IPSWICH Witches director Chris Louis has admitted an 11th hour deal to bring Elite League speedway to Foxhall Stadium in 2011 has fallen through.

And although it doesn’t mean there won’t be EL racing at the Suffolk circuit next year, the breakdown is a massive blow to the club, who were gearing up to anounce the perceived good news to their fans this week.

And with the British Speedway Promoters’ Association AGM taking place in Bournemouth, starting on Thursday, Louis is travelling to the south coast knowing the future of the club is very much up in the air.

“We thought we had secured a deal with interested parties to secure Elite League racing at Foxhall, but it fell through yesterday,” Louis admitted.

“It’s a big blow, I can’t pretend it isn’t.

“But we are not the only Elite League club in this position.

“So we go to the AGM on Thursday to find out our future. It could be either league, Elite or Premier. I don’t want to think it could be no league at all.

“But the bottom line is our future is currently out of our hands.”

The Witches endured a torrid 2010, with attendances dropping alarmingly by the end of the campaign. But Louis and father John, have always stated they wished to remain in the Elite League and clearly the pair have tried everything to secure that.

“Since our 11th hour deal fell through, we have even gone as far as to contact a local businessman in Ipswich, who has intimated before he would like to take the club over.

“But even he didn’t want to take it on and into the Elite League.”

Seemingly for Witches fans everything is up in the air until Sunday, when the BSPA will announce the outcome of their three-day get-together.

For Ipswich, it does appear nothing can be ruled in and nothing ruled out.

But one thing does appear for sure and that is that in the current climate the Witches will need a lot of persuading to race in the sport’s top tier in 2011.

As for last year’s current Witches side, Scott Nicholls continues to attract interest from Swindon and Belle Vue, while Linus Sundstrom is expected to sign for Peterborough.

However should the Elite League be a viable prospect for the Witches in 2011, Nicholls would surely be the club’s No.1 target once more.