LANCE King, a firm favourite with Heathens fans during three glittering seasons with the club, will be special guest at Halesowen Cricket Club on Thursday June 29 - two days before he leads the USA into World Cup action at King’s Lynn.

King was part of the all conquering 1983 Cradley side and finished third in the world a year later when Dudley Wood hero Erik Gundersen took top spot.

He will answer questions about his time at the club as well as the rest of his career along with previewing the World Cup campaign.

King said: “This is something I’ve been looking to do for some time, it’s well over 30 years since I last met up with Cradley fans and I can’t wait.

“I know I raced for other clubs, but there was no comparison. The Cradley fans were and still are No.1 in my book and the support and following was amazing for the whole team.

“With the other two clubs I rode for it was like an individual meeting and hoped we had enough points in the end to win. Cradley were a team.”

The news comes hot on the heels of four-times World Champion Greg Hancock coming to the Cleveland Arms on July 20.

Tickets for both events will be on sale from the Cradley track shop, Printworx in Cradley Heath market area, on Friday.

They’re also available online now at sportstalkevents.co.uk via the paypal facility.

Cradley are looking for a new date for Belle Vue after the postponement of Monday night’s meeting at Monmore.