Owner targets Midland after title win

His team are overwhelming favourites – anything better than a 13-point home defeat against Peterborough on October 26 would do the trick – but Van Straaten is taking nothing for granted.

The owner said: "We have still, physically, got to do it. We will be trying our hardest to lift that trophy as well."

Van Straaten took particular pleasure from the fact that Wolves started and finished the season with the same seven, bar the injury to Hynek Stichauer who was covered from the number eight position.

The owner said: "All the opposition, as the season progressed, made changes left and right. We kept the same team.

"I'm proud of that fact. I think the blend was right from day one in terms of youth and experience – and the humour from Adam Skornicki!

"I've known some good team spirits in my time at Wolverhampton, but this excels. They all bond together, they get on and it's worked."

Speedway's team strength ceiling means, of course, that the title-winning Parrys International Wolves will have to be dismantled and rebuilt in the close season.

But Van Straaten is confident that Wolves will field a competitive side.

He said: "We've been in the sport a long time, myself and Peter Adams. It's four league titles and we know what we need to do. We look forward to the fifth now.

"We've done it, and let's just dwell on this satisfaction before we begin to think of the harsh realities that this sport has to throw at you."L