CLUB NEWS: Stoke officially affiliated British Cycling club

The number of officially registered British Cycle Speedway clubs has risen upwards with the revived Stoke Cycle Speedway club now registered with British Cycling.

It means the Potteries club are now officially back in the sport, will have insurance and can stage accredited matches. It also opens up access to coaching, grants and help. Leading official Avon Allcock completed the registration process on Tuesday.

News of Stoke`s return was met with universal welcome around the country, with riders and officials alike welcoming them back into the fold.

Gary Colby of Norwich Cycle Speedway club said: “Welcome back to Stoke. It’s great to have another club back in the sport and we wish them good luck”.

Long time Leicester administrator Tim Jarvis commented: “Stoke have a rich history in the sport. Everyone at Leicester welcomes them back”.

Commission member Graham Sutton, of the Poole club, said: “This is an excellent morale boost for the sport at a challenging time for Cycle Speedway. The Stoke club have produced many excellent teams down the years and we look forward to their progress”.

Respected Coventry official Lee Marsh said: “As ever, we at Coventry stand ready to assist to help others. I have already been in touch with Simon Baltkauls, a man I sense with a great passion for the sport, to offer to bring a team to Stoke when they are ready”.

Over at Birmingham, Steve Hodgkinson also welcomed Stoke back. He said: “This is great news for the sport. I stand ready to help with any assistance the new Stoke officials require”.