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Coventry 2016


Jacques

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Coventry Bees have been offered a new lease on Brandon Stadium, thanks to last ditch talks coordinated by Rugby Borough Council.

 

The Coventry Bees speedway team had been facing their last season at the stadium after it had been sold for development. But after Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, opened talks between the Bees and Agents acting for the new landowners, the owners have offered the Bees a new lease to allow the team to continue competing next season while they search a new site.

 

The new lease would run for one year from 1 January 2017, with the possibility of a further two years subject to conditions. The lease would allow Coventry Bees, junior race meetings and stock car or banger racing meetings. Additional events would be subject to individual agreement.

 

David Hargreaves, of FHP Property Consultants, acting on behalf of the stadium owners, said: “The pragmatic approach taken by Cllr Stokes has convinced the owners that a further period of time should be provided for the speedway team to find an alternative venue.

 

“There is no doubt that this deal would not have been possible without the involvement of the borough council.”

 

Cllr Michael Stokes, Leader of Rugby Borough Council, said: “It is clear that the situation the Bees and the other stadium users find themselves in is not ideal, but the lease that has been offered to them is a good compromise that will allow speedway and stock car racing to continue at Brandon for at least another year.

 

“I would like to thank FHP for their efforts in brokering this agreement, and for the time and trouble that they have gone to in putting this offer together.

 

“Additionally I would like to thank Mick Horton of the Coventry Bees for part he has played in allowing this offer to be made.

 

“After meeting fans groups earlier this year and hearing their concerns first hand, I am delighted to have been able to bring all of the interested parties together to allow an offer to be made.”

 

Mick Horton, of Coventry Speedway, said: “While the long-term future of the Coventry Bees is still a concern, there can be no doubt that this offer has given the speedway team some security in the short-term.

 

“Our next home fixtures against Leicester, Lakeside and Kings Lynn had looked like being our last. Now, however, our fans can support the team knowing that there is an offer on the table that will allow another full season at Brandon Stadium.”

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So a new 1 year lease from Jan 17 which could be extended subject to conditions.

 

Will Mick commit for another year?

Statement says yes!

 

I know Mick Horton isn't everyone's cup of tea but he along with Cllr Michael Stokes deserves a huge amount of credit for achieving this.

Coventrey another year at Brandon, 3 subject to conditions.

 

 

Get rid of Horton.

Horton is part of the reason we got this deal.

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Statement says yes!

 

I know Mick Horton isn't everyone's cup of tea but he along with Cllr Michael Stokes deserves a huge amount of credit for achieving this.

I'm not sure it does say that myself.

Edited by Dave Jones
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Great news for Coventry Speedway and the supporters. Clearly Councillor Stokes has been able to pull some strings to be able to get this agreement. I also think Mick Horton should be given some credit for getting the agreement. I get fed up reading all the criticism of Mick so maybe some supporters will cut him some slack now.

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seems to me the way horton hasnt bothered with the team this year is due to 2 possible reasons

 

either the uncertainty about the stadium so why bother spending on new riders

 

or he's had enough and someone else taking over ....so why bother spending

Well now he has another year which could lead to 2 years let's hope he puts a better team out for next year

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seems to me the way horton hasnt bothered with the team this year is due to 2 possible reasons

 

either the uncertainty about the stadium so why bother spending on new riders

 

or he's had enough and someone else taking over ....so why bother spending

Plus he has said he has to pay to fix/replace things at the stadium that isn't part of the agreement he had.

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Great news for Coventry Speedway and the supporters. Clearly Councillor Stokes has been able to pull some strings to be able to get this agreement. I also think Mick Horton should be given some credit for getting the agreement. I get fed up reading all the criticism of Mick so maybe some supporters will cut him some slack now.

 

 

Statement says yes!

 

I know Mick Horton isn't everyone's cup of tea but he along with Cllr Michael Stokes deserves a huge amount of credit for achieving this.

 

Horton is part of the reason we got this deal.

 

Agreed, there is no way an agreement would have made without the Cllr Stokes intervention and the existing promoter being agreeable. He amy or not be the promoter next season but at least he has helped ensure Coventry Speedway continues at least in the short term.

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It seems quite clear to me what the statement means.

 

There needs to be a suitable new site identified in 2017. Then there is an option of a further two years at brandon ( presumably while a new stadium is built).

If not it will be the end of the road after next season..

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I asked that very same question on Wednesday at Poole. MF said that 16th September was the official cut-off. There has been some debate as to whether the first leg of the Play-off semi-finals could take place as early as Monday 19th - but its doubtful subject to which teams are involved as they wouldn't have enough time to promote it.

 

So subject to SKY I would guess the earliest the play-off semis would start would be Weds 21st and Monday 26th or Monday 26th and Weds 28th followed by the Final legs the week after.

They would do well to avoid wednesday 28th September as it's the Swedish league final 2nd leg on that day Edited by racers and royals
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Rugby Council leader Michael Stokes says it was an awful lot of work to finalise the deal and praised the efforts of Mick Horton throughout.

He added the passion of Coventry Bees fans was a massive influence on his commitment to securing a deal. More online soon. @covobservernews

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