Wolverhampton Wolves 'devastated' after stadium blow

Speedway racing is set to end at Monmore Green Stadium from 31 October

Speedway club bosses say they have been left "devastated" after being told racing will end at their stadium.

Wolverhampton Speedway said a tenancy agreement for the Monmore Green home would not be extended beyond the end of this season.

The move to end the tenancy of a "well-supported and successful" club was a "bizarre and ludicrous" decision, said British Speedway.

Owners Entain said they planned to focus on greyhound racing at the site.

"We understand that fans of Wolverhampton Wolves and speedway will be disappointed by this news," the company said.

Wolverhampton Wolves Promoter Chris Van Straaten said he had been "knocked over" by the decision.

"I've been punched that many times in the 36 years I've been there, and I usually bounce back up, but this is going to take a few days," he added.

"I'm glad the news is now out in the open because I've been carrying this news as a burden on my own since 16 March when I was told," he explained.

He said there was "no possibility whatsoever" of the owners changing their mind.

"We need to reflect on what the future holds and see if there's anywhere else we can go," he added, "but I don't hold out much hope".

The news had come as a "tremendous shock" to riders and staff at the stadium, he said.

British Speedway said an action group would be formed and supporters were urged to sign an online petition

The site had first staged racing in 1928 and had always been regarded as a "highly professional, well-run and viable business," said British Speedway.

Chairman Rob Godfrey said: "We were all deeply shocked by the news, and I must stress this was as much of a surprise to us as it was to everyone when we heard on Monday morning."

"We don't want to see any club close, and we don't intend to let this one go without a fight, especially when there appears to be no logical reason for the decision.

"We are looking to grow the sport and we intend to fight tooth and nail on this issue, both for the future of Wolverhampton and for all of our clubs," he added.

Analysis: BBC Midlands Today sports editor Nick Clitheroe

This is another blow for a sport which has suffered major challenges in the region.

Coventry, Cradley Heath and Stoke have all been lost from the leagues for now, while the Birmingham Brummies face an uncertain future at Perry Barr stadium as well.

Wolverhampton have been the success story of West Midlands speedway, but if they are forced out of Monmore Green, it is hard to see where they could go next.

One of the traditional heartlands of the sport is in a battle for its survival.

Racing will end from 31 October, said the club.

"Monmore has enjoyed a long and proud relationship with the Wolverhampton Wolves and this decision has not been taken lightly. However, following the launch of Premier Greyhound Racing, we have taken a decision to centre our resource and investment on greyhound racing at the track," said Leo Walker, from Entain Retail.

The decision was described as "an attack on Wolverhampton's sporting heritage", said fan and local councillor Doug James.

Mr James, an independent councillor who represents Darlaston South on Walsall Council, said the move was a "huge blow" for the wider sport.

After watching speedway at the site for more than 30 years, he called on local businesses and politicians to support talks to "urgently revisit their business plan".