Matt Williamson ready for further opportunites
SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey feels that Matt Williamson is ready for some Fast Track opportunites in the Elite League.
The 21-year-old Lancastrian was thrown in at the deep end for the FluidAir Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Premier League this season, with just a single season of National League racing (at Buxton in 2013) behind him.
The start of the season proved tough for ‘Matty Orange’ (his nickname at the Eddie Wright Raceway due to his distinctive orange leathers). But the Scunthorpe asset has shown real improvement in recent weeks, culminating in a paid seven performance against Newcastle last Friday, defeating at least one Diamond in every outing.
Godfrey said: “It was tough for Matt at the start of the season. I’m aware what the fans were saying, and I was thinking the same at times. Was it a step too soon for Matt?
“But we’re persevered with him, and he’s starting to return the favour.
“We’ve seen it several times before. Michael Palm Toft was really struggling at one point in 2012, but we stuck with him, and he became the key to us winning the Premier League that season.
“And Ryan Douglas really found it hard to begin with last season, but look where he is now.
“It isn’t just the points that Matt is starting to score, it’s also the way he’s starting to ride. At one point last Friday, he was looking at going around Danny King!
“He’s gone from not really being able to ride a grippy track to being able to really attack one.”
Godfrey feels Williamson faces a bright future in the sport.
“I’m convinced Matt is going to go a long way”, he added. “He’s gone from not being sure about his racing lines to being an accomplished speedway rider.
“He would now do a decent job in the Fast Track draft positions they have at reserve in the Elite League. I believe he’s the 35th rider out of 35 in the draft, so he can come in and guest for anyone in it.
“He’s worth being given a shot. And like every speedway rider, the more he rides, the better he’ll become”, Godfrey concluded.
