Grant gets on his bike again as part of track tribute to Tattum
NEWCASTLE Diamonds will celebrate the life of late promoter Dave Tattum when they open their 2022 campaign, writes LAWRENCE HEPPELL.
Tattum died on the day of the Diamonds’ final fixture of last season – a meeting which at the time looked like being the club’s last after er 92 years.
He was instrumental in the he Diamonds overcoming tremendous hurdles last season, fighting a battle on two fronts for the club and his own health.
The Dave Tattum Memorial Meeting will see the Diamonds take on a Stoke Potters Guest Select on Sunday, April 3 at 4pm). .
Potters legend Tattum, who h was 64, owned the club for a considerable number of years and they are reforming for one night only after the club folded in 2019.
The Stoke Potters will be managed by Dave’s son Lloyd and former Stoke team manager Nigel Crabtree. Diamonds owner Rob Grant (inset) said: “Without Dave’s assistance last season Newcastle may well have finished the season very differently. “The inspiration ins and determ determination Dave had for this club was second to none and I ca can’t think of a better season se opener then that to celebrate c the life of the man who almost certainly stopped Newcastle closing. c
“The Stoke Potters side wi will be made up of riders who have worn the red and white Potters jackets and who are still till racing today – with the odd exception.”
Grant, who had several years racing in the Potteries, will also make one last appearance on a speedway bike as the Potters’ No 7 for the night, in honour of his former promoter and great friend. He said: “This is something I want to do for Dave and it will be the last time I put a leg over a bike.
“Practice and training will start in January in order to make me fit enough to carry out the laps needed to fulfil my programme rides as I intend to go out and help put on a good show.
“This will be a cracking opener for everyone to come and celebrate the life of one of speedway’s most genuine promoters and for all those
Stoke Potters fans who don’t have a team to follow to come up and see their club’s name and team in action.”