FANS of the Coventry Bees speedway club have reacted negatively to news that promoter Mick Horton plans to run National League racing under Bees’ name at Leicester Speedway next season.
The Bees have been homeless since February after the club was axed from this year’s SGB Premiership just weeks before the season was due to start.
Since then, tireless efforts to return Bees to Brandon have taken place – so far without success.
Though the latest news means Bees’ name could return to racing in 2018, it would mean the world-famous club would drop down to the National League – British speedway’s lowest tier – and race at Leicester speedway, located 30 miles away from their traditional Brandon home.
Mr Horton has claimed in a statement issued on Monday that the trackshare at Leicester Speedway will secure the long term future of the Bees.
However Leicester Speedway stated on Tuesday that any agreement would be for one season only with the option of an extension.
Mick Horton said: “Coventry Bees are delighted to have found a new home with immediate effect at Leicester Speedway.
“We are pleased that we have facilitated a stadium share at Leicester Speedway which secures the long term future of our club.
“A standalone stadium either at Brandon or elsewhere has never been comercially viable and will never be commercially viable for the club.”
Though Mr Horton claims Bees have found a new home with immediate effect, the deal is subject to the completion of paperwork and Bees being accepted into the National Development League.
A statement from Leicester Speedway said: “Leicester Speedway remain deeply saddened by the loss of Brandon Stadium for the Bees but see this as an opportunity for the club to gain valuable income which will help underpin Beaumont Park as a successful sporting facility.”
Meanwhile fans of the Bees took to social media to highlight their frustration at the possibility of Bees running in the sport’s lowest tier.
One said: “We have been used to a rich heritage of quality speedway, now looks likely this will be downgraded.”
Another added: “Fans will vote with their feet.”
And also: “People didn’t go and watch the Storm when it was at Brandon. If this is a National League venture then they certainly won’t travel 30 miles to watch it there.”
Only a handful of supporters welcomed the news.
Of the positive comments, one supporter said: “I applaud anyone that could get Coventry bees running again. I can’t see Brandon estates ever giving in to allow speedway to run. So if it means running else where then so be it.”
Another said: “Good news better than no speedway from a speedway fan.”
