Bewley has a better away average, 8.25 compared to Kurtz 7.76, is better to watch at the NSS and is more willing to team ride.  But if Aces can keep both they surely will.  Absolutely no point in preserving with Zischke for a year if they are to abandon him now when he's on a 3.00 reason, but h's on a 3.00 average for a reason because the reserves were what let Belle Vue down.  Would have to look at the RS list when it's published to see if there is anyone preferable to Mulford.  Cairns didn't really impress in his only NSS Premiership outing. Would only consider Lidsey if Kurtz/Bewley spearhead isn't possible.

Malcolm Simmonds!

I get the impression Rob Godfrey likes to stick with the old faithfuls and if it brings the results it does and if it don’t it don’t. Its a club which I can see never moving in to the top flight,and if it’s one league next year May even struggle to attract a big name.

I think Glasgow may try to pinch Tate Z from Workington as his average is very enticing but I'm not sure what his or Workington's plans are for next season. 

Speedway is fighting in the face of extremely challenging and unhelpful outside forces too. The list above kind of suggests it is speedway's fault or a lack of interest causing these clubs to shut down. I believe were it not for the lure of land development or one particular greyhound operator who dislikes speedway with a passion, the majority of those would still be running today. Wolves for example you cannot in a million years suggest was a failing prospect as a speedway team. Yes there are many things in speedway which could be improved, but the biggest and most complex issue is stadium ownership / land to race speedway. Taking that list: ARC Greyhound Racing have effectively shut down Wolves, Birmingham & Newcastle for various excuses.  Land being sold for development has claimed: Coventry, Cradley, Lakeside, Rye House, Peterborough, Swindon, Stoke and Covid brought things to a head with Somerset which has also now been developed on part of the land.  Eastbourne - Owners down want to run speedway There are still tracks at Mildenhall and IOW, that's down to other decisions and personal arguments as to why they are not in the league, but the tracks are there.  So as we can see, the big issue here before we get into the sport itself is land ownership. That is the reason why most of these clubs are no longer here. Birmingham would absolutely be running next year if the stadium hadn't been taken away, as for most of the rest of that list.  It is a massive problem, however just saying use it or lose it doesn't make a difference, the developers do not care even a tiny bit. They also don't  care about the letters of support or petitions which are sent in when a track is under threat.  But there is good news, the Coventry appeal ruling is now a significant piece of case law, and it is going to make life an awful lot harder for people to do what they have done in the past again, without first providing a suitable alternative for a sporting venue. And that means not just whacking a 5 a side court down in place of a 100 year old speedway stadium.  To this effect, I have only this week recorded a podcast with a man called Brian Connolly, he is a speedway fan but also a former solicitor and planning expert. He played a significant role in getting the team together to defend Coventry, and he's also had some success this week with Peterborough. He's also working on Rye House, Lakeside and Swindon.   You can listen to it here https://pod.fo/e/3430a4  it is the 2nd part after the Poole stuff.  It is interesting and shows the realities of what has gone on, and how there can be a way back for these tracks, but speedway has to learn to outsmart the developers, and we are getting there thanks to people like Brian and his contacts.  There are many battles to be had in speedway but this is the biggest one, and hopefully the tide is turning, slowly.     

Stene Pijper @ #8 for Bears.