Reading complete team.

Reading have completed their 2003 team, by announcing that Stuart Williams will fill the remaining spot at number seven.

Reading asset Williams has been given a belated Christmas present, as it's always been his dream to ride for Reading Racers. The 36-year-old nearly lined up for Reading back in 1986, but was dropped from the intended team on the eve of the season.

Reading have completed their 2003 team, by announcing that Stuart Williams will fill the remaining spot at number seven.

Reading asset Williams has been given a belated Christmas present, as it's always been his dream to ride for Reading Racers. The 36-year-old nearly lined up for Reading back in 1986, but was dropped from the intended team on the eve of the season.

Reading Speedway caught up with their latest signing earlier this month, and spoke how he hoped that Reading would make his dream come true, and what he'd been doing with his life since 1986.

Williams said: "As a teenager, I very nearly managed to fulfil my dream - It is simply now an adult dream which has come true.

"I have geared myself up for Premier League racing: equipment, bikes, training - it will certainly be down to me and I will offer no excuses!

"I will be fit enough, strong enough and my equipment will be great. I fully intend to finish the season as a second-string.

"Many people who do not know me well assume I have been about for donkeys years and have a vast amount of experience at speedway - Nothing could be further from the truth.

"I only raced a dozen or so Junior meetings with the old Reading Rivets, before nearly making my Racers debut back in 1986.

"I gave up speedway shortly after that (having had four or so meetings for Exeter on a totally unsuitable borrowed bike). I also raced at club and national level grasstrack during 1987.

"Did not ride in at all during 1988-1990, raced grasstrack in 1991. I then started some trials riding in 1992, which I still do.

"I became quite driven in business, and started a company in 1993. I sold that company and started another in 1996 - I have recently sold this company as well.

"After nearly ten years away from grasstrack, I started riding again in 2000, and won the South West Championship. I raced again in 2001 and won the South West Championship again!!

"I thought riding a speedway bike during the winter might improve my grasstrack technique. I decided to purchase a rolling chassis, popped my grass engine in and went along to Somerset in November and December 2001 - Racing speedway again was certainly not on my mind.

"I started riding grasstrack last year (2002) and combined that with second-half racing on a Friday night at Somerset.

"Carmarthen made an approach at the beginning of the season which I declined, as I did not want to race at that time. I carried on riding a few second-half scratch races at Somerset. Around June I was asked if I would step in for two matches to cover Shane McCabe who was injured.

"So, I'd gone from no speedway experience for 14-15 years, a few training schools, second-half matches, one challenge match at Reading - it was fitting that Reading would be my race debut after 15 years!! All this included using grasstrack engines, they are not really suitable - light flywheels, limited grip & poor off the start. Here I was lining up at the start for Somerset away at Exeter!!

"I lead heat two until the 4th bend of the last lap, until I hit the fence. It was a very nasty fall - the medics thought I would not be getting up from that one. However, I stood up, and pushed the bike over the line for third place, and promptly got excluded for receiving outside assistance!!

"In the return at Somerset, I scored paid 7, and was then rested/dropped for a while.

"Carmarthen then seemed like a good idea - I felt more practice was vital, I needed real race practice, not second half practice - so I agreed to race for them. After a few variable meetings, my confidence was high and I think I scored 12,12,11,18,12,14 - home & away in my last six meetings for Carmarthen - still using my old grass engines.

"I ran out the last few meetings with Somerset, ended the season with a win at the Isle of Wight and an average just under 3-points.

"This coming season is much more serious for me. Having sold my business, I do not need a sponsor & can focus all my energies and time on speedway. I will not be working - speedway is my sole focus this year.

"I'm now fully recovered from the road crash I had at the end of last season. I'm confident I can achieve a 4.5 Premier League average - if you add back my ''lost' points from last year - I would be averaging around 4.80 and I start as a 3.00 point man.

"If I don't make the targets I've set myself, it certainly won't be for the want of trying - I can't wait for March to come round now!!"

The Smallmead faithful are in for an exciting season, particularly with some new faces to cheer on.

Reading Promoter Pat Bliss is also eagerly awaiting tapes up in March, "I have spoken to Jan Davidsson (Jonas' Father), and he is all ready to come over and is very keen.

"We have some new riders in the team this year, which is always an exciting prospect.

"Obviously we still need a work permit on Scott Smith, but do not for see any great problem there.

"We are very sorry that we couldn't include Jason Bunyan and Chris Schramm in this year's team, as we have no problem with them - it was just simply down to averages.

"We would like to wish them every success during the 2003 season.

"Apologies to the fans who did want these two riders back, but hopefully they will not be too disappointed with the team we have got".

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