Bury Cycle Speedway celebrated 40 years in specular style, with an Awards and Presentation event, followed by a buffet, at Fishpool Liberal Club on Sunday. A great time was had by club members present and past, as many old faces made a welcome return, reminiscing about races won and lost, travels made and the lifelong friendships that have been forged. A great many awards were presented and seven members of the 1975 first team were reunited for a team photo.

Club founder, former secretary and current president, Tony Mann, began the celebrations and was later presented with a special award, representing all of his efforts down through the years. Chairman Stuart Howarth presented many of the awards and rounded off the day sending everyone home with a slice of a large ‘40’ cake, which featured hand-crafted cycle speedway riders competing around the ‘0’ oval track…

On the racing front, season 2014 had been one of rebuilding for the Bury Cycle Speedway, as the young Comets who had excelled in the Division Two side established themselves as the mainstay of the club's top eight first team. By season's end Bury completed well, despite losing, with the Northern League's best Division One side, Stockport. Danny Taylor, James Elston, Kris Ramsden and Will Owens all had an excellent year, variously taking a leading role in the team's victories throughout the year. The full time return of Ben Scranage was great both on and off track, a talisman for the team and an inspiration to the young core of the side. Stalwart captain Neil Howarth, deputising for much of the season as team manager, had the luxury of selecting himself at reserve for many matches such was the strength and reliability of those around him.

Individual performance of the year was undoubtedly Chris Parish's outstanding effort on the August Bank Holiday weekend; almost taking the British Individual title in front of a home crowd. Again Bury's number one, Parish builds his points in an understated fashion, belying the extreme hard work of a punishing training regime. Junior Danny Taylor, who had an outstanding season all round, was close to winning the U16s’ title earlier in the day. Danny was awarded the prestigious Turner’s Trophy for Rider of the Year.

Youngster Tom Whitwam, who also rides over in Yorkshire for Heckmondwike, had another outstanding year both regionally and nationally, collecting an array of silverware, augmented by one of the Bury coaches’ awards, presented at Sunday’s event.

The club again drew widespread praise for its presentation of the British Finals; an outstanding track surface providing what many have suggested was the best Open Final in the history of the sport; virtually every race was within a second of the track record, set in the 2001 final, and five men contested a race-off for overall second place.

Biggest disappointment was the failure to take the Northern Fours' title, despite beating the ultimately victorious Stockport side on more than one occasion. Bury's two sides, Comets and Meteors, were competitive throughout, finishing 2nd and 5th respectively in the final table.

In junior and Division Two racing, the club was once again strong, taking the Northern Grand Prix championship and pushing hard for the Division Three (for U13s) title. Led by the two outstanding U16s from the first team, James Elston and Danny Taylor, the team gave all sides visiting Goshen a tough challenge. Will Thacker and Adam Turnbull were great, with excellent backup from vets Joe Holloran, Steve Mann and Chas Whalley. Joe also took overall victory in the season long Northern Division Two Grand Prix – a showing that was testament to his commitment and consistence throughout 2014. Few who witnessed it will ever forget the performance given by Louis Turner away against Sheffield in July, as he used every legal tactic to keep a rider twice his size at bay - outstanding. There was also an increase in numbers for the Comets' women's and girls' side, which should see the club compete in some of the female British Team competitions in coming years.

The season concluded with a great win for Kris Ramsden, taking the club individual; a further indication of the development that had taken place in the season. The hard work of coach John Burston and his team was recognised at the Bury Sports’ Awards as John won Coach of the Year for 2014.

Following a successful club AGM and the 40th Anniversary celebrations recently, thoughts turn to a relaxing Christmas and the indoor British Indoor Championships in early January. The Comets continue to train, making every effort to make 2015 an even better one for the side, in its 41st year of action...