SPEEDWAY in Weymouth could come to an end following tonight’s final home meeting of the season – despite wantaway chairman Phil Bartlett lowering the Weyline Wildcats’ asking price to just £1 in a last-ditch bid to get shot of the club.

The Cats finished rock bottom of the National League this season and some disgruntled fans have vented their frustrations by personally attacking the exasperated promoter on Internet forums, which has caused him to admit “enough is enough”.

Bartlett initially put the club up for sale on September 17 but with no firm offers on the table he is now resigned to giving it away to anyone who wants to take it on.

In a frank exchange with Echosport, Bartlett said: “This is not just a case of me saying ‘this is my ball and I am taking it home, so no one can play with it anymore’. I want to see someone come in and move the club forward, and now they can do that for a pound.

“There seems to be many people out there who think they can do a better job and now they have the opportunity to prove it.

“The fact I have said that might sound a bit arrogant but why should I hold back now after people were arrogant enough to write stuff about me under different names on websites and Internet forums?

“Some of the comments have not been pleasant at all and that is why it is now time to walk away and let someone else come in with their own ideas.”

Bartlett went on to add: “There is no doubt that it has been a disappointing season but at the end of the day I do not ride the bikes on the track and neither can I control injuries, which have been a constant problem this year.

“The riders cannot help that either so I really don’t know what people expect because they have still had a speedway team to support and they have still had a lot of entertaining meetings to enjoy.

“Fans are supposed to stick with their club in the good times and the bad but now they may well not have one to support at all.

“If I was earning £500 a week for running the club then I could understand some of their criticisms but I am not. The club is a non-profit making organisation and the amount of time I have put into it over the last few years is incredible, and that is why it has become so frustrating.

“I understand the comments have probably only come from a minority of supporters but my heart is just not in it anymore. I have been kicked down far too much.”

Bartlett has insisted that if no one comes forward to take on the club and its liabilities, the Cats will fold for the second time in their history.

And that is the reason why tonight’s final home meeting of the season has been dubbed a ‘Farewell Individual’ with Wildcats past and present turning out for what could be one last swansong around the Wessex Raceway (7.15pm).

Bartlett said: “This will be the last-ever meeting if someone doesn’t come forward and it will be nice to see so many former Wildcats back here competing.

“As for potential buyers, the liabilities at the club are minimal and, on the whole, the gates we have been getting this year, have been good. To find out more they can contact me on 07841042475 or email phil.bartlett@btconnect.com

“Also, by signing a confidentiality agreement, they will be able to have access to all the accounting procedures, which are in place. I have nothing to hide.”

Tonight’s meeting will be run over 12 scoring heats with the top-eight scorers going into the semi-finals where the top-two in each will move into the final.

Farewell Individual line-up: James White Williams, Richard Andrews, Karl Mason, James Clement, James Cockle, Matt Bates, Gary Cottham, Rob Smith, Jay Herne, Tom Brown, Brendan Johnson, Scott Meakins.