Russell shares views on team building.

Arena-Essex promoter, Ronnie Russell, has taken time out from his busy schedule to talk about his views on how clubs in the Elite League are going about building their teams for the 2005 season.

He told the Hammers press officer Alan Sargent "As soon as we agreed the 42.5 point limit, excluding bonus points, at the AGM I was able to start putting into place my team building plans for the Hammers."

"I have long been of the opinion that riders should ride for a club mainly because they want to be at that club. Here at Arena-Essex I believe that the riders who ride for me become part of my family and that they want to do well for me, the team and the supporters. Over the years there have been a number of riders who have publicly stated their preference to ride for my club."

"The 2005 team is being built up on this basis. I strongly believe that it is better to have a team of riders who want to be in the side than seven individuals who are there solely for their own gains."

"At Arena-Essex I am fortunate to have two riders - Paul Hurry and Josh Larsen, who are so committed to the Club that they have announced that they will not ride for any other side. I am delighted that they will be in the side next year."

"Mark Loram was very happy to come back in 2005 as he was made welcome at the Club by everyone in 2004. He thanked me for giving him the chance last season when most other Promoters did not think that he would hold down a No.1 spot in a team after his injury hit 2003.He has repaid this by agreeing to come back as our out and out No.1 next year."

"Leigh Lanham is another rider who loves riding for us and it was very disappointing that the weather at the end of last season resulted in his well-earned testimonial meeting having to be called off twice. I am confident that he will be back with us in 2005 now that I have been given permission to talk to him by John Louis of Ipswich, who owns his contract. Leigh is extremely popular with the supporters and he is another rider who wears our famous crossed Hammers logo with pride."

"Provided I am able to get Leigh back in, that will leave me with just over 10.8 points available for the final two places in the side. I have several riders in mind but am now looking at the best combination of two, which will fit in with the rest of "my family."

"I remember the side put out by Poole in 2003. Their top two were very strong as they fielded Tony Rickardsson and Leigh Adams. At that time the tactical substitute rules meant that if they went behind, especially away from home, it was possible for them to put out their top two in four of the 15 heats."

"Even away from home that would result in the majority of heats these two appearing in being 5-1's to the Pirates. However, with the change in the rules regarding the use of tactical substitutes introduced last season it meant that the top two riders could only be paired together from the gate in heats 13 and 15. That's two out of 15 heats and the remaining 13 heats became more important."

"I now believe that by having two riders with very high averages results in there being weaknesses lower down the order. Some clubs, who will field a team with very high averages for the top two or even three, will have to put out 3 point riders at reserve. By having six riders who have similar averages it will mean that I am able to cover other key heats, especially at home. Strong reserves, I believe, are as important as having a strong top two. All round strength I believe will be the key to success."

"Last season we had strong reserves all year, but ultimately we failed to get into the play-offs primarily because of injuries but also due to the fact that a couple of the side, for one reason or another, failed to consistently get the number of points I expected them to."

"Whoever fills those final three places in the side I am confident that they will want to do well for the Club and that should bring out the best from them all. I hope to be in a position of naming at least one more rider in the next couple of weeks and I am already getting excited about 2005. I think that if we have an injury free run I will have a team capable of mixing it with any other team in the League."