TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Sheffield’s Speedway’s cornerstones, Ken Spooner, who died suddenly last week aged 64.

Ken was Owlerton Stadium’s general manager for many year, having started work at the track as electrician in the late 1960s.

As he progressed through the ranks, Ken made many friends in speedway and was also an important link between the Tigers and the stadium landlords.

He died at home just a few hours before last Thursday’s tussle with Scunthorpe.

Said Tigers promoter Neil Machin: “Ken struck up close relationships with a lot of people, especially in speedway - and he was personal friends with a lot of the Tigers’ greats over the years, from the likes of Clive Featherby right through to the current team.

“He worked with the speedway promotions for 40 years, half of the stadium’s history, and had a tremendous interest in everything two-wheeled. Ken travelled the length and bredth of the country to meetings with us and was an important part of our infrastructure.

“It was tragic news and everyone at Owlerton has been stunned, not only in speedway circles but in greyhound racing as well.”

His funeral service will commence at 11.00 am on Friday 23rd July at Dronfield Parish Church, then at 12.00pm at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium, Beauchief, Sheffield, S8 0HN. Immediately followed by a celebration of Ken's life at the Kenwood Hall Hotel, Kenwood Road, Sheffield, S7 1NQ