A "major deal has secured the future of two Glasgow sporting institutions -- as a sweeping revamp of their shared stadium gets under way," according to the Scotland DAILY RECORD. Glasgow Tigers speedway club "has been bought by Michael and Gerry Facenna, owners of city firm Allied Vehicles Ltd., for an undisclosed fee." As "part of the deal, the Facennas have also cleared the Tigers' debts -- and bought Ashfield stadium -- home of Ashfield Juniors." The deal will see the junior football side "play rent-free at the stadium, with Allied Vehicles also investing as their main sponsor." The Facenna brothers "have embarked on a far-reaching redevelopment of the Hawthorn Street stadium." The first phase, "scheduled for completion next spring, includes new stand roofs, improved terraces, a new entrance building and club shop, new toilets and improved disabled access facilities." Work is "also taking place on what will eventually become a hospitality suite." The potential loss of "substantial rental income from the speedway
team would have had a severe knock-on effect for the football club." But
the move "secures the future of these two
long-established Glasgow clubs -- Ashfield FC was born in 1886" and the
Tigers have been racing in the city since '46 (DAILY RECORD, 12/29).
