CRADLEY chairman Nigel Pearson insists they have not given up hope of keeping the club alive despite losing the use of the Monmore Green track.

The Wolverhampton circuit has been the Heathens adopted home since they returned to the track in 2010, some 14 years after the closure of their Dudley Wood track.

However, they were last week informed by landlords Ladbrokes that the venue will no longer be available to them, leaving their future in limbo.

With plans to move to a higher level of the sport following five hugely successful seasons in the National League, the bombshell came as a bitter blow and left the club reeling.

Despite uncertainty over what the future holds for one of the sports’ most iconic names, Pearson says himself and fellow bosses Chris Van Straaten and Gary Patchett will do all they can to keep the Heathens name on track in 2015 and beyond.

“It goes without saying that ideally we would like to preserve the Cradley Heathens name in some way next season,” said Pearson.

“We’re not giving up immediately – we are still holding talks to try and find a new site within the Black Country area.

“I know that sounds like the same thing I’ve been saying for the last three years, but we still have high hopes of establishing ourselves at a track of our own.

“Unfortunately that won’t be for next year, so we are going to try and look at alternatives to try and see what the way forward is for the Heathens.

“I know speculation will automatically link us with Birmingham, but the problem is that at this stage they don’t even know whether the Brummies will be running at Perry Barr next season.

“We haven’t had any talks with Tony Mole or anybody connected with Birmingham at this stage, we are just still trying to take in the news that we will no longer be able to race at Monmore Green.

“Of course Monmore Green is a greyhound stadium, and I know they have plans for more use of the stadium for greyhound racing and lucrative betting markets around the world.

“As disappointing as it is for us we have to respect that and thank them for all they’ve done to accommodate us over the last five years.

Meanwhile, the Heathens remain on course for a remarkable treble this season after securing National League Fours glory once again.

Dominant Cradley won the contest after a dramatic afternoon at Brandon last Sunday.

The Heathens put in a determined display to overcome some stern competition and tricky track conditions to emerge victorious from a chaotic meeting.

It was a magnificent triumph for Will Pottinger’s side to kick off a blockbuster few days in perfect fashion as they prepare to pursue Knockout Cup and National League glory this week.

And team boss Pottinger heaped praise on his quartet as they successfully defended the trophy they won in spectacular fashion in 2013.

He said: "It took over four hours to get the meeting done, but we’ve retained our trophy and the lads deserve full credit because it was a tremendous performance.

“We only just scraped into the final, but then everyone stepped it up when it mattered and it was a brilliant win.

“Obviously Starkey, Max and Nathan all went unbeaten in the final which was great to see, and even though Tom didn’t score he still played his part and was winning his first ride until he fell.

“It was a good team effort and it gives everyone plenty of confidence ahead of a massive week.”

The Heathens needed a second place from skipper Paul Starke ahead of Kent man Simon Lambert to seal their place in the final as they recovered from a nervy start to emerge from their semi-final.

Despite a tough start to the meeting, Cradley continued to grow more comfortable with difficult conditions culminating in a fine showing in the Final.

From the moment Nathan Greaves stormed underneath Josh Bates in heat one to give them an early lead they never looked back, with four wins in the opening five races before Greaves sealed glory in composed style in heat six.

With Paul Starke, Max Clegg and Greaves all going unbeaten in the final, a tough afternoon for Tom Perry proved unimportant as the in-form Heathens claimed the top prize.

Cradley's were set to end their season by taking on King's Lynn at Monmore last night in the second leg of the Knockout Cup final before travelling to Coventry for the National League final tonight.