Ipswich Tru7 Group Witches icon Danny King was determined to repay the club’s loyalty after waiting out a winter of uncertainty to lead their Rowe Motor Oil Premiership title defence.
The former British champion skippers the Foxhall club into East Anglian derby action at home to arch-rivals King’s Lynn on Thursday night (7.30pm), with the visitors led by Speedway GP star Max Fricke, Czech charger Jan Kvech and British daredevil Chris Harris.
King teams up with 2025 Premiership title-winning teammates Tom Brennan, who makes his first appearance at No.1, as well as rising star Jason Edwards.
Local legend Scott Nicholls returns to Witches colours for the first time since 2010 for what could be his final season, while Richard Lawson, Tobiasz Musielak and Swedish newcomer Philip Hellstrom-Bangs complete the side – managed for the first time by new boss Paul Hurry.
The fixture is the first under the new Mayfield promotion, led by Richard Coleman and Andrew Chisholm, who purchased the Witches from club legend Chris Louis. Despite the deal only being finalised on March 1, there was never any danger of King seeking a contract elsewhere.
He said: “I am always the optimist, and I always had faith that the deal would get done. When you have two parties that want the same thing, it’s just a matter of time before it gets over the line.
“I stuck with it. I am pleased it got done. I think the guys who have come in are decent guys. They have good plans, and they want success. That’s what this club is all about.
“I committed myself to Ipswich very early on. I made my feelings very clear that I didn’t really want to go anywhere else. This is my club; I’ll stand by them.
“Ipswich gave me a chance when I was 16 in the British League Cup in 2003. I never looked back from there. I signed in the top flight full time in 2004. It’s Ipswich Speedway that gave me that chance and got me where I am today. That’s why they are so close to my heart.
“It’s all about the loyalty and belief that they have had and shown in me, and the help they have given me. It’s a very close-knit club. They have made me very welcome, and I have made it my home over the years. It’s a place I don’t want to leave.”
Last season saw the Witches win their first league title since their immortal 1998 Elite League treble season, which saw speedway legends Tony Rickardsson, Tomasz Gollob, Louis and Nicholls sweep all before them.
King was elated to get his hands on the Premiership trophy for the first time with the Witches and admits the celebrations have only left him hungry for more.
He said: “I waited a long time for that. I signed for this club at 16 years old and I lifted that trophy at 39. It’s a moment in my life that I will never forget. I worked so hard for that, as everyone else has at the club, and it was fully deserved by everyone. Now we have won it once, we want to do it again.”
Be part of the club’s opening night – 2026 season tickets are still available HERE, while King’s Lynn advance tickets can be purchased HERE.
STARTING LINE-UPS
IPSWICH TRU7 GROUP WITCHES: 1. Tom Brennan, 2. Danny King (captain), 3. Tobiasz Musielak, 4. Scott Nicholls, 5. Richard Lawson, 6. Philip Hellstrom-Bangs, 7. Jason Edwards. TEAM MANAGER: Paul Hurry.
KING’S LYNN STARS: 1. Max Fricke, 2. Ben Cook, 3. Chris Harris (captain), 4. Paco Castagna, 5. Jan Kvech, 6. Cooper Rushen, 7. Jody Scott. TEAM MANAGER: Rob Lyon.