Bolton businessman Mark Hennessey is backing Belle Vue as their main sponsor for the third year in a row – and he’s also backing the planned new stadium to open up an exciting new future for the club.

Hennessey, a fan as well as a businessman, is managing director of Autogate Systems, a national security systems company.

Not only has he agreed to sponsor the team, he has also racked up the deal to include financial support for new captain Rory Schlein, as well as continuing to help Danish rider Patrick Hougaard and agreeing a new, unique agreement to unearth British stars of the future.

Hennessey said: "I am fully behind the new stadium which will be the biggest shot in the arm for Belle Vue and British speedway for a long time.

"It is great that the Autogate Aces are leading in bringing the highest level of world-class speedway to this country.

"The new stadium is much needed as the current stadium is not the best for speedway. Fans are demanding better viewing facilities and I believe that many old fans will return to support the club once the club have the right kind of stadium.

"I’ve bought a number of customers to Belle Vue and they have enjoyed the experience to the point where some have become supporters. I can’t wait for the corporate opportunities the new stadium will offer."

Hennessey added: "I was happy to renew our sponsorship agreement because I felt last season panned out well with the team reaching the Knockout Cup final.

"Also, I was very impressed with Rory Schlein who returned to the club and had a fantastic season. I am so pleased that he will be back next year as captain and also that the club have started negotiations to buy him from Coventry and make him a full asset of the club."

Hennessey will also be giving cash backing to Schlein and has agreed to buy the new Jawa bike that the Aussie won when beating a class field to take the prestige Elite League Riders’ championship at Swindon.

The bike will be loaned out next season to a raw beginner on the understanding that he becomes a Belle Vue asset when he can sign a full contract on his 16th birthday.

Operations director Chris Morton’s search for a suitable 15-year-old candidate is currently under way.

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