Glasgow’s attempts to bring Aussie crowd pleaser Joey Ringwood back to Ashfield for the new season have, eventually, proved unsuccessful.
The Tigers promotion, having fought to win the right to bring Joey to Glasgow last winter, have been in regular contact with the UK Border Agency since late October following the decision to come to tapes again this year.
Having originally initiated a renewal of the standard Tier 2 visa under advice from the UK Border Agency it subsequently became clear that, as other clubs and riders were also discovering, the authorities were declining such applications where the former visa had expired.
Having taken advice, Glasgow then initiated a Tier 5 visa application in an attempt to bring Joey to the UK on a restricted employment basis. The club have been in constant contact with Joey throughout and he was supportive of our efforts at all times.
This week we had successfully secured UK Border Agency permission for a Tier 5 licence however subsequently required BSPA approval before being able to progress this application and supporting process.
Unfortunately it was at this stage that our endeavours have come to an end, with the BSPA refusing to provide their authorisation to progress.
Naturally we are very disappointed in the outcome, as is the rider himself who now must sit out the UK season.
We must now overcome this set back and only look forward with the season just 3 weeks away. We will now make final arrangements to bring in a new rider and hope to be able to announce him early next week.