BREAKING NEWS ON THE Plymouth Devils

CASH-strapped Plymouth Devils are to close because of mounting debts, the club has announced.

The city speedway club, which enjoyed its most successful season ever last year, was losing between £2,000 and £3,000 per week.

Directors announced their intention to shut down the club after holding a meeting following the Devils' season opener at the St Boniface Arena.

Despite the inclusion of former Devils' favourites Ben Barker and Mikkel Bech in an invitation line-up, the meeting only drew 450 people.

David Short, one of the club's four directors, said that the Devils' needed a minimum of 700 fans per meeting to keep them afloat.

Short said the decision to close the Devils, who reached the Premier League play-offs for the first time in their history last season, had been a difficult one.

He said: "The club has been in financial difficulties for a couple of years and the meeting last Friday persuaded us that it would not be financially viable for us to carry on.

"I accept it was cold, but only 450 turned up and it was quite plain that we were not going to meet the crowd figures we needed this season to keep going.

"We needed at the very minimum 700 people each meeting and to be absolutely safe, 800.

"Last year's play-offs meeting against Glasgow was the only time that we managed to do that. We were losing £2,000 to £3,000 per meeting and we obviously couldn't sustain that."

Short said the club had kept going last season because of donations from individuals who he declined to name.

The Devils had struggled to attract major sponsorship for this season, with last season's backer, Skills Group, deciding not to renew the deal with the club.

Although massive efforts were made to secure another big backer, the Devils faced going into the new season without a significant sponsor behind them.

Short said the club's directors would be holding further meetings to decide the mechanics of closing the club down.

He said: "I think it highly unlikely, but there may be somebody who wants to buy the club to keep it open. We certainly wouldn't want to make any money from it - we'd just be happy to keep it going under a new management."

Short said team manager Lee Trigger was informing the club's riders of the Devils closure and said he hoped the seven members of this year's squad would be able to find a new club.

He said: "The riders, hopefully, will transfer to other clubs and I don't think they will have too much difficulty in finding another one. Kyle (club captain Kyle Newman) and Steffan (Nielsen), already have other clubs they ride for, so they won't be out of work and we would want to find Premier League clubs for the rest of our riders.

"In hindsight, it would have been better if we had not declared (to the UK's speedway authorities) that we were going to run in the Premier League this year – but that is hindsight."

Short added: "The people I feel really sorry for are the supporters who turned up to see us week in and week in. They were incredibly loyal, but we just couldn't keep on going the way we are."

Bleddy Janners

Its a Shame but at the end of the day speedway is a dull sport to watch unless its off a very high standard it was always going to struggle to attract punters.

THE British Speedway Promoters’ Association will keep Plymouth’s place in the Premier League open in the short term despite the club’s promotion pulling out of the sport.

We have no alternative but to respect the decision of the Plymouth Speedway promotion although the timing is unfortunate and we have spent this morning making every effort to help clubs rearrange fixtures.

The BSPA management committee were informed of this decision on Monday evening and naturally regard this as disappointing news for the sport in general, the Plymouth riders and the people of Plymouth and surrounding areas in particular.

As an association it is our wish to see the sport continue in Plymouth and we would urge any interested parties in keeping the Plymouth Devils alive and on track to make contact with a representative of the Plymouth Speedway promotion or, alternatively, with the BSPA office via email at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] as a matter of urgency.

there has to be a desire to have a speedway team in the city from its residents and i dont believe there is one.

Mike Bowden: This does not have to be the end for Plymouth Devils and speedway in the city

RESURRECTION specialist Mike Bowden is prepared to dig deep and save Plymouth Devils 10 years after he first took control, but he needs help.

The speedway fanatic relaunched the speedway outfit in 2006 when there was no speedway in Plymouth and poured thousands of pounds of his own cash into the venture to keep it afloat.

Now, after stepping away from the club, Bowden has the money to assist a revival, but he will only cough up if there is a club clear-out and a move to the third tier National League.

"Too many cooks spoil a broth and that is the case at Plymouth. If I were to put money in, there would need to be far fewer people involved," Bowden told Herald Sport.

"After putting 18-hour days to get the club off the ground last time, it's very sad to see it go under, so of course I would want to see it resurrected."

The former promoter regrets taking the Devils into the Premier League and makes that the reason why the club is now stretched beyond breaking point.

"I wish we had never gone in there. If we had been in the National League this might have never happened," he said.

"The people coming in every week and paying their £12 or £13 each time, don't realise how much money is going to the riders each week.

"When we had Ben Barker in the Premier League he was taking home £1,200 for every meeting."

Bowden said riders in the Premier League traditionall demand between £70 and £100 per point earned at a meeting, with around £150 per point in the Elite League.

However, in the National League, that figure drops to £25 per point and a much more manageable total for a city side which attracted just 450 through the gates at the weekend for a warm-up event.

"It's very sad, unless anyone comes in to buy the club, but I don't think they will in the Premier League," he said.

"They haven't got the fan base. A pro outfit cannot service on 400 people each week."

The businessman said Alan Trump, a name well-known on the speedway scene, bailed out Devils last season with a five-figure fee and that should have been a warning the Premier League was not viable for them.

"They should never have enrolled into the Premier League again this season after losing so much money last year," he said.

"Allen Trump stepped in to save them last year and after that they should have gone into the National League."

Trump, who Bowden feels could be tempted into a survival mission, has yet to comment on Devils' plight.

if anyone wants to donate to the devils fundraising attempts they can do here. so far they have raised £15000 not including the fundraising page

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Angry wrote:

Its a Shame but at the end of the day speedway is a dull sport to watch unless its off a very high standard it was always going to struggle to attract punters.

Well you could day that about any sport. Why do we watch division 4 cloggers on a regular basis.

The racing at the SBA is some of the most exciting in the country due to the short staights and sweeping curves - good riders can and do win races at a length and poor ones can trundle round at the back - but you do get plenty of overtaking and WTF moments on a regular basis. You certainly get excitment everytime which is often more than can be said at Home Park. You get 15 races, 15 winners and plenty of ups and downs in between.

Angry wrote:

there has to be a desire to have a speedway team in the city from its residents and i dont believe there is one.

Speedway is not well attended across the UK, plenty of tracks get worse crowds than the Devils, and it's a labour of love for those involved but it is worth saving especially for the sums involved. Before the original Devils folded the crossover with Argyle was huge - both were huge working class sports.

If you like crumbling old-fashion stadiums, in the 1980's lower league style, you could do worse than give it a go. I was attracted down on a whim and have never looked back. It's a great evening out.

SAVE THE DEVILS

£2,685
Raised of £50,000 target so far via crowdfunder not incluuding other funds raised elsewhere.

no new news about a takeover/rescue package

PLYMOUTH Devil are saved


PLYMOUTH Devils have been pulled back from the brink of closure at the 11th hour, it has emerged.

The ailing city speedway club has persuaded six investors to put money into the Devils.

The cash will be used to pay off a debt thought to run into thousands of pounds.

Plymouth supporters, in a separate move, have raised more than £20,000 to pay for the club to race in the Premier League this season.

A week ago, Devils were prepared to shut down because of mounting debts.

But a series of meetings between an emergency committee set up to save the Devils, supporters and – last night – six backers who are prepared to wipe out the club's debt – have turned an increasingly gloomy situation around.

Devils' team manager Lee Trigger – one of the emergency committee's members – said the club could have closed on Tuesday night because not enough investors had come forward.

But Exeter businessman Allen Trump, who is one of the club's backers, managed to round up enough people prepared to remove the debt.

Emergency committee members had been clear that they would not use fans' money to pay off the debt because it was earmarked for running costs this season.

Trigger, who has told his riders the good news, said: "It is a tremendous relief.

"On Tuesday night, it looked like it was all over, then Allen came forward with some more investors."

Trigger, whose team are in action tonight against Premier League rivals Somerset Rebels in a challenge match, added: "The hard work starts now. We've got the right people in place, we've got a structure and we want to make sure that this situation never happens again."

(source the web)

Were Back! Official Club Release, Issued April 1, 2016

Report by Emergency Committee


FOLLOWING last night's successful meeting between the emergency committee and a team of investors the BSPA were informed of the Plymouth Devils intention to run in 2016.

Allen Trump who is part of the consortium said "This is a tremendous outcome for Plymouth and speedway in general. We have the strongest team ever assembled on and off the track to take us forward with confidence."

Lee Trigger team manager, contacted the riders immediately after the meeting to inform them of the good news. " We were on the brink of closure. The supporters have pulled this around and have inspired the emergency committee to press forward. Every single donation will be invested into the club to ensure its long term survival. Thank you to everyone involved."

Richard Hemmings supporter’s representative. "Exciting times lay ahead for speedway in Plymouth, the supporters have voted by putting their hands in their pockets. We have a voice and I will ensure that the supporters are heard."

Roger Wakeham commercial co-ordinator. " We endeavour to move forward and galvanise the good work already done. I feel proud to be part of what will surely be a winning team. The real work starts today. We need continued help throughout this season to encourage the backing of local businesses. Speedway is important to Plymouth and we need to have a wider appeal."

Colin Holmes events co-ordinator. "We propose to run regular fund raising events. It's up to us now. We need to show the investors that speedway is here to stay. Lets have some fun along the way. The pre-season race night was a success so we need to build on this."

Mike Baxendale chairman. "Relieved and overjoyed by the prospect of speedway being in Plymouth for 2016. Personal thanks goes to the emergency committee members who have supported and implemented the rescue package. A team of investors has come in to save the club of which we are eternally grateful. Plans for 2016 are now up and running but we must lay down the foundations to ensure speedway remains in Plymouth for the long term."

Both the Consortium and Emergency Committee would like to extend a warm thanks to everyone concerned.

To the riders, who have shown patience and resolve during this period. They have stood shoulder to shoulder and supported the process by unilaterally agreeing to the Emergency Committee's proposals.

To the speedway community nationwide and beyond, your donations and well wishes have been gratefully received. Your money will safeguard our future. We will be forever in your debt.

To The Plymouth Devils supporters. We were on the ropes, but you refused to take the knockout blow. Your inspiration, loyalty and dedication to this exciting sport has brought our community together and influenced the investors to put their money into what we believe is a worthwhile investment.

To the sponsors, past, present and future. You are key to our success. Allow us to offer something back to you. We will be more committed than ever before to ensure your backing will be treated with respect, better communication and exposure.

For further information on how we can help your business contact Roger Wakeham on; 07739 72909

Good to hear i hope they see an increase in attendances and more sponsorships coming their way now.

LATEST NEWS...."Relieved and overjoyed by the prospect of speedway being in Plymouth for 2016. Personal thanks goes to the emergency committee members who have supported and implemented the rescue package. A team of investors has come in to save the club of which we are eternally grateful. Plans for 2016 are now up and running but we must lay down the foundations to ensure speedway remains in Plymouth for the long term." Both the Consortium and Emergency Committee would like to extend a warm thanks to everyone concerned................

(Source Devils web site) [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

To help our riders Somerset are running a special meeting tonight

Somerset Select vs Plymouth Select

Somerset Select = 58 Plymouth Select = 35 Plymouth had RR for their number 1 rider who could not ride tonight.

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