In March 1950 the Speedway Control Board granted a licence for the
Motherwell Stadium, in Milton Street, Motherwell, which was used primarily for
greyhound racing at the time. The licence had initially been refused but the stadium was designed with speedway in mind; the bends wide enough for six cars side by side. The supporters club numbered 6,000. The first meeting was held on 14 July 1950 in a challenge match against
Newcastle Diamonds before the Eagles joined the league in 1951. and would have run in 1955 but for the reluctance of teams in England to travel up to Scotland. The top man was
Derick Close, signed from the
Newcastle Diamonds in 1951, and he was supported by Gordon McGregor, an ex- Glasgow Tiger, who was a founder Eagle in 1951. The team also featured Australians Keith Gurtner and Ron Phillips who transferred over when the
Ashfield Giants left the League. Due to his never say die approach, the fans favourite was
Bluey Scott, who joined the Eagles in 1951. Popular Australian Noel Watson, one of the earliest Eagles signings in 1950 along with Clive Gressor, was killed in his home country in 1953. Tommy Miller, one of the top Scottish speedway stars of the day, joined the Eagles in 1954 but moved on to the
Coventry Bees mid-season. Motherwell speedway closed down after the 1954 season due to financial losses of £500 for the season. Speedway returned for a short spell in 1958 in a series of challenge matches, when Ian Hoskins established the Golden Eagles who featured
Doug Templeton and
Willie Templeton, Gordon Mitchell, Jimmy Tannock, Freddie Greenwell and gave a shale debut to
George Hunter. The site was redeveloped and was used briefly in 1971/72 for three long track events and a speedway meeting on a smaller circuit built on the centre green. == Season summary ==