Sheffield Tigers
Encyclopedia
The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway
team based in Sheffield
, England
. They currently race in the British Premier League
and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium
which is the fastest track in British speedway. The Tigers are sponsored by the Sheffield Window Centre, promoted by Neil Machin, David Hoggart and Eric Boocock
, who is also the team manager.
was a purpose built speedway track built in 1929. It operated for most of the pre-war years and re-opened for a short spell in 1945. The team operated in the Northern League of 1946 and in the National League Division Two
between 1947 and 50. It closed part way through 1951 and staged open meetings in 1952. The track re-opened in 1960 and has operated most seasons since then. The team has been known as The Tigers apart from part of 1950 when they were known as The Tars. Their official track record holder is current captain and No.1 Ricky Ashworth
with a time of 59.1 seconds.
in the play-off final.
John Dews Billy Bales
Tommy Bateman Cyril "Squib" Burton
Les Collins
Neil Collins
Aleš Dryml, Sr. Sam Ermolenko
Neil Evitts
Carl Glover Lars Gunnestad
Arnold Haley Bob Paulson
Steve Johnston
Robbie Kessler
Jack Kitchen Bengt Larsson Roman Matousek Kelly Moran
Shawn Moran
Jan O. Pedersen
Garry Stead
Simon Stead
Carl Stonehewer
Bob Valentine Len Williams Stan Williams Reg Wilson
Sean Wilson
Mirko Wolter
Doug Wyer
Peter Carr Andre Compton
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 in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, 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...
. They currently race in the British Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium
Owlerton Stadium
Owlerton Stadium, sometimes referred to as Sheffield Sports Stadium, is a greyhound racing track in Owlerton near Hillsborough in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The stadium is also home to the Sheffield Tigers Speedway team and hosts BriSCA Formula One stock car racing events. It is operated...
which is the fastest track in British speedway. The Tigers are sponsored by the Sheffield Window Centre, promoted by Neil Machin, David Hoggart and Eric Boocock
Eric Boocock
Eric Boocock is a former Speedway rider who appeared in three Speedway World Championship finals.-Career:...
, who is also the team manager.
History
OwlertonOwlerton Stadium
Owlerton Stadium, sometimes referred to as Sheffield Sports Stadium, is a greyhound racing track in Owlerton near Hillsborough in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The stadium is also home to the Sheffield Tigers Speedway team and hosts BriSCA Formula One stock car racing events. It is operated...
was a purpose built speedway track built in 1929. It operated for most of the pre-war years and re-opened for a short spell in 1945. The team operated in the Northern League of 1946 and in the National League Division Two
Speedway National League Division Two
The National League Division Two was the second tier of Speedway league competition in the United Kingdom. The competition was founded in 1938 following a competition named "The National Provincial League". Following World War II the second tier of racing was entitled "The Northern League" in 1946...
between 1947 and 50. It closed part way through 1951 and staged open meetings in 1952. The track re-opened in 1960 and has operated most seasons since then. The team has been known as The Tigers apart from part of 1950 when they were known as The Tars. Their official track record holder is current captain and No.1 Ricky Ashworth
Ricky Ashworth
Richard David Ashworth is a professional speedway rider for Sheffield Tigers who has represented Great Britain....
with a time of 59.1 seconds.
Club honours
- British Speedway Cup (Division 2) - 1947
- British League/Premier League KO Cup winners - 1974, 2002
- Premier League Four-Team ChampionshipSpeedway Premier League Four-Team ChampionshipThe Premier League Four-Team Championship is a contest between teams competing in the Speedway Premier League in the UK. Eight teams are grouped into fours, with one rider from each team in each race...
winners - 1999 (WilsonSean Wilson (speedway rider)Sean Wilson is a former international speedway rider who has ridden for Great Britain at test level.-Career summary:...
, Smith, ComptonAndre ComptonAndre Compton is a Speedway rider. He is the older brother of Redcar Bears' Benji Compton.-Career summary:...
, SteadSimon SteadSimon Stead is an international Speedway rider. Simon currently rides for the Swindon Robins in the British Elite League, Masarna in the Swedish League and for Intar Ostrów in the Polish League.-Career Summary:...
), 2000 (WilsonSean Wilson (speedway rider)Sean Wilson is a former international speedway rider who has ridden for Great Britain at test level.-Career summary:...
, SteadSimon SteadSimon Stead is an international Speedway rider. Simon currently rides for the Swindon Robins in the British Elite League, Masarna in the Swedish League and for Intar Ostrów in the Polish League.-Career Summary:...
, KesslerRobbie KesslerRobert Kessler is a German speedway rider who has represented Germany at the Speedway World Team Cup. He was the German under-21 champion in 1992 and 1993.- References :...
, LeePaul Lee (speedway rider)Paul Lee is a motorcycle speedway rider, who rides for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers after spending 2007 with the King's Lynn Stars.- Career Honours :*Premier League Championship medal winner 1999...
) - Premier League Play off winners - 1999, 2002
- Premier League winners - 1999, 2002
- Conference League Champions - 2000, 2001
- Premier TrophySpeedway Premier TrophyThe Premier Trophy is a contest between teams competing in the Speedway Premier League in the UK. The first competition was held in 1999. The competition is usually run before the Premier League starts in April and May. The finals are usually contested in June/July...
winners - 2001 - Premier League Riders Championship winners - Sam ErmolenkoSam ErmolenkoGuy Allen 'Sudden Sam' Ermolenko is a former Speedway rider. In 1993 he won the Speedway World Championship in Pocking, Germany. He is the older brother of Charles 'Dukie' Ermolenko who also rode in the UK....
(1996), Sean WilsonSean Wilson (speedway rider)Sean Wilson is a former international speedway rider who has ridden for Great Britain at test level.-Career summary:...
(1999, 2003, 2005), Andre ComptonAndre ComptonAndre Compton is a Speedway rider. He is the older brother of Redcar Bears' Benji Compton.-Career summary:...
2004, Ricky AshworthRicky AshworthRichard David Ashworth is a professional speedway rider for Sheffield Tigers who has represented Great Britain....
2009 - Premier League Pairs winners - Ricky AshworthRicky AshworthRichard David Ashworth is a professional speedway rider for Sheffield Tigers who has represented Great Britain....
& Josh AutyJosh AutyJoshua Liam Auty in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, is a speedway rider in the United Kingdom, riding with the Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Premier League....
2010
Current Season
The 2011 season will be the 15th consecutive season that the Tigers have competed in the Premier League. They will be hoping to go one better than last year when losing out to the Newcastle DiamondsNewcastle Diamonds
Newcastle Diamonds are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Premier League. The club has a reputation of importing young foreign talent and have given starts to the British careers of six times World Champion Ivan Mauger, three times World Champion Ole Olsen, 1974 World Champion...
in the play-off final.
2011 Team
| Rider | Opening CMA | Closing CMA | Change in CMA | Other Information |
 Shane ParkerShane Parker (speedway rider) Shane Andrew Parker is a speedway rider, currently riding with the Sheffield Tigers in the British Premier League in what will be his last season in Britain.... |
7.95 | Sheffield Asset. Hasn't Previously ridden for Tigers. | ||
| Ricky Ashworth Ricky Ashworth Richard David Ashworth is a professional speedway rider for Sheffield Tigers who has represented Great Britain.... |
7.77 | Resigned for Tigers | ||
| Josh Auty Josh Auty Joshua Liam Auty in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, is a speedway rider in the United Kingdom, riding with the Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Premier League.... |
7.52 | Resigned for Tigers | ||
 Emiliano SanchezEmiliano Sanchez Emiliano Sanchez is an Argentine speedway rider, currently riding in the British Premier League for the Sheffield Tigers. He has Italian ancestry which allows him to compete in the United Kingdom without the need for a work permit. He has been the National Speedway Champion of both Argentina and... |
6.64 | Sheffield Asset. Recalled for 2011. | ||
| Hugh Skidmore Hugh Skidmore Hugh Skidmore in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia is a speedway rider in the United Kingdom, riding with the Sheffield Tigers in the Premier League.... |
5.69 | Resigned for Tigers | ||
| Simon Lambert Simon Lambert (speedway rider) Simon James Lambert in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, is a speedway rider in the United Kingdom, riding with the Sheffield Tigers in the Premier League.... |
3.47 | Resigned for Tigers | ||
| Ashley Birks Ashley Birks Ashley Adam Birks in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England is a speedway rider in the United Kingdom, riding with the Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Premier League.... |
3.00 | Signed for Tigers from Scunthorpe Scunthorpe Scorpions The Scunthorpe Scorpions are a speedway team in the British Premier League. After three successful years in the Conference League the side were accepted into the Premier League for 2008... . |
Notable former riders
Jim AireyJim Airey
James Sydney "Jim" Airey is a former international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the 1971 World Final in Göteborg, Sweden and was a member of the Great Britain team that won the 1971 Speedway World Team Cup in Wrocław, Poland.-Australia:Jim Airey started racing Speedway in the early-1960s,...
John Dews Billy Bales
Billy Bales
Raymond Arthur Bales was a former international motorcycle speedway rider reached the final of Speedway World Championship in 1955.-Career:...
Tommy Bateman Cyril "Squib" Burton
Cyril "Squib" Burton
Cyril "Squib" Burton was a motorcycle speedway rider who was one of the sport's early stars, becoming a leading rider for the Leicester Stadium team and for Rochdale, and going on to represent England.-Biography:...
Les Collins
Les Collins
Leslie 'Les' Collins is a former Speedway rider. He finished runner-up in the 1982 Speedway World Championship as well as winning the Intercontinental Final in 1982, the British Under-21 Championship in 1977 and the British League Riders Championship in 1980.-Crewe, Stoke & Belle Vue:Les started...
Neil Collins
Neil Collins
For the Scottish footballer see Neill Collins.Neil Jeffrey Collins is a former Speedway rider...
Aleš Dryml, Sr. Sam Ermolenko
Sam Ermolenko
Guy Allen 'Sudden Sam' Ermolenko is a former Speedway rider. In 1993 he won the Speedway World Championship in Pocking, Germany. He is the older brother of Charles 'Dukie' Ermolenko who also rode in the UK....
Neil Evitts
Neil Evitts
Neil Evitts is a former speedway rider who finished eighth in the Speedway World Championship in 1986 ....
Carl Glover Lars Gunnestad
Lars Gunnestad
Lars Gunnestad is a former Norwegian international motorcycle speedway rider. He won the Individual Speedway Norwegian Championship a record ten times.His son, Lars Daniel, is speedway rider also...
Arnold Haley Bob Paulson
Bob Paulson
Bob Paulson, COM is the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He previously served as the Deputy Commissioner, Federal Policing from November 2010 to 2011. He replaced the fist civilian Commissioner William J. S. Elliott who is currently working with INTERPOL.Paulson was born in...
Steve Johnston
Steve Johnston
Steven Paul "Steve" Johnston is an Australian international motorcycle speedway rider. He has represented the Australian speedway team in two Speedway World Cup finals in 2004 and 2005....
Robbie Kessler
Robbie Kessler
Robert Kessler is a German speedway rider who has represented Germany at the Speedway World Team Cup. He was the German under-21 champion in 1992 and 1993.- References :...
Jack Kitchen Bengt Larsson Roman Matousek Kelly Moran
Kelly Moran
Kelly Moran was a professional speedway rider who rode for a number of British clubs and also represented USA....
Shawn Moran
Shawn Moran
Shawn Moran is a retired former professional speedway rider who was one of the most popular and talented riders ever to race for Sheffield Tigers who also represented USA....
Jan O. Pedersen
Jan O. Pedersen
Jan Osvald Pedersen is a former Speedway rider who became Speedway World Champion in 1991 after finishing runner-up in 1986 and in third place in 1988 behind fellow Danes Erik Gundersen and Hans Nielsen...
Garry Stead
Garry Stead
Garry Stead is a former international speedway rider.As a child Garry showed a real interest in speedway, being a regular supporter at the Shay watching the Halifax Dukes,and spent many years as a child learning to ride.-Cradley Heath and Stoke:Garry became a Schoolboy Grass Track rider, winning...
Simon Stead
Simon Stead
Simon Stead is an international Speedway rider. Simon currently rides for the Swindon Robins in the British Elite League, Masarna in the Swedish League and for Intar Ostrów in the Polish League.-Career Summary:...
Carl Stonehewer
Carl Stonehewer
Carl Bryan 'Stoney' Stonehewer is a former motorcycle speedway rider.-Speedway Grand Prix:* The first UK Premier League rider to qualify for the Speedway Grand Prix.**Grand Prix Series Rider 2000, 2001, 2002...
Bob Valentine Len Williams Stan Williams Reg Wilson
Reg Wilson
Reg Wilson is a retired former professional speedway rider who is currently team manager of the Sheffield Tigers....
Sean Wilson
Sean Wilson (speedway rider)
Sean Wilson is a former international speedway rider who has ridden for Great Britain at test level.-Career summary:...
Mirko Wolter
Mirko Wolter
Mirko Wolter is a speedway rider who first rode in the United Kingdom, riding with the Sheffield Tigers in the Premier League...
Doug Wyer
Doug Wyer
Doug Wyer is a former international speedway rider who reached the final of the Speedway World Championship in 1976...
Peter Carr Andre Compton
Andre Compton
Andre Compton is a Speedway rider. He is the older brother of Redcar Bears' Benji Compton.-Career summary:...