SHEFFIELD are expecting a bumper crowd for their eagerly-awaited Yorkshire Cup tie with a revived Hull Vikings side at Owlerton on Thursday (7.45pm).
Hopes are still high of a return for the East Yorkshire club and a consortium including former promoter Dave Peet have a meeting planned with Hull City Council officials at the end of this month regarding a proposed site in the city.
Hull were evicted from their former Craven Park home at the end of the 2005 season after a dispute over rent with their landlords, Hull KR. The club owner at the time, Paul Hodder, has had no involvement with speedway since.
The Vikings will be managed by paralysed former Hull favourite Garry Stead, who won the treble with them in 2004 and he has had some input into the team selection for this special occasion.
Paul Thorp, the man Sheffield fans love to hate, is to make his return after coming through a minor operation early this season and is looking for a Premier League contract.
Sheffield co-promoter David Hoggart said: "Ever since we announced this fixture there has been a tremendous amount of interest from fans of both clubs.
"We miss the rivalry with Hull and we sincerely hope the sport can return there in the not too distant future."
And in a special promotion, Tigers are offering free admission to all Rotherham United season ticket holders who bring photo ID to the turnstiles.
SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth, Joel Parsons, Andre Compton, Lee Smethills, Ben Wilson, Sam Martin, Paul Cooper. Team Manager: Eric Boocock HULL: Magnus Karlsson, Robbie Kessler, Tai Woffinden, Emiliano Sanchez, Paul Thorp, Barrie Evans, Lee Dicken. Team Manager: Garry Stead.
