Exeter entered the 2002 season in the knowledge that the landlords, namely Exeter Rugby Club, no longer wanted to entertain Speedway at the County Ground. As it transpired, the landlords efforts to evict the Falcons had been ill advised and proved unsuccesful and a stay of execution was later granted.

Support for the Falcon's poured in not only from the loyal fans and the people of the City, but from the entire World of Speedway. Not being able to meet the compensation they would have to fork out, the Rugby Club conceded that the Falcon's could remain until the lease expired at the end of the 2004 season.

However, that all transpired later after the season was about to get under way, and the Exeter riders pondered their future. Seemond Stephens, unsure of the future opted to leave Exeter and joined Trlawny. But by March, the remainder were persuaded to stay. Bobby Eldridge and Matt Cambridge were back from the injured list, and Roger Lobb was back in the team following his twelve month suspension. Michael Coles joined Lawrence Hare and Mark Simmonds as the Heat leaders and Krister Marsh, who had joined midway through the previous season was also back in the team.

On paper it looked a solid enough team at home, it all depended on how quickly the three returning riders could find their form. As it turned out, it was not quick enough as they suffered staggering 38-51 home defeat against Trelawnyin the Premier Trophy, the only light being a paid eleven for Roger Lobb. A week later Swindon won at the County Ground 42-48 followed a week later by yet another home defeat at the hands of Newport who also won 42-48.

Exeter had got off to a disasterous start with three consecutive home defeats, but it compared very little to the disaster that was about to unfold. In the next match at Newport, Lawrence Hare (Pictured Right) was involved in an accident that was to finish his racing career and leave him partially paralysed. The injuries to Lawrence hit the Team hard, and having won their next and first meeting at home the following Monday, the win was dedicated to Lawrence.

The following Monday, in Exeter's first home P.L match at home to Stoke, they lost again 43-47 leaving the Falcon's with just one win in nine matches. In a hastily arranged benefit meeting at Newport for the Lawrence Hare fund (an earlier one at Exeter had been rained off), Coles fell and broke his wrist. But with the aid of Guests, the Falcons slowly began to turn the tables before another blow was struck when Matt Cambridge crashed and aslo broke his wrist.

Eldridge was hitting form again scoring a paid 12 in the big win over Rye House when Exeter won 62-28, but then broke his leg at Workington. Despite the ever growing injury list, the Falcons were at least winning at home again whilst struggling on away tracks.

Corey Blackman was brought in to replace the injured Matt Cambridge and Seemond Stephens returned to the fold to help plug the gaps with Roger Lobb being the only rider who escaped injury during the season.

Bobby Eldridge made an excellent comeback in August with a paid eleven against Workington, but a week later he suffered serious back injuries that were to end his season.

Whilst Exeter failed to make the Play Offs having finished 10th out of the 17 teams in the league, you can only applaud the teams resilience under such circumstances as they banded together and battled bravely.

The season ended with a magnificent Benefit meeting for Lawrence Hare which he was able to attend in person. Scott Nicholls won the meeting ahead of Chris Harris and Roger Lobb and a huge sum was raised for fund.

Elsewhere in 2002

The 2002 season began with the wrangle over the BSPA's decision to restrict the number of Grand Prix riders in a team to two that left riders such as Greg Hancok, Todd Wiltshire and Cegielski without a team to ride for.

Simon Stead won the British U21 Final held at Sheffield. In the A Final, he beat Ross Brady, Oliver Allan and David Howe to take the title for the second year. Lukas dryml was crowned World Under 21 Champion in Slany, Czech Republic. He beat Krzysztof Kasprzak in a run off after both riders had totalled 14 points with David Howefinishing third on 12 points.

Tony Rickardson is crowned World Champion after winning the G.P in Denmark. His end tally was 181pts to beat runner up Jason Crump on 162pts, Ryan Sullivan was thrid on 158pts, and Leigh Adams fourth with 127pts.

Poole (114pts) win Craven Shield Final Ipswich (109pts) and Coventry (101pts) over a 3 leg Final. Eastbourne (Pictured Left) beat Peterborough 94-86 on aggregate to take E.L KO Cup, Sheffield win PL KO CUp beating Hull 97-83 on aggregate and complete the double when they won the P.L Championship title ahead of Newcastle and the I.O.W in third place. Rye House beat Buxton 99-81 overall to win the C.L K.O Cup

Scott Nicholls became the British Champion beating Lee Richardson, David Howe and Mark Loram in the Final at Coventry, Tony Rickardsson wins the EL Riders Final from Nicki Pedersen, J.Crump, C.Boyce, Adam Shields was crowned PL Champion beating Craig Watson, Phil Morris and Brent Werner in the Final staged at Belle Vue and J.Birkinshaw (14) beat E.Kennett (13) and J.Robertson (12) to win the C.L Riders Championship staged at Rye House.

Wolves become E.L champions by beating Eastbourne 93-87 on aggregate in the E.L Grand Final play off.

Australia (64) crowned World Cup Final winners staged in Peterborough, Denmark 58, Sweden 54, Poland 48, Czech republic 36 Aussie side included Todd Wiltshire, Jason Lyons, Leigh Adams, Jason Crump, Ryan Sullivan.

Berwick (22) win the PL Fours from Arena-Essex (21), Newport (16), Hull (13) whilst the IOW duo of A.Shields and D.Bird beat F.Smart and C.Watson of Newport in the PL pairs Final. Trelawny (Pictured Right) won the Premier Trophy Final in a tense thriller against Sheffield. Having cruised to an emphatic 63-27 win in the home leg, they were pushed hard all the way in the return Leg that Sheffield won 61-28, but held on to win 91-88 on aggregate.

Chris Louis wins the British final from Paul Hurry and Martin Dugard with Mark Loram in fourth place and Robert Barth was crowned World Longtrack Champion totalling 113 points to beat runner up Kelvin Tatum on 96 points and Gerd Riss third on 89pts. Pictured Right, the Premier Trophy Winners Trelawny.

Tony Rickardsson won the Golden Jubilee meeting at poole scoring 14pts to beat runner up Leigh Adams (12), third placed Greg Hanckock (11) and Gary Havelock fourth (10).

Other Individual winners included Michael Coles the New Year Classic (Newport), Paul bentley the Ashfield Classic (Glasgow) and the Karl Friar Memorial trophy (Berwick), Phil Morris the Pride of the Potteries (Stoke), Adam Allott the Steel City Challenge (Sheffield), Craig Boyce the Welsh Open (Newport), Jason Crump the Bordernapolis (Berwick), Sam Ermolenko the David Norris Testimonial (Eastbourne), Rusty Harrison the Cumberland Open (Workington), Scott Nicholls the Hare Raiser (Exeter) and Mikael Karlsson the Olympique (Wolverhampton).