Gaming International move in at Smallmead.

Speedway and Greyhound racing in Reading received a major boost today when it was confirmed that Allied Presentations Ltd, the company which holds the lease to Smallmead Stadium, are linking up with Gaming International.

As the Evening Post revealed 10 days ago, Swindon-based Gaming International, who own dogs tracks at Blunsdon, Poole and Milton Keynes, will have a big say in the new stadium to be built close to the current site.

Both Pat Bliss, promoter of Reading Racers and Martyn Dore, who manages the greyhound racing, will continue in their roles. Gaming International chief executive Clarke Osborne said: "We will be able to provide Martyn and Pat with substantial additional financial and management resource and I am sure that the result will be a plus, for the business and for the customers at Reading Stadium."

Talks between the two companies have been going on for several months. The link-up is expected to be completed by March 1 and it is intended that a development agreement will be signed with Reading Borough Council, together with agreement for a lease of the new site, by May 1.

Osborne said: "I am delighted that we have been able to reach agreement with Allied Presentations for the future of greyhound racing and speedway racing in Reading."

"We regard this site as one of the most attractive in the south of England, with its ability to serve not only the thriving community in Reading, where greyhound and speedway racing have a long history, but also the western London periphery, which has been starved of a top-class facility for these leisure activities for some period of time."

"The location also dovetails well with our existing operations in Swindon, Poole and Milton Keynes. Between now and May 1 we will be working with Allied Presentations and Reading Borough Council to complete a blueprint for the new facilities and I am therefore hopeful that we will be able to make a substantive announcement then."

Mrs Bliss added: "Gaming International have great experience in greyhound and speedway racing promotion and I have been impressed with their plans for the future."

"We will now be able to to provide the facilities and the promotion that the people of Reading deserve."

Brother Martyn continued: "We have a fantastic opportunity and a great location and now we have the management and financial muscle to bring all that Pat and I have been working towards to reality."

"Reading Borough Council have been great and have worked with us towards a stadium facility that we can all be proud of."

For more information see: www.readingspeedway.com