Appleton and Euphony boost for Reading.

The Reading Euphony Racers promotion have named two more riders in their quest for Premier League honours in 2004. Completing the top five sees Andrew Appleton returning for his third season with the Berkshire club.

The Reading Euphony Racers promotion have named two more riders in their quest for Premier League honours in 2004. Completing the top five sees Andrew Appleton returning for his third season with the Berkshire club.

Having secured a 9.08 from 22 meetings in 2002, big things were expected from the 21-year-old in 2003, however, Appleton suffered mixed fortunes for the Euphony Racers last season. His early season form was excellent and carried the team through a tough period, but this dropped off as a result of injury, mechanical problems and possibly the pressure of taking over the number one race-jacket, in what was very much a struggling team.

Appleton will line up for Reading in 2004 fourth in the Euphony Racers averages, which will give the team probably the most potent top four in the Premier League of Matej Zagar, Danny Bird, Phil Morris and Appleton.

This will almost certainly take a lot of pressure off the popular former Newport rider, and hopefully will result in him regaining the form the Smallmead faithful saw from him in 2002 and early 2003.

Reading Promoter Pat Bliss was pleased to see Appleton agree on a new deal, she said, "We are very pleased to have Andrew back in the Racers seven and we feel sure he will prove a vital part of the set up this season."

"It was very difficult to make the choice between Andrew and Jonas Davidsson, but after very careful consideration, we feel we have made the right decision and believe he will add the right blend of experience and commitment to the team. We sincerely hope Jonas will get fixed up with a team for the season and we are very sorry we weren't able to include them both this year, but as always averages dictate."

Reading had hoped to be in a position to name their full team at this stage, but they have revealed that they have offered terms to one rider with previous Premier League experience, for the vacant number seven jacket

Reading have in-fact signed an eight rider for the 2004 campaign, by securing the signature of 15-year-old Jamie Westacott, beating off a large number of other clubs who were keen to sign the young Welshman.

Westacott, who is not 16 until April, represented the Great Britain Under-16 team against Germany in 2003, and also has some Conference experience having turned out for Newport Mavericks, Stoke Spitfires and the Reading Ravens in the past.

In a further boost to the club, Euphony Communications, the Reading based communications Company and team sponsor of the Reading Euphony Racers for the 2003 season, have extended their sponsorship of the Racers for the 2004 season, as part of a five year framework agreement extending to 2008.

The new deal includes funds from Euphony for acquisitions such as Danny Bird, as well as significant sponsorship funds to Reading Speedway for improvements both on and off the track to bring a major improvement to the whole experience, and value for money received by the fans that have paid to watch speedway at Smallmead.

Dave Faithful, Managing Director of Euphony, said of the new deal, "This is a fantastic opportunity for all of us who are fans of speedway in Reading. The promoters and ourselves as sponsors, have worked very hard to ensure
deals are in place to deliver a fantastic season for the Euphony Racers.

We all recognise that the performance of last year simply had to be improved, and I'm confident that this deal, and the new approach being taken by the promotion at Reading, will deliver results".

Euphony are also raising the levels of professionalism for the Euphony Racers, by providing matching team kevlar race-suits for all the riders from the start of the season.

The communications company will also be extending their 'Team Euphony' backing of Reading riders. In 2003 they individually backed Euphony Racers skipper Phil Morris and Andrew Appleton, and in 2004 this will be extended
to new signing Danny Bird and the 15-year-old rising-star Jamie Westacott.

A significant aspect of the Euphony deal is ensuring Reading are set up for a high-performance season. Not only will the team mix be capable of winning the Premier League in 2004, but Euphony are offering financial incentives
for strong performance from the Euphony Racers.

There is an un-disclosed bonus for all the riders if the Euphony Racers complete the 2004 season in one the top three positions of the Premier League, and Euphony have offered up a major bonus, believed to be the first of it's kind, to the riders and the promoters of the Euphony Racers if the team win the Premier League title.

"It's important that the fans of the Euphony Racers get to see a winning team again", commented Dave Faithful, "We felt we had to find a way of offering something significant to provide a real motivation to the riders and the promoters so that everyone goes that extra mile".

Reading promoter Pat Bliss is equally enthusiastic about the partnership being extended, she said, "We are thrilled to have Euphony with us again this season and their continued sponsorship has enabled us to start the
season with a potentially league winning team."

"We very much appreciate their support after a difficult season last year and both the management and team will be committed to ensuring their trust in us is well founded."

Paul Hunsdon, the club's Commercial Manager was delighted to have the Communications giant on-board for the coming campaign. Hunsdon commented, "Euphony's sponsorship is invaluable, they are 100% committed to helping Reading Speedway achieve the results that the fans deserve."

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