CRADLEY Heathens will once again carry the identity of Dudley Stroke Association on team colours – thanks to club partner Dr Rod Brooks.
Dr Brooks, a lifelong fan of the sport, has been with the club for three seasons supporting the management team and part of his arrangement is to promote the work of the Association and to spread the message of stroke symptoms awareness.
Their presence will be on the new-look race jacket which will be unveiled next Tuesday in front of fans at the meet the riders night in Netherton.
Heathens Director Nigel Pearson said: “Dr Brooks has been invaluable with his support of the club and we thank him for that.
“He has always been keen to achieve two things – firstly to ensure the Heathens name remains on track and secondly to promote Dudley Stroke Association.
“He has great respect for the Heathens name and it was down to him that we stayed on track last year for a shortened season in the Trophy – he came forward to us and suggested it!”
The Anchor Logistics Heathens will gather for a private practice and picture session at Leicester next Tuesday before heading to Netherton Conservative Club in the evening to meet fans. Admission is £5 with all money going to the riders.
They’ll once again race home meetings at Wolverhampton’s Monmore Green in the National League, starting on Monday May 6 against Mildenhall (7.30).
It will be their 10th season of the modern era after the closure of Dudley Wood Stadium in 1995 and several parties, including the current management, have been unsuccessful in securing a new site.
Said Pearson: “We said at a forum with fans a year ago one regret of this project is the failure to secure a track of our own. We gave it a go but admittedly we have lost heart in our own ability to secure this.
“We have always wanted to race on a track just for Cradley, at no time have we just sat back and settled for track sharing, so we encourage anyone with any firm ideas to make contact if there are options and we are happy to talk.
“In the meantime, we thank Wolverhampton for accommodating us again this season and hope everyone enjoys seeing the club in action.”
