THE campaign to bring speedway back to Oxford has got off to a thundering start, with more than 200 people attending an inaugural ‘action’ meeting.

There are fears Oxford Stadium could be bulldozed to make way for new homes, but it is hoped speedway could help stall the scheme.

Fans packed the Plough Inn at Wheatley to hear the pub landlord and former Oxford Cheetahs promoter John Payne outline his plans to bring back the sport.

Mr Payne, 61, said: “The place was packed, as I knew it would be.

“All believe speedway belongs in Oxford and that bringing it back can save the stadium from any future talk about development.

“We even had a couple of ex-Oxford riders – Alex Dryml and Spencer Timmo.

“A committee was formed of 14, and in the next couple of weeks we hope to set up a meeting with the stadium’s owners.

“We also intend to meet with Oxford City Council, which is proposing a new housing development on the stadium, to tell them why speedway racing, as well as greyhound racing must stay at Oxford Stadium.

“We are still confident we can have a speedway team back at the stadium in time for the new season which starts in March.”

Gavin Beckley, 30, from Chinnor, is chairman of the Oxford Speedway Supporters’ Club, and attended the meeting on Friday.

He said: “The meeting was a success. A further meeting is currently planned to agree the next course of action.

“A Facebook group has been set up called Oxford Speedway Committee to keep everyone up to date with the latest news and plans.

“We are aware we have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we’re all keen to do what we can.”

Earlier this month, Mr Payne revealed he has a wealthy, mystery backer who is willing to put up the cash for speedway at Oxford Stadium.

He added: “The backer was pleased with the turnout at the meeting and we are proceeding as planned.

“I still can’t tell you who he is though.”

Speedway at Oxford Stadium came to an abrupt halt 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.

Mr Payne will retire as landlord of The Plough in a week’s time, and plans to devote all his time to the Speedway campaign.

Clive Feltham, chief executive of the Greyhound Racing Association, has said he is not convinced Speedway will return to Oxford.