Officials welcome boost of consultant for Heathens stadium bid

Officials today welcomed the appointment of a new consultant tasked with bringing a long-awaited speedway stadium plan to fruition.

Cradley Heathens have taken on Tony Mole, who is the president of British Speedway, to help boost the proposals during a fresh round of talks.

Heathens officials have been locked in talks with landowners about the availability of an as yet unspecified site in Dudley borough.

This site have changed ownership recently and club chairman Nigel Pearson said the time had come to renew focus on the project.

Talks had been progressing with the previous landowner but now Mr Pearson says they will head hold discussions with the new firm in a bid to make headway on the project.

Previous proposals to build a stadium near Castlegate in Dudley failed to come to fruition forcing officials to look at alternatives.

But Mr Pearson remained upbeat about the stadium prospects today saying Mr Mole's appointment would bring fresh impetuous to the bid.

"It is good to have him on board. We have identified a piece of land a while ago. The land has been investigated and the surveyors have also been on site," said Mr Pearson.

"Whilst we were in dialogue with the owners, the ownership of the land has changed.

"Tony can take this on as he has time and experience to take on the project to try and pursue the matter for us.

"We know that time is getting on and its drifting away but we want to get back on track as soon as possible.

"We are all busy and involved with our own business interests at the same time as running the speedway team.

"But Tony is semi-retired and has time on his side and we believe we have the right man for the job and he has been well received by the supporters."

Cradley Heathens reverted to its original name in recent months as more than 1,000 fans have been regularly attending meetings at their temporary home at Wolverhampton's Monmore Green Stadium.

And although the Heathens are thriving at their shared Wolverhampton base, the management members remain determined to take them to a new home.

Mr Pearson said Mr Moles brief will be to advise on any site possibilities but with a specific focus on the potential site they have already identified.