Moss Bay Metals linked with Workington Comets take-over?
Last updated at 13:15, Friday, 28 September 2012
Workington firm Moss Bay Metals could be the saviour of Workington Comets.
The firm is to consider holding talks with current owner Keith Denham, who this week confirmed he plans to pull out of the speedway club at the end of the season.
Denham decided to walk away after dwindling crowds led to him losing thousands of pounds a week.
Moss Bay Metals, which helps sponsor the Comets, said it could be interested in taking over the club, if the terms were right.
Harry Branney, who helps run the Northside training track, and whose wife Margaret co-owns the firm, said: “It has been something we have looked into and are interested in but a lot of things need to be looked at before any decision is made.
“The group as a whole needs to agree that they want to take over the club and we would have to hold a meeting with Keith to talk about money and terms.
“We will put our heads together, and would like to decide sooner rather than later, but we would like to think we could make it work.
“But we have not made any decision yet and won’t until we have all had talks.”
Comets legend Carl Stonehewer this week said he would consider a return to Derwent Park in some capacity if he was offered a position at the club.
Stonehewer, who holds the record for most appearances and points scored in the club's history, said he was saddened to hear of their plight.
He said: “If I was offered the chance I would like to help run the show or take up the day-to-day running of the club, but I have got to work as well so the price would have to be right.
“The last thing I would want to see is Workington close down but they cannot survive on the crowd levels from what I have been told.
“I have ridden a few tracks in my time and Workington was by far the one where I had the best time of my career.
“They have got really good fans and I still have loads of friends up there. The people and support are fantastic.”
Mr Branney added that they would be keen to see Stonehewer back at Workington.
Mr Branney said: “Carl would fit right in, but again we would have to look at money.”
Denham has said he will still go to the British Speedway Promoters Conference in November because he feels changes need to made regarding the number of competitions and matches in the Premier League. After that, he will walk away from the club.
He is urging fans to show there is still a future for the sport in the town by supporting the team in the last weeks of the season, to show perspective buyers that speedway is still financially viable.
Last week, he offered a £5 refund on all adult tickets if the crowd number hit 1,000 for the home meeting against Leicester, but the figure only reached 771.
He has extended his offer to this weekend, pledging to give a £5 refund if the crowd is 900 for Sunday’s home League Cup semi-final second leg against Ipswich.
He is considering keeping the offer in place for the rest of the season.
The Workington Speedway Supporters Club has launched a Save Our Speedway campaign, aiming to convince prospective buyers that the team should continue next year. The committee is keen to hear from any-one with ideas on how to enhance the speedway experience for fans.
Meanwhile, hopes that former Comet Rusty Harrison could race for the outfit for the rest of this season have been dashed.
Harrison was banned for 12 months in July for withholding services when he walked out on Comets.
He last week appealed against the ban but while it was reduced by the British Speedway Promoters’ Association it remains in force for the remainder of the 2012 programme.
Workington need to pull back a 12-point deficit against Ipswich on Sunday to go through to the final, at which they would face either Somerset or Newcastle.
They have booked Ricky Wells as a guest for Adam Roynon with rider replacement operating for Kenny Ingalls.
They have also confirmed dates for their play-off fixtures where they will be at home to Scunthorpe on October 6, with the return leg the following day, while their home tie against Edinburgh will be on October 13.
The re-run of the Premier League Riders Championship, involving Comets captain Richard Lawson, will be on October 14, followed by Workington’s first leg of the Knock Out Cup semi-final at Newcastle later the same day.
First published at 11:56, Friday, 28 September 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
Have your say
Rather than offering £5 back if crowds reach a certain number try knocking the £5 off the ticket price to draw the crowds because people that come and pay full price are taking a gamble on getting their £5 back where as if the money was knocked off the entry price people can see they are saving instantly and not just if more people come through the gate.
Posted by barry on 28 September 2012 at 18:09