DavidC

According to BBC Sport, Steve is funding this return!

Today's Cambridge News: Supporters of Mildenhall Fen Tigers have been given their most positive news for five months with a prospective new owner reaching an agreement with stadium boss, Dave Coventry. Both Coventry and the potential buyer, who wishes to remain anonymous at this stage, confirmed they had verbally agreed a deal to return the Tigers to the West Row circuit next year following their summer closure. Coventry said: "We have had very positive talks for a while and have worked out a deal. There are some final complications to sort out but things are looking good. This person is very enthusiastic and has a good approach to getting things done. "The situation at Mildenhall is slightly unique as, while the rent may be higher than some other tracks, there is very little else to buy. All the equipment is here." The rental figure, believed to be £1,300 per meeting, appeared to be a stumbling block for interested buyers so the fact a deal has been reached is promising news. It is hoped the final negotiations, involving the British Speedway Promoters' Association, can be completed soon so the probable new promoter can attend the annual conference of the National League on January 10.

I was just informing people of the article I never wanted to write was in today's Cambridge News: The British Speedway Promoters' Association is expected to announce today that Mildenhall Speedway has closed for this season. The bombshell was confirmed last night by National League co-ordinator Peter Morrish, who has been handling the negotiations. "It's not looking promising," he said. "I'm expecting the BSPA to make an announcement tomorrow that Mildenhall is ending for this year." Talks with two businessmen, who had agreed a rent deal with stadium owner Dave Coventry, appeared to reach a stalemate. Fen Tigers' promoter Ray Mascall was unavailable for comment. Coventry said: "As far as I'm aware the decision has been made to abort the club. "All avenues have been exhausted. "We are not in a position to take it on and everyone else is in the same situation. "There were two promoters and one ex-rider that have been in talks, but they all looked at the finances and reached the same conclusion." But Coventry did offer a silver-lining to supporters, stating that he would be prepared to resurrect the club for next season. "It is not dead forever," he said. "We will get it back on the map. We could put a package together for the start of the 2011 campaign. "Speedway has been part of the stadium since it began in the 1970s with only a couple of gaps and it's a shame that one of its best seasons for some time has come to a premature end." Coventry is preparing himself for a legal battle with a local resident over noise issues at the stadium and has been overwhelmed by support. A 'Save Mildenhall Stadium' facebook campaign has reached almost 3,000 people. Tigers' co-chairman John Adams was unaware of last night's developments and could only share his bitter disappointment of the club's fate. Adams was appointed team manager 18 months ago and this is the first time a club he has managed has folded mid-season. Mildenhall opened in 1975 and won three league titles during its 35-year history. It suffered a similar ill-fated mid-season closure in 1992 before resurrecting two years later for 17 consecutive years.

I just wanted to state my thanks to everyone who put on a fantastic event last night, as well as a thrilling race meeting. What a great occasion, atmosphere and run smoothly throughout. Made even better by GB winning an awesome fight with Australia. King's Lynn have certainly done themselves a lot of good in being considered to stage further big international meetings.

Give them a pen and they feel they've got a licence to put whatever slant on it they want, Phil!

Same here.

Gotta agree Phil, seems like Cardiff only provides thrills and spills because of its rutted surface, it can't give the riders confidence riding it.

Many thanks for this Jenkie! Am watching Sky's coverage live streaming on - http://www.justin.tv/mstvxtra2 - great stuff! Means I can watch it and don't have to wait till I see my Dad tomorrow for him to update me on what happened! Quality. Thanks again.

What a fantastic meeting - a cracking advert for speedway but yet again Tony Millard's ramblings and mistakes make cringeworthy TV - get rid of him Sky for christ's sake!

A fantastic result by Ben - the boy is flying! Does anyone have the current standings?

Yes have to agree with Mark, this wouldn't have converted any neutrals or quash the 'first out the gate wins' tag, a great shame as all have said before Crumpy deserved it. Maybe the new format will work better next year for a finale?

Back of the fff..lippin net!

The worst track ever seen - and in a GP! Unbelievable!

I don't think the CL needs much tinkering with, it's doing a good job in producing young British talent, keeping some clubs in existence and providing some important youth training for second string clubs. The current situation of clubs being able to choose how many fixtures they approximately want by choosing which competitions they enter is a good one IMO. Only 5 clubs are stand alone - not a great deal I think and the differences in the league gives it great variety. The fact the league is now in it's tenth season is a testimony to its success - none of us could of believed a third division in the sport would keep going for so long. Second-string clubs I believe struggle to attract crowds they deserve, I'm thinking of Sheffield and Peterborough, and splitting the league would only lesser their crowds and could prove a headache for promoters financially. There is always room for improvement of course, rules on the eligibility of higher league riders and foreign riders still needs to be addressed. The one old hand rule per team is good one but the rules on riders averages in the league still needs to be looked at.

Hmmm, an interesting one as ever from Phil. Last year Mildenhall made a profit in the CL, no mean feat when you look at our payroll! As with most clubs perhaps, I'm sure we could stay above water in the PL with the crowds we get for the BIG matches - Rye House, Peterborough, Wimbledon, but as for on crowds on fixtures against likes of Newport, Wolves, Carmarthen, I'm not too sure. Almost impossible to tell until Mr Mole lets me sees his figures! There's a lot to say on if we went up we could have derbies against Kings Lynn, possibly Ipswich, Rye & Arena to attract big crowds. There's no doubt our following has also grown due to winning matches regularly - would this subside if we were just a run of the mill PL team? It's a poser but in my opinion Dingle was always right - we should stay where we are financially secure. We closed in 92 'cause of poor crowds, they weren't the greatest in the late 80s either - it's better for regular speedway in the CL than to risk financial ruin for a step up.