Hammers get their man.

The management of Arena Essex Speedway have announced that they have agreed a deal to keep leading light Leigh Lanham on board for 2002.

The deal, agreed with Sky Sports Elite League club Ipswich Witches, sees Lanham remain on loan to the Kent Sweepers-sponsored Hammers for another year. Negotiations had been ongoing for some time, but could not be completed until clarification was obtained concerning a new rule that will not only see Lanham back at Purfleet next year, but will also enable him to ride for Ipswich in the Elite League.

Hammers get their man.

The management of Arena Essex Speedway have announced that they have agreed a deal to keep leading light Leigh Lanham on board for 2002.

The deal, agreed with Sky Sports Elite League club Ipswich Witches, sees Lanham remain on loan to the Kent Sweepers-sponsored Hammers for another year. Negotiations had been ongoing for some time, but could not be completed until clarification was obtained concerning a new rule that will not only see Lanham back at Purfleet next year, but will also enable him to ride for Ipswich in the Elite League.

Lanham, and another rider yet to be named by Ipswich, will share the duties in one of Ipswich's reserve berths in 2002, but Hammers' managers stressed that his riding commitments for Arena Essex will take priority should there be any clash of dates.

The 24-year old proved to be a huge favourite with the Hammers' fans, and was voted as this year's 'Rider of the Year' as a result. His season was not all plain sailing, however, and he had to comeback from a badly broken thigh - sustained in the first home meeting of 2000 - that kept him out of action for the rest of that season.

Naturally, Lanham is delighted to be returning to Purfleet, coupled with the fact that he can 'double up' for his parent club in the Elite League.

"The new ruling being brought in for next season enables me to get the best of both worlds," he admitted, "and I'm very pleased indeed that everything's now sorted out. I've always wanted to ride for my home town club Ipswich in the Elite League, but I wanted to remain at Arena in 2002 as I, and they, still have a lot to achieve in the Premier League."

Lanham joins last year's skipper Colin White as a confirmed starter in the Kent Sweepers Hammers line-up for next season, and the club's management are already pressing ahead with further team plans that include bringing new rides to the club.

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