Was Harry Redknapp in the running?

We thought the saga about the next England football manager was complicated enough but it seems being the British MXON team manager always seems to bring controversy. It’s just been announced that Neil Prince will now be at the helm and the man responsible for picking the ACU’s three man line up, which it appears isn’t that straight forward and is the catalysis for Prince replacing the previous manager Steve Dixon. However before we all go to town and cast our opinion (which we’re all entitled to do in the free world by the way) here’s the press release from the ACU on the matter. You make your own mind up. Let the debate begin….

In recent weeks the ACU have been in discussions with various potential Team Managers to head our attack on the podium at this year’s event at Lommel in September. A short list of twelve potential riders was drawn up in February and the riders contacted to see if they would be available and indeed, if they wished to be considered for the event.

The ACU wanted to get a response from all twelve riders (and Teams) ahead of any announcements regarding both Team Manager and potential riders, but the imminent announcement of a new Team Manager was leaked to the Press, so the ACU now have to do this in two stages.

Neil Prince has formally been appointed as Team Manager for a two year period. Within the next three months, Neil will reduce the number of potential riders in the squad down to five or six and monitor their progress before the final selection is made at the end of August and these will be announced at the seventh round of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship at Langrish.

Neil Prince stated, “I am absolutely pumped to be given the job. I understand where the ACU wish to go with the team and I am sure we can work together to achieve a positive result”

ACU Chairman Brian Higgins commented, ” Firstly, I would like to put on record the efforts of Steve Dixon over the past few years in bringing a competitive team together and all the behind the scenes work he has conducted. Unfortunately, Steve could not meet the criteria set by the ACU Motocross Committee with regards to finances with overseas riders, namely Dean Wilson in 2011. Whilst we wish to be as competitive as possible to field a podium place team, this cannot be at any cost and with potentially five or six leading riders who can deliver this aim, we have to work within budgets. I can confirm that each rider will have full financial support from the ACU in September”.

The ACU, with Neil Prince heading the announcement, the short listed riders will be announced at round four of the British Championship on May 27th. A possible TV programme surrounding the selection and participation of the riders which has been muted is completely separate to the appointment of the Team Manager and the finances are already in place to support the team.

Higgins concluded, “I personally spoke to Steve Dixon on Thursday of last week and his passion for the job and the sport is unequalled. Steve has a lot on his plate at the moment, especially with the forthcoming British Grand Prix which will be the largest GP ever staged, so I hope that in time he will see this as a positive move. To show our appreciation to Steve we are happy to print his comment in full at the bottom of this page”.

Speaking about the decision Steve Dixon made this statement “Unfortunately myself and some of the ACU committee had a difference of opinion regarding bringing Dean Wilson over and even to the fact he is not in the short list for 2012, and with that, the criteria has change for team manager selection, so I was not appointed. I do feel that Britain needs to be proud of its status as one of the top motocross nations and we should show this, and not hold back on our bid to take top honours, we have a great selection of riders even if they ride in a different county. The chosen rider’s team cannot afford to send their riders without financial help.”

Dixon continued, by saying “I was proud to be part of the British winning team in 1994 when I steered Paul Malin into riding the 125 with Dave Thorpe as manager and I have been proud to represent Britain as Manager over the last 3 years where we have come very close to the podium. I’ve really enjoyed my stint and was hoping to be part of a podium team again but I wish Neil and the ACU good luck at the MXoN.”

In recent weeks the ACU have been in discussions with various potential Team Managers to head our attack on the podium at this year’s event at Lommel in September. A short list of twelve potential riders was drawn up in February and the riders contacted to see if they would be available and indeed, if they wished to be considered for the event.

The ACU wanted to get a response from all twelve riders (and Teams) ahead of any announcements regarding both Team Manager and potential riders, but the imminent announcement of a new Team Manager was leaked to the Press, so the ACU now have to do this in two stages.

Neil Prince has formally been appointed as Team Manager for a two year period. Within the next three months, Neil will reduce the number of potential riders in the squad down to five or six and monitor their progress before the final selection is made at the end of August and these will be announced at the seventh round of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship at Langrish.

Neil Prince stated, “I am absolutely pumped to be given the job. I understand where the ACU wish to go with the team and I am sure we can work together to achieve a positive result”

ACU Chairman Brian Higgins commented, ” Firstly, I would like to put on record the efforts of Steve Dixon over the past few years in bringing a competitive team together and all the behind the scenes work he has conducted. Unfortunately, Steve could not meet the criteria set by the ACU Motocross Committee with regards to finances with overseas riders, namely Dean Wilson in 2011. Whilst we wish to be as competitive as possible to field a podium place team, this cannot be at any cost and with potentially five or six leading riders who can deliver this aim, we have to work within budgets. I can confirm that each rider will have full financial support from the ACU in September”.

The ACU, with Neil Prince heading the announcement, the short listed riders will be announced at round four of the British Championship on May 27th. A possible TV programme surrounding the selection and participation of the riders which has been muted is completely separate to the appointment of the Team Manager and the finances are already in place to support the team.

Higgins concluded, “I personally spoke to Steve Dixon on Thursday of last week and his passion for the job and the sport is unequalled. Steve has a lot on his plate at the moment, especially with the forthcoming British Grand Prix which will be the largest GP ever staged, so I hope that in time he will see this as a positive move. To show our appreciation to Steve we are happy to print his comment in full at the bottom of this page”.

Speaking about the decision Steve Dixon made this statement “Unfortunately myself and some of the ACU committee had a difference of opinion regarding bringing Dean Wilson over and even to the fact he is not in the short list for 2012, and with that, the criteria has change for team manager selection, so I was not appointed. I do feel that Britain needs to be proud of its status as one of the top motocross nations and we should show this, and not hold back on our bid to take top honours, we have a great selection of riders even if they ride in a different county. The chosen rider’s team cannot afford to send their riders without financial help.”

Dixon continued, by saying “I was proud to be part of the British winning team in 1994 when I steered Paul Malin into riding the 125 with Dave Thorpe as manager and I have been proud to represent Britain as Manager over the last 3 years where we have come very close to the podium. I’ve really enjoyed my stint and was hoping to be part of a podium team again but I wish Neil and the ACU good luck at the MXoN.”