The Non-Essential Guide to....Ian Thomas

This article was first published in May 2001

Isn't he the Promoter of Workington ?
Yes he is. He actually formed the Comets back in 1970 but sold the club in the mid-seventies. He was appointed Promoter when the club was reformed in 1999.

What's his style ?
He's a promoter in the true sense of the word, he's always looking for ways to boost the crowd. Previous stunts have involved look-a-likes as special guests at meetings, flying in new signings by helicopter and staging a rider's wedding on the centre green. He always backs this up by employing a strong side featuring as many characters as possible.

Where else has he promoted ?
Outdoors, he's also promoted at Hull and Newcastle. His signings for Hull included Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs and the Moran brothers. He built strong Newcastle sides in the early eighties that swept all before them.

Outdoors ?
He's also promoted many indoor meetings on ice rinks. He's staged these all over the world but the most famous are the annual Telford Ice meetings. He and Graham Drury have promoted these since 1986.

Any other involvement in Speedway ?
He used to race in second halves and he's also managed England and Belle Vue.

And away from the track ?
He's a showbiz impresario and close-up magician.