The Godfather figure of Eastbourne Eagles has backed his club's new line-up to bring back the fans.

Bob Dugard wants to attract regular crowds of 3,000 as his side battle for Elite League silverware.

The new season gets under way on Saturday when Swindon Robins visit Arlington Stadium in the Craven Shield.

Dugard, taking a more prominent role again this season as co-promoter with Martin Hagon, remembers the days when 5,000 fans used to turn up.

Crowds slipped towards the 1,000 mark last season and season ticket sales have been modest this time around.

Dugard, though, reckons Eagles can ride a wave of enthusiasm thanks to the club's largely English line-up, including three riders from East Sussex and Great Britain skipper Scott Nicholls.

He said: "We used to run at 4,500 to 5,000 in the second division and if you look at the entertainment level now, we should be getting 25,000 on that basis.

"I want to be on a par with the top places and to do that we need to look at getting 3,000 paying spectators on a regular basis.

"It's realistic. Last season we got 2,000 for the Good Friday meeting with Poole. I'm sure having five English riders will help.

"I've no problem with foreign riders. Some of my best friends in speedway are foreign riders. But it's the responsibility of all promoters to make sure English riders are at the forefront of the sport. We're a long way from that and we will be for the next five years.

"It's an accepted fact among promoters, especially the more knowledgeable ones, that the fortunes of the national team dictate the success of the sport.

"When Tony Rickardsson won the World Championship and the national team won the World Cup, crowds in Sweden trebled."

Eagles have revamped their supporters club and tried to avoid clashes between their traditional Saturday nigh race slots and televised Grands Prix.

They also want to bring in new fans. The club will distribute fixture lists and leaflets around the town, including its many hotels, in the summer months. Promotions through The Argus are also planned.

Admission has been pegged at £15 for adults, £13 for concessions and £6 for children, with under-eights going free. Dugard admits the stadium's rural setting, off the A22 north of Polegate, has its drawbacks.

But he insists the venue is a hidden gem. He said: "We have ample car parking and it's a very pleasant place to be in the summer months."