Low crowds have forced the Spitfires to pull out of the Conference

Promoter Dave Tattum has been forced into making the tough decision as he is concerned about the long-term future at Loomer Road.

Cuts are being made so that the Stoke Potters Premier League team will continue to ride next season.

The axing of the Spitfires has led rider Gareth Isherwood to announce that he is on the lookout for a new club.

Isherwood said: "I've invested in new machinery and really want to ride to continue my progress.

"Obviously the timing is not good because a lot of clubs will be full, but I want to ride and hope to get fixed up somewhere."

Tattum is now exploring other ways that may see the return of a second team in Stoke-on-Trent for the 2009 season.