Crossword Genius

Demote English supporter overcome by speed (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

relegate

'demote' is the definition.
('relegate' can be a synonym of 'demote')

'english supporter overcome by speed' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'supporter' becomes 'leg'.
'overcome by' indicates putting letters inside.
'speed' becomes 'rate' (rate is a kind of speed**).
'e'+'leg'='eleg'
'eleg' placed within 'rate' is 'RELEGATE'.

(Other definitions for relegate that I've seen before include "Send down" , "Transfer to a lower division" , "Put in a lower division" , "Move down to a lower grade" , "Consign to less important place - maybe a soccer team" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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