PLYMOUTH Gladiators boss Garry May is taking a different approach to his team building for the new season after a disappointing 2023 in which his team finished bottom of the Championship table.
With three strong heat leaders in Simon Howarth, Richie Worrall and Ben Barker, hopes were high that the Gladiators could challenge for silverware last summer, but in-house personality clashes, injuries and inconsistent form led to a pretty disappointing campaign.
With that in mind, May has taken a different approach to constructing virtually a whole new team for next season. All seven riders are now confirmed for the new campaign with the first two set to be announced on Friday, but with Ben Trigger already confirmed as departing the club and Worrall serving a nine-month suspension after failing a drugs test – and unable to resume racing until June – wholesale changes are expected.
Championship clubs are having to fit their seven riders into a new 38-point limit for 2024, which means several top name riders that rode in the league in 2023 will not be returning. But after lessons were learnt from that campaign, May has built a side with more strength at reserve rather that top load at the front end.
“We suffered big time last year because we had three good heat leaders and you couldn’t knock those heat leaders, looking at their names,” May said. “But two of them would perform, or one of them would perform. There was never a time where all three of them would perform.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
"The board is very much behind Chris and Lee. We made our decision and we are very comfortable with our decision" - Mark Russell
IT has certainly not been the start to the season that Plymouth Parkway would have wanted.
EASY DOES IT FOR RAMI
AL HAJJ APPRECIATES SMOOTH TRANSITION AT HOME PARK
Gibson must be next to get a new deal at Home Park
THERE was a deserved contract extension for Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards earlier this month. Now they should be looking to tie up a new deal for another of their key players.
Austin can't stop defeat for Bluebird
GLENN Austin added scores of at least three figures during 18 of his visits to the board for Bluebird A in a 7-4 Monday Premier League loss at Legends Lounge.
We used holiday money to buy hand gel and face masks... then gave it to our NHS customers
TWO selfless shopkeepers have donated more than £100,000 of food and medical assistance to people in their community since the pandemic.
Migrants could be in hotels for up to three years-report
MIGRANTS could be housed in hotels for up to three more years due to the asylum backlog, it has been reported.
Girl, 14, hurt in suspected acid attack near school
A 14-YEAR-OLD girl has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after a suspected acid attack outside a school in west London.
Warning of Iran attack as Israel masses forces
IRAN is preparing to \"imminently\" launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel, according to a United States administration official, who warned of \"severe consequences\" should it take place.
Market stall is more than just retail outlet
ASSISTANCE ALSO OFFERED AT STALL OPENED 25 YEARS AGO
Plans submitted for dockyard site
INDUSTRIAL UNITS PART OF REVITILISATION’
