Nicholls not bothered by the boo boys

By Elvin King

BRITAIN'S top speedway rider Scott Nicholls today encouraged the Ipswich boo boys to continue their abuse.

For the second time this season, former Witches ace Nicholls was jeered from some sections of the Foxhall Stadium terraces last night.

But it doesn't worry Nicholls, who said: “The boos make me want to win that much more.

“It is sad to witness and I don't see the knockers coming up to tell me face-to-face what they think.

“However, they pay their money and are entitled to have their say.

“If it has any effect on me it is to score more points.”

Nicholls, 28, won four of his five races last night and fought virtu-ally a lone battle as his Coventry team was beaten 51-42 by Ipswich Evening Star Witches in an entertaining Elite League fixture.

The Team Great Britain skipper, who rides in the Swedish Grand Prix tomorrow night, received similar treatment from a small part of the Ipswich crowd when he guested for Arena-Essex at Foxhall on Good Friday afternoon.

He was sold to Coventry for £36,000 last year after completing ten years with Ipswich, during which time he spent two seasons on loan at Poole.

Weeks after banking the proceeds of a bumper Foxhall testimonial meeting in August 2004, Nicholls was on his way to Coventry - with his key sponsor Alan Ham believed to be behind his move to the midlands.

The majority of Witches fans remember the excellent service the former Copleston School pupil gave the club and welcome his return to Foxhall.

However, others feel he deserted the Witches after fans had given his testimonial their full support.

And if they continue to vent their anger on Nicholls' future visits, it will not worry the rider who celebrated his birthday this week.

Nicholls is more concerned about Coventry's poor start to the season. “We have got some work to do to retain the league trophy we won last season,” he said.