A new speedway club reviving the Cradley Heathens' nickname will race in Wolverhampton and Birmingham for the 2010 season.

Dudley Heathens will be entered into the National League - the third tier of British speedway - with home races at Monmore Green and Perry Barr.

Club bosses hope to attract support from fans of Cradley Heathens who raced at Dudley Wood from 1947 to 1995.

Will Pottinger, son of former Cradley promoter Les, will manage the team.

The project has been put together by new club chairman Nigel Pearson along with Wolves' chief Chris Van Straaten and his Birmingham counterpart Gary Patchett.

Pearson said: "To see the Heathens back in regular league racing is what a lot of people have wanted for many years and we are delighted to carry the name of Dudley.

"As well as providing enjoyment for a lot of people we also want to see Cradley return on a full-time basis in the future and if this acts as a reminder to Dudley Council throughout the 2010 season then it has to be a winner.

"Now it's down to the fans to show us their support and we hope the fans of Wolverhampton and Birmingham also adopt Dudley as their second team."

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