CRADLEY Heathens are back in action next week – after surviving a close shave in the winter.

And club bosses are urging fans to turn out in force with the emphasis on family entertainment when they face Stoke at Monmore Green in Wolverhampton on Bank Holiday Monday (7.30pm).

Heathens are racing a shortened season as they enter the National Trophy due to a lack of dates available to race at Wolverhampton.

But fans have already stepped forward to support the club who are open to negotiating a return to a full league programme next season.

Director Nigel Pearson said: “We want to see a lot of families there on Monday, it’s a great way to spend a Bank Holiday.

“We’ve laid on a bouncy castle for the kids and we want the action to be done for 9.15pm approximately with school the next day.

“Children are the future of our sport and we are delighted the kids club has been relaunched at the club.

“This meeting is one which almost never happened. We were on the verge of pulling the plug in November but now it’s here we can’t wait to get going.

“We have an exciting team with Adam Roynon, a club legend, back in our colours and we’ve been able to cherry-pick the best youngsters the country has to offer.”

Pearson has stated he sees a return to full league racing as unlikely without a track of their own – but he’s prepared to listen to suggestions.

“Fact is, the club lost money every time we raced at Birmingham,” he said. “Unless something can change that then it will be difficult to go back there and do a full season alongside Monmore.

“As a management team we have never put the begging bowl out. And we won’t.

“It’s down to the fans to show us how much they want the Heathens name out there racing competitively – starting on Monday.

“We thank our good friends at Motor Market for their support – there’s a rumour one of our lads has been told his parents will buy a car from there if he hits a 10-point average!”