End of an era as Sheffield speedway legend Tai Woffinden announced retirement - his full Tigers story
Speedway icon started and finished his UK career at Owlerton
Sheffield speedway legend, three times world champion Tai Woffinden, has announced his retirement after his latest injury
Woffinden, whose planned final season in Sheffield was stopped before the 2025 season started after he suffered a horrific injury in Poland, made the announcement after he suffered yet another injury, also riding in Poland, in May.
Now, after the latest setback, he has announced his retirement
Tigers said of the news: “Whilst injuries restricted his time back in British Speedway, ‘Woffy’ instantly became a firm fans’ favourite at Owlerton with a whole host of top quality scores and performances.
“Everyone at Sheffield Speedway would like to thank him for his contributions during his time with the club and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.”
Tai Woffinden’s Sheffield Tigers record
The rider had strong links with Tigers. His father, Rob Woffinden had ridden for Sheffield in the early 90s, and it was Tigers for whom Tai rode his first ever meeting, on his 16th birthday, in 2006, against Redcar Bears.
He returned to Sheffield in August 2023, the club announcing his signing in the run-in to the end of that season, signed as an injury replacement for Jack Holder, after the Australian broke his wrist for his country in the speedway World Cup. Woffinden, Britain’s most successful speedway rider with his 2013, 2015 and 2018 world titles, had not ridden in Britain for seven years when he joined Sheffield.
Officials at Sheffield described his arrival as one of the club’s biggest ever signings, promoter Damien Bates saying at the time: “For Sheffield to sign a rider like Tai Woffinden is a massive coup, not only for us as a club but for British Speedway as a whole.”
Tai said at the time: “I used to go to Sheffield as a kid and it will probably ignite all those memories from when I was younger; I have a lot of connections there and it’s going to be interesting to get back there for sure.”
He also said at the time: “One of the last times I rode there was probably when I won the Premier League Riders’ Championship in 2008 – it’s a place I have so many memories from.”
However, he broke his hand in September in the Cardiff Grand Prix. cutting his season short. Despite his injury, he was still at Owlerton to cheer his team on to their famous Premiership Grand Final victory, the following month.
He returned to ride for Sheffield again the following season, but again missed a chunk of the season, after suffering a seriously broken elbow in June in a Grand Prix in Poland.
He sign for Tigers again for 2025, but suffered what was a life threatening injury riding for his Polish club, Rzeszow, just days after he had joined up with his Tigers team mates at their Sheffield practice day. He was airlifted to hospital, underwent surgery and was placed into a medically induced coma.
He beat to odds to ride again in Poland this season, but announced his retirement after having suffered another crash in May.
His last crash, in Ostrow, left him with broken ribs and a fractured shoulder blade.
Further scans later showed an injury where a tendon has pulled away with a piece of bone, so surgery was needed with recovery expected to take four to six months.
He visited Owlerton earlier this season to support his former team mates, during their KO Cup defeat by Leicester.
He told fans in an announcement this weekend: “After more hospital scans yesterday, I have been told I need surgery following my latest crash in Poland.
“After a lot of thought, I have come to the decision that it’s time to retire from professional racing.
“To be honest, this isn’t an easy thing to say. For many years, this hasn’t just been what I do, it has been a huge part of who I am as a person.
“What started as a dream became a life I could never have imagined, and I have been lucky enough to do something I truly loved, and I will never take that for granted.
He added: “I have learned that nobody achieves anything on their own. Every step of this journey has been possible because of the incredible people around me.
“To my beautiful family, thank you. Thank you for every sacrifice you have made and for believing in me when I doubted myself, and for standing beside me in every high and every low.
“To everyone who followed my journey, who cheered me on or took the time to support me along the way, thank you. I will never forget the love and support you have shown.”
Tai Woffenden’s Sheffield Tigers record:
2006: Four meetings, average 6.67
2023: Eight meetings, average 9.12
2024: Eleven meetings, average 9.21