Track Talk: Cradley Heathens tale is something to be proud of

Yes, on Monday night the club without a home of their own start their TENTH season of racing since they were revived.

It’s been an honour for me, personally, to be involved as part of the club management and on Monday night the new-look Anchor Logistics Heathens face Mildenhall at Monmore Green (7.30pm).

One regret we have – and I say this for every member of the management – is our failure (that’s what it is) to secure a piece of land to take the club closer to their former Dudley Wood home.

We’ve made efforts, although admittedly not in the last couple of years. Personally, I feel it’s getting harder with the need for more housing becoming increasingly apparent throughout the Dudley Borough.

I have to smile when people say, quite casually, there is land out there. Please tell me where? Several parties have tried down the years, going right back to 1995 when promoter Colin Pratt spent days driving around the area looking, after the club were evicted from Dudley Wood for housing.

Tony Mole, an expert in opening new tracks, tried and failed, then there’s the various supporters groups who have also tried without success.

So why are the team back in league racing? It’s simple – the fans. They made it clear at the end of a reduced season when we raced Trophy meetings only that they wanted – demanded – the team rejoined the league.

So, here we are. The club with no home entering a 10th season. Remarkable, really, isn’t it?

I can’t be there on Monday because of my media duties with BT Sport but I’m sure the fans will turn out in force.

It’s great to be promoting the work of Dudley Stroke Association once again through our partnership with Rod Brooks, a passionate supporter of the charity who insisted we promote the cause when he joined us. It’s our pleasure.

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton are facing up to an interesting decision in the next couple of weeks.

Jacob Thorssell is back on a bike in Poland after missing the start of the season with an injury sustained in winter training.

His replacement, Scott Nicholls, has done a fine job which hasn’t surprised me.

I understand Thorssell will talk to Wolves owner Chris Van Straaten after he’s ridden in Sweden this week to establish whether he’s ready for a return to British racing.

But there’s also the Nick Morris factor. He’s not raced for Wolves yet after a wrist injury and he’s been back to Australia but returns to the UK tomorrow.

My understanding is he’s still not ready. So do Wolves stick or twist? All will become clear within the next week, I suspect.

Finally I’m in Germany today for the opening round of the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations – World Pairs to you and me.

I’d expect Poland, Sweden and the host nation to qualify for the final stages from tonight’s event which is live on BT Sport from 5.45pm with Wolves legend Tai Woffinden our studio guest. Join us if you can!