Bell steps down as Somerset team manager.

The Somerset 'Mike Manning Audio' Rebels will be looking to appoint a new team manager ahead of the 2007 season following the not totally unexpected news that current team boss, Mick Bell, has decided to step down from the role.

It has been no secret that Bell has found the weekly Friday journey from his Banbury (Oxford) home more and more of a strain, and feels now is the right time to make way for a successor to be found.

"This is the right time for me to step down from the role," said the former Coventry and Reading rider, "Although Mike Golding asked me to stay on as team manager for the new season, there was no way I could continue the weekly drive from Banbury, and so I decided to turn down his offer."

"By making my decision now, it gives Mike plenty of time to appoint a new team manager with whom he can consult over team building for the new season." "I have really enjoyed my time at Somerset, the racing at the Oak Tree Arena is the amongst the best I've ever seen, and the fans are second to none. Whoever takes over the team manager position at Somerset could not ask for anything more than that."

Speaking of his decision to step down, new Somerset Promoter Mike Golding paid tribute to what Bell had achieved at Somerset. "Mick is a highly respected team manager, not only by everyone connected with Somerset Speedway, but throughout the sport as a whole."

"Mick was the first person I approached with a view to staying on for the new season, but I can fully understand his reasons for not wishing to continue, and I would like to thank him for advising me at this early stage in order that I can appoint a new team manager without too much delay. I would like to think that an announcement on Mick's replacement can be made in the near future."