STEAD – PREM MOVE PERFECT

SHEFFIELD boss Simon Stead says promotion to the Premiership was the best thing to happen to the club in years.

The Bates family and Peter Mole as club owners took the plunge in the winter of 2019/20 – and after their first season was wiped out by the pandemic, 2021 saw renewed excitement around the club with increased attendances and play-off qualification.

Said Stead: “It was a big call by the owners to step up, but I think they’re pleased with how it all worked out.

“The move undoubtedly raised the profile of Sheffield Speedway and, of course, it came with TV coverage which was live on Eurosport and then free to air on Quest to a huge audience.

“What we did last season was lay the foundations for this year. It’s given us a taste of things to come.

“Everything just felt different about the place, and I think the owners probably wish they’d stepped up before they did.”