STEWART Dickson has urged Glasgow fans to create a “wall of noise” this Sunday – as the Tigers prepare for their biggest match of the season so far and celebrate a major club milestone.
The Ashfield outfit are set to mark their 70th anniversary on the same day as they take on fellow league title contenders Peterborough Panthers.
There will be a host of familiar faces from the club’s past in attendance along with some historic machinery.
Then it’ll be down to business as Dickson’s men aim to get one over a Panthers team that were right up with the Tigers among the favourites to win the Premier League at the start of the season.
The Glasgow team manager hopes it’ll be a day of celebration for both occasions – particularly given the club’s varied fortunes through the years.
But his main focus is on getting his team to gain their second league win from two matches.
Dickson said: “The club is on a better footing now, but I think a lot of people will know how close we’ve been to extinction over the years. It’s not just been once or twice – it’s been quite a few times.
“As much as it’s nice to be challenging for trophies now, I think the most important thing we’ve got to remember is that we’re still here.
“We should have a celebratory day for the occasion.
“But for me, it’s all about the result. I can’t quite work out Peterborough. I was going to say it’ll be a tough meeting but it might not be – I don’t know. It’s quite intriguing.
“Hopefully the fans will come out in their numbers for two reasons; one being the match itself – which should be a good meeting – they have a lot of racers and so have we; and two, to see some riders from yesteryear.
“It should be quite exciting. We’d like the crowd to come out to support us and get behind us – let’s make it a wall of noise – get your flags and your scarves out. The atmosphere was good on Sunday, so let’s continue that and encourage more people to come along too.”
Glasgow got their Premier League challenge under way against Redcar at the weekend and won with 12 points to spare in the end.
However, Dickson knows that his side have more to offer – and hopes that the planned return to the side of Richie Worrall, coming back from a cracked rib, will be a timely boost.
Either way, he knows that the next few meetings will give him a good idea of what his side is made of.
He said: “I think that we’ll need to up our game compared to how we’ve done in the last couple of weeks. The boys have maybe had two or three meetings now to get dialled in and hopefully the weather will get a wee bit warmer so that we can get the track sorted.
“Hopefully we can get Richie back and get it together again, and this will give us a good test. I know folk are tipping us to win and I think we’re good, but it’s beginning to hot up now. We have Peterborough on Sunday, Edinburgh the following Friday, then Scunthorpe, then away to Sheffield and Somerset.
“The next few weeks are going to give us a good indication as to where we are.
“We’ve got some big matches coming up and I don’t think there are any easy pickings in the Premier League, which we certainly found out against Redcar and Berwick. You can’t treat anybody lightly.”
As well as plenty of treats on the track, fans will have some off the track too. Among those due to attend are club legends Brian Collins, Benny Rourke, Jim Beaton, Bobby Beaton, Colin Caffrey, James Grieves (pictured left) and Dougie Templeton.
Supporters will also be able to view machinery from through the ages including 1952 JAP bike – courtesy of Ronnie Anderson – and a 1970 Jawa 890 two-valve courtesy of Jimmy Culbert.
The tapes go up against the Panthers at 3pm.