Wednesday April 02, 2025
SHEFFIELD stage their 2025 ROWE Motor Oil Premiership opener on Thursday (April 3, 7.30pm) with Birmingham their first opponents at Owlerton.

The Tru7 Group Tigers again have high hopes for the forthcoming season and will be going all out to reclaim the top-flight trophy they won two years ago.

Despite topping the regular standings last term, they were eliminated from the all-important play-offs at the semi-final stages.

But the management and promotion have worked hard over the winter to assemble a side they feel can push for honours once again with Jack Holder, Chris Holder and newly appointed captain Josh Pickering all returning whilst British trio Anders Rowe, Danyon Hume and Leon Flint come into the side.

However, the club suffered a major setback on Sunday when triple World Champion Tai Woffinden crashed during a challenge fixture in Poland.

He remains in hospital and the Woffinden family are keeping in close contact with Sheffield staff who will issue further updates at their request when the full facts are known.

In the meantime, due to the circumstances surrounding Tai, the Speedway Control Bureau have granted a 28-day cover facility whilst the club await further developments regarding his situation.

They will operate Rider Replacement against the Brummies with everyone except Jack Holder eligible to take one of his programmed rides.

And team boss Simon Stead is hoping his group’s early sign of togetherness can get them over the line on opening night after a difficult build-up for all involved with the Tigers.

“What happened on Sunday with Tai has, understandably, knocked the stuffing out of us a bit,” he said.

“It’s been a really, really strange and tough couple of days for everyone in the team, for everyone connected with the club and for the whole of the speedway world as well because he is one of the biggest names and characters we’ve got.

“It goes without saying that he hasn’t been off my mind this week and my thoughts and very best wishes go to Tai and all of his family.

“It does leave a massive hole in our team with everything Tai brings on and off track – but the reality is, our season gets underway on Thursday and if he was here himself, he’d have been firing the lads up and winning would be on his mind.

“One thing I do know with this group of lads is that they are head-strong, they are determined and from day one last Thursday, there is a real togetherness about them – and that is going to count for so, so much, particularly in these opening weeks of the season.”

Birmingham include two members of Sheffield’s title-winning 2023 squad in their ranks with Tobiasz Musielak and Rising Star Jason Edwards no strangers to Owlerton whilst experienced campaigners Matej Zagar and Michael Jepsen Jensen are also back in British Speedway as Brummies’ heat-leaders.

Turnstiles open at 6pm with admission on the night £25 adults, £23 concessions (over 65s and students - both with evidence), £5 juniors (aged 12-17), whilst it’s just £1 for all kids aged 11 and under.

Supporters are also reminded that the Carvery Restaurant, Panorama Room and Snack Bar will all be open as usual and a new-look, racenight programme, with extra pages, will be available for £4.

SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Anders Rowe, Josh Pickering, Tai Woffinden R/R, Chris Holder, Danyon Hume, Leon Flint.
BIRMINGHAM: Tobiasz Musielak, Jonas Jeppesen, Michael Jepsen Jensen, Keynan Rew, Matej Zagar, Antti Vuolas, Jason Edwards.