The new management of the Arena Essex Hammers have wasted little time in making a change.

Although they only bought the licence from Chick Woodroffe a fortnight ago, they have appointed former Hammers favourite Martin Goodwin as team manager.

He replaces Peter Thorogood - a member of the four-strong promotion team - who will have responsibilty for other activites on race nights at Purfleet.

"We feel that Martin will do an excellent job," said consortium member Colin Brine.

"He understands riders, knows all about machinery and we are delighted to have secured his services.

"As a former rider and a top-class one at that, we believe that Martin is the man to chart the fortunes of the Hammers," he added.

Goodwin is still Arena's highest ever scorer, having accumulated 2,363.5 points during a six-year career which ended in 1990.

One of the most thrilling riders ever to don the Hammer race-jacket, he was certainly the most fiery.

Never one to shy away from controversy, many fans will recall the occasion at Hackney when after being excluded from a race, he threw his helmet through the window of the referee's box!

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.