Official Buildbase Coventry Bees Website: EDWARD KENNETT

EDWARD KENNETT GB Date of Birth: 28/08/86

British career history: Rye House (2001-03, CL), Rye House (2002-03, 2005-06), Eastbourne (d/up 2003-04, d/up 2006, 2008), Poole (d/up 2005, 2007), Coventry (2009-present)

COVENTRY'S move to bring Edward to Brandon turned out to be the most protracted transfer deal in the sport ahead of the 2009 season - but it was certainly a successful arrangement for both parties..

Edward comes from a speedway family as his father Dave and uncles Gordon and Brian are both former riders – and Gordon finished runner-up in the 1978 World Final at Wembley.

Edward himself had been associated with Eastbourne throughout his early career, although he was loaned out to lower-league clubs by the Eagles on several occasions, spending several years at Rye House whilst also having a squad role with the Eagles.

His first full-time season in the Elite League was 2007 when he rode for Poole, and also earned a call-up to Great Britain’s World Cup team, and he returned to his local club last year to post an impressive average of just over seven. He also won the prestigious Wild Card place at the British Grand Prix by finishing second in the British Final at Swindon.

Bees reacted quickly to reports that Edward was looking to move away from Eastbourne in order to improve his all-round riding by being based at a larger home circuit, and with the Eagles unwilling to contemplate a loan deal, a full transfer fee of £29,000 was set at arbitration.

Edward quickly got to grips with Brandon as his base and established himself in second place in the club's averages, whilst also repeating his silver-medal finish in the British Final at Poole, following home team-mate Chris Harris in the Final. After such a positive debut campaign with the Bees, it was no surprise when his 2010 deal was confirmed.