Oxford speedway chief Allen Trump has made his first major signing - appointing Great Britain Under 21 manager Peter Oakes as the new director of speedway at Cowley.

Oakes (pictured), a former sports editor of a national daily newspaper and leading journalist in the sport, has been a promoter at Exeter, where he had the legendary Ivan Mauger in his team, and also enjoyed a spell at Peterborough.

He is also joint team manager at Coventry.

It's an exciting and far-sighted appointment as far as the future of Oxford speedway is concerned, and Trump is delighted to have persuaded Oakes to join his new operation at Sandy Lane.

"I've been friends with Peter for longer than probably both he and I care to remember," he said.

"I know that he's the right man for this job."

Oakes was in Vojens, Denmark, over the weekend looking after the interests of young Brits Edward Kennett, Lewis Bridger and William Lawson at the World Under 21 Championship semi-final.

Speaking from Denmark, he said of his new role: "I'm thrilled that Allen has offered me this position and see it as a real challenge, but a challenge to be relished.

"My main concern before accepting the position was to ensure that it wouldn't impinge on my current position and responsibility as team manager at Coventry for the rest of this season.

"I discussed the matter at length with Colin Pratt and no problems were envisaged.

"That's why I've said 'yes' to Allen's offer and now we will be concentrating on getting Oxford Speedway up and running at the earliest possible date."

And that, according to Trump, could be a week tomorrow - although the exact date will become clearer over the course of the next few days.

Trump has called a public meeting on Wednesday night, where he will outline his plans for speedway at Oxford.