Mildenhall Fen Tigers

The Mildenhall Fen Tigers are a British speedway team, founded in 1975 and currently riding in the National Development League.

History

1971–1989

The original track was built in 1971 on farm land owned by Terry Waters, with chef Bernie Klatt the driving force behind establishing speedway in Mildenhall.Butt, Randall (1980) "Dream Come True", ''Speedway Star'', 15 November 1980, p. 7 Klatt had been the head chef at the officers club at the nearby air force base, and later established a restaurant at the track. The track moved to a second area on the same farm in 1973. After running as a training track, the Mildenhall team entered the New National League (division 2) in 1975.

The team competed in division 2 for 15 consecutive seasons from 1975 to 1989. Their best season was the 1979 National League season, where the team won the league title.

1990–2005

The team disbanded after the 1989 season but the track remained open from 1990 to 1991. The 1992 season started with fixtures in the Gold Cup and league before the team withdrew from the 1992 British League Division Two season. The club finally found some stability in 1994 when they joined the third tier of British speedway. They had 12 seasons in division 3 and won the league and cup double twice during the 2003 Speedway Conference League and 2004 Speedway Conference League.

2006–present

The club moved up to the Premier League in 2006 when new promoter Mick Horton took over. He also formed a junior side called the Mildenhall Academy that rode in the 2006 Speedway Conference League.

In 2007, Stadium owner Carl Harris formed Fen Tigers Limited with the intention of selling the company shares to the fans. Lifelong supporter Simon Barton bought a major shareholding in the club until the promotion sold to Keith & Jonathan Chapman in August 2008. Team manager Laurence Rogers was replaced with former Tigers rider Richard Knight. At the beginning of the season the club struggled to find a sponsor, so uniquely, the fans collectively sponsored the team. Following thwe 2008 season the club dropped back down to the third division.

In 2010, the team withdrew from the league and had their results expunged but the following season they bounced back by winning the Knockout Cup. The 2012 National League speedway season was even better as they won the league and cup double, although finishing 2nd in the regular season table they won the play off final. In 2021, the team competes in the third division for the 12th consecutive season and ran out the champions for the fourth time since 2003.

Season summary

Riders previous seasons

2006 team

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2007 team
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Also Rode:
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2008 team
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Also Rode:

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* (Signed at the start of the season, but did not ride.)

2009 team

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2010 team

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2011 team

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2012 team

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2013 team

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2014 team

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2015 team
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2019 team
* Ryan Kinsley
* Jason Edwards
* Charlie Brooks
* Henry Atkins
* Matt Marson
* Elliot Kelly
* Aaron Butcher

References

{{Speedway National League

Speedway Premier League teams
Sport in Suffolk
National League speedway teams
Mildenhall, Suffolk