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Tigers chief marks 17th anniversary
NEIL Machin celebrates his 17th anniversary since taking charge of Sheffield Tigers at tonight's home Premier League clash with Berwick (7.45).
Machin, who became the club's sole owner following the departure of Malcolm Wright three years ago, rescued Tigers from the brink of closure alongside the late Tim Lucking in 1992.
It was a tough time for everyone at the club as the team stumbled from one poor season to another and the new managerial duo had to build from the bottom with a poor fan base.
Now there is little doubt they are one of the most solid clubs in the country. They have a reputation for paying all their bills on time, unlike some more high profile clubs, and under Machin's tenure the future has never been in doubt.
And whilst he has his critics for not paying the highest wages in the country, his policy of only paying what he can afford is a sensible one.
He said: "I can hardly believe it's 17 years tonight since I staged my first meeting here. I could never have predicted what was to come.
"We've had trials and tribulations, success and failure, celebrations and commiserations. It's been a long journey and there is much to be proud of.
"But I am still learning this game. Nothing surprises me anymore, but I still have a strong passion for the sport and this club in particular. I have a burning desire to see us become successful as every season goes by."
Josh Auty and Richard Hall have both said they will ride tonight after suffering from injury last week.
Said Auty: "I've been having physio since my crash because I've been in a lot of discomfort and I'm still feeling it. However, I'll be riding for Sheffield tonight and Coventry in the Elite League tomorrow."
Hall, meanwhile, is still suffering from pain in his injured foot – but thankfully nothing is broken.
"I'm going to race, I'm desperate to get back on the bike even though I can still feel the pain," he said. "It's still pretty sore but I'm desperate to race."
Berwick, meanwhile, have made a team change this week with Stan Burza returning to the club at the expense of William Lawson.
SHEFFELD: Ricky Ashworth, Hugh Skidmore, Joel Parsons, Richard Hall, Josh Auty, Paul Cooper, Chris Mills.
BERWICK: Michal Makovsky, Tero Aarnio, Paul Clews, Josef Franc, Stan Burza, Greg Blair, Gugliemo Franchetti.
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
