The roar of speedway bikes at Oxford Stadium could be heard again as soon as next week.

Jonathan Chapman, son of former Oxford promoter and rider Keith 'Buster' Chapman and also the man behind British speedway's Super Seven series, has applied to the British Speedway Promoters Association (BSPA) to take over at Cowley.

Team manager with the successful King's Lynn Stars, Chapman has breathed new life into speedway's domestic championships by giving them more razzle-dazzle and appeal to the public.

Chapman said: "It's true I have put in an application to the BSPA to take over and start afresh at Oxford.

"Oxford is a club that the whole country should be proud of.

"Unfortunately, over the last five years, it hasn't been."

Chapman has always held an affection for Oxford, and is keen to do his bit to try and revive the spirits of the ailing club.

"In recent years, the scenario has been, 'Oh God!, not Oxford again'," he said.

"It's just the way it has been run during that time.

"I have always had a soft spot for Oxford - I used to go when the likes of Simon Wigg and Marvyn Cox were there.

"Without being disrespectful to Aaron Lanney, who has worked very hard during the club's downfall, I can see no reason why the club cannot be successful again.

"I am immensely proud of the success we have had at King's Lynn and would like to think I could turn Oxford round again."

Chapman does not believe that a winning team will be the only way of attracting the crowds every week.

He added: "As long as you have a happy club and provide somewhere nice for the families to have a good evening out, fans will come."

If successful in his bid, Chapman has not ruled out a return to the top-flight, but in the meantime is happy to see the season out with Conference League racing.

He will then hopefully apply to join the Premier League next year.

OXFORD Lions, who were in the Conference League, did not have a match before the club folded.

Therefore, if Oxford were to resubmit a team into the league - which has only just got under way - they would simply have a fixture backlog to overcome.