Team Riders

Danny Robert King was born on 14 August 1986 in Maidstone, Kent. His rise through British speedway began in the early 2000s when he made his league debut with Peterborough II in 2001. A year later he was already turning heads, progressing rapidly through youth levels. In 2004, Danny won the British Under-18 Championship, confirming what many already suspected — that he was on track to become one of the country’s elite riders. Career progression & major achievements Danny’s career is defined by longevity, consistency and big-moment performance:

• He joined the Ipswich Witches in 2003 and went on to become one of their longest-serving and most respected riders, taking on the captaincy and leading the club through multiple eras.
• His defining triumph came in 2016, when he was crowned British Champion at Belle Vue — the biggest individual honour of his career.
• That same year he represented Great Britain in the Speedway World Cup, helping the national team secure a silver medal.
• Danny has also delivered major team honours with the Poole Pirates, playing a key role in their Championship league and KO Cup doubles in 2021 and 2022.
• Even in the later stages of his career, Danny remains a top performer — determined, reliable and still hungry for points.

Style, character & what he brings 

Danny is a rider whose value goes beyond points on a scorecard: Leadership A natural captain with years of top-tier experience, he sets standards in the pits, leads by example and guides younger riders through the pressures of professional racing. Resilience

A fractured hand requiring surgery disrupted one of his recent seasons, but Danny fought back and earned his place again — demonstrating the toughness he’s known for. Winning mentality From youth titles to national championships and international medals, Danny has built a career on delivering when it matters. The backbone of any team Wherever he rides, Danny brings structure, calm, discipline and the ability to win big heats. He is the rider teammates look to — and the rider fans trust.

This period gave Joe both experience and a winning mindset, forming the foundation of the rider he is today.

Natural speed & sharp race instincts Joe rides with the confidence of someone who grew up on bikes. His corner speed, low-line control and quick starts make him dangerous in the early laps — a trait that often wins heats before the race has properly settled. A developing all-rounder He’s young, adaptable and improving year on year. His time in multiple leagues has helped him gain tools that many riders only acquire much later in their careers. Calm under pressure Despite his age, Joe has big-meeting experience and a history of delivering for teams chasing titles. He doesn’t panic — he resets, refocuses and goes again. Strong team ethic Joe is known as a popular, grounded presence in the pits. He listens, works hard, chips in wherever needed and supports teammates. A rider who buys into the club’s vision. A long-term project with high upside Re-signing for 2026 indicates his intent: Joe wants stability, track time and the chance to establish himself as a mainstay of the Gladiators’ future. With the right guidance and opportunities, he has the talent to become one of the Championship’s top British riders.

Style, character & what he brings Scott is the “big-name” veteran: Having won multiple British titles, raced at the very top of the sport, and stayed active into the later phase of his career, he brings leadership, experience and gravitas. For our club and fans: his presence alone adds a level of prestige. He represents what many riders aspire to — national dominance plus international competitiveness. Beyond medals: there are also stories of personal sacrifice/resilience. For example, he spoke openly about the emotional moment he told his father (who was his engine tuner) that he needed to move to a professional tuner as he stepped into the Grand Prix arena. He has seen the full spectrum: junior success, national dominance, international competition, club-commitments, injury battles. BRITISH CAREER: (1994) Peterborough; (1995-98) Ipswich; (1999-2000) Poole; (2001-04) Ipswich; (2005-07) Coventry; (2008) Eastbourne; (2009) Coventry, Ipswich; (2010) Ipswich; (2011) Swindon; (2012-13) Coventry); (2014-16) Belle Vue; (2017) Rye House; (2018) Leicester, Rye House, Peterborough; (2019) Peterborough, Wolverhampton, Leicester; (2021) Peterborough, Kent; (2022) Peterborough, Oxford; (2023) Wolverhampton, Oxford; (2024) Birmingham, Oxford II; (2025) Plymouth. MAJOR HONOURS: British Under-21 Champion: 1998, 1999; British Champion: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012; Czech Golden Helmet Champion: 2005. CLUB HONOURS: League Championship winner: 1998 [Ipswich], 2005 [Coventry], 2007 [Coventry], 2019 [Leicester], 2021 [Peterborough]; Knock-Out Cup winner: 1998 [Ipswich], 2006 [Coventry], 2007 [Coventry], 2008 [Eastbourne]; Craven Shield winner: 1998 [Ipswich], 2007 [Coventry]; Elite Shield winner: 2006 [Coventry]; Four-Team Championship winner: 2018 [Peterborough]; Championship Shield winner: 2019 [Leicester]. GRAND PRIX RECORD: 82 GPs ridden, 9 GP finals, 0 GP wins, 631 GP points. WORLD CUP RECORD: 19 meetings, 192 points, 1 Silver medal, 1 Bronze medal. RIDER LINKS: Brother of Shaun Nicholls (born: 30 November 1971, Ipswich, Suffolk).

What he brings & style

• Being younger, Tom brings a sense of fresh energy, ambition and development potential for the Gladiators.
• The fact that he has been part of a championship-winning side (with Leicester) shows he knows how to contribute in a successful team environment.
• For your programme, you can emphasise his “rising star” credentials — someone who is stepping up, ready to make a bigger mark, and with a few seasons of British speedway already under his belt.
• Also useful: his connection to Derby (midlands), which makes his move to Plymouth a jump – new region, new challenge – which often resonates with fans.