Speedway
Phillips proud to take charge of Brummies

Buy photos » Alan Phillips (right) secures the backing of Selco Builders Warehouse from Simon Humpage.

SOLIHULL businessman Alan Phillips has jointly bought one of Birmingham’s biggest professional sports clubs, Selco Birmingham Brummies Speedway team.

Phillips, who lives in Solihull, recently took control of the Brummies, along with business partner Chris Luty of BCTG, a training organisation where Phillips is financial director of the Oldbury based concern.

The Brummies, who race into action for the 2012 Speedway season on March 22 against local rivals Wolverhampton, race in the Sky Sports Elite League. The broadcaster carries a live Speedway match every Monday during the season.

Phillips and Luty bought control of the Brummies in early November from former owner Tony Mole, who successfully reformed the team in 2007 following their demise in 1984 when their old stadium was sold for redevelopment.

The return of Speedway to Birmingham has been an outstanding success.

The opening night attracted a capacity 6,200 crowd, many queuing all afternoon to witness the second city return of speedway.

Crowds have remained healthy ever since, increasing in 2011 when the Brummies were elevated to the Sky Sports Elite League.

Both Phillips and Luty have ambitions plans for the Selco Builders Warehouse sponsored Brummies, wanting to see them challenging for the play-offs and bringing speedway honours back to Birmingham.

They have made an exciting start. Team manager Graham Drury is assembling a power packed side, with Danish Speedway Grand Prix ace Bjarne Pedersen, fans favourite Ben Barker and skipper Danny King all signed for the new season.

Phillips, who is also a keen Football fan, cannot wait for the engines to roar into action in March, signalling a new era in the history of Birmingham Speedway.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to hold the reins of such an historic club as the Birmingham Brummies, who after the three major football clubs in the city, is the second biggest spectator sport in Birmingham,” he said.

“It’s my aim to make the Selco Brummies the sporting pride of Birmingham, as well as providing a terrific nights entertainment in the hugely family friendly and affordable sport of Speedway,” Phillips, who also runs a thriving accountancy practice in Warwick Road, Acocks Green, continued.

The Brummies, who ride their home matches at Perry Barr Stadium, are already followed by several dozen Silhllians and Phillips hopes the growing popularity of speedway will lead to many more from the area backing the team.

More information can be obtained by visiting www.birminghambrummies.co.