HEATHENS chairman Nigel Pearson admits club bosses are frustrated by ongoing delays in finalising the National League structure for next season.

Pearson was disappointed when the AGM was postponed in December leaving the third tier of the sport unclear.

He sees no reason why clubs cannot get around the table to put in place plans for the new season, in particular competition format and the all-important points limit.

Pearson said: “I still believe the AGM should have gone ahead in December.

“Those clubs who are certain for next season could have declared there and then, the points limit could have been put in place and any other clubs coming forward to join us would then know the rules they have to adhere to.

“I understand the problems at Elite League level and the serious nature of the discussions ongoing with Coventry and Peterborough which, quite rightly, requires urgent attention from the BSPA.

“But I can’t help but feel we are being held back in trying to promote a professional league because we don’t know the points limit or how many clubs are coming to the table. It makes the league look a little amateurish which is what I was told it was trying to get away from a couple of years ago.

“We cannot build a team until we know the limit and we are now getting supporters emailing us and calling us asking what the remainder of the team will be in addition to Ashley Morris.

“All I can say at this stage is that we will be looking to include Tom (Perry) as he is our own rider and hugely popular with the fans and we have told Darryl Ritchings we would like to include him at reserve. He’s a Swindon boy and Gary Patchett, as club partner, has paved the way for us to include him.

“Of course there are riders from last season’s team in contention, but until the league tells us what the points limit is we cannot do much more.

“We are trying to portray a professional image of the sport, our media coverage has been brilliant and yet we can’t make any further announcements as of this moment.

“I’ve heard certain clubs from last season won’t run in the National League but then when you speak to the people concerned they say they actually are.

“So to end all the speculation about who is coming to the party and who isn’t, let’s get around a table now and sort it out – then with clubs like Weymouth and Mildenhall, they could be given a little extra time to sort themselves out because we want to see them back on track for sure.”

The former Cradley club have reported tremendous interest in season ticket sales and the revised prices are now set at £120 adults, £70 concessions as the December 31 deadline has now passed.

Heathens are planning to run a minimum of 12 meetings, up to 16, which represents great value once again for season ticket holders.

These can be purchased on the club’s website dudleyspeedway.com via paypal or by post with cheques payable to Dudley Heathens and sent to team manager Will Pottinger, LP Transport, 21 Hainge Road, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 2NR.