Eastbourne Eagles will ride on next season - in the National League.

Eagles' place in the Elite League is being put "on ice" for a year by speedway chiefs at the club's request.

A youthful Eagles line-up will race in what is essentially British speedway's development league.

Trevor Geer and Martin Dugard will run the team, whose home fixtures could be staged on Sunday afternoons.

The traditional 3.30pm on Sundays is Eagles chief Bob Dugard's preferred race time although other time slots will be looked at.

Bob Dugard said: "We are immensely grateful to the speedway promoters for helping us come to this arrangement."

Eastbourne must now make a formal application to the National League but the move is unlikely to meet opposition. 

That will come as a massive relief to Eagles fans who feared their club could be grounded for good.

Eagles will keep their Elite and National League options for 2016 open for now.

The switch to National League racing could help Eastbourne regain their reputation as a source of young British talent.