Carl Stonehewer: A photo tribute
Last updated 15:09, Monday, 24 November 2008
Workington Comets legend Carl Stonehewer has ridden his last speedway race for the Derwent Park club.
- Slideshow: Carl Stonehewer at Workington
Stonehewer, 36, has been told he is surplus to requirements and won’t be back in Workington colours next year.
Stoney, who has made two brave comebacks from a serious arm burn and a broken bone in his back during the last three years, has already spoken with two clubs.
He said today: “At the moment I am hoping to continue my career in 2009 but I will wait and see what offers come along.
“I’m disappointed in the way my career has come to an end at Workington because the vast majority of my best moments in speedway have been as a Comets rider. Apart from winning the individual League riders title, the Best Pairs and the Fours on several occasions I was also the first man to lift a seven-man trophy for the Comets, and that was special.”
In a ten year career with the Comets, Stonehewer scored more points and made more appearances than any other rider in Workington’s history.
Ian Thomas, the man who signed him for Workington in 1999 said: “He has been a Workington legend and much of the success the Comets have had was built around him.
“He was the first rider from the Premier League to qualify for the Grand Prix; he was so popular in the town he was asked to switch on Workington’s Christmas lights and he was voted Cumbria's sports personality of the year.
“It seems rather ironic that the day he became the first captain to lift a seven-man trophy for the Comets it turned out to be his last appearance for the club."
In tribute to Stonehewer, we've raided our photo archives and put together a slideshow of his 'best' moments.
- Look out for a further tribute to Stoney in tomorrow's News & Star
Come on people, Stoney has spent most of the last few years on the sidelines because of accidents! I think it was very realistic to say that Stoney's time was up, they need a full team who can ride a full year!
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It is sad that Stoney is being forced out of the Comets. It is also sad that a man who is unquestionably a legend should be seen to be struggling and being easily beaten by apparently moderate opponents. I think most fans realised that he couldn't go on forever, it is just a shame that the parting of the ways could not have been more amicable.
Posted by Derek Blair on 18 December 2008 kl. 12:51