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Somebody sent me the link to this 'anthem' and I honestly thought April 1st had come early! Seriously guys, I'm halfway across the world and speedway people I know here have tears running down their legs laughing so much!Whoever thought this was a great way to inspire/motivate/put the fear into the opposition needs to reconsider when their meds kick in! Yes, I know it's nothing to do with me, I'm long retired from speedway and live in Aus but I still care about the club where I spent many a happy evening on the mic from way back in 1988.Hell we go rid of the war crys in 1990 (sorry Wild Wayne and Mother T!) because they were old hat . . .let along a choral extravaganza. Back in the days of the PL when the club were feared home and away it was 'Welcome to the jungle' that became the parade truck theme tune and even that sounds dated now so, for what it's worth, whoever came up with this idea. . .maybe ask the paying public for once - or as that just stating the blindingly obvious? Wishing everyone a safe and successful season ahead. . . now where did I put my Vera Lynn records????

What a load of old tosh as usual, well happy with the performance from the Robins also for the Aces Bewley/Tungate had bike problems.Zach has just comeback from a serious back injury these meetings are there to blow away the cobwebs and get ready for the league programme.

They can do it - and have done it with the agreement of Matt Ford - so what’s your point?

I'm not exactly delighted with the team but I've been going since 1975 and I'm not going to stop now. I've seen us have great teams and poor teams before now and my enjoyment of speedway comes from the racing. We have plenty of racers in the team so I shall be giving them my full support. I have nothing to do with Newcastle Speedway other than attending for 43 years (with the gap years when shut). I get my moneys worth when Robbo or Lindgren blast past people on the outside of the 4th bend and hope to see plenty of it this season.

I see they have removed the ridiculous ruling which prevents a team from being able to use an injury rider replacement when already running RR and which cost you guys the KO Cup last year.

P and P is huge for a club. And if you are going to miss a meeting not a bad one to miss when it’s bloody freezing and been snowing all week. Gives the track another week to sort it’s self out.

Whos fault is it then? The fans?? I will always suppport them and always will but im not prepared to turn up in the freezing cold to watch us get battered and to pay for the privilege... its a huge gamble putting this team out and sustaining any sort of paying fan base imo. you say in a later post about die hards? Can you tell us how you are a die hard, how long youve been one, how long youve attended and more importantly do you pay to get in?? ive been going best part of 40 years, ive worked on the track, i cleaned riders leathers as a youngin, been a pusher, spannered here and there for a few riders, text updates to the updates site when no one else would, took part in fundraising a good few years ago, lifted sheets at 10'clock at night and paid my entrance fee every week for the past 10/15/20 years etc. what makes you a die hard and me not?? I would guess you are probably part of the inner sanctum at Newcastle speedway coming on here to have a go at those who dare to question or have a different opinion.

I think KK's door is bolted shut

Confirmed on Glasgow website that no other riders will be affected by this and it will be like for like.

Do you believe in fairy tales as well .

Can see the current Swindon lineup losing a few at home this season. Certainly not strong enough to be in with amserious shout of retaining.

Good reasoning behind the decision. Unlike Wolverhampton we haven't called a meeting off because we are scared of the opposition. Sooner or later if it hasn't already that snow will begin to clear up and Wolverhampton will have to face us.

Look good.

The result doesn’t matter - it’s the first meeting of the season to blow the cobwebs away and for the riders to get match fit for the league campaign

For anybody who has seen Ipswich's racesuits this year, that is EXACTLY the reason why all top flight teams at least should have them. Marketing and professionalism almost to perfection!

Sick of listening to idiots (young and old) ranting and hijacking this thread. Here are some facts. Birmingham are being vilified (by some) for trying to use the rules in their favour. (Well DUH!) when no-one REALLY knows which rider they have been trying to sign, its all supposition. Even if it is the rider in question it would appear that they have only tried to stay within the rules. Something that many other sports would recognise. (Cricket and Rugby spring to mind.) Birmingham have been vilified for not bringing youngsters on. Well, I could of course point out that recently we had the youngest team in the league and (possibly) of all time. But that was under previous management so does not point to what the current management are doing. The current management have joined the MDL to bring on juniors and have stated that is a big aim of theirs. This despite the severe restrictions placed upon Birmingham via the planning permision. This should be applauded. But here is the crux of the matter for me. Why should any team in the NL (with the exception of Belle Vue) spend money and time and effort on developing ANY rider when they are not allowed to profit from such investment. Until the NL is allowed to gain assetts via such investment then they have NO incentive to develop any rider. Why spend that money and then let the boys from the higher leagues just step in and gain an assett without having developed that rider. Its wrong and does not help supporters to become emotionally attached to their team. The incentive is to sign Riders that have all ready developed and shown form at this level.

SO sad to hear of the passing of Alan Whale, a wonderful photographer whether it be speedway, grass track or speedway, notably at Poole. However, grass track was Alan's true love and he did it proud during his many decades behind the lens.

It won't happen it will be a like for like change for JPB. Wether it is short term or for a longer period we will just have to see.

I can see both sides of the arguement here. Its important to stick by your club and those calling for unconditional loyalty have a point, particularly as Newcastle generally have put out decent sides that have challenged. This year could be a bit of an exception (although the final rider could still result in a competetive side - certainly at home) Can also see the point of Arson and others that simply cant see the justification for paying out good money when they dont feel they will get the return/value they expect. Newcastle is a great club that do things in the right way - I hope it works out well for you.

It isn't a dream team for sure but you have a 1 to 7 to start the season - you may find it won't be your 1-7 for ever besides the sport is about racing - not necessarily winning - if they put a show on that's worth the admission

Wolves won’t be any serious threat this season so no point worrying how we will do there. They will be just making up the numbers.

The Tyne Tweed trophy looks a treat, there's about 8 reserves across the 2 sides.

You only need 2 reserves

Jake Knight?

Many thanks to you both. Always pleased to plug a hole in my database, however small!

Iwade has been venue for last 2 p&p, think both stadium accessibility and the fact that Sunday is far more convenient for the riders not having to take an extra day off work. I think the use of the track for the SDL meetings is 2 fold. It's not using up a Monday night at the stadium barring in mind we are not allowed 2nd halves. And Len has said that being on Sundays allows visiting teams to bring their full squads, our end of season double header featured both away teams tracking the same riders. Having a training track to practice on so close to the stadium is something that hopefully looks like is being fully embraced this season. I know Lens prefered choice was to run at Iwade last year but with no scb licence this was not possible then. To be noted after practice at Iwade, there is a meet the riders evening at central park. With free entry and free buffet plus the bar and pizza outlet opening up too.

You might have to wait til they come to Wimborne Road.

Not biting thanks

Certainly is Kenneth. Love a wind up.Ha ha ha.

Whatever happened to the guy who posted on here as the Muckman,it was when Jason King was riding and he used to say "get in the muck"

This is Zach first meeting after a serious injury back at the end of July so he’s allowed some Slack. Not a bad start, 6 points down against a team most have as one of the favourites, roll on Thursday now. Oh, teamsuits will not be an issue as i’ll Be able to make the Swindon riders out.

Yes but you can't expect people to fork out money and blindly follow a team. People want to see a competitive team and competitive racing. People will have worked hard for their money and so want sone form of return. Yes I can see that the team is full of racers but I think that will only go so far. My worry is that if we get beat at home in our first 4 matches then the damage may be done and it maybe hard to come back from that and win back that lost support. If we are forced into changes to strengthen up, surely that is not going to come cheap so will we be in the same boat when it comes to any team changes?

We moan at the BSPA for not being professional but the riders really should read the rule book. The fans know the new rules why dont the riders. Almost as if they don't care.

Ipswich always look professional, like the pre-season studio photo session = quality team pics....

Can't wait for late October because nearly all of your predictions are wrong ( i.e. 100,000 put a side for Dudek quite laughable really.

Same as Swindon really. Only threats to us Belle Vue, Leicester and Rye House.

We are away to Sheffield in the 1st official fixture on thursday 5 April, so we would need to declare by 19:00 ish monday 2 april (72 hours), which happens to be easter monday, so maybe even earlier.

The last of the great, historic speedway stadia. Whenever I visited it gave me a taste of those great days of the sport, especially in London, when there was a top class speedway meeting in London five nights a week. The last whisper of those remarkable days has been silenced. Football always gets what it wants. If only it got what it deserved instead......

Very funny, but true

Oh dear, if you really think we have rescheduled the p&p day to next Monday because we are scared of riding against Poole, then you really are more deluded than I thought.

Doesn't give us long to find a 2 pointer. I expect we may use Ryan McDonald for the first meeting, although it will be tough against the strong Monarch reserves

And now a rider cannot guest for both sides in different legs of the same tie

Firstly I'm going to say I'm not overly excited by the team up till now, having said that I think we all knew this years team would be along these lines due to financial constraints. We'll certainly be reasonably strong at reserve, plus this team will give 100% on and off track. Hopefully we can hold our own at home to keep fans turning up.,and to use that word again consolidate for next year and garuntee the sport. I know some fans will just moan and whinge but if you only have a certain budget then what else can ppl expect.

If you stay away the weather might hold out :0

Just because Trees is passionate about the Stars there's no need to knock her at every opportunity.

Poole's press day has been postponed till Friday, the 70th anniversary meeting has been arranged for 70 year's time

Would be fine after a few track grades

Helmet colours? Anyway they aren't almost identical at all. How long do we have put up with this childish nonsense just because your club have downgraded to race jackets?

Race bibs are even more out of date than our club anthem

You say that about the guests in the final but whatever average Drew and Jordan achieve, they have achieved it for a reason