A CAMPAIGN to bring speedway back to Oxford could help save the city’s threatened greyhound stadium.

Former racing promoter John Payne says he and a wealthy ‘mystery’ backer want to bring speedway back to the Oxford Stadium to stop the threat of bulldozers.

Mr Payne, 61, a former promoter of the Oxford Cheetahs, and current president of the Oxford Speedway Supporters Club (OSSC) is rallying speedway fans to a meeting tomorrow night to discuss ways to bring speedway back.

Mr Payne, who retires as landlord of The Plough in Wheatley, in two weeks, said: “The fans still want speedway in Oxford and, if it returns, I believe the stadium’s future will be safe.”

He continued: “I was telephoned by a well known figure in the racing world a couple of weeks ago.

“I’m not willing to say who he is at this stage, but he had seen the stories about the stadium being flattened and told me he had it on good advice that this was complete bunkum.

“He also said he wanted to bring speedway back to Oxford, and that if I could help rally the support needed, he would put in the cash.

“He’s not short of a bob or two.

“We believe we could have a team back racing by the start of the new season in March.”

Speedway at Oxford Stadium hit the skids in 2008, after 59 consecutive seasons.

In its heyday in the 1980s, 3,000 fans flocked to the stadium every Friday to watch the likes of four-time world champion Hans Nielsen.

The sport was axed from Sandy Lane when stadium bosses and speedway promoter Allen Trump were unable to agree a rental figure for the 2008 season.

Greyhound racing continues at the venue. But, as revealed by the Oxford Mail, the stadium has been proposed as a site for housing.

Neither the stadium owners, Risk Capital Partners (RCP) or its manager, Maureen Ridley, responded to the Oxford Mail’s request to comment on Mr Payne’s plans.

But Gavin Beckley, chairman of the OSSC, said fans were behind the bid.

Mr Beckley, 30, from Chinnor, said: “Oxford is one of the best stadium complexes in the country and it would be fantastic to see the British Final return one day.”

However, Clive Feltham, chief executive of the Greyhound Racing Association said: “Although speedway was popular, it is past its heyday and while it is admirable that the fans continue to support its return, it’s a case of profitability and sustainability.

“We are not anti-speedway. We are anti-losing money.”

  • The speedway action meeting will take place at The Plough pub in London Road, Wheatley, tomorrow evening at 8pm. John Payne will auction speedway memorabilia, in aid of the campaign and the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund.