Wolverhampton Speedway Bosses Pledge To Find New Venue

25 April 2023
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Nick Clitheroe & Clare LissamanBBC News


Speedway club bosses have actually promised to discover a new place after news they can not remain at their home of 96 years.


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


About 17,000 individuals have now signed a petition calling for it to be saved.


But Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten said the "fantastic" assistance had actually caused talks with authorities about a brand-new website.


"The truth that this petition has actually been signed and got such a substantial amount of assistance in simply a few days is rather remarkable and I think that's definitely been the impact and opened the door to these conferences for the club," he stated.


Site owner Entain has stated it will focus on greyhound racing but comprehends fans and the club will be "disappointed".


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


"My energy in the last few days has turned to offering a new website where we can establish a Wolverhampton Speedway club and we can be the main renters," he stated.


"I want to create our own venue, I wish to be the main holder of the occupancy and likewise produce 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 actually handled to bring a stadium to Redcar and had actually from that job.


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


The response from people made him think this was possible.


"The amount of individuals that signed the petition has actually took my breath away. The support for this sport is quite remarkable," he said.


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


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