Sam Ermolenko is working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure Leicester Lions hit the track racing when the sport returns to Leicester next year.

The 1993 world champion came on board last summer and is fully committed to making a success of the project. And that is not just short term, because he insists he is here "for the long run."

After gaining planning permission for a new speedway circuit as part of a new £4.5m complex in Beaumont Leys, hopes were high for the Lions to compete in the British League this season.

Problems over the lease have delayed construction and the target is now the 2011 season.

The good news for Lions fans is that Ermolenko will be with them all the way.

Links between the two were fostered a few years ago when Ken Taylor, now supporters' club chairman, made contact seeking advice on speedway matters.

"From there, Ken asked if I would be interested in coming to Leicester for a speedway awareness night," said Ermolenko. "I was more than happy to do it and things have developed from there.

"Last summer I got a call from Ken with the good news that the Lions had been granted planning consent on their new track. I work as a pundit for Sky Sports and was genuinely interested in this news.

"I had to ask myself why I was so interested, I was quite taken in by it.

"So when David Hemsley, the promoter, made contact I decided to come on board as sporting director."

Ermolenko, aged 49, has an important role to play. He said: "Although most of my work is behind the scenes, I'm keeping a close eye on things.

"I'm working closely with David, standing alongside all the way, to make sure the project keeps moving forward, crunching the numbers alongside the business

"I've been exposed to all the information and read every document. Everything makes sense and I'm in this for the long run. There is no doubt that speedway in Leicester will happen again."

Like many people connected with the club, Ermolenko is disappointed that the Lions are not racing competitively this season.

"We knew it was a big challenge at the time, getting the Lions up and running in a short space of time," he said.

"From the information we gathered it was still feasible even back in November. But complications with the lease delayed things and we thought it was pretty important to let our contractors, and the speedway authorities, know as soon as possible. We were ambitious to get things going this year but at least we are continuing to push the boundaries.

"It might not have been a bad thing anyway. The weather, for instance, might have delayed the track's construction, which would have given us additional problems."

Lions travel to Rye House in Hertfordshire for a pre-season 15-heat friendly on Saturday, March 20.

"We put a team together for Sheffield's final match of last year and two or three clubs wanted us to do the same this pre-season," said Ermolenko.

"In terms of putting a team together, I'm very open-minded about things, trying to exercise options on riders. We had 23 riders offering their services for this match so that should be good news for recruitment in the future.

"Then we can plan for the long term and get riders to grow into the Leicester set-up.

"Every door I have knocked on in Leicester has been opened to me.

"We have a good team here and we will continue to develop the project. It is not of question of if but when speedway returns."