Manager Hawkins supports Ipswich Witches sale

Ritchie Hawkins formerly rode for Ipswich in 2010 and from 2013-15

Team manager Ritchie Hawkins hopes a new owner can be found to take Ipswich Witches "even further" after deciding to walk away from the Premiership champions.

Hawkins is stepping down after 10 years in charge in the wake of promoter Chris Louis' decision to sell the club.

"Chris has spoken to me about it a lot of times, it's obviously a big decision for him to make," Hawkins told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"He had to figure it out for himself but has come to the decision and I fully support him. It's a bit of a tough time for everyone but I understand why he's doing it."

The Witches won their first title for 27 years last month by beating Leicester Lions 93-86 on aggregate.

But the future of the sport is uncertain, with Sheffield Tigers also up for sale, Birmingham Brummies closed down and only five teams currently confirmed for the 2026 season.

The Witches were founded in 1950 and Louis took over as promoter from his father John in 2019.

"Ipswich speedway is right up there with the best run clubs in the country, the best supported and the best backed and that's down to Chris and his hard work," Hawkins added.

"We've really progressed as a club over the last 10 years and to see that come to an end is difficult. He's been a big part of me carrying on and being there for so long, so it felt like the right time for me to go with Chris as well.

"It is difficult to walk away because I've been at Ipswich a long time and have lots of friends [here]. It's been an awesome place to be.

"Hopefully a buyer comes in and can take it even further because the support we've got, they deserve that."

Hawkins believes that it is time for speedway to be run by an independent body but it will not be straightforward to bring that about.

The sport is currently run by British Speedway Promoters Ltd, based at Rugby in Warwickshire.

"There are good people involved with running speedway but there are some that aren't as well," Hawkins added.

"Ipswich and Chris Louis have shown what can be achieved and that people do still want to watch speedway, and will back a professional outfit.

"There's still potential that the sport can carry on and be great but it needs the right people involved which they're probably not at the moment."

The Witches also won the 2023 Knockout Cup during former rider Hawkins' time in charge of the team and he hopes to to remain in the sport "in some capacity".

"Speedway has been my life from birth," he added. "I'm sure things will come up but now I'm just taking a bit of time out."

Ritchie Hawkins was speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk's Cleah Hetherington