Gladiators V The Pirates – Preview
The Plymouth Westcolour Gladiators return to The Coliseum on Tuesday evening following their stunning victory at Scunthorpe on Friday evening, with a mouth-watering clash against the 2021 League Champions and nearest neighbours the Poole Pirates.
The victory against Scunthorpe was tainted by a serious injury to young reserve Dan Gilkes, who had been in outstanding form in all the Westcolour Gladiators Fixtures, and the Club is issuing a rallying cry for all Plymouth and Speedway supporters in the South West and further afield to support Dan and his family by attending the fixture to show him your support.
The latest news is that Dan has suffered 5 broken ribs and a collapsed lung together with a displaced and broken arm. The Hospital will have to stabilise Dan’s lung and Chest injuries before undertaking treatment on his arm, and we will issue further updates from Dan’s family in due course and wish them all the very best.
Supporters will be able to help Dan at this difficult time via a Collection to help him and his family and if any Supporters wish to hand in Get Well Cards and messages at the TRACK SHOP these will be passed on and we are sure that they will be appreciated.
With Dan out of action joining our No 1 Edward Kennett who is also awaiting an operation and treatment on his own serious arm injuries which are complicated by nerve and tendon damage and problems with a damaged metal plate in his arm, caused by a crash in the KOC Tie against Poole in early April, the Club will again use a Guest facility for Edward and bring in Guest reserves to replace Dan and the unavailable Henry Atkins.
With the club sitting on 10 points from 4 matches, two at home and two away, and an identical position as the visiting champions the Poole Pirates with an almost identical match points scenario, this is a massive clash and a chance for the battered and bruised Westcolour Gladiators to lay down a massive marker for the season ahead.
The team spirit has shone through in tough times already this season due to injuries and some bad luck, so the club are asking for a massive turn-out as you wonderful supporters can very much be the 8th man and cheer the Gladiators on to what would be another famous victory.
To assist the Club has booked GB Speedway legend and Cornish superstar Chris “Bomber” Harris to Guest for Kennett in the no 1 berth, and with his links to South West Speedway at Trelawny and Somerset he is sure to be a massive attraction and asset on the night. One of Britain’s rising stars and ex-Gladiator Jason Edwards will stand in for Henry Atkins and as a replacement for Dan Gilkes, the club has booked Ben Morley, perhaps the most accomplished visitor to The Coliseum in the Clubs NDL era, and very much a track specialist at Plymouth to help boost the remaining team Members.
With Danish stars Hans Andersen and Michael Palm-Toft, another local hero in Ben Barker, who together with Palm-Toft secured a famous last heat 5-1 victory against all the odds to win the match at Scunthorpe, and the rapidly improving and fans favourite Alfie Bowtell completing the home septet, the Westcolour Gladiators will be pumped up to take on the League champions in what is sure to be a match not to be missed.
The Pirates include British stars, Richard Lawson, Danny King and Steve Worrall, the Australian Cook brothers Ben and Zach and rising British Stars Drew Kemp and Nathan Ablitt, so there is sure to be feisty man to man combat in a true sporting speedway sense.
Tickets are available ONLINE, and this is the best way to secure a seat in the 400 seater NHS Stand or to avoid queuing for Tickets in other parts of the Stadium. Online Tickets are available on the Club website here
TICKETS for ALL 2022 Fixtures are also available on the Gate on the night CASH + Card Payments. Card Payments are via the online portal and can be purchased right up to 7pm on the day or outside the Stadium from the internet or any Android device. Any remaining NHS Stand seats can be purchased first come first served by Cash or Card.
The Match is again being Live Streamed by the excellent Gladiators TV – full details here:
GATES OPEN 5.30pm
PRE-MEETING PARADE 6.50pm
TAPES UP 7.00pm
There are numerous Food and Drink outlets around the Stadium including a fully licensed Bar and numerous Toilet and Disabled Toilet and washing facilities and our NEW fully stocked TRACK SHOP on the First Bend with new lines arriving all the time.
ONSITE Car Parking is £2.00 (via the Stadium Entry Gates)
A 36 page colour Match Programme is £3.00
We all know that when the going gets tough, the toughest get going, so let’s make sure this week’s instalment of Speedway Heaven at 7pm is a match that will further enhance the fantastic momentum that we are building at Plymouth Speedway in the face of adversity and all the odds. We look forward to seeing you Trackside this Tuesday at 7pm.
“Westcolour Gladiators are ready”
Image Credit: Jon Sproad