By Julie Martin - Weymouth Wildcats Press Officer

Weymouth Wildcats are delighted to welcome back Doonans Building Materials as their main team sponsor for the 2008 season. Doonans proprietor - Harold Doonan is a life long Weymouth Speedway fan and was present in 1954 at the inaugural Weymouth Speedway meeting. The club were then known as the Weymouth Scorchers and Harold was infected by the speedway bug, so has been a Weymouth fan ever since. He has been an integral part of the Wildcats revival in the Conference League.

Thirty one years ago, after being made redundant, Harold Doonan bought his current premises at Lynch Lane, Weymouth, which at the time was nothing more than a ploughed field and single handedly built up his successful company. Speaking from his office Harold commented “I have followed Weymouth speedway for as long as I can remember. I am fortunate now to be in the position to put something back into the town and into my passion for speedway. It’s an exciting family sport and I am delighted to be part of the Wildcats team and am very much looking forward to this season.”

Far from being just a fan, over the years many a rider have frequented the Doonans residence one of which, Terry Tulloch lodged with Harold and his wife Jean for three seasons. Not only did Harold offer riders somewhere to stay, his garage was often full of bikes even including that of the late Simon Wigg. “My long suffering wife would often wonder downstairs in the morning to be confronted with a room full of riders sleeping on our floor before they headed off to yet another speedway meeting, but not until Jean had served them up a hearty full English!”

Phil Bartlett, Wildcats Chairman added “We really couldn’t wish for a better team sponsor in Doonans. Not only he is our main sponsor he is also a great supporter of the club and we are delighted to have his backing for another season.”