NORTHWICH-based sporting legend Chris Morton is aiming to revive the glory days of the Belle Vue Aces – and he wants support from Mid Cheshire to help him do it.

The 51-year-old former speedway world pairs champion lives at Gorstage and is part of a three-man consortium who took over the Aces in 2006.

Belle Vue were bottom of the Elite League last year but, in their 80th anniversary season, they are definitely raising their sights.

Morton said: “It was the tough, the first full year when we lost two of our best riders. But we have World Champion Jason Crump back with us and we have a strong team. Our hopes are high,” he said.

Morton, raised a Manchester lad who spent his entire riding career with the Aces, moved to Northwich in 1988.

“I liked it stayed, it’s a nice place. I’m a Northwich man now and we could do with a few people from the town coming to watch the Aces.

“We’ve got two exciting Polish riders this season and there’s a strong Polish contingent in Northwich. They should come and see us, too. Part of our aim is to raise the profile of the Aces and we have already made great strides, but I think we’ll try and generate some interest in Mid Cheshire.”

The season starts on Friday with a home fixture against Wolverhampton (11am), which should attract about 2,000 spectators.

Morton, awarded in the MBE in 1992 for services to speedway, was seven times a world finalist and British champion in 1983. The following year he won the World Pairs and the League Riders Championship. He was a World Team Cup winner in 1980 and a British League winner with Belle Vue in 1970, ‘71, ‘72, ‘82 and ‘93.

“I still miss it, but I’m definitely too old now,” he said. But it is that glory he aims to recapture as operations director and co-team manager.