Speedway fans become club sponsor

Fen Tigers will be resorting to fan power in 2008

Mildenhall Fen Tigers will take the name of their most avid band of supporters for the forthcoming Premier League season.

The club, who are already largely owned by their fans, will now also be sponsored by a group of them, known as the "Barmy Army".

Mildenhall promoter Simon Barton said the idea started as a joke but has turned into a serious business plan.

He added: "They're all making a generous donation to the club."

Interview: Simon Barton on fan power

Mildenhall say they had been in talks with a number of prospective local and national sponsors but were unable to secure a main backer.

Barton, who has already signed up around 40 shareholders since taking over the club, believes this latest initiative is the creative way to move forward.

He told BBC Radio Suffolk: "I think this may well be totally unique.

"We are a club owned by the fans and now one sponsored by a group of those fans who spend countless hours and money supporting their riders."

"Now they have taken that one step further by backing the side. I cannot thank them enough for this."

The first meeting for the Mildenhall 'Barmy Army' Fen Tigers is away to the Peterborough Panthers in an inter-league challenge on 13 March.