LEMON: BAILEY CAN SHINE

BELLE Vue boss Mark Lemon feels British Under-21 Champion Connor Bailey has the potential to excel in the Aces’ Rising Star berth this season.

Bailey made a big impression when he came into the side midway through 2023 and has been retained for the new Premiership campaign, with his first test to come in the Peter Craven Memorial on March 18.

Lemon said: “When we brought Connor on board last year, there was no pressure on him but almost immediately he demonstrated a hunger to improve and progress.

“His achievements in 2023 were nothing short of brilliant and it’s quite the feather in Belle Vue’s cap to say that we have the reigning British U-21 Champion in our team.

“I think we’ve only just begun to see glimpses of Connor’s true potential and we’re eager to see how far he can progress this year.

“He’s in no way making up the numbers in the Peter Craven Memorial. He’s a talented lad who never settles for any less than perfection, and he could end up causing some upset for the other boys.”