Ipswich chairman Richard Coleman is determined to deliver a stellar No.1 for the Tru7 Group Witches in 2027.
The Foxhall club finished fourth in the 2026 Rowe Motor Oil Premiership table, reaching the play-off semi-finals, as well as the Premiership Knockout Cup Final – some feat for a team that only confirmed they would come to the tapes after Mayfield completed its acquisition of the club from Witches legend Chris Louis on March 1.
After going with a strength-in-depth side, Coleman is determined to add top-end firepower to the 2027 Witches side.
He said: “I think it’s super important. If you look at any side, you need to try and win all your home meetings and pick up what you can on the road. That’s where a No.1 can make a big difference. They can get those big scores when you are away.
“Tom Brennan came back from an injury. Asking him to be a No.1 was probably a little unfair on him. He planned to be doing a lot more riding than he did in Poland and Sweden. When you are out of nick, you need to be on your bike, and Tom didn’t get enough seat time when he needed it.
“We didn’t have the luxury of choice regarding a No.1 rider last winter. But for 2027, we have no excuses.
“I am confident we can put out a good side. Nothing is done until it is done. We have had a mixture of conversations that will come to light after the AGM and the end-of-season dinner on November 6.”
Reflecting on the 2026 campaign, Coleman believes the Witches can take pride in their achievements after assembling their side after many of their rivals.
And he admits: “It was a closer run thing than people realise that there may not have been speedway in Ipswich this year. I think that’s what we all have to reflect on.
“The boys did a good job. We got through to the Knockout Cup Final and made the semi-finals of the play-offs.
“There have been a couple of times this season where we have dropped the ball. But on the whole, I am proud of the effort and the fact we managed to keep the show on the road. Obviously we are aiming for bigger and better things next year.”