Retaining riders from last season was key says Stars boss

King’s Lynn manager Rob Lyon says retaining key members of last year’s side was a big part of the overall jigsaw for 2025.The PSH Environmental Stars have rebuilt for the new season, and the signings of experienced campaigners Richard Lawson and Chris Harris along with title winner Ben Cook and Rising Star Ashton Boughen have all been welcomed favourably.But maintaining the services of those who performed strongly was also important, and whilst skipper Nicolai Klindt had to sit out much of the summer with injury, veteran Niels-Kristian Iversen and newcomer Jan Kvech really stepped up to the mark.The arrival of Czech Republic star Kvech and the enthusiasm he generated was a bright spot in a torrid run for the Stars, whilst club favourite Iversen – now in his 40s – rolled back the years to offer regular reminders of his days as a Grand Prix regular.Lyon said: “I think it would have been a shame if one of them, or neither of them, had come back for this year.“In Jan’s case, he really enjoyed himself and settled in very well here, pretty much straight away.“I think he enjoyed British speedway as much as he enjoyed King’s Lynn itself, so it was a no-brainer for us to bring him back. “With Niels, I think in the first half of last season we were all a little unsure as to where he was going, because he was struggling. “But in the second half of the year he really kicked on, ironically in adversity because the teams we were having to put out at the time were pretty much patched up.“He was taking five, six or seven rides in most meetings and he came to the party on most occasions.“Dale (Allitt) and I looked at his average away from home, which was just over seven, and that’s quite impressive considering all the rides he had to take in a team of turmoil! “It was only just under the average of those who you would call recognised No.1s in the league, and also the big thing is that both of them wanted to come back, which I think goes a long way.“When riders want to be here you’re not forcing them to get a deal over the line, so that was a fairly easy task.”Iversen launches the new season with his Testimonial Meeting at the Adrian Flux Arena on Sunday, March 16 (3pm), with the Stars in team action for the first time on Monday, March 24 at home to Oxford in the KO Cup.