Plan for speedway’s return is 
a suprise to stadium owners

The owner of Odsal Stadium has reacted with surprise after learning of a move to return speedway to the Bradford Bulls’ home ground.

Honorary president of the British Speedway Promoters’ Society and businessman, Tony Mole, has applied to Bradford Council for a certificate to allow the track at the stadium to be used for the first time since the sport left the city in 1997.

However, a spokesman for the Rugby Football League (RFL), which owns Odsal Stadium and rents it to the Bradford Bulls, said: “The RFL would like to express surprise at the news that speedway promoter Tony Mole has submitted a planning application to Bradford Council to stage speedway meets at Odsal Stadium.

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“The governing body has had no contact from Mr Mole or any other party about restoring a speedway track at the stadium, which the RFL purchased in January 2012 to safeguard its continued use as a Rugby League venue.

“The RFL will continue to work closely with the owners of Bradford Bulls to enable them to build on the considerable progress seen since their purchase of the club in August last year.”

It is understood that if the Bulls were to support the scheme the governing body would not stand in their way.

Mr Mole, who is based in Kidderminster, has promoted speedway for 27 years and is responsible for opening and rescuing a number of clubs.

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The entrepreneur has revealed how he plans to revive a name from the past should he be successful.

The sport was last staged at the world-famous Odsal Stadium in 1997 when the Dukes, under sporting brothers Allan and Bobby Ham, swept to the Elite League title.

Odsal hosted two World Finals in 1985 and 1990 when thousands flocked to the West Yorkshire venue.

Mr Mole wants to bring the Dukes back – under the name of Bradford and Halifax.

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He said: “There is still a big demand for the sport in West Yorkshire. The Bradford and Halifax Dukes would attract plenty of interest. There is no speedway in West Yorkshire. There has been speedway on and off there since 1945. The novelty value would ensure good crowds for the first season; that’s always the case in my experience. The population is large enough to support and justify a speedway track in West Yorkshire.”

Mr Mole said he would expect a crowd of between 4,000 and 6,000 for an initial meeting and then between 1,200 and 1,500 for subsequent meetings.

The nearest tracks are in Sheffield, Scunthorpe and Manchester.

Mr Mole said: “I can confirm I have met Speedway Control Bureau officials at the stadium and it is possible to meet all their requirements for a new track.

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“I have exchanged drafts of licence agreements with Bradford Bulls Rugby League club although these are subject to solicitors finalising them.

“The freehold [was] leased by Bradford MBC but when the Rugby League club hit problems this was taken on by the Rugby Football League Council. We would need their approval but we cannot discuss the matter further with them until we have planning confirmed.

“Not only can I confirm we can meet SCB requirements, but we can have a potential International Motorcycling Federation track which would give us the option of major events once again.”

Bradford Bulls’s owner Omar Khan is backing the bid.

He said: “It would be brilliant to have speedway back at Odsal. It would be a good thing for the community. It would be very popular and I think it would be very successful.”

An online petition calling for the return of speedway to Bradford has been signed by more than 2,000 people from across the world.