Speedway By John Walsh

Last updated 11:47, Friday, 12 December 2008

Comets new boy Kevin Doolan plans to be in Workington on Saturday when he will be taking-in the Team Branney Christmas party at the Waverley.

Kevin Doolan

John, re-signed for 2009 with the Comets and brother Craig, now committed to Newcastle Diamonds for next season, will be donating all the proceeds from the event to the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.

“It’s something we did last year and proved very successful so we are hoping to top what we made then for a good cause.

“Kevin had heard that this do was taking place and wants to come up and support us and get himself known to the fans before the season starts,” said Craig.

Former Comets skipper Garry Stead is also travelling up for the event at the Waverley Hotel, who are sponsoring his and Doolan's overnight accommodation.

John Branney said: “We raised £1,300 last year for the Benevolent Fund and I’d like to think we can go past that.

“We are holding an auction on the night and Garry is bringing his number one race jacket from the year he skippered the Comets; Kevin is going to bring something from last season and I’m going to put up my 2008 kevlars.”

It costs £5 entry with kids going free if they are accompanied by an adult.

Meanwhile two popular former Comets have confirmed that they will be riding in the Elite League next season.

Swindon Robins have announced the signing of ex-Derwent Park hero Simon Stead who spent two years with the Comets, while Belle Vue have recruited Ulrich Ostergaard.

Stead, 26, is set to join Swindon on a full transfer from Belle Vue in a swap deal that will see Robins’ asset Charlie Gjedde make a permanent move to Manchester.

Stead, a three times British under 21 Champion, spent the 2008 season with the Coventry Bees. In a year ravaged by injury, he finished with an Elite League average of 6.70 from 24 meetings.

The 2.5% reduction in starting averages for British riders means Stead will commence the 2009 campaign with a figure of 6.53.

The Yorkshire born racer has an array of international experience and was handed the wild card slot for the 2006 British Speedway GP at Cardiff’s Millennium stadium.

Furthermore, Stead has consistently featured in Britain’s World Cup squad since 2005 and is widely considered one of the nation’s most spectacular riders. He is still the track record holder at Derwent Park.

Ostergaard joined the Comets for the latter end of the 2007 season and proved an instant hit after his controversial sacking by Birmingham.

New boss Keith Denham wanted to re-sign him when he took over the club but Ostergaard was looking for a Monday night track, to fit in with his Danish commitments and joined Reading.

He has now opted for another Monday night track in Belle Vue, stepping up to the Elite League after proving himself one of the top three riders in the Premiere League last season with Comets’ Daniel Nermark and Workington’s new boy Kevin Doolan.