By John Gaisford OXFORD Cheetahs have signed exciting Russian speedway star Roman Povazny, despite still being beset with financial worries.

Povazny is the first Russian to ride for Cheetahs and comes in with a 5.48 average after a somewhat disappointing season for Eastbourne last year.

Promoter Steve Purchase said: "Roman is a young and exciting rider with huge potential. He is just the sort of rider we are looking at for the future of the club."

The signed-up riders so far are Jimmy Nilsen (8.32 average), Todd Wiltshire (8.25), Steve Johnston (6.90) and Povazhny (5.48), leaving an average of 16.05 to play with.

Meanwhile, some fans who pledged donations when the club appealed for funds to keep going a few weeks ago, have reneged on their promises. SOS (Save our Speedway) campaign organiser Brian Hamilton said: "Unfortunately, since Steve Purchase announced that he will run Elite League speedway this season, several of the fans who pledged donations have changed their minds, under the impression that all of the funding is in place, and therefore, their money is not required."

"That could not be further from the truth, for although Mr Purchase has committed himself to another year at Cowley, he did so only on the promise that the funds pledged would be in place.

"If they are not, any shortfall would cause difficulties and a reappraisal of the situation by Mr Purchase."

Hamilton thanked those who have already contributed to the fund which now has a cash total of £5,700 banked, with receipts issued to all sponsors. It's still a long way short of the £15,000 that Purchase believed he was getting a couple of weeks ago. The donations are being processed by Hamilton and other trustees Christopher Brown and Michael Morby. They will be held in the bank account and only when necessary will be filtered through to the promotion as and when a shortfall arises.

Hamilton will be appealing again to the fans at Friday night's forum at Oxford Stadium (8pm) where the new Patrons Club and season tickets will be high on the agenda. Jimmy Nilsen, referee Mick Posselwhite and Purchase

will be there.

There will be appeals to the fans to back a special greyhound night at Oxford on Tuesday, February 29. Twelve race sponsors, at £200 a time, are required as well as individual greyhound sponsors. The race sponsors will also get a three-course meal, present the trophy and also receive a free picture of the event.

Individual greyhounds can be sponsored at £5 each and there will be 72 available. Leon Hill is the man organising and he will be there on Friday.

Oxford Stadium has been chosen by Sky Sports to host their press launch on Tuesday, March 14, while the Cheetahs Press call will be at Drayton Golf Club on Friday, March 24.

Story date: Wednesday 09 February

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