Brown is Bandit number seven.

Tom Brown is the final link in the Berwick Speedway jigsaw for the forthcoming 2004 season which begins in earnest next Saturday night with a Premier Trophy meeting at home against Sheffield.

Brown is seen as an excellent signing for Berwick who have been on the reverse of 2 highly competent Brown meetings last year when he rode for Trelawny.

Brown began his career in the Conference League for the Newport Mavericks, and had a few outings for Trelawney that same year, 3 to be precise. Tom started off 2002 with Workington, but after a disappointing start he was released, and went back to conference League racing with Newport.

He picked up a nasty back injury when riding at Trelawny which halted his 2002 season. He was back on a bike again in January 2003 practicing for that season at the Moto-parc, Cornwall, where he enjoyed a satisfactory 8 months of racing.

"He's a great signing for us," said Berwick Promoter Peter Waite who has filled the gap with only 7 days to go before the opening match, "I'm sure the lad will put in some fine performances for us, as he did against us at Trelawny last year in deepest, darkest Cornwall.

"He is full of enthusiasm to come up to Berwick and is eager to do well for the Border crowd. We have full faith in him and we are sure our faith will reap major benefits."

Tonight sees the running of the annual Karl Friar Memorial Trophy with a top class field arriving at Berwick to entertain the crowd, although sadly Tom Brown won't be in attendance on this occasion.

This year's event starts at 7pm (doors open 6pm) at Berwick's Shielfield Park, with the top six Elm Bank Bandits plus six quality guests all riding for individual glory.