Wolverhampton Speedway employers promise to find new location

ByNick Clitheroe & Clare Lissaman
BBC News

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

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

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

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

"The reality that this petition has actually been signed and got such a big amount of support in just a few days is rather amazing and I believe that's definitely been the influence and opened the door to these conferences for the club," he stated.

Site owner Entain has said it will concentrate on greyhound racing however comprehends fans and the club will be "disappointed".

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

"My energy in the last couple of days has actually turned to offering a brand-new website where we can establish a Wolverhampton Speedway club and we can be the main renters," he said.

"I want to develop our own location, I want to be the primary holder of the occupancy and also develop something that is open six days a week to assist train motorcyclists; to train youngsters to take them off the streets."

He said he had actually handled to bring an arena to Redcar and had gained knowledge from that project.

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

The response from people made him believe this promotion code was possible.

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

Mr Van Straaten said 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 search for a website.

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