NEWCASTLE GIVEN BUTCHER’S HOOK

BUTCHER Rob Grant has given Newcastle the chop and fears the club will close for good.

Grant, 37, has only had one full season in charge – even though he bought the Diamonds at the end of 2019 – staging just 10 home matches through a combination of Covid-19 and poor gates.

He has confirmed Sunday’s Championship match against Birmingham will be his last as owner, with co-promoter Dave Tattum also standing down.

And it means unless a buyer can be found the Diamonds will close down after first opening in 1929. Grant, who owns a family butchery and an events company, said: “I sincerely hope that a rescue package comes to light but there is no one waiting to take it over.

“I am deeply sorry and disappointed for our sponsors, riders and most importantly our loyal band of supporters.”

A planned end-of-season spectacular, celebrating the anniversary of the first meeting at Brough Park, has been scrapped so the final league match of the season will bring down the chequered flag on a disastrous 22 months for Grant.

They are the third club to go under this year after top flight Somerset and Championship Eastbourne, while Birmingham have also made SOS appeals to fans to rally round so they can see out the season.

Meanwhile, Grand Prix leader Artem Laguta has refused to ride for the Motorcycle Federation of Russia in this weekend’s Speedway of Nations semi-finals at Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium in a row over expenses.