Fan donates book funds to rising speedway stars - The Stratford Observer

Fan donates book funds to rising speedway stars

Stratford Editorial 7th Feb, 2018   0

A DEVOTED Speedway fan who wrote a book to raise funds for the sport he loves has donated £360 to its rising stars.

Tony Watson of Evesham Street, Alcester, has been following the sport for more than 70 years but was distraught when his favourite club, Coventry Bees, was forced to close its popular Brandon track.

“The club thought they had a deal to carry on until 2020 but that fell through and the stadium had to close,” said Tony.

Last August, with the club holding talks with Coventry City Council, Tony had high hopes of the sport returning to the 2021 UK City of Culture.




However since then a planning application to build 137 homes on the site has been lodged with the local authority.

“It’s always been a sporting venue and the club is still fighting the application,” he said.


Troubled by what was happening to the sport, the 78 year old wrote ‘The Last Lap’ an A4 magazine-style publication lavishly illustrated with photographs kindly donated by speedway professional photographer Jeff Davies.

And such has been the response from Speedway fans that last week he handed over a cheque for £360 to the British Speedway Young Lions, a sum which was bolstered by a further £2,000 donation from the Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club contribution.

“It’s such a great sport. It’s the adrenaline rush of seeing four people going round a track, skidding, and trying to beat each other, it’s such a skill,” said Tony.

Meanwhile the sport continues with the new season starting on March 25 and National League outfit Coventry Bees racing at Leicester at Beaumont Park.

A few copies are still left, priced £5 plus £1.50 postage and packing from [email protected] .

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