Speedway: Glasgow Tigers mulling over £12k bid for top rider as club look to pay off debt

Apr 20 2012 Exclusive by Fraser Wilson

GLASGOW TIGERS bosses are optimistic they can overcome their financial problems after receiving a five-figure bid for one of their top riders.

The Glaswegian has learned that an offer of around £12,000 has been made by an Elite League club for one of the top assets at Ashfield in the last week.

Tigers management were remaining tight-lipped on the bid this week but speculation linking both Nick Morris and Josh Grajzconek with moves away from Glasgow has been prevalent since the club lifted the title in October.

If the bid is accepted it would cut a sizable chunk out of the £30,000 track improvement bill which has cast doubts over the future of the Premier League champions.

Optimism is growing at the Ashfield club that the debt will be met after fans helped raise over £3000 in one weekend.

Donations from three supporters groups were received at Sunday's meeting with Scunthorpe and co-boss Stewart Dickson said: "We received some healthy donations on Sunday which will keep us going in the short term.

"We appreciate every penny and, as promoters, we realise we too have a job to boost the attendances and money coming into the club.

"I have said before I will not allow this club to go under but we face challenging times and we need to find new ways of boosting attendances on a Sunday."

The Tigers, whose Premier League clash at Scunthorpe tonight has been cancelled due to rain, are now preparing for this Sunday's home meeting with Sheffield Tigers in the League Cup.

Last year the meeting was dubbed a 'grudge-match' after the English side angered Glasgow management with unfounded comments regarding match postponements.

Glasgow co-promoter Alan Dick said: "I was very angry with some of the comments emanating from Owlerton last season.

"Neil Machin is a very experienced Promoter but some of the things that he was coming out with last season were completely out of order.

"He was making accusations that he was unable to substantiate and that was very disappointing. It made it all the sweeter when we beat them in the latter stages of the season and believe you me, I will be doubly keen to get one over on them again."

Jayden O'Malley is set to return for Glasgow after recovering from injury.

Sunday's meeting begins at 4pm at Ashfield Stadium.