The Kent Kings (Kent Royals from 2021 to 2022) are a British motorcycle speedway team formed in 2013. They currently race in the NORA Speedway League, based at the Iwade Speedway.[1]
| Kent Kings Kent Royals (2021–2022) | |||||||
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| Club information | |||||||
| Track address | Central Park Stadium (2013–2021) Iwade Speedway (2022–) | ||||||
| Country | England | ||||||
| Founded | 6 May 2013 | ||||||
| League | NORA Speedway League | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
| Club facts | |||||||
| Colours | Red and white | ||||||
| Track size | 268m | ||||||
| Track record time | 57.3s | ||||||
| Track record date | 6 June 2016 | ||||||
| Track record holder | Dan Greenwood | ||||||
| Major team honours | |||||||
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History
editOrigins & 2010s
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Kent Kings joined the 2013 National League speedway season (third tier), based at Central Park Stadium, with the backing of sponsors CTA Fire and Len Silver co-promoted the team with Roger Cearns. Their participation during the 2013 season saw the return of speedway to Kent for the first time since Sittingbourne Crusaders closed in 2008.[2][3] The first match for the team was a challenge against the American Touring Team in May 2013, attended by more than 3,000 spectators.[4] The team manager was John Sampford and David Mason was signed as captain, but lost his team place, with Steve Boxall taking over the captaincy.[5] The Kings finished seventh out of eight teams and bottom of the National Trophy. However, the debut season for the Kings saw rider Steve Boxall win the National League Riders' Championship.[6]
The following season in 2014, the Kings finished third of the nine teams competing in the 2014 National League speedway season and reached the semi-final of the cup. A bizarre 2015 campaign ended with the team finishing bottom of the league but with two riders (Ben Morley and Danny Ayres) topping the Riders' Championship and winning the National League Pairs Championship.[7]
The team experienced a gradual improvement, with three consecutive semi-final play off appearances in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Luke Bowen was the clubs top rider during the period. During the 2019 National Development League speedway season the team reached the play off final for the first time, losing to Leicester Lion Cubs in the final.[8] They also won the NDL National Trophy and the Pairs championship, held at Owlerton Stadium, on 25 August, with Anders Rowe and Drew Kemp.[9]
2020s
editFor the 2020 season, Kent Kings entered the SGB Championship (division 2) for the first time and the club also formed a junior team called the Kent Royals to compete in division 3 but the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. However through 2021 they competed in the SGB Championship and the junior team rode in the National League.[10]
In 2022, the club left Central Park Stadium moving to Iwade Speedway, the home of the former Sittingbourne Crusaders. They also raced solely under the name of Kent Royals as a National Development League team.[11]
After missing the 2023 season, the team returned under their traditional name of Kent Kings but chose to race in the NORA Speedway League (a league outside of the control of 'British Speedway').[1]
Season summary
editExtended content
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Notable riders
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References
edit- ^ a b "Kent Kings are back". Kent Sports News. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Kent Kings Roundup", speedwaygb.co, 5 May 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013
- ^ "Kent Kings geared up for start of new season", yourswale.co.uk, 5 May 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013
- ^ Tucker, Craig (2013) "Fans turn out in force for opening Kent Kings speedway meeting at Central Park", Kent Online, 8 May 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013
- ^ Miles, Greg (2013) "Sacked Kent Kings captain ‘disgusted’ with treatment", kentnews.co.uk, 16 May 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013
- ^ "BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - MODERN ERA (1991-PRESENT)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "National League Pairs" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "2019 National League Pairs" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Kent Speedway homepage". Kent Speedway. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
- ^ "A new ticket to ride for Kent speedway". Kent Online. 28 April 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.