DUDLEY Heathens bosses say that they will not jeopardise the club’s future after a packed out fans forum called for promotion to the Premier League.

At the Cradley Heath Liberal Club last Thursday more than 200 supporters told club owners Nigel Pearson, Chris Van Straaten and Gary Patchett they want the Heathens move to the next level.

And while the trio have promised to take those views on board, they insist they will see what proposals are in place at the sport’s AGM this weekend to decide whether the move is viable.

Club chairman Pearson said: “The turnout was fantastic last Thursday. It’s obvious there is a powerful groundswell of support to move up to the Premier League.

“We will take that into this weekend. But we need to remain cautious.

“We don’t want to be in a position where we jeapordise the future and our search for a new track we can call our own just for a season at the higher level.

“Gary relays the story of his time in the Premier League with Birmingham in 2010. He put together a smashing team but lost thousands of pounds which is something we don’t want to do and simply blow all the work of the last three seasons.

“He only had two crowds over 1,000 that season – the only thing I would add to that is that we are talking about a completely different club.

“But I think most of our supporters understand why we are being cautious. We know what we need to make it work and at the moment it could still go either way.”

Pearson said the trio have a business plan in place to provide a new track and would not put that in jeopardy.

He added: “I personally would love to see the club race in the Premier League. It’s the next step and it’s something the club and the fans deserve – but I say that with caution.

“We are almost in a situation where we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t!

“All I can say is that we have taken on board totally the views of the supporters and we will make a decision based on the best interests of the club with the experience of Gary and Chris alongside me. I think our fans trust us.”