Workington Comets owner Laura Morgan says now is the time for fans to stand up and be counted after revealing that the long-term future of the club is under threat.

Morgan, in a statement on the club’s website, has invited supporters to attend an open forum meeting at the Waverley Hotel in Workington next Friday.

Morgan, who bought the club from Keith Denham in October 2012, wants supporters to help come up with ideas to improve finances and better promote the club.

She said the current state of the club was not sustainable in the long run and has called on supporters to help.

However, she stressed that her intention was to continue to run speedway in the town for the 2016 season, but changes would need to be made to run it beyond that period.

She said: “If people really want the speedway to stay in the town they are going to have to stand up and be counted.

“Even my 14-year-old niece said we could do a big sponsored walk to raise money. Obviously it’s not just about raising money, but everything helps. Even she realises that support is needed.”

She said that one idea that will be discussed at the meeting is the possible creation of a committee of fans to support the management team in promoting the club.

The results of a recent survey conducted with fans will also be discussed.

“Basically it’s all about securing the future of speedway in Workington,” Morgan said.

“I have said from day one when I bought the club – if you take away the financial side – I don’t believe it just belongs to me. I believe it belongs to the supporters but I also believe the supporters should play their part.

“The intention is to definitely run it next year but I would like to get into next year knowing that we have initiatives so at the end of next year I won’t be looking at a piece of paper with the tens of thousands that have been lost.

“Even if nobody turns up to the meeting my intention is still to run next year.

“I can’t see running past next year if we don’t solve the problems.

“It’s a case of looking at the long term. I don’t want to hop from one year to the next.”

The open forum meeting starts at 7pm.

Meanwhile, Comets face a huge double header this weekend when they face Berwick Bandits in the Premier League.

Comets travel to Berwick tomorrow (7pm start) and then host the Bandits at the Zebra Claims Stadium on Sunday (7.30pm start).

There will be added spice to the two meetings with the Border Trophy also up for grabs.

Comets’ only absentee for the two meetings will be Rusty Harrison, with rider replacement being used.

There will be Northern Junior League matches between Workington Meteors and the Berwick Border Raiders after both meetings.