Newcastle Diamonds

The club has a reputation of importing young, foreign talent; the Diamonds have given starts to the British careers of six times World Champion Ivan Mauger, three times World Champion Ole Olsen, 1974 World Champion Anders Michanek and three time World Champion Nicki Pedersen. Former Speedway Grand Prix riders Kenneth Bjerre and Bjarne Pedersen also started their British careers with the Diamonds.[1]

In 1992, rider Wayne Garratt died in hospital after crashing at the track, the fourth person to do so since 1946, including Chris Prime in 1978.

The 2010 season was a very successful campaign for the Newcastle Diamonds. Although the Edinburgh Monarchs dominated the League, it was the Diamonds that took most silverware of the season by winning the Premier League Play-Offs (Against Sheffield Tigers), the Premier Trophy (Against Birmingham Brummies) and the Premier League KOC (Against Edinburgh Monarchs). The Diamonds also found success in the Super7even events, when the Dane Kenni Larsen won the Premier League Riders Championship to add a fourth honour to the club's successful season. Fellow Dane Rene Bach encountered further success away from the club by helping Denmark to win the under 21 world cup with a 15-point maximum, and by winning the Danish Under 21s Championship. In recognition of their achievements the team was awarded the prestigious 'Team of the Year' award by Sports North-East, shortly before the 2011 campaign commenced, ahead of the Championship League winning football side Newcastle United.[2]

Robert Lambert, who rode for the Diamonds during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, was crowned both British Under 21 and European Under 19 Champion in 2017. He, alongside Steve Worrall (who rode for the Diamonds in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017) represented Great Britain in the World Team Cup during the 2017 season. GB won event one at King's Lynn where both Lambert and Worrall scored 13 points each, helping the team to qualify for the World Team Cup Final in Leszno, Poland.

On 16 September 2018, Newcastle Diamonds legend Stuart Robson announced his retirement from the sport. He first rode for the Diamonds at the age of 16 in 1993.

2019 was the Newcastle Diamonds' 90th anniversary season. The full team was confirmed on 22 December 2018 with only Matthew Wethers retained from the 2018 season. Thomas Jorgensen joined the Diamonds following 2018 with neighbours and rivals Redcar Bears. Danny Phillips was on loan from the Diamonds at Scunthorpe during 2018. Max Clegg travelled south from Edinburgh Monarchs, while Steve Worrall and Simon Lambert were late additions to the team from Workington. Finally, Lasse Bjerre, younger brother of Newcastle legend Kenneth Bjerre who started his British career with the Diamonds in the early 2000s before going on to star in the Speedway Grand Prix series, was on the team.

George English, Andrew Dalby & Martin Phillips

George English & Martin Phillips

Main Team Sponsor - Boiler Technical Services

Averages below are based on BSPA (as at March 2019):

Rider	M	H	A	R	P	Current 2019 Ave	2019 Starting Ave	+/-
Steve Worrall							7.97
Thomas Jorgensen							7.66
Lasse Bjerre							7.08
Matthew Wethers							5.78
Simon Lambert							4.18
Max Clegg							3.17
Danny Phillips							2.00

‡ Released, Injured

George English, Andrew Dalby & Martin Phillips

George English & Martin Phillips

Main team sponsor: Boiler Technical Services

Averages below are green sheet averages based on BSPA (as at 1 October 2018):

Rider	Final 2018 Ave	Starting 2018 Average	+/-
Stuart Robson	6.43	7.02	-
Ludvig Lindgren	6.47	7.21	-
Ashley Morris	5.58	4.88	+
Tero Aarnio	6.83	5.02	+
Matej Kus	5.63	7.64	-
Matthew Wethers	5.78	5.65	+
Carl Wilkinson	3.96	4.97	-
Also Rode
Lewis Rose	6.25	6.49	-

Rider	M	H	A	R	P	2011	2010	+/-
Mark Lemon						9.18
Derek Sneddon						5.47
Joe Haines						5.30
Rene Bach						8.75
Claes Nedermark						6.26
Kyle Newman						4.02
Richie Worrall						3.22
Also Rode
Stuart Robson						8.85
Jason King						5.07
Matej Ferjan †						7.00
Lubos Tomicek ‡						4.70

Note: British riders have 2.5% reduction on their 2010 averages.
Also Rode: ^‡ Released., Injured., ^† Ferjan died on 22 May 2011.[3]

Date	Match	Comp	Res.	P	Top Scorer	Notes / Guests / Injuries
Team Change: Signed Lubos Tomicek for King
19 March	Berwick Bandits vs Newcastle Diamonds	TTW	43-50	-	M. Lemon 15 (5)
20 March	Newcastle Diamonds vs Berwick Bandits	TTW	49-44	-	M. Lemon 14 (5)	Won Tyne/Tweed Trophy, Agg. 94-92
25 March	Edinburgh Monarchs vs Newcastle Diamonds	PS	44-46	-	S. Robson 13 (5)
27 March	Newcastle Diamonds vs Redcar Bears	CHAL	45-44	-	S. Robson 13+1 (5)
1 Apr	Scunthorpe Scorpions vs Newcastle Diamonds	PL	47-42	1	M. Lemon 12 (5) S. Robson 11+1 (5)
2 April	Rye House Rockets vs Newcastle Diamonds	PL	44-46	3	M. Lemon 12 (5)
3 April	Newcastle Diamonds vs Edinburgh Monarchs	PS	48-45	-	S. Robson 14 (5)	Won Premier Shield, Agg. 94-89.
10 April	Newcastle Diamonds vs Rye House Rockets	PL	50-43	3	M. Lemon 13 (5)	Bach Broken tibia and fibula in right leg,[4] possible further injuries to ribs and collarbone.[5] Newman Wrist.[6]
14 April	Redcar Bears vs Newcastle Diamonds	CHAL	57-33	-	M. Lemon 13 (6)	r/r for Bach returned 6 points. Adam McKinna for Newman - 1 point.
16 April	Leicester Lions v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	52-43	0	S. Robson 12+1 (5)	Kevin Doolan for Bach - 11 points.
17 April	Newcastle Diamonds v Leicester Lions	PL	50-40	3	M. Lemon 15 (5)	Andrew Tully for Bach - 6+3 points. Adam McKinna for Newman (World U21s) - 1+1 points.
Team Change: Matej Ferjan for Bach .[7] Team Change: Claes Nedermark for Tomicek (released).[8]
24 April	Glasgow Tigers v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	50-43	0	M. Lemon 14 (5)	Worrall . Withdrew after 1 ride.
25 April	Newcastle Diamonds v Glasgow Tigers	PL	41-49	0	R. Worrall 10+4 (7)	Lemon . Double break in collarbone.[9]
29 April	Somerset Rebels v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	53-43	0	S. Robson 11+2 (5)	Sergey Darkin for Lemon - 6+1 points.
1 May	Newcastle Diamonds v Sheffield Tigers	PL	49-44	2	S. Robson 18 (5)	Kevin Doolan for Lemon - 9+1 points.
14 May	Rye House Rockets v Newcastle Diamonds	PLKOC	39-39	-	S. Robson 11 (4)	Leigh Lanham for Lemon - 9 points. Ferjan r/r (Hungarian Championship) - 4 points. Abandoned after Heat 13 (rain).
15 May	Newcastle Diamonds v Rye House Rockets	PLKOC	50-38	-	S. Robson 10+3 (5)	Jason Lyons for Lemon - 8+1 points.
Team Change: Jason King for Ferjan (died).
29 May	Newcastle Diamonds v Redcar Bears	PL	42-47	0	S. Robson 11 (5)	Mark Lemon returned from injury. Jason King returned for his first match since August 2010.
5 June	Newcastle Diamonds v Somerset Rebels	PL	48-45	2	S. Robson 14 (5)
16 June	Sheffield Tigers v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	52-39	0	S. Robson 11+1 (5)	Lee Complin for Lemon - 7+1 points.
19 June	Newcastle Diamonds v Plymouth Devils	PL	52-40	3	C. Nedermark 11+2 (5)	Jason Lyons for Lemon - 6 points.
23 June	Ipswich Witches v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	47-44	1	S. Robson 17 (5)	Leigh Lanham for Lemon - 8 points.
1 July	Edinburgh Monarchs v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	53-39	0	S. Robson 13 (5)	James Grieves for Lemon - 9 points.
2 July	Workington Comets v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	51-42	0	K. Newman 17+1 (7)	Jason Lyons for Lemon - 10 points. Robson withdrew after one ride.
3 July	Newcastle Diamonds v Scunthorpe Scorpions	PL	49-45	2	C. Nedermark 14 (6)	Jason Lyons for Lemon - 12+1 points. r/r for Robson - 9 points.
7 July	Redcar Bears v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	59-34	0	D. Howe 15 (6)	David Howe for Lemon - 15 points. r/r for Robson - 10 points. King .
10 July	Newcastle Diamonds v Edinburgh Monarchs	PL	52-43	3	J. Lyons 15 (5)	Jason Lyons for Lemon - 15 points. Aaron Summers for Robson - 11+1 points. r/r for King - 7 points.
16 July	Newport Wasps v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	48-42	1	S. Robson 10+1 (5)	Cory Gathercole for Lemon - 7 points. r/r for King - 7+2 points.
22 July	Somerset Rebels v Newcastle Diamonds	PLKOC	46-44	-	K. Newman 15+2 (7)	David Howe for Lemon - 3+1 points. r/r for King - 7+2 points.
24 July	Newcastle Diamonds V Somerset Rebels	PLKOC	53-37	-	K. Newman 15+2 (7)	Jason Lyons for Lemon - 4+2 points. r/r for King - 9+2 points. Sneddon - withdrew after 2 rides.
30 July	Berwick Bandits v Newcastle Diamonds	PL	49-43	1	J. Lyons 14 (5)	Jason Lyons for Lemon - 14 points. Thomas Jorgensen for Sneddon - 2 points r/r for King - 4 points.
31 July	Newcastle Diamonds v Workington Comets	PL	54-39	3	K. Newman 12+2 (7)	Jason Lyons for Lemon - 10+1 points. Jan Graversen for Sneddon - 4+1 points r/r for King - 6 points. Robson - punctured lung and broken ribs.[10] Nedermark - knees.[10] Entire top five of the team injured.
Team Change: Rene Bach to return from injury Team Change: Joe Haines signed for King.[11]

Note: Top scorer in italics, indicates a full or paid maximum.
Fixtures: TTW: Tyne/Tweed Trophy, CHAL: Challenge, PS: Premier Shield, PL: Premier League
Coloring: Green: Won, Red: Lost, Yellow: Draw, Blue: Lost, but still gained league points (PL matches only)

The following averages take into account league and trophy matches only, excluding playoffs, semi-finals, and finals. These averages are used for team building purposes and riding order.

Rider	M	H	A	R	P	2009	2010	+/-
Kenni Larsen	28	15	13	129	312	8.10	9.67	+1.57
Derek Sneddon	34	17	17	142	187	4.95	5.27	+0.28
Jason King	29	13	16	122	177	7.08	5.80	-1.28
Rene Bach	30	16	14	144	325	7.02	9.03	+2.01
Mark Lemon	33	17	16	159	357	8.09	8.98	+0.89
Adam McKinna	21	11	10	80	50	3.37	3.00	-0.37
Dakota North	32	17	15	159	185	3.00	4.65	+1.65
Also Rode
Anders Andersen ‡	27	12	15	123	72	3.00	3.00	-

Note: British riders have 2.5% reduction on their 2010 averages.
Also Rode: ^‡ Released., Injured.

The following averages take into account all matches including Knockout Cup and Playoffs.

Rider		M	R	PTS	BP	TOT	CMA
Kenni Larsen	H	24	115	300	10	310	10.78
	A	22	101	223	7	230	9.11
		46	216	523	17	540	10.00
Derek Sneddon	H	26	112	158	33	191	6.82
	A	25	108	103	18	121	4.48
		51	220	261	51	312	5.67
Jason King	H	17	73	130	22	152	8.33
	A	20	83	98	12	110	5.30
		37	156	228	34	262	6.72
Rene Bach	H	25	117	282	21	303	10.36
	A	22	105	212	8	220	8.38
		47	222	494	29	523	9.42
Mark Lemon	H	23	111	282	15	297	10.70
	A	23	110	213	8	221	8.04
		46	221	495	23	518	9.38
Dakota North	H	23	111	155	23	178	6.41
	A	22	114	114	12	126	4.42
		45	225	269	35	304	5.40
Adam McKinna	H	17	76	59	14	73	3.84
	A	16	64	32	10	42	2.63
		38	140	91	24	115	3.29
Also Rode
Anders Andersen	H	7	30	21	3	24	3.20
	A	8	33	13	3	16	1.94
		15	63	34	6	40	2.54

Rider	H/F	H/P	A/F	A/P	TOT	Near Maxima
Kenni Larsen	8	4	2		14	6 (3H, 3A)
Derek Sneddon		1			1	0
Jason King		1			1	0
Rene Bach	2	6			8	3 (3H)
Mark Lemon	2	2	3	1	8	16 (14H, 2A)
Adam McKinna					0	0
Dakota North		1			1	0
Also Rode
Anders Andersen					0	0

H/F: Full Home, H/P Paid Home, A/F Full Away, P/A Paid Away. Near Maximum: When the rider only dropped a single point from their rides.

The following are the riders fastest times around the Brough Park track.

Rider	T	Date
Kenni Larsen	61.0	24/10/10
Derek Sneddon	63.5	22/08/10
Jason King	62.9	05/04/10
Rene Bach	61.9	24/10/10
Mark Lemon	62.5	13/06/10
Adam McKinna	66.3	21/03/10
Dakota North	63.7	30/08/10
Also Rode
Anders Andersen	65.1	20/06/10
Fastest Visitor
Andrew Tully	61.5	08/08/10

Note: Kenni Larsen set the current track record as 61.0 on 24/10/10.

• Kenni Larsen
• Derek Sneddon
• Jason King
• Rene Bach
• Mark Lemon
• Adam McKinna
• Trent Leverington

Also rode:

• Casper Wortmann (Released)
• Steve Boxall (Released)
• Craig Branney (Released)

19 Titles

• Provincial League Champions - 1964
• National League Champions - 1976, 1982, 1983
• Premier League Champions - 2001
• National League Knockout Cup Winners - 1976, 1982
• Premier League Knockout Cup Winners - 2010
• Premier Trophy Winners - 2010
• Premier League Playoff Winners - 2010
• Premier Shield Winners - 2011.
• Supernational Winners - 1982, 1983
• Gold Cup Winners - 1991, 1992[12]
• National League Four-Team Championship Winners - 1976, 1982, 1983
• National League Best Pairs Winners - Tom Owen & Brian Havelock (1975)

6 Titles

• World Champions - Ivan Mauger (1968)
• National League Riders Championship - Joe Owen (1976, 1982)
• Provincial League Riders Championship - Ivan Mauger (1963, 1964)
• Premier League Riders Championship - Kenni Larsen (2010)

1 Title

• Sport Newcastle Team of the Year - 2010, awarded ahead of the Championship League winning football side Newcastle United.[2]

As nominated by supporters:

• 2011: Stuart Robson
• 2010: Kenni Larsen
• 2009: Mark Lemon
• 2008: Jason King
• 2007: Sean Stoddart
• 2006: Christian Henry

There are currently three inductees in the Diamonds hall of fame:[13]

• Ivan Mauger
• Tom Owen
• Kenni Larsen

In 2009 to commemorate the Diamonds 80th anniversary a series of 50 cigarette cards were produced by the club. Riders included: