CRADLEY’S riders and fans are counting down to the return of league racing at the club.

Heathens are back after a year at Trophy level as club bosses revealed a full season sharing home matches between Wolves and Birmingham would have been unviable.

Now the riders and fans of the Anchor Logistics Heathens are counting the days to their opening meeting at Monmore on Monday May 6 – against rivals Mildenhall.

But the team will be together on Tuesday April 23 for a practice at Leicester (1pm) and a meet the riders event that night at Netherton Conservative Club. Admission is £5 with all money going to the riders themselves.

And Max Clegg, who first rode for the club as a rookie in 2013, is thrilled to be back after spending last season with Stoke.

He said: “I can’t wait to get started with Cradley now. I’ve already done some meetings in the Championship with Newcastle but I’m really keen to get moving with the Heathens.

“It’s a club which will always be special to me, the management look after us and the fans are awesome.

“We look at have a good team and hopefully we can challenge for the play-offs.”

This year will also mark the 10th season of the Heathens revival – but they are still without a home of their own.

Club bosses are keen to hear from anyone who has concrete proposals for sites which could help take the club closer to home.

Dudley Wood Stadium closed at the end of 1995 and was demolished for housing some years later. Many different parties, including the current club bosses, have made efforts to secure a new site - without success - and all home meetings will be held at Wolverhampton.