Speedway on track for return to Yorkshire base

Bradford Council has granted a certificate of lawfulness for speedway meetings to be held at Odsal Stadium.

The honorary president of the British Speedway Promoters’ Association and businessman Tony Mole, who is behind the bid, said he hoped the first events could be held at the stadium next season in late March or early April.

Mr Mole said: “We will now be able to hopefully finalise the license agreement with OK Bulls Ltd and gain permission from the Rugby League Football Council – they are the head leaseholders. Then we need a license from the British Speedway Promoters’ Association.”

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

The sport was last staged at the world-famous Odsal Stadium in 1997 when the Dukes swept to the Elite League title.

Mr Mole wants to bring the Dukes back – under the name of Bradford and Halifax. The club would be known as Bradford and Halifax Speedway Club.

Odsal hosted two world finals in 1985 and 1990 when thousands of spectators descended on the West Yorkshire stadium.