Full speedway ahead for roaring success

The oldest cycle speedway club in the world which is based in the Black Country is appealing for new members.

Sandwell Lions Cycle-Speedway Club, founded in Tividale in 1948, has bred world champions.

But numbers have dwindled in recent years, after a spate of break-ins and vandal attacks cost thousands and crushed club morale. But now club chairman and team manager Pete Dalley says things are on the up and he is on the look out for the stars of the future.

"All you need is a pair of gloves to cover your hands and full length clothes, we can provide a bike for the first few weeks," said Mr Dalley of Marriott Road, Netherton, who has been at the club for 43 years.

"You need to be able to ride a bike without support, but we will teach you the rest."

The club currently has about 20 members and has produced world champion Mark Newey, from Dudley, who now rides for Leicester Monarchs in the national league.

But it looked set for closure last year as members grew sick and tired with having to fork out for repair bills and to replace stolen equipment after their base became a regular target by theives.

The Tividale Sports and Recreation Centre in Lower City Road, was ransacked by thieves around ten times in two years, and while they are now getting themselves back on track they leave nothing on site overnight.

At its height in the 70s and early 80s, the club had around 60 members and Mr Dalley, aged 59, said he was keen to get back to their former glory.

"We spent £1,100 on repairs, and we just make sure we leave nothing here overnight.

We lost a couple of our members as they went off to university but we have a few on loan from Sheffield at the moment who are doing some good work.

"We have got one young lad cycling in the GB team in Australia at the moment, so there are a lot of good opportunities for people.

"Morale is high."

The club trains three time a week on a 262 ft shale track. For information contact Mr Dalley on 07801529512 or email him via www.sandwellcyclespeedway.com