Ben Morley will get a warm welcome when he lines-up for Kent Eagles in their Pioneer Cup first leg against Mildenhall Fen Tigers on Sunday.
Kent Eagles return to Iwade’s old Gun Site (12.00 p.m. start time) with Morley who is very much regarded ‘Mr. Kent Speedway’ amongst his adoring Iwade fans, Morley returns to the Eagles line up for the first time in Season 2026.
He was a key figure throughout the team’s National Development Trophy campaign last year, one that he signed off in style by capturing the Iwade Championship in the final home meeting.
Following a wholly successful season opener, one that saw the Norwich Stars seize the Phoenix Cup in a tense last gasp run off after the sides had deadlocked at 45-points apiece, Morley fits neatly back into the Eagles sextet on Sunday where he will assume heat leader duties alongside the free scoring Edward Kennett and Jack Kingston.
The man he replaces, James Shanes, another favourite among the Kent fans will also be in attendance however as he leads the offensive for the Mildenhall Fen Tigers.
For the hosts, this meeting represents another important step in their re-establishment season at Iwade. After restructuring over the winter, the Eagles are running a limited schedule of home meetings in 2026, aiming to reignite local interest and re-establish themselves as a competitive force in southern speedway. The emphasis has been on creating exciting, competitive fixtures—and this clash with Mildenhall certainly fits that brief.
The visitors arrive with a proud pedigree. The Fen Tigers are one of British speedway’s most recognisable development clubs, with a history of nurturing talent and achieving notable success at National League level, including multiple titles and cup wins over the years. Their blend of youth and experience traditionally makes them a tough opponent, particularly in challenge matches where riders are keen to impress.
The Sunday match up will certainly include an array of talent, both realised and potential with a mixture of youth and experience lining up alongside the established heavy hitters.
Returning to form the engine room of the Eagles side will be Nathan Hargrave, Connor King and Alex Chadd, each of whom gave a fine account of themselves against the Stars, most notably as Hargrave and Chadd combined to secure the meetings only 5-1, one at the time having seemed to set Kent on course to take the victory.
The Mildenhall back up cast consists of names that will no doubt be familiar to those in attendance, Max Broadhurst and Sam Woods line up alongside Ben Whalley as well as Kenzie Cossey, a young man who featured for Norwich and like the others comes highly rated.
Completing the line up for the Fen Tigers and adding an interesting edge is Polish hopeful Patryk Danishewski who hails from the same town as current World Number One Bartosz Zmarzlik.
Should he be able to demonstrate an ounce of the dash more normally attributed to the six-time Champion the Suffolk promotion will be more than happy.
One other ‘team change’ that the club wish to recognise is the departure, for the time being at least of long-standing announcer Glenn Collins. The management thank him for his fine work and in his wake they welcome Steve Crow and Paul Collick who shall form the new announcing team.
Anticipating the clash, the first of a two-legged match up, Eagles Team Manager David Graveling commented ‘We look forward to welcoming Mildenhall to Iwade for the Pioneer Cup first leg and we are delighted to witness the return of Ben Morley for his first match of the 2026 season for Kent Eagles. We will inevitably have a fight on our hands but let us hope for a lead to take to West Row for the return on August 15th.
Kent Eagles: Edward Kennett, Nathan Hargrave, Jack Kingston, Connor King, Ben Morley, Alex Chadd.
Mildenhall Fen Tigers: James Shanes, Max Broadhurst, Sam Woods, Kenzie Cossey, Ben Whalley, Patryk Danishewski.