NEWPORT PULL OUT OF PL

Thursday 16th February 2012, 16:34

Welsh club Newport will not take part in British Premier League this year, the BSPA has confirmed this afternoon.

The Wasps threatened to pull out of the competition following a dispute with the sport’s governing body over Australian rider Todd Kurtz’s starting average.

The club expected him to receive a 2.5% reduction on his starting average as he holds a British passport, but this has been rejected by the BSPA.

Newport have also struggled financially due to poor crowds at Queensway Meadows, and owner Steve Mallett made repeated pleas last season for fans to support the Hayley Stadium outfit.

But even winning the Knockout Cup and finishing fifth in the final Premier League table wasn’t enough to capture the fans’ imagination.

The BSPA has confirmed it will work to bring the sport back to South Wales as soon as possible.

A statement from the association read: “The British Speedway Promoters' Association regrets to announce the withdrawal of Newport from the 2012 season. However, we are doing everything within our power to ensure the continuation of the sport at the South Wales venue.”

The club’s closure leaves Leigh Lanham, Cory Gathercole, Robin Aspegren, Anders Mellgren and Mark Jones out of work in the UK.

Meanwhile, Charlie Gjedde still has a spot with Elite League side Belle Vue and Kurtz is listed in the Poole line-up.

OTHER NEWS