Teenage duo complete Fen Tigers' line up.

Mildenhall have unveiled their exciting young reserve pairing for the new season after the signings of hot 17 year-old prospects Thomas Allen and Scott James.

The pair will go straight into the Fen Tigers' team for their opening fixture of the season at Newcastle on Sunday at 2pm.

Australian James has been signed from Premier League Workington where he currently rides at no.7 in his first season in British Speedway, whilst the
capture of Allen was clinched from under the noses of several other Conference League outfits.

Thomas is the son of former Boston and Peterborough rider Dave Allen and the brother of Swindon's Oliver, a former Mildenhall star in 1998, and gave up a promising career in soccer to start racing speedway bikes about 15 months ago.

"Both Oliver and I had trials with Norwich Schoolboys and Cambridge United seemed interested but I have now decided to follow Oliver and my father into
speedway" said the 17 year old.

"My first rides were on one of Oliver's bikes in January of last year and since then I have been racing here and there but mainly at Swindon. The more I got into it, the more I took to it and it has been helpful having Oliver and my Dad to encourage and motivate me.

"Kings Lynn and possibly Boston seemed interested in my joining them but I prefer the offer from Mildenhall and am looking forward to going there. Oliver rode there for a while and speaks well of the place and my conversations with the management have been really positive, so it should be good."

"However, my only team experience is one meeting for Swindon Sprockets so this is going to be a big test for me. But that is exactly what I need and I'm really looking forward to my first year in the sport."

General manager Graham Drury is in no doubt he has a starlet on his hands. "Thomas comes on the recommendation of Peter Oakes and that is good enough for me - I really rate Oaksey's opinion on young riders and if Peter says he has potential, that is good enough for me."

"No one is expecting too much from the lad straight away. But he comes from a good background, his equipment is first rate and I wouldn't be surprised
to see him make a lot of progress over the year. It is in our interests to nurture and look after Thomas and that is one of the reasons Oakesy put us on to him - and I take that as a compliment. The team is coming together and Thomas will prove to be a good addition I'm sure."