Speedway to return to Wimbledon.

After an absence of a decade, speedway is set to return to Wimbledon in 2002 thanks to a joint venture between David Croucher and Steve Ribbons. The Dons will compete at Conference League level next year with their first fixture arranged for 2 May - a challenge against Belle Vue Colts.

Work is in progress at the Plough Lane stadium to prepare the way for the return of speedway. Options for track laying are being considered together with other infrastructure.

The nucleus of the team has already been assembled. Former Milton Keynes rider Chris Hunt is set to captain the side with youngsters Jonathon Stevens, Terry Day, Rob Painter and Cecil Forbes all in contention.

Although starting out at Conference League level it would be no surprise to see the Dons take the step up to the Premier League in a couple of years providing the level of support is there.

London has been without regular speedway since the Lions closed down a few years ago. Now Wimbledon springing back in to life will end that and hopefully the speedway folk of the capital will again pack the Plough Lane terraces.

In their heyday, Wimbledon were one of speedway's most glamorous successful clubs and featured all time great riders such as multi world champion Barry Briggs.

Croucher and Ribbons are working to allow the phoenix to rise from the ashes perhaps, given time, the historic Dons can again ride tall in the saddle.