Graham Drury in swipe at Lee Smart boo-boys

Sep 2 2008 By Nigel Pearson

BIRMINGHAM boss Graham Drury has hit out at a small number of fans who gave Lee Smart some stick on his return to Perry Barr with Mildenhall last week.

And Drury insists Smart remains part of the future plans after loaning him out to the Fen Tigers – and those fans who booed him on parade should be ashamed of themselves.

He said: “I was astonished to hear some Birmingham supporters welcome Lee back like that, it was bang out of order.

“He’s a good lad and a decent rider, we just felt the time was right for him to move to a different track to boost his confidence and it’s proved to be a good move.

“What annoyed me last week was that Lee’s parents were also in the stadium and they have both done a lot of work behind the scenes here. I hope those fans who booed him feel proud of themselves.

“Lee remains a Birmingham asset and is only on loan to Mildenhall. It is our intention to use him again in the future and at no time have we ever said he wouldn’t ride for us again.

“The reaction of a small group of fans to his return last week was a disgrace. He went on to score 15 points and fair play to him. I was pleased we won the meeting but pleased for Lee that he was able to do so well against us.”

The BRC Roofing Brummies are expecting a bumper crowd for tomorrow’s Perry Barr clash with Somerset when they hand a debut to Dane Kenneth Hansen.

And fans’ favourite James Birkinshaw returns to the club in the main body of the team. He will ride at number two with Hansen at number one.

*Wolverhampton’s Elite League clash with Ipswich at Monmore Green last night was washed out. Promoter Chris Van Straaten will talk to his Witches counterpart John Louis today to establish a restaging date.