Media entrepreneur Bob Brimson today celebrated buying his favourite speedway club and declared: "This is an act of love."

Brimson, former manager of pop group XTC and roadie for various top acts, has bought Eastbourne Eagles for an undisclosed but "substantial" fee.

Eagles will no longer come under the umbrella of Terry Russell's Go Speed, the company which also runs Swindon Robins.

Brimson, 43, believes independence can help Eastbourne improve on this season's efforts, which have seen them finish in the bottom half of the Elite League.

He said: "I don't need to make money out of speedway, which is the difference between myself and Go Speed.

"I'm not looking to make money out of speedway, I'm looking to build the best club I can.

"I'm not stupid enough to say Eastbourne are going to win the league next year but I think we will be better."

Brimson, who runs a consultancy firm advising the music industry on tours and contracts, will retain Jon Cook as Eagles' co-promoter and team manager.

He said: "Jon is the beating heart of this club and we would be lost without him."

Eagles will face Coventry and Poole in the final of the Craven Shield after last night's meetings.

Last night's results - Craven Shield: Belle Vue 41; Coventry 34; Peterborough 33. Aggregate Totals: Belle Vue 107, Coventry 113, Peterborough 104.

Reading 37; Swindon 31; Poole 40. Aggregate Totals: Reading 103, Swindon 104, Poole 116.