Former Canterbury speedway and greyhound racing promoter Wally Mawdsley has died, aged 82.

He had been ill for some time and died in the Pilgrims Hospice.

Mr Mawdsley rode speedway for Rayleigh and Plymouth before embarking on a career in speedway management and promotion.

He came to Canterbury in 1978 to succeed Johnnie Hoskins as promoter of the Canterbury Crusaders.

In 1983, Mr Mawdsley was appointed manager of the England team but after several years of conflict with the local authorities, speedway finally came to an end in Canterbury in 1987.

Mr Mawdsley turned his attention to greyhound racing and in November the same year, the traps opened for the first time at the country’s newest circuit at Kingsmead.

Ten years later, Mr Mawdsley was appointed chief executive of Canterbury City Football Club but within two years, the business failed and the greyhound operation and football club closed.

Mr Mawdsley and his wife, Leonie, lived in Herne.

Funeral details have yet to be announced.

•For full obituary see the Kentish Gazette, out on Thursday, February 19.