This is, without doubt, a club with amongst the biggest heritage in the whole of the sport. Numerous World Champions emerged from Dudley Wood in the 80's and 90's.
Since it was reborn in 2010 it has finished top of the NL in 4 out of 5 seasons and in the last two won every competition it has entered.
The Heathens have attracted crowds that are the envy of almost every team in the Premier League and many in the Elite League. The supporters travel in numbers to every away meeting and, therefore, the benefit is enjoyed by all. Yet, many former supporters couldn't bring themselves to watch their phoenix team race at Monmore Green because of past rivalries. Similarly, others perceived the 'new' club to be a bit 'Mickey Mouse' competing in the National League.
Speedway in this country is dying. It needs new ideas and new impetus if it is to survive at anything above grass roots level. Good news stories are hard to come by and yet the biggest story in recent years find themselves in a position where they might not be able to race in 2015.
Tony Mole has declared he has shelved plans to resurrect speedway at Perry Barr next season after the Brummies were annulled in July. So within a ten mile radius there is a club without a track and a track without a club. The difference between the two clubs is this, and I mean no offence when making these observations. Cradley have a massive heritage, both on and off the track. The club was hugely successful as a team and launched the careers of numerous world champions. Birmingham, however, never had that history and heritage to fall back on when they were relaunched in 2007 and several promotions have failed to make the Brummies viable at Perry Barr. Can the Brummies ever be viable at Perry Barr?
My question is this:
Although Heathens supporters didn't support NL speedway in the same numbers at Perry Barr in 2010 as they did at Monmore (the difference was probably 100-150) would they embrace the venue as a permanent home? With the search for a permanent home entering its 20th year here is a venue that is crying out for a tenant. I'm not suggesting that the search for a base in the Black country be abandoned but, lets face it, are we any closer to that now than at any time since Oldnall Road? Perry Barr could give the club, and more importantly its supporters, the long term security they crave.
Cradley,as tenants of Perry Barr, might also give the opportunity for the Brummies to ride at a level that they could sustain, i.e. National League. I would assume it unlikely that National League speedway would be viable there without another club riding at the same the same level or higher in order that overheads could be shared.
I'm sure it's not as easy as saying 'let's go and race there' and there must be serious consideration given to the costs involved by those taking the plunge. For me though, it's a no brainer providing the conditions could be met.
Perry Wood? Dudley Barr? Does anyone give a monkey's what home is called as long as we've got one?
