Last updated at 11:27, Friday, 23 July 2010

WORKINGTON Comets have secured the future of speedway in the town for the next three years.

Comets owner Keith Denham has received planning permission from Allerdale council for the next three years to keep speedway at Derwent Park and he hopes that permission will be continued after 2013.

It means that Denham has shelved plans for a new speedway stadium in Workington which he announced in November of last year.

Denham, who is also managing director of construction firm Thomas Armstrong, said: “It was very important to keep the entertainment of speedway in Workington for the fans.

“Allerdale council have realised that it is vital to keep the speedway in the town and so have supported the permission.

“Keeping the speedway in Workington is going to be good for the area so I am pleased we have secured it for the next three years.”

Denham sees no problem with the sport continuing at Derwent Park and has already had talks with Workington Town chairman Dave Bowden about the future of the sport at the stadium.

He also felt that ongoing developments in the Oldside area meant that Denham felt that the area was a no-go for a new speedway stadium.

He said: “Derwent Park is the best home for the Comets and I don’t see any reason why the permission will not be extended for a further three years after 2013.”

Workington Town chairman Dave Bowden said: “I am delighted that the Comets have secured the permission to go forward.

“Derwent Park provides a wonderful setting for speedway and although there will have to be compromises I am pleased Comets have managed to secure the permission.

“The relationship between the speedway and rugby league is an important one and working together with the Comets should see the benefit to both clubs.”

Meanwhile Comets go into tomorrow’s match with Rye House on the back of their excellent victory over Somerset last weekend.

Comets will be using rider replacement at No4 for Peter Kildemand who is away riding in a Danish U21 qualifying round while Rye House have 16-year-old Australian Robert Branford as a guest.

The match, which begins at 7pm at Derwent Park, will also see children allowed in free if accompanied by an adult, a promotion which Denham said will run until the end of the season.

The Rye House match is the second in a succession of three home meetings for the Comets, who hope to continue their excellent home form this season to push themselves up the league.

Team manager Ian Thomas feels a continuation of the home form coupled with a few away wins would see the Comets challenging towards the top of the league.

Comets have been without an out-and-out No1 all season which has held the team back slightly with both Andre Compton and Craig Cook leading the team this year.

Thomas said: “If we can continue our home form and look to pick up away wins at places like Berwick, Redcar and maybe Glasgow the top four may not be out of our reach and the riders have the belief to finish there.

“I have said all season we are one rider short of a championship winning team.”

First published at 19:26, Thursday, 22 July 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk