SW1216 V BIRMINGHAM (EL PLAY OFF S.F.) (2012)

CRADLEY Heathens were the Manchester United of Speedway for well over a decade. Formed in 1947, Saturday nights at their old Dudley Wood Stadium home were the focus for the entire community with thousands of fans flocking to see their team in action. From the late 70s they were transformed from an unfashionable club into the top side consistently in the sport with riders from Scandinavia, USA and Australia joining the club. They produced World Champions Bruce Penhall, Erik Gundersen, Jan O Pedersen, Billy Hamill and Greg Hancock and won numerous team honours. Suddenly heartbroken fans were left with no team to support as their stadium was sold by landowners for housing development and no permanent replacement could be found. This DVD charts the proud history of the club and features rare interviews with World Champions, Heathens legends and Promoters as well as footage from the great days of Dudley Wood. In 2010, the Dudley Heathens were formed out of the ashes of the former Cradley club and now race in the National League at Wolverhampton’s Monmore Green Stadium in front of the biggest crowds at that level. This is evidence that Heathens fans have never lost hope – and a permanent home of their own remains the ultimate aim. Running time 300 mins