Screen set to make his Foxhall bow as Tigers come to town

Ipswich ‘Sackers’ Witches’ fans will have the chance to say goodbye to a speedway legend tonight.

Glasgow Tigers No.1 Joe Screen has announced he is retiring from the sport at the end of this campaign and with the Tigers only scheduled to visit Foxhall Heath once this season, tonight is likely to be his last visit to the Suffolk track.

Screen, 40, is a double British champion and world under-21 champion.

He’s won numerous domestic league and cup honours, as well as being a fine grass track rider.

Ipswich director of speedway Chris Louis, who rode with Screen on many occasions with Great Britain, paid tribute to him.

“He’s a one off is Joe and always has been,” Louis said.

“Let’s put it another way, there will never be another Joe Screen. He’s leg-trailing style, his tasselled leathers. He’s been great for speedway and of course he’s a 100 per cent rider and never gives less than that.”

Screen leads a Tigers side tonight who have struggled of late and are already making changes.

Louis feels it is a dangerous time to be riding sides near the bottom of the Premier League table like Glasgow.

“All basement clubs are ringing the changes,” Louis said.

“The pressure on riders at these teams is mounting because promoters are giving them one last chance. They know that they can still make things happen this season. But those things need to happen now.”

Indeed Glasgow have already begun to ring the changes after a disappointing start to the season.

Andre Compton and Jonas Raun have been brought in to replace James Wright and young Aussie Harley Horwood, while Ipswich-owned Joe Jacobs, who has asked for a transfer from Foxhall Heath, will be keen to show the Ipswich management what he can do.

Meanwhile on July 14 the Premier League Fours at Peterborough takes place.

Ben Barker, Morten Risager, Rohan Tungate, Leigh Lanham and Cameron Heeps are the Ipswich quintet who will take part.

Tonight’s teams

Ipswich ‘Sackers’ Witches: 1. Ben Barker 9.52, 2. Ritchie Hawkins 4.82, 3. Rohan Tungate 6.46, 4. Morten Risager 6.89, 5. Leigh Lanham © 6.69, 6. Adam Ellis 3.00, 7. Cameron Heeps 4.74

Glasgow Tigers: 1 Joe Screen © 9.11, 2 Jonas Raun 5.63, 3 Henning Bager 5.59, 4 Andre Compton 5.97, 5 James Grieves 6.90, 6 Joey Ringwood 5.00, 7 Joe Jacobs 3.22