CHRIS Harris says he needs to rekindle the spark in his career after submitting a written transfer request to Coventry Bees owner Mick Horton, writes Observer speedway reporter Robin Allen.
The 33-year-old made what could be his last appearance for the Bees last Friday as they lost 41-48 to King’s Lynn at Brandon.
It capped off a miserable campaign for Gary Havelock’s side who have won just one meeting on the road this season and they finished 14 points away from the Elite League play-offs.
“I just feel I need something to get me going,” said Harris “I think I sort of sloped in the chair and become stale.
“It’s always hard being here as long as I have, you feel like you are part of the furniture spending so many years here with two years out on loan. Everyone expects you to come here and do everything, scoring points which I am paid to do, but I just wanted something different.
“I spoke to the misses to see what she thought and Emma is from Coventry, it is her club, but I want to do what is best for my career because I am not 21 anymore, I am a long way from that.
“We emailed Mick in the right way and asked if my name could be put out there to other clubs, I even said I am not bothered if he does not sell me, I will go out on loan just for a year to rekindle that spark and get me going.”
Long-serving Harris celebrated his testimonial early this year having spent 11 years with the Bees after signing from Peterborough in 2004. In that time he has won three league titles at Brandon including the treble-winning season of 2007.
The only seasons he missed was 2011, when he was loaned to Belle Vue at a time when Coventry’s participation in the league was in doubt due to the ‘winter of discontent.’
He then made a local loan move to Birmingham in 2013 but returned to lead the Bees to the Elite League Grand Final the following year.
This year however, the Brit has struggled domestically for Coventry and in the Grand Prix which resulted in him being overlooked for Great Britain in the World Cup in July.
Harris added: “The Grand Prix’s have been terrible again, we have got going in the last few meetings with the speed and with the engines we got changed, which has got better.
“With Coventry I just think I need new surroundings every day because my workshop is here and I am here every day.
“I need to go to a club where I am not there every day. I have not really thought where I want to go, I want to make it clear though, that I have not spoken to any clubs yet and none have spoken to me, it is just something I have been thinking about for a while.
“With the last home meeting last week, I just wanted to let Mick know so I could say farewell to the fans and let Mick have the opportunity to make plans for next year, whether I was in his plans or not I do not know.
“I feel that I am a part of Coventry, I have been here so long, it is a great club, I love the club and it will always be a club that is close to my heart, I am sure that I will come back and maybe finish my career here.”
