Council welcomes Bears lifeline

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has welcomed the news that the future of the Redcar Bears speedway team appears to have been secured.

Outgoing promoter Glyn Taylor has confirmed a deal is in place for team manager Brian Havelock to take control.

The new consortium is poised to take over the 10-year lease at the South Tees Motorsports Park.

"I am delighted there's been a satisfactory conclusion," said the council's Sheelagh Clarke.

"I know how hard Glyn Taylor has worked over the past three years to build up the sport at South Bank and that the past year has been particularly difficult."

Havelock, who is heading the new consortium, said that the takeover has been agreed, while Taylor added: "Upon the completion of that sale, which is now imminent, the council will be paid up to date and in full.

We now finally have a deal completed with a consortium who are prepared to take the Bears into a new era

Glyn Taylor

"I have tried my very best this year - not an easy year by any means. The weather was a factor, but at the end of the day the people just didn't support the speedway like they appear to have done the two years before.

"The facts are I could have closed the speedway half way through the season. I did not. I could have then gone into liquidation as soon as the last meeting was over and left every creditor with nothing, and the fans with possibly no speedway in 2009.

"I did none of this. We now finally have a deal completed with a consortium who are prepared to take the Bears into a new era. I wish them every success in the future."