association
The British Speedway Promoters Association organises the domestic motorcycle speedway competitions in the UK. They are also responsible for the promotion and running of the FIM meetings staged in Britain....
, the Coventry Bees and Peterborough Panthers
Peterborough Panthers
The Peterborough Panthers are a British speedway team based in Peterborough, England.They were the British Elite League Speedway Champions in 1999 and 2006...
walked out of the meeting.
As a result on 27 November 2010 the BSPA omitted both teams from the 2011 Elite League
Speedway Elite League
The Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
for failing to declare their intent to compete in the 2011 league at the AGM.
The decision is set to be the subject of a legal challenge by both clubs.
On 17 February 2011, it was announced by the BSPA that both Coventry and Peterborough would not be competing in the 2011 Speedway Elite League
2011 Speedway Elite League
The 2011 Elite League Season is an upcoming speedway season. The Coventry Bees are the defending champions from the 2010 season.-New Entries:Throughout the 2010 season, it was rumoured that the Ipswich Witches would prefer to compete in the Premier League from 2011 onwards...
. Both clubs rejected an offer from the BSPA issued on 31 January 2011, which would have permitted both clubs to continue with their proposed legal action (including claims for compensation from any losses) whilst resuming their league membership with immediate effect.
On 15 March 2011 it was announced that both the Coventry Bees and Peterborough Panthers would be part of the 2011 Elite League season.
However this was not officially confirmed by the BSPA despite announcements by Peterborough and Coventry bees co-promoter, Allen Trump.
On 8 April 2011, the BSPA officially confirmed both teams had returned to the Elite League for the 2011 season.
On 11 August 2011 Edward Kennett resigned from Coventry Speedway, after it was deemed his silencer was 'illegal' when racing against Lakeside on 6 August. Kennett said this was caused by 'a member of his team' who had 'tampered with it'. Kennett was banned from racing for 7 days by the SCB and appeared in front of a disciplinary hearing on 16 August where he received a 6-month worldwide ban.
On 21 September 2011 the Bees was put up for sale by owner Avtar Sandhu.
On 31 October 2001 it was announced that, subject to BSPA approval. Peterborough businessman Mick Horton would take over as owner of the club.
Club honours
- Elite LeagueSpeedway Elite LeagueThe Elite League is the top division of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom and is governed by the Speedway Control Bureau , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . It is sponsored by Sky Sports...
Champions - 2005, 2007, 20102010 Speedway Elite LeagueThe 2010 Elite League is the 14th since its establishment in 1997. The first fixtures of the season took place on 29 March and the season ended on 27 October... - British LeagueSpeedway British LeagueThe British League was the top division of Speedway in the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1995 when it became known as the Premier League. Prior to 1965 the division had been known as the National League....
Champions 1968, 1978, 1979, 1987, 1988 - Knockout CupElite League Knockout CupThe Elite League Knockout Cup is a speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The teams from the top division of league racing, the Elite League, take part...
Winners - 1967, 2006, 2007 - Craven ShieldCraven ShieldThe Craven Shield is a Speedway cup competition in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association...
Winners - 1997, 2000, 2007, 2008 - Division 2 Champions - 1953
- League Cup - 1981 1985 1987
- Premiership Trophy - 1986
- Midland League - 1980
- Elite ShieldElite ShieldThe Elite Shield, is a motorcycle speedway competition held in the UK. Like football's Community Shield, it is contested for by the winners of the league and the winners of the Knockout Cup. The Shield began in 2006 and is currently in its third season of existence...
- 2006 - Elite League Pairs Championship - 2008, 2010
- Midland Cup - 1952, 1960, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 2011