The Kent SLYDE Kings Speedway club have announced that leading them into action as team captain in 2015 will be Ben Morley.

The 20-year-old from Southend is the only rider who has lined up for the Sittingbourne-based side in both of the last two seasons and who’s back again for the forthcoming City Gearboxes National League campaign.

And despite his young age there’s no question that the third placed rider in last year’s League Riders Championship has the experience to lead from the front.

“I was really pleased when our team manager Chris Hunt contacted me to say that he and co-promoter Len Silver wanted to have me as the Kings’ captain – I jumped at the opportunity because this is something I really believe I can make a good job of.”

“There are several riders in our side this term who have relatively little experience of riding at this level, whereas for me this is actually my seventh season riding in this division so I think I have plenty to give to help them out and become a real leader out there on track and off it too”.

Certainly Morley is aware that with a number of riders moving away from the NL for one reason or another he’s right up there among the highest averaged riders when the tapes rise at Easter weekend.

“It’s great to be the number one – this was a position I did reach last season and this time around I know it’s the season for me to establish myself as a leading rider in this league. The competition this year looks very open indeed – a lot of teams ourselves included will be featuring new young and inexperienced riders and actually that is what it really should be about.”

“It’s hard at this stage to see one team dominating like Cradley have done in both of the previous two years we at Kent have been in the league, so with every match counting so much as there’s no play offs we have to feel we can get there or thereabouts”.

And for the hugely popular Ben further news announced today will ensure he keeps very busy – just as he likes it!

“Last year as well as riding for the Kings, I was in the Lakeside Hammers side in the Elite League as a Fast Track reserve. It’s disappointing that I couldn’t keep that place this year but what I really did want for my ongoing development was a team berth in the Premier League – having not ridden PL last year. I’m really pleased that the Redcar Bears have given me that opportunity to line up for their side.”

“There will be a lot of travelling but to be honest I’m well used to that and I’ve always felt that with Speedway it’s better to always be on a bike as this is how you progress. They’ll be hardly a day off this term like last year but I prefer that to a stop-start campaign. Being captain of the SLYDE Kings is very important to me and I can assure everyone having us have a great season is a major priority for me”.

Morley has a splendid back up team of family, friends, very loyal supporters and sponsors and he’s keen to acknowledge their backing,
“I couldn’t achieve all that I’m setting out to do so in the forthcoming campaign without my sponsors, so it’s a massive thank you to KKB Racing, Alan Belham & Speedway Services, my Grand-dad, CTA Fire, Andrews Garage, Ria & Vera, Anthony & Carol and Mick Chappell Engineering”.

Ben also has his own fan club – it’s £5 to join and members will receive a signed photo, two or three newsletters a year plus a Birthday and Christmas card. The Address for this is:

Ben Morley Fan Club
C/O 12 Stour Road
Chartham
Canterbury
Kent
CT4 7JE

Picture supplied by Jeff Higgott.