BELLE Vue co-promoter and team manager Eric Boocock publicly apologised for his weak team prior to last night's speedway meeting at Foxhall Stadium.He is the second visiting official to take this course at Ipswich this season following the example of Reading's Jim Lynch when the Berkshire-side arrived in disarray.

By Elvin King

BELLE Vue co-promoter and team manager Eric Boocock publicly apologised for his weak team prior to last night's speedway meeting at Foxhall Stadium.

He is the second visiting official to take this course at Ipswich this season following the example of Reading's Jim Lynch when the Berkshire-side arrived in disarray.

Boocock said over the stadium microphone: “I can only apologise and thank Witches fans for their tolerance. We will try to put on a good show.

“With injuries to three riders and squad men riding elsewhere we could do no more than bring in two riders with Premier League averages no more than six points.

“I had a guest for Antonio Lindback, but he was injured at Poole on Wednesday. I tried nine other riders, but in the end had to opt for the rider replacement facility.”

Ipswich asset Jarek Hampel, out of the Grand Prix series at the moment with a broken arm, was at Foxhall last night and went round with his former team-mates in the pre-meeting parade.

He said: “I am on a bit of a vacation, and am having physio treatment with Brian Simpson in Ipswich.

“It feels comfortable to be back and I still keep in touch with Ipswich's results.

“I expect to miss this weekend's Grand Prix and the one in Latvia in two weeks' time.”

Injured Ipswich rider Mark Loram was presented with a cheque for £1,600 after a collection among Ipswich fans during the home meeting against Peterborough on Saturday.

Now walking without crutches the Ipswich star is having further surgery on his broken thigh injury next week.