Hull Vikings will roar into the 2004 season w༒ith a new owner following the successful takeover by businessman Paul Hodder. Hodder, a lifelong Vikings fan, has fulfilled his dream of taking over the club after negotiationꦍs with former promoter Nigel Wordsworth.

And in another positive move for the Craven Park🍸 club, Hodder will have the vastly experienced Eric Boocock alongside him to run the day-to-day ♋business of the club.

Hodder said: "I'm delighted to be in this position, it's something I've thought about for a few years. I have always ꦡbeen there in the background, sticking my nose in, and now has come the opportunity for me to take over. Eric will run the speedway side of things. He is one of the most experienced men in the sport and I don't want to be interfering there too much, I will concentrate more on the PR side of 🐲things.

"I want to get more people - new and old supporters - into the stadium which I appreciate is a big task because the club have jღust had what must have been their worst ever season. I've seen the highs and lows of the club and hopefully I can play my part in bringing the glory days back꧃ to Hull.

"When I was 🌜a kid on the terraces at the old Boulevard home I would never have dreamt that I would one day become the owner of Hull Speedway, I'm thrilled."