Wolverhampton Speedway Bosses Pledge To Discover Brand-new Venue

25 April 2023
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Nick Clitheroe & Clare LissamanBBC News


Speedway club bosses have actually pledged 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 contract for Monmore Green would not be extended beyond this season.


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


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


"The truth that this petition has been signed and got such a big amount of support in just a few days is quite exceptional and I think 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 focus on greyhound racing but comprehends fans and the club will be "dissatisfied".


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


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


"I wish to develop our own place, I want to be the main holder of the tenancy and also produce something that is open 6 days a week to help train motorcyclists; to train children to take them off the streets."


He stated he had handled to bring a stadium to Redcar and had actually acquired understanding from that job.


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


The reaction from individuals made him believe this was possible.


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


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


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