MDL SEASON REVIEW
THE 2024 Midland Development League unfortunately was unable to be completed with the deciding clash between the two Birmingham sides, the Bulls and the Buffaloes, cancelled as part of the Alan Grahame Memorial.
It was all set to be a grandstand finish with both sides chasing the title. The SUPPORTERS CLUB Buffaloes held a one point lead in the table over the DUCTAIR Bulls. A draw or a win would give the Buffaloes the title. A Bulls victory would see them leapfrog their Perry Barr rivals and take the honours so it was all to ride for!
So the title is shared between the two Birmingham sides for the second season in a row.
The three sides contesting the MDL had fought out some battles along the way with home and away clashes twice to give the youngsters plenty of track time, which is what this league is all about.
The big plus for speedway was the list of new names who made their debuts at this level with some progressing on quickly to get National League places. There are also now several new names ready to start off in the 2025 season which is highly encouraging.
Birmingham’s tie-up with the Formula Grass Track set up has certainly been beneficial with new names moving into speedway to follow in the tyre tracks of several who did so in 2023. There are others now combining their grass track racing with trying their luck at speedway. In addition there have been other grass trackers tempted on to the shale.
MDL Co-ordinator Laurence Rogers has spent many hours watching young prospects both at the FGA meetings and at various grass meetings he has attended and is pleased that this has been successful.
Hopefully more clubs will decide to become involved and give the emerging talent valuable track time. There are riders out there wanting the chance to ride and the MDL, like its sister league the NJL, provides this opportunity.
New names to emerge in 2024 were Jack Crewe, Max Broadhurst, Harrison Rogers, Harley Driscoll-Freeman, Hayden Watts, Wayne Hutt and Will Boraston.
Lined up for MDL in 2025 are Ryan Ingram, Charlie Prior and Birmingham mascot Harry Fletcher whilst Cooper Rushen becomes eligible …. And will be in high demand! There are others showing an interest in riding as well.
BIRMINGHAM BUFFALOES M7 W4 D1 L2 F130 A113 Pts 9
BIRMINGHAM BULLS M7 W4 D0 L3 F122 A121 Pts 8
LEICESTER CUBS M8 W2 D1 L5 F126 A144 Pts 5