The Mildenhall team has been decimated by injuries and retirements

Mildenhall Speedway promoter Simon Barton has admitted the club may be forced to drop out of the Premier League next season.

The Fen Tigers have failed to register a point in 17 league fixtures so far.

Barton says shareholders will have to debate whether a move down to the Conference League is an option.

"We've got to consider whether we can afford to stay in the Premier League as it's currently structured," Barton told BBC Radio Suffolk.

lose premier status "I know we've got to have a healthy debate within the shareholders as to whether the Conference League might be the answer or whether the league structure might be changed at the annual conference, so it really depends on what the rules are for next season."

Barton said Mildenhall's poor form had led to a drop in attendances but claimed it was not as bad as expected and the Fen Tigers still have a solid fan base.

However he admitted the original plan for gradual progression has turned into a fight for survival.

"The way we made the decisions this year was to try and build up an asset base of young riders for the long-term future of the club, but obviously maintaining speedway at Mildenhall is the primary aim."