PREVIEW: IPSWICH v KING’S LYNN (PREM KOC)

IPSWICH race their first meeting under new ownership when they face rivals King’s Lynn in the Premiership KO Cup at Foxhall tonight (Thursday).

The Witches have been taken over by Mayfield Sports Management and their line-up shows four changes from the side which swept to league glory in 2025.

Tobiasz Musielak and Philip Hellstrom-Bangs make their debuts whilst Richard Lawson and Scott Nicholls are back with the club this year.

Meanwhile the Stars’ big winter signing Max Fricke makes his first appearance along with Paco Castagna and youngster Cooper Rushen, with Jody Scott taking over as Rising Star, with the visitors having reached the KO Cup Final last season after a dramatic semi-final against the Witches.

Ipswich captain Danny King said: “I committed myself to Ipswich very early on. I made my feelings very clear that I didn’t really want to go anywhere else. This is my club; I’ll stand by them.

“Ipswich gave me a chance when I was 16 in the British League Cup in 2003. I never looked back from there. I signed in the top flight full time in 2004. It’s Ipswich Speedway that gave me that chance and got me where I am today. That’s why they are so close to my heart.”

Stars boss Rob Lyon said: “We wouldn’t have picked this team with these riders if we didn’t feel confident that they could do a job, and I think overall it’s quite intriguing.

“I know there’s a real anticipation amongst the fans to see how it all transpires.

“I think bringing Max in will be good for the club, and for the rest of the team. He leads by example at No.1 and he’s the best rider in the league on paper, so hopefully it will spur the rest of the boys on to have a more successful season.”

IPSWICH: Tom Brennan, Danny King, Tobiasz Musielak, Scott Nicholls, Richard Lawson, Philip Hellstrom-Bangs, Jason Edwards.

KING’S LYNN: Max Fricke, Ben Cook, Chris Harris, Paco Castagna, Jan Kvech, Cooper Rushen, Jody Scott.

SCB Referee: Mick Bates