Mildenhall Fen Tigers – proudly sponsored by Manchetts Rescue and Recovery – have moved quickly to respond to the continuing absence of dislocated shoulder victim Alex Spooner by bringing in (subject to BSPL approval) Matt Marson. The 22-year-old from Perth is of course very well known to Mildenhall fans, having ridden over 60 times for the Fen Tigers in a couple of previous spells with the club, winning the National Trophy in his early days riding over in the UK and back in with the Fen Tigers after Sam Bebee was injured in 2019.

Matt returned to Australia during the close season here in 2019, intending to be back at West Row for the 2020 season but then fate took an unwanted hand.

“Obviously the global pandemic changed everything and it was frustrating that I couldn’t come back over especially after having a great season back home – including scoring a maximum to win the King of Pinjar at the turn of the year – that was a big one for me.”

And as 2020 was eventually written off entirely, Matt found even further success back in his native Western Australia,

“In 2021 I won the State Championships at Speedway and also Flat Track and backed that up with the Rob Woffinden Classic. I made  the rostrum again at the beginning of this year in the Western Australian Championships – so all in all it’s been a successful spell back Down Under – and it’s great now that travelling restrictions have been relaxed and I’m back here in the UK”.

Actually the main reason that brings Marson back to the ‘old country’ has been the wedding last weekend of his very good friend and also former Mildenhall rider Cam Heeps but it’s come at an opportune time for sure for both rider and club.

“I’m staying with Shane Henry and his family in West Row and I already had bikes and a van at Josh Bailey’s, so I’m fully set up to ride during my spell back here in the UK – and with Mildenhall facing an injury crisis, I’m very happy to respond to the club management’s request for help and I’m ready to go.”

Providing the final approval come through Marson is poised to jump straight back in as injury replacement for Alex Spooner (meaning the side will obviously dispense with R/R) at Belle Vue on Friday and Matt will be back at his West Row ‘home from home’ at what promises to be a truly sizzling Sunday against Armadale. And in case people think the weather will also be like home for the returnee, Matt puts them straight,

“Actually when it’s hot like this in the UK it’s a different sort of heat from the one in Australia. And of course I’ve come here from winter at home – trust me, the weather in Perth lately has been rainy and gloomy! Cam and Stephanie’s wedding was perfect weather here though which was great and I’m looking forward to getting back onto a bike at Belle Vue on Friday and of course my return to Mildenhall (vs. Armadale) on Sunday”

In traditional Aussie style, Matt sums up how he’s looking forward to his Fen Tigers’ return,

“It’s going to be fun!”