CRADLEY director Nigel Pearson insists club officials are fully supportive of the planning application submitted by the Cradley Speedway Supporters' Trust.

Pearson says previous issues with the trust have been left in the past and they will continue to back the plans to bring speedway back to the area.

And although he still has concerns regarding how receptive Sandwell Council will be to the idea, he is optimistic their objective could be achieved.

Pearson said: "Many will wonder what the ‘issue’ has been between ourselves and the Trust, needless to say our views have been passed on to their board.

"There have been many social media outbursts about ourselves as a management team – individual libel and slander - which have made it impossible to work with certain individuals on the board. As far as we are concerned these matters have now been dealt with and we have a very sound mutual understanding going forward and we will leave it at that because we want to focus totally on supporting this application.

"During the many hours we have spent looking at sites and talking to council officers / leaders – and this also applies to Bob Edwards, Chris Haynes, Tony Mole and others – dismissal of plans and ideas have been all too easy and convenient.

"Noise tests with bikes have been undertaken at more than one site and all found to be satisfactory, but this hasn’t stopped people dismissing us at the drop of a hat – particularly Dudley Council.

"I note the Sandwell Council leader has already expressed concern about objections from residents. I sincerely hope this proves not to be the case and if we as a management can do anything to help then we will do with great pleasure.

"A new track is all we have ever wanted since we started this project eight seasons ago."

Cradley are next in action against Birmingham at Monmore in a crunch derby clash on Monday, August 21.