mdmc82 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 CRADLEY Heathens are on the lookout for new management to take the club forward. The current consortium, which brought the world famous club back to league racing in 2010, have reluctantly made the decision they cannot continue under the current circumstances. They are keen, however, to emphasise they wish to see the club continue into the 2016 season if at all possible. To that end, a meeting has been arranged with the interim board of the newly-formed Heathens Supporters Trust to discuss the situation. Based at Perry Barr Stadium in Birmingham, the Heathens have finished third in this year's National League. However, it has been a logistically difficult season for the management with Nigel Pearson unavailable on occasions due to his broadcasting duties, Chris Van Straaten needing to give his full attention to Wolverhampton and Gary Patchett unable to attend events at the stadium. The consortium state: "It is a very difficult thing for us to do, but unfortunately at this time we cannot continue for both business and personal reasons. "It is our intention to do everything we can to allow the club to continue under new management next season rather than close the club down. "We sincerely hope the forthcoming cup tie with King's Lynn at Perry Barr on October 14 is not the last ever Heathens meeting. "Our sincere thanks to the fans and sponsors for standing by us in a difficult season at Perry Barr and to the support of the Birmingham track staff through Denise Drury and the excellent medical team. "But special thanks to our team manager Will Pottinger for his sterling work once again." Any interested parties are asked to email info@cradleyheathens.co in confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin_t Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Oh dear,how sad,never mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander15 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 I wonder if the supporters group can take over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Sweetman Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Think they have become exasperated with Dudley council in trying to find them a site(or not trying to find them a site, is more to the point). No doubt if it had been houses or industrial units,their outlook would have been quite different. Really sorry if this is the end for the Heathens,they have given us so much pleasure(and heartache if youre a Wolves fan)over the past years. Hope you can find someone to carry on the fight,and keep this wonderful old club alive. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 What have Cradley's crowds been like at Birmingham compared to what they used to get at Wolves? What have crowd levels been like for Birmingham and Cradley? Similar levels for both teams? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) Have the attendances been lower at Birmingham than they were at Monmore? Oops.. John beat me to it by about 3 seconds Edited October 5, 2015 by BWitcher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 What have Cradley's crowds been like at Birmingham compared to what they used to get at Wolves? What have crowd levels been like for Birmingham and Cradley? Similar levels for both teams? Difference could be successful team last couple of seasons compared to non-successful this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brummies_Ste Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 From Birminghams main site BIRMINGHAM Speedway have just been notified of the statement issued by the Cradley Heathens regarding the future of their club.Their statement has come as a complete surprise to us and we’re disappointed that we found out about this matter through their press release and that nobody from Cradley Speedway contacted us about the situation.However, we would like to emphasise categorically that their decision to look for new management for next year has no bearing whatsoever on the future of Birmingham Speedway.Throughout the season there has been plenty of rumour that the only reason Birmingham were running in 2015 was because of the track sharing agreement between the two clubs. This has not once been the case in any way, shape or form.While a decision is still yet to be made on which league it will be, Birmingham Speedway will without question be back at the tapes in 2016. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar_art Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 I feel for the Cradley fans at this point. Looks like a winter of uncertainty something that us Brummie fans experienced last year. Keep the faith guys. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathen1984 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Crowds av been less but still been pretty good, management cant use that excuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brummie Kev Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) Im a little surprised to be honest that all 3 of them dont want to stick it out. I know that Gary Patchett isnt allowed in to Perry Barr due to an apparent dispute with the GRA but given the news about them in talks to Dudley Council only a month or so back, I am surprised with this. Surely the best outcome would have been to bring in someone with intention of day to day of the club to replace Patchett rarther than all three of them going and prospect of the club closing down. I reckon CVS has been quite hands on with Cradley this year esp home matches as hes always in the main reception when I get there. Obviously with Wolves having a bad year then he will want to spnd more time with Wolves next year but as I say if they can get someone in to run it and with Nigel helping when he can, CVS could just be a background partner next year. I have been to every Brummies and Cradley home match this year and for most of the season crowds have been similar for both. Although I felt as we got into August, Cradleys crowds dipped a bit and the Brummies have increased. The crowd for the last match Cradley had in August was probably the worst crowd ive seen at PB this year for either club. That said I dont think overall the crowds have been bad at all. All the best Heathens fans, last year was a nightmare not knowing what was happening to my club. I just hope this is resolved and someone comes forward as quickly as possible. Edited October 5, 2015 by Brummie Kev 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenMiller Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 I've been to 3 of the Birmingham v Cradley matches at Perry Barr this season and the place has been packed out with a cracking atmosphere, matched by some excellent racing. Would be a great shame if the Heathens don't carry on next year. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 What have Cradley's crowds been like at Birmingham compared to what they used to get at Wolves? What have crowd levels been like for Birmingham and Cradley? Similar levels for both teams? I'd say crowds have been down slightly but would make most NL (and higher!) Management's very happy. Surprised to hear this news this morning. I too expected headway was being made given the positives news over the course of this season. In fairness Pearson and Co have always said that if there was no positive signs from the council then they would pull the plug. I guess something has tipped the edge over the last few days. I feel for the Cradley fans, you couldn't get more loyal fans anywhere. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_martin Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 From Birminghams main site... ...However, we would like to emphasise categorically that their decision to look for new management for next year has no bearing whatsoever on the future of Birmingham Speedway... This may be a very optimistic prediction. If both teams relied on each other then the impact of one will be felt by the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ommer Mon Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 If I open my window I'm sure I'll be able to hear the sound of cheering coming from the direction of Dudley Council House. Unhelpful at best .... downright obstructive at worst, they have been presented with at least four perfectly viable options down the years and have managed to strangle the life out of all of them. Still we can always go to the football, cricket, greyhounds or sample the delights of Brierley Hill and Cosely Swimming Baths. Oh hang on a bit..... they've all disappeared too. What a record no wonder Dudley Town Centre is dead on its feet. Thanks to Nigel, Chris and Gary for their excellent work ove rthe last 6 years. It's been an absolute pleasure to support the team. Hopefully someone else will take up the baton. The Club has a great fan base but without a 'home' base it will be difficult for them. Fingers crossed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete cc Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Think they have become exasperated with Dudley council in trying to find them a site(or not trying to find them a site, is more to the point). No doubt if it had been houses or industrial units,their outlook would have been quite different. Really sorry if this is the end for the Heathens,they have given us so much pleasure(and heartache if youre a Wolves fan)over the past years. Hope you can find someone to carry on the fight,and keep this wonderful old club alive. They have had meetings with said council a short while ago & then there off.I'm also sure that if there was housing involved land would have been found & built on by now. They must have been told to sod off by the council 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 A report from the Express& Star. PUBLISHED: October 5, 2015 8:05 am LAST UPDATED: October 5, 2015 10:00 am 'We hope this is not the end': Cradley Heathens owners stepping down Owners of Cradley Heathens speedway club today made a desperate plea for new management to take over and save the club after announcing they are stepping down. Chairman Nigel Pearson and club partners Chris Van Straaten and Gary Patchett revived the club in 2010 after 15 years out of the league. But the management trio have today revealed they are bowing out because of personal circumstances and other work commitments. The consortium hope the club can be saved by new faces coming forward and insist folding the Heathens would be the final option. "It is a very difficult thing for us to do, but unfortunately at this time we cannot continue for both business and personal reasons," said Mr Pearson. "It is our intention to do everything we can to allow the club to continue under new management next season rather than close the club down. "We sincerely hope the forthcoming cup tie with King's Lynn at Perry Barr on October 14 is not the last ever Heathens' meeting," he said. Mr Pearson is a broadcaster with Sky Sports and talkSPORT while Mr Van Straaten is one of three owners at speedway rivals Wolverhampton Wolves. The Cradley Heathens have been thwarted by an on-going search for a permanent home after losing its home track in Dudley Wood two decades ago. This season the club has been riding at Birmingham’s Perry Barr Stadium after a deal to race in Wolverhampton ended. It had been hoped plans for an enterprise zone next to the M5 close to Junction 3 could provide a new long-term base. But the proposals were dropped following a fierce backlash from campaigners who feared part of the green belt would be swallowed up. The club had also been exploring possibilities at a site near Merry Hill shopping centre, which also fell through. Following today's announcement, a meeting has been arranged with the interim board of the newly-formed Heathens Supporters Trust to discuss the situation. Mr Pearson will also meet with officials at Dudley Council later this month to discuss a future home. He added: "We have been going six years since we revived and it has been a wonderful time. We have given people a lot of pleasure. "I do hope enough people care enough about this club and step forward and take the club forward and that this is not the end. "We will offer all the help and support to anyone who comes forward and we will go to the meeting with the council regardless. "I will even be there at home matches to make sure it is a smooth handover. Hopefully this will not be the end." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin_t Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Have they ever had talks with Sandwell Council...and if not why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattJ81 Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) Yes I believe there have been over the (many) years, and there was a site in Oldbury that was as close as anywhere to being pushed ahead with - though that was probably 17 or 18 years ago now. Incidentally that site remains derelict but I think it has just been announced that a retail park will be going on there, assuming I have my locations correct. I think at one stage Sandwell council were more responsive than Dudley, not that they could be much less responsive really, but there doesn't seem to be any discussions publicly ongoing. Edit: Regarding the Trust, I hope that this is not coming too soon for the them to deal with bearing in mind it is a brand new organisation. I know there are some very capable and very enthusiastic people involved so hopefully they can ride to the rescue Edited October 5, 2015 by MattJ81 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherwatcher Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Lets hope for the sake of speedway in general, that the historic name of Cadrley will carry on for generations to come. I can still remember coming to work over that way in the late 1960's and early 1070's and seeing the posters of the next meeting displayed all over the place. Just hope that someone who knows theiir way around the sport can step in and take the club to greater things. Most of all to finding them a new home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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