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Eagles' future in doubt as Dugard quits
Eastbourne speedway could close at the end of the season following Bob Dugard's shock decision to quit as promoter.
Eagles are on course to lose 50,000 this year, a figure that would be quadrupled but for Sky TV's generous involvement in speedway.
Dugard admitted to Herald Sport this week, "Our aim this year was to get the sport on a stable financial footing, but we have failed.
"What we desperately need is another 200 people coming through the turnstiles on a regular basis.
"We are currently averaging 1,000 and that is not enough. Another 200 spectators paying 15 over 22 meetings would bring us in an extra 66,000.
"At the moment we are on course to lose around 50,000 and that is looking on the optimistic side."
A new promoter could save Eagles, but the problem is finding one to take on what can only be described as a massive challenge.
In recent years both Bob Brimson and Martin Hagon have been brought in to run the club but without success and neither lasted more than a season.
"I would love to find a successor who would keep speedway alive," added Dugard.
"It is a wonderful opportunity for the right man. We have a good management team and ready-to-race stadium and there would be free use of my rider assets.
"But the truth is I have been knocking my head against a brick wall and I have not known which way to turn.
"I have done my best, but you just seem to get criticism from all quarters.
"I took a lot of stick just for charging an extra 1 for a grandstand seat this season. Some people even cancelled their season tickets."
Dugard also admits that the departure of local favourite Edward Kennett was a major factor in the drop in attendances.
"People said we did not do enough to hold on to him but we did everything we could to keep him. If a rider chooses to leave there is very little you can do about it."
The Dugard family, who own Arlington Stadium, have been involved with speedway for generations, both as riders and promoters, Bob taking over from his father Charlie as promoter in 1966.
"He was in his mid-fifties when he had had enough. I am 67 and I am looking for some time for myself.
"I have no money issues personally; what I do want however is some time to enjoy it," insisted Dugard.
"Having a business as well as running speedway makes massive demands on your time and I do not intend to impose those sort of handcuffs on my family."
Dugard admits it would break his heart to see speedway die, but if the end of this season spells the demise of the two-wheeled sport at Arlington, he believes it could well return in two or three years' time.
"You have to remember we have a credit crunch at the moment which is doing us no favours. I read that Hastings, one of our catchment areas, has been hit particularly hard.
"But things could be different in a few years when people have got more money to spend and there would have been time for interest in speedway to be rekindled."
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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Wind direction: South east
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Light showers
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