BELLE Vue have made the shock signing of triple British speedway champion Andy Smith for a fourth time.
New team boss Ian Thomas admitted it will be seen as a controversial move to bring the veteran back to Kirkmanshulme Lane - as his previous two stays were not the most successful parts of a career which began with the Aces in 1982.
He said: "I know signing a 38-year-old rider can't be deemed as following a youth policy, but I'm looking to win matches and there aren't a lot of younger riders available with his average.
"It's down to him to do a job for us, just as it is for all the riders. The team can always be changed - and that's not a threat. No-one is guaranteed a place."
Smith, who rode for Swindon last season, has an average of 4.77 that will slot him into a powerful-looking side at reserve and leave Thomas with one position to fill.
Controversial
He admitted: "I feel that this might be my most controversial signing, but I have been impressed with how much Andy has wanted to come back.
"He could have dropped down a league to ride for Edinburgh. That would have been the easy option. But he has been on the phone almost every day asking for a chance.
"I remember him signing for Belle Vue as a 16-year-old in 1982 in promoter Stuart Bamforth's office at Hyde Road.
"I was team manager that year when the Aces won the championship, so we have gone full circle by teaming up again 22 years later."
Smith, who has been signed on loan from Coventry, stayed with the Aces until 1988 and had further spells in 1998 before returning to Manchester for the 1999-2001 campaigns.
Is Smith a good signing for Belle Vue? Have your say.
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No, I don't agree with the Andy Smith signing. I thought Ian Thomas was going to take us forwards, not regressing because of fond memories. I am stunned by this as I think think its ridiculous.
No, I don't think signing a 38 year old can ever be a 'good' signing.
However we have to work within a points limit and sometimes its a case of getting five or six riders that you want, and filling the other place(s) with someone on the right average.
I think 4.7 is about right for Smith, so hopefully he can do a job at reserve. But yes, it is disappointing.
I spent several thurs evening at swindon last season and Andy Smith always gave 100% and even had a couple of bad crashes but still got up off the floor and rode the rerun and he did win several of these races.
Yes he might not be the grand prix rider that he was a few years ago but he will put his heart and soul into riding for the aces.
Give him a chance he is being used as a res so will be able to bring in some much needed experience to heat 2 and heat 7, which we lacked for long periods last year
I genuinely think this is the make or break signing for the team for 2005. If Smudger performs, we're likely to do well and he has a major part to play. If Smudger struggles then we're going to be weak at the bottom end of the team and it's vital that we have a good reserve pairing. I think maybe it is a weak choice because of his age, but I think he certainly has experience on his side and this might be what makes his signing worthwhile.
I know that it may seem a backwards step but I'm sure that coming in at reserve on a 4.7 average Smith can do very well for us. I'd expect him to score good points in heat 2 everytime and on his night could well prove very handy taking 6 or 7 rides. Like the manager says, the team can be rejigged at the bottom end if it isn't working out.
Assuming he is regularly picking up 2's and 3's in the reserves and second string heats, I'm sure that he will improve on 4.7 and then if he moves into the main body of the team after the first set of averages it will give Ian Thomas a little more to play with in terms of a higher average replacement. Everyone's a winner!
If anyone can get the best out of a rider it is Ian Thomas and that is something the previous BV promotion failed to do. Andy will give 200 per cent for the new management team. All you can expect from a reserve is that he outscores his opposite number at home. Andy will do that more often than not in 2005!
andy likes belle view it was the management he wasnt keen on he will give his best every time i hope he proves me right lets wait and see
it will bring me back to watch speedway at belle view.