Lakeside Promoters Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook have called upon Hammers fans to keep the faith after their meeting last night fell victim to the weather.

Both Promoters were far from happy with the decision of match referee Phil Griffin and the Captains of both teams not to continue with racing after an hour’s hold up which , following a heavy downpour flooded the Arena-Essex Raceway, had seen track staff work furiously to remove the wet surface and relay the track.

Jon Cook commented after the abandonment: "We have to respect the decisions taken but that doesn't mean we are happy with them and I can only again place on record my thanks to the fans for their patience in waiting and to our quite brilliant team of track staff for their efforts. Both were deserving, at the very least, seeing a couple of heats run but just before the track inspection the match referee told me that’s what would happen. I wasn't privy to his conversation with the team Captains but obviously their argument was convincing. We have raced in far worse track conditions than that this season and, as a team that has taken more than its fair share of injuries over the years, I would have been the first to say if that track was dangerous. I don't believe it was at all."

Stuart Douglas also made comment stating: "We have worked tirelessly over the past three seasons to build a Club to be proud of and this is potentially our most damaging night, all from circumstances beyond our control. The combined attendance for last night’s match and our meeting the previous week against Coventry was just short of 4000 people. That is the kind of figures we could only have dreamt about in the past and I hope our terrific fans will understand that nights like last night are not the fault of this Club and they will continue to support us over these exciting weeks ahead."

Fans who were at the meeting can use their re-admission tickets at any of the Hammers remaining home fixtures for this season including the Play Offs, should the team qualify, and the KO Cup Final. Those needing refunds can claim their money back by returning their tickets to the Speedway Office at: Lakeside Hammers Speedway, Arena-Essex Raceway, A1306 Arterial Road, Thurrock, Essex RM19 1AE.