Jon Cook would support exiles return to Elite League

Cook's Lakeside missed out on the play-offs in 2010

Lakeside Hammers boss Jon Cook says he would support a return to the Elite League for Peterborough and Coventry.

The pair have quit the top flight in a row with the British Speedway Promoters' Association.

Association committee member Cook told BBC Essex: "The opportunity to go up to 10 teams we would very much support."

BSPA chairman Alex Harkess added: "I hope it isn't the end of Elite League speedway at both venues and that, perhaps, they will return in 2012."

At the conclusion of last week's BSPA annual general meeting it was announced the Ipswich Witches would be dropping to the Premier League for financial reasons.

It was later revealed that two-time Elite League champions Peterborough Panthers and 2010 title winners Coventry Bees would be leaving the top flight and applying for entrance to the Premier League or third-tier National League.

We need to be looking at another qualified businessman from another sport or entertainment that can come and shake us by the scruff of the neck

Lakeside team manager Jon Cook

The Panthers cited finances and rule changes while the Bees have stated they have received advice from lawyers to not comment on the situation.

Harkess says both sides walked out of the AGM and therefore failed to register for next season: "Let me first of all say how saddened I am that two clubs of such great stature will not be competing in the 2011 Elite League.

"But the bottom line is simple. Both clubs left the AGM and therefore failed to declare their intention to take their place in the Elite League.

"It was their decision and their decision alone."

The fallout has left speedway's top flight without two of its best supported and most high-profile teams and Cook has called for a re-haul of how the sport is run.

"We wish to be in a much bigger league, for all the blood letting and upset being caused, maybe we should do the job properly and rebuild the sport at the top level," he said.

606: DEBATE

I've been going to speedway since mid-eighties, following Wimbledon and now Eastbourne. Basically the structure of speedway is wrong

LawrenceNo1Fan

"The time is fast coming where we say it shouldn't really be in our hands.

"We really need someone who has got some notable experience in another sport to take us all to one side and say this is the way it's done.

"I think we need to be looking at another qualified businessman from another sport or entertainment that can come and shake us by the scruff of the neck.

"Because it's a fantastic product and we just need a little bit of fine tuning."

While Cook is keen for the Elite League to boast more teams, the current line-up consists of eight sides, one less than last season.

Only Birmingham Brummies and King's Lynn Stars have so far stepped up to replace the outgoing Panthers, Witches and Bees.

"The elevation of Birmingham and King's Lynn is a step in the right direction," Cook added.

"But we at Lakeside are working towards making a step forwards with a 12-team league with room for a top number one at each track, like we had in the old days.

"I think these are the opportunities we've got to take sooner rather than later and if we're not going to take them this winter, with all this turmoil then it's hard to see a better opportunity.

"From the Elite League perspective the overriding problem at the moment is the gulf in what riders need to earn at this level and the income packages at the club."