Wolverhampton Speedway employers pledge to discover brand-new location

ByNick Clitheroe & Clare Lissaman
BBC News

Speedway club employers have vowed to find a brand-new venue after news they can not remain at their home of 96 years.

Wolverhampton Speedway stated on 17 April they were devastated their occupancy arrangement for Monmore Green would not be extended beyond this season.

About 17,000 individuals have actually now signed a petition requiring it to be conserved.

But Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten stated the "fantastic" assistance had actually resulted in talks with authorities about a brand-new site.

"The fact that this promotion code petition has actually been signed and got such a big amount of assistance in simply a few days is rather exceptional and I believe that's definitely been the influence and unlocked to these meetings for the club," he said.

Site owner Entain has said it will focus on greyhound racing however understands fans and the club will be "dissatisfied".

Mr Van Straaten, who took control of running the club from his dad in 1986, said speedway was "a fundamental part of Wolverhampton folklore".

"My energy in the last few days has actually turned to providing a brand-new site where we can develop a Wolverhampton Speedway club and we can be the main renters," he said.

"I 'd like to develop our own location, I 'd like to be the yohaig code main holder of the occupancy and also create something that is open six days a week to assist train motorcyclists; to train youngsters to take them off the streets."

He stated he had managed to bring an arena to Redcar and had actually gained knowledge from that job.

"I 'd love to be in a position where I can bring a speedway stadium to the city of Wolverhampton," he said.

The reaction from individuals made him think this was possible.

"the yohaig code quantity of people that signed the petition has took my breath away. the yohaig code support for this promotion code sport is rather remarkable," he stated.

Mr Van Straaten stated it would be an "immense" blow if it didn't happen, however added he was going to be positive and they had the rest of this year to look for a site.

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