NEWS: Coventry confirm Elite League application
Coventry Cycle Speedway club look set to join the sports top league in 2016 – setting the seal on a remarkable recovery in fortunes by the Hearsall Common based club.
Coventry`s application for Elite League status, which included financial matters, club management structure, development and facilities, was officially lodged with the sport’s governing body, British Cycling, this week.
British Cycling’s Cycle Speedway Commission are to consider Elite League applications at a meeting this weekend and hopes are high that Coventry’s comprehensive bid will be approved.
If successful, it will mean Cycle Speedway glamour clubs such as Poole, Horspath (Oxford) and newly crowned Elite League champions Wednesfield Aces will be in top tier League action at Hearsall Common next season.
Young Coventry riders Dan Drewett (l) and Mason Phillips (r) would be set to get their chance in the Elite League. Picture by Paul Devine.
Coventry’s possible Elite League elevation will mean the wheel will have turned full circle for the Earlsdon speedsters. There was no racing at Hearsall Common for four years until May 2011, when a truly astonishing revival took place.
The club returned to competitive action by joining the Midland League in 2012 and the revival was consolidated by a showpiece staging of the 2013 British Final, which was broadcast on Sky Sports and shown in 32 countries worldwide.
A magnificent presentation of the Great Britain V Australia Test match in August this year confirmed Coventry’s re-emergence as one of the sports major clubs. It is thought Coventry’s promotional prowess will aid their Elite League bid as the sport attempts to attract the attention of TV broadcasters.
Coventry hope to bring enhance promotion to the Elite League after the success of the final Great Britain v Australia test match in August 2015.
Formed in 1978, the club is now thriving on all fronts. They have record numbers of both riders and officials. Only this week, the club signed on another eight new riders following a hugely successful junior meeting at the Hearsall Common track.
Club spokesman Lee Marsh said: “I can confirm that Coventry have this week officially applied to run Elite League racing in the city next year. It will be a major challenge for us but I am confident, if we are accepted, we can meet that challenge”.
Coventry boss, Lee Marsh is confident his team will meet the challenge.
It is thought Coventry, who have been approached by numerous Elite League standard riders, both in the UK and abroad, have narrowed their potential acquisitions down to a handful. These include two world class riders.
Club assets including world number 4 Bobby McMillan, multi British finalist Myke Grimes and Coventry based Polish star Dominik Rycharski will form the basis of any Elite League team for 2016.
Local home grown youngsters Mason Phillips, Dan Drewett, Matt Hambidge, Ollie Morris, Josh Marsh, Jake Slatter and Kyle Roberts are all expected to be given an opportunity at Elite League level.