HJ: Phil it’s 12 years since you were last
a Stoke rider - how does that feel?
PM: Yeah l like the people, l like the place, and basically l’m looking forward
to a new challenge.
HJ: Guest bookings galore down the
years for Stoke, you must feel that you have never really been away?
PM: That’s right. I’ve always seemed to have done well here. I think it was
2001, ‘02, ‘03 l was doing a hell of a lot of guest bookings for the Potters and
scored quite a few maximums, including a 15 points max in the Pride of the
Potteries.
So yes l’ve done well here in the past you might say. All l need now is some
track time to get myself ready and then l’m sure l’ll hit the ground running.
HJ: You’ve spent the bulk of your
career with Reading - how do you feel about the fact that we may have seen the
last of the Racers?
PM: I’m sad about that naturally, who wouldn’t be when they have spent 90 per
cent of their career at Smallmead.
I hope they will come back but in this economic climate l doubt it very much.
It’s always a shame to see any speedway track close, never mind Reading.
HJ: Always regarded as a white line
rider especially here at Stoke - is that a fair assesment?
PM: Yeah well the further you can stay away from the fence the better.
Me, well l’ll go the shortest way around any track, but if you have to go out
wider to get the win then naturally l’ll do that.
The inside suits me as l’m tall and quite big for a speedway rider and
sometimes l can get the speed on the inside where
others can’t, so it suits me to be there.
You could say that l’m more of a white liner than a fence scraper.
HJ: The last few years have seen you
ride for a number of different clubs - what’s been the problem?
PM: That’s right l had a year in the Elite League with Belle Vue and was quite
successful.
Then l had just six meetings with Birmingham and had just scored 14 points at
Rye House and than bang - injured, and that was it for the season.
Yes the last few years have been stop, start with injuries so l’m hoping all
that’s behind me now.
HJ: What have been the highlights of
your racing career so far, and what are your ambitions racing wise for the
future?
PM: Winning a couple of championships with Reading was nice and winning the Best
Pairs with Danny Bird at Reading, funnily enough over Stoke, so at the time that
was a highlight for me, and of course now l’d like to win something with Stoke.
HJ: Which of the PL tracks do you
especially like to race at?
PM: Most of them really. Mainly the smaller, trickier ones are best for me.
HJ: Any you don’t - if so which ones?
PM: If l’m pushed l’d have to say King’s Lynn and Sheffield.
You need big motors there and l’m quite a bit heavier than the other guys so
it’s always harder for me.
HJ: What is it about Stoke that made
you come back after 12 seasons?
PM: I don’t think l was ever out of Birmingham’s plans, but when Adam Roynon
decided to go to Workington l think Graham Drury had to change his plans.
I didn’t want to wait around and miss out so l rang Dave (Tattum) and asked him
if Stoke was a possibility and the next day he came back to me and said he was
interested, and here l am.
And l’m glad to be back and l’m looking forward to an injury free season.
HJ: Can Stoke win something in 2009?
PM: Certainly we can. Our reserves, the two Danish lads look the strongest
pairing in the league so that should be a real plus for us.
I honestly believe that all seven of us here this season can up their averages,
and if a side can do that then they can win something.
So the future looks good for Stoke l’d say.
HJ: Have you set yourself any goals in
2009?
PM: No l never do that. Just do my best, and that’s it really.
HJ: Are you riding for anyone else in
2009?
PM: Yes l’m doubling up like a few of us in the Premier League with Lakeside in
the Elite.
I like to be busy, so a hectic schedule is good - it works for me.
HJ: Where do you live?
PM: Still in Newport, South Wales.
HJ: Are you married - children - if so names and how old?
PM: Yes l got married in August last year and my first child is due in three
weeks time, so that’s exciting for us both.
HJ: Boy or a girl?
PM: Yes it’s a girl and l’ve tried to book the birth so that l’ve got no
speedway meetings!!!
HJ: l hear in recent months that you
have been a bit of a TV star?
Tell us about that and your thinking behind it?
PM: Bottom line is that l saw a bit of a niche in the market and thought l could
do something, have a bit of fun and hopefully earn a bit of money.
And at the end of the day its proved that way. In the last year l’ve won nearly
£100,000.
HJ: So you’ve got good bikes then?
PM: That’s right yeah. I’ve also paid a lot of my mortgage off, and as you say
l’ve invested in good bikes, but l’d like to think that l’ve always done that in
the past anyway.
Last Saturday while l was racing here l was on Chris Tarrant’s Colour of Money
and l’m glad to say l won £63,000.
And before that l was on Noel Edmunds ‘Smarter than a 10-year-old’ and won
£25,000 on that, so yes l’ve done really well.
The questions are a lot harder than you think l can tell you.
And the money is all TAX FREE!
It helped pay for my wedding and with the little one on the way it’s going to
help with
that and my bikes as well.
I’ve got two of Jason Crump’s bikes from last year now so that will help me
here at Stoke.
HJ: You are starting at number five in
the team, so how does that sit with you as it means you are in two of the last
four, or maybe five heats?
PM: No problem with that at all. If Dave (Tattum) thinks that’s where he wants
me to ride then l’m fine with that. Whatever helps the team.
I’m the fifth best averaged rider so l’m determined to go out there and show
the promotion l’m glad to be here and give them and the fans a real boost.
HJ: Does that put pressure on you?
PM: Not really l’m used to being at #5 in the past, so l’ll just get on with it
and do my job.
HJ: Injuries in recent seasons seem to have knocked you back - how are you now?
PM: I’m 100 per cent fit and raring to go. You’re right l’ve had a few bangs but
touchwood l’m hoping l’ll have a good season and hopefully score some points for
Stoke.
HJ: What have you been up to this
Winter?
PM: I’ve been doing some delivery driving for friends, getting things ready for
the new baby, and of course the Quiz Shows have taken up my time and helped of
course financially for Katie and me.
I’ve been in the gym pretty much every day getting fit, running 10k races and
all l need to do now is get some time on the bike.
I’m in my 30s now so keeping fit is a massive part of things for me.
I’m not a teenager any more so l’ve got to watch what l eat and keep my fitness
just right.
I’ve played football all through the winter for a local club so that’s helped,
and in summer l play for a tennis team which all keeps me active and fit.
