Kent Kings Speedway look set to fold for a second time after the shock loss of their home track to a team from outside the county.

Management, riders and supporters are reeling from news the Old Gun Site at Iwade will instead be used by Sussex Eagles Motorcycle Club in 2025 to enter a side in the National Trophy.

The Eagles are a group campaigning to reintroduce speedway to the long-time home of the Eastbourne Eagles, for decades the major rival of speedway clubs in Kent.

After financial debts forced the track at Arlington, just outside Eastbourne, to close in 2021, the Eagles have been homeless.

But in a coup which has rocked Kentish speedway to its core, this campaign group have moved a side into Iwade, ending the tenure of the Kings and almost certainly wiping out the much-loved local club.

“This certainly looks like the end of the Kings,” said promoter Steve Ribbons.

“I had an understanding with the Iwade track owner after running speedway meetings here during 2024 that I’d have first refusal for the 2025 season – when we were looking at the options to move the Kings back into National League action.

“Instead the Eastbourne consortium, with not a word ever spoken to us about their intentions, have gone behind our back and made an agreement for the Sussex Eagles to ride at Iwade in 2025.

“It’s very disappointing for myself and my management team who have put considerable effort and investment into the venue and in promoting the Kings name with merchandise and publicity initiatives, that without a by-your-leave we have lost our home.

“And from the many comments seen on social media and from supporters who’ve contacted me directly, there is considerable anger that it’s the Sussex club, who’ve never shown interest in the Iwade track right up until their intervention there in 2024 and are clear it’s actually a return to Eastbourne that they are campaigning for, who are now expecting the Kent speedway-going public to come and support them.”

Kent Kings raced at their original Central Park home in Sittingbourne between 2013 and 2021, folding after the stadium was sold to new owners.

A new team, the Kent Royals, spent two years at Iwade before the Kings name returned for 2024.