LAKESIDE Hammers are delighted to confirm that last season’s number one and Great Britain International, Lee Richardson, will be rejoining the team with immediate effect.

LAKESIDE Hammers are delighted to confirm that last season’s number one and Great Britain International, Lee Richardson, will be rejoining the team with immediate effect.

He will make his 2010 return to the Arena-Essex Raceway this coming Friday, 14th May, when he will lead the team into their mouth watering clash with table-topping Poole Pirates.

Hastings based Richardson and the Club parted company after a successful 2009 season when talks broke down between the Hammers and the holders of Lee’s UK registration, Swindon Robins, during the close season. The rider and Club Promoters Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook have maintained contact since that time and the rider was present at the Club’s pre season practices, taking part in the sessions with the 2010 squad.

Having gained Swindon’s permission to re-open talks last month, both parties are delighted to be reunited at a time when the Hammers are well placed in the upper reaches of the Sky Sports Elite League table with the core of the team that Richardson rode with, supplemented by new signing Daniel Davidsson, who is enjoying an excellent run of form.

Richardson replaces current number one, Krzysztof Kasprzak, in the Hammers line up.

“I was disappointed to miss out on a return to the Hammers this year, and had instead planned my season around my continental commitments, winning a place in the GP series, and leading Great Britain in the SWC.” said Richardson. “I had a lot of interest from several clubs, but I turned all the offers away. I initially, although reluctantly, turned down Jon’s approach but having slept on my decision and discussed things with my wife, and also my main sponsor Martin Hagon, I contacted Jon the following morning to say count me in! Last year was a complete blast for me with the Hammers, I learnt the track well, and the fans were great with me. I’m looking forward to more of the same kind of success”.

Hammers Co promoter Jon Cook was candid in his explanation of the circumstances. “We felt that the fact we dropped the extra League point at home last Friday was the final straw for the team at present,” said Cook. “In truth, the year hasn’t felt right to me or Stuart ever since Press and Practice Day when Lee quietly packed his stuff away as the photos were being taken of the 2010 squad. When you make a mistake it’s best to put it right when you can, and without going into great detail, we all could have handled that situation in the winter a bit differently with the benefit of hindsight.”

Cook also explained why it was Kasprzak that had to make way. “We hold no animosity towards Krys. It’s just fair to say that things have not worked out for either party this time around. His reasons for his absence a fortnight ago for our visit to Poole, and the nature of the resultant humiliating defeat, were weak at best. It’s clear that his racing team set up, handled by his father in Poland, has different priorities from ours, whilst his progression in the GP Qualification in his home country makes us fear for further, short notice, absences. His recent performances would indicate that he needs a little time to assess his form just now”.