Heatens await answer after lodging official complaint (From Dudley News)

Heatens await answer after lodging official complaint

12:56pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Sport

DUDLEY Heathens are still waiting to hear from the Speedway Control Bureau following the complaint they lodged after the National League Grand Final clash with Mildenhall.

The Heathens were infuriated when Fen Tigers co-promoter Chris Louis went into the officials box to discuss details of a last heat incident with the match referee.

Entering the referee’s box is strictly illegal under the sport’s rules but Louis’ intervention saw the referee altered his decision to exclude Mildenhall’s Stefan Nielson and ruled out Heathens skipper Adam Roynon instead.

As a result, Mildenhall clinched the title by a single point.

Heathens spokesman Andy Povey said: “I don’t think anybody at Heathens is expecting the result to be changed but a serious breach of regulations took place and we need to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

At the same time, Heathens chairman Nigel Pearson heaped praise on everyone that had helped make 2012 such a memorable season for them.

He said: “Every single rider who has represented us this year has worn the race jacket with pride. They know what it means to wear the famous hammer and I can only speak highly of them all. “They’ve been brilliant and obviously, it’s so gut-wrenching to miss out as we did.

“I think Will Pottinger and Jan O Pedersen have formed a good partnership in the management team. “Jan O has worked well with the youngsters bringing them on, while Will has done a good job with his tactics, particularly in the Grand Final, when we were so badly depleted by injuries. “Will’s moves with the rider replacements and reserve rides were spot-on.”

Pearson confirmed the club were still undecided about making the move up to Premier League status.

He claimed: “If we are to consider Premier League membership, we need to be sure that it’s a financially viable proposition.

“Under current circumstances, reading all sorts of horror stories about clubs losing money at this level, it’s not as clear cut as you think.

“I understand the bulk of our supporters want us to try and go up to that level, but we are not going to risk the future financial position of the club.

“Workington, Edinburgh, they’re just the latest clubs to register worrying financial pictures, so I don’t know what the right decision is at the moment.

“Whatever decision we make, it will be in the best interests of the club. “We won’t jeopardise what we have.”

Supporters can offer their views with Pearson and co-promoters Chris Van Straaten and Gary Patchett at a fans forum to be held at Cradley Heath Liberal Club next Thursday, November 8.