World speedway champion Greg Hancock is making an emotional return to see the Heathens fans in March.

The former Cradley ace took his second title last season – a mere 14 years after the first – and promised a visit to the Black Country where his career began in 1989.

Now Heathens fans can pay tribute to the American, who made nearly 400 appearances for the old Cradley club and notched more than 4,000 points before their demise.

The 41-year-old, who now lives in Sweden, will take the stage and meet supporters at The Venue Conference and Banqueting Centre in High Street, Dudley on Saturday, March 17 (8.30pm).

He will be joined by a number of ex-Cradley riders including former world champion and newly named Heathens coach Jan O Pedersen and Colin Pratt.

The evening will be hosted by Heathens presenter Ian Jones and BBC WM’s Mike Taylor.

Hancock, who now lives in Sweden, said: “The Cradley days were special to me and to so many people. It will be nice to come back to England and to see my fans once again.”

Heathens chairman Nigel Pearson said: “Greg is coming across to the UK for Coventry’s Brandonapolis meeting on March 16 and thanks to Colin Pratt, our former manager who is now in charge at Coventry, we are able to bring Greg back to the Black Country.

“Greg is a very busy man these days and seldom gets a chance to come to the UK and it will be a very rare appearance for him back where it all started close to the old Dudley Wood.”

Tickets cost £10 with a limited number of £25 VIP ones which include a private reception with Hancock beforehand, a complimentary print, photograph opportunity and front row seats for the main event.

Tickets can be purchased at www.dudleyheathens.co or by cheque to HSSC, 2 Caernarvon Way, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 2TR. For more details call 07766 745681.

Hancock will also be in Cradley Heath itself on the afternoon of the event between noon and 2pm when he officially opens a new facility at Motor Market on Newtown Lane.

* Wolves will face holders Poole while Birmingham tackle Belle Vue in the Elite League Knockout Cup.