Danny King will lead Ipswich Witches into the 2027 Rowe Motor Oil Premiership after becoming the club’s first confirmed signing for next season.
The announcement came after the British speedway veteran collected four honours at the Ipswich Speedway Supporters Club’s end-of-season dinner on Friday night, including Rider of the Year.
An 18th season at Foxhall
King first rode for Ipswich in 2003 and will begin his 18th season with the Witches across several spells. The club confirmed his return on Saturday 7 November.
The 40-year-old captained Ipswich to the Premiership Knockout Cup final and the play-off semi-finals during the 2026 campaign. He did so after undergoing surgery last winter to deal with a persistent hand injury.
King said he regarded Ipswich as his home club and was proud to continue the relationship under the current management team.
“Loyalty goes a long way, and it works both ways,” he said.
The former British champion has offered to help the club on and off the track, including supporting younger riders. He said Ipswich gave him his opportunity early in his career and that he had not forgotten it.
Four awards after a strong season
King was voted the Witches’ Rider of the Year by supporters. He was also named Most Improved Rider, shared the Junior Witch Rider of the Season prize with Tobiasz Musielak and split the Bonus Point Shield with Scott Nicholls and Tom Brennan.
The awards recognised a campaign in which King led the team through two knockout stages while producing his strongest form for several seasons.
Former promoter and Witches great Chris Louis and his wife Julie received the supporters club’s Lifetime Achievement award for their contribution to Ipswich speedway.
Witches begin building 2027 team
King is the first of seven riders announced for next season. Ipswich said further team news would follow over the coming days and weeks.
The Witches enter 2027 under chairman Richard Coleman, general manager Andrew Chisholm and team manager Paul Hurry. The club finished fourth in the 2026 Premiership table after winning the league title in 2025.
King believes the developing line-up can challenge for silverware and has set regaining the Premiership crown as the main target.
His British career began in 2001, and he became British champion in 2016. He has also won league and knockout honours with Poole Pirates and captained Ipswich to the 2023 Knockout Cup and 2025 Premiership title.
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