Boro Bears gear up for season.

The Middlesborough Bears prepared for the new season by staging a successful practice session at Workington's Derwent Park. Six riders including current 350cc British grasstrack champion Paul Cooper and local lad Ashley Johnson, making his first tentative steps since his life threatening crash at Mildenhall last May, were present.

The highlights included Craig Branney beating Workington trialist and current Hungarian champion Norbert Magosi in a match race organised by Workington promoter Ian Thomas. All riders took part in two heats and Branney looked particularly sharp.

The Bears also revealed a new team sponsor. Scott Bros. of Thornaby, who specialise in environmental waste, haulage and skip hire, are making their first venture into speedway. Two other local companies are also backing the Bears. Last year's team sponsor Hartburn Garage of Stockton-on-Tees have agreed to be the club's associate team sponsor whilst T.P. Skip Hire of Richmond Street, Middlesbrough, donated money for the racejackets.

The Bears season commences at Hull on Wednesday, 21 April, 2004, with a friendly match against the Hull Angels. The team will be racing a further five matches at Craven Park and up to three matches at Sheffield's Owlerton Stadium. In addition to these meetings the team will be featuring in a number of away matches. The matches will consist of six heats and four man teams and take place immediately after the main event.

A 15-heat seven man team match against Scunthorpe Scorpions is being organised at their new track at Normanby Road. This is scheduled to take place in August on the Bank Holiday Monday 30/8. Former Middlesbrough & Scunthorpe rider Mark Burrows has been approached to captain the side. Conference League rates and travel expenses will apply.

Elite League club Oxford Silver Machine have invited the Scott Bros. Bears down to Cowley for a challenge match against their juniors. The offer came out of the blue as the Bears management were seeking permission to use Workington-based Craig Branney who has joined Oxford's Conference League team but also wants rides closer to home. Promoter Nigel Wagstaff has kindly offered to contribute towards the club's travelling expenses. The match will make up for the loss of several fixtures including Belle Vue who are not running a junior team this year.

Club captain Gary Flint will spend 2004 on the sidelines. The Ashington-born rider broke his leg at Sheffield's practice and has been told by surgeons to forget about riding this season. The likeable 21-year old will still be involved behind the scenes when he is fit enough to travel.

Matches against local rivals Newcastle Gems and Workington juniors are set to take place. The clubs are waiting for suitable dates.