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Seems to be working just fine. Hardly any guests because of no fixture clashes. Never was designed to bring back GP riders.

Well done to Rye for their point. Still can't work out if Poole are on the fiddle or just sh!te.

Just came across this on youtube.... Now if there was EVER a lesson in promoting the sport, and yourself, THIS IS IT ! Others may want to take note ? (!)

Over £2000 raised at Birmingham tonight for Mitch, really shocked but then again many were at Perry Barr last week and we all saw how serious it was and Mitch is a top bloke. Lee Kilby has started his walk, I wish him all the best its a lovely gesture what hes doing. Hope the Robins fans give him a great reception tomorrow and raise loads of money as well.

Just been reading about what is going on. Meetings like this do more damage to crowd numbers than any fixed race night decisions.

Of course it is, it should have been Monday & Thursday for the Premiership and that would have been the end of it. As per usual the decision was avoided because 3 clubs wouldn’t change race night.

This has all the look of a potential banana skin. No Worrall means Josh will get an extra ride which is bad news, unless we give the ride to spanner where there’s more chance of points. This is going to be close.

I would go if it was my team, support the team whoever is riding for you. Could be a good meeting, you would expect some battles with Rory and Robert Lambert also Kerr and Proctor going well. I certainly don't think its all doom and gloom.

How come the promotion didn’t realise there was a problem with the track? Paying public treated badly again - if you go out for a night’s speedway you don’t expect to see tractor racing. When will clubs realise that they are killing the sport?

Perhaps its about time the nails stopped being added and the sport as we know it has a proper burial Could then have a chance for resurrection Whilst the coffin continues to be paraded in a never ending procession whilst everyone wails in limbo that resurrection cant/wont happen

....and one or two others looked the other way?

I remember the wooden shed behind main grandstand ( about where turnstiles are now ) in the interval it was packed and difficult to get into to buy merchandise. God knows how much pocket money I spent on photos of Bettsy. Saved up to get race jackets. We made a speedway track around Fathers lawn. Even put tapes in from a pole to a tree. Local kids turned up on their bicycles to race. But my brother and I looked the best with our race jackets. Father wasn’t amused though as we destroyed the outside of his lawn. Happy days fond memories.

I appreciate that but it took a lot of comments on twitter and possibly elsewhere before Robin Brundle actually explained the lack of guest for tonight to the paying customers. That should have been done in the press release if not sooner. It takes no more effort just a bit of thought for those paying customers.

You really shouldn't talk about yourself that way. You're airing your opinion, others are airing theirs. It's discussion.

What a petty statement that is , Do you really think you have to pay admission before you are entitled to an opinion ?? How sad !! As much as I respect the work you do for the supporter club, sometimes you talk such utter rubbish. It takes less time to make an announcement than it took you to write this post. When there is unrest with the fans , someone in the know could put their minds at rest with one small message. We don't need to know every last detail, but we deserve to know the real situation, instead of the rumours that were flying around.. As for acting like the poles, this is a two way thing, Over there, they are appreciated, they are kept in the picture, and are not ripped off. Probably if we were treated similar then probably we would act the same way. Fans, Customers, Mugs, that's the feelings I have on the way us speedway supporters have been treated through the years. I haven't fallen out of love with the sport, my love for speedway racing is still as strong as its ever been. Going to Norwich as a youngster was encapsulating and felt like you belong to something special. When speedway started at Saddlebow Road that feeling was the same, It is only in recent years has that original perception has changed. I went through a period when I felt more like a customer than a fan because of the way the fans were being treated. Now I feel more like a Mug, being taken for a ride. Probably that's the reason so many have stop going nowadays... No, it is not the sport I've fallen out of love with , its the Kings Lynn Club that has lost my support, for the way they distance themselves from us, thinking we don't have an opinion nor the right to question the way we are being treated.... I go to Speedway now for my own enjoyment, to see close exciting racing. Win or lose, it doesn't bother me. It was the club, that has taken that membership away...

As much as Shanes is popular at Poole, Nielsen has come in and is a far, far more accomplished rider. His scoring has been excellent after his debut meeting at Swindon when he was too hyped up. Tonight and at Rye House he has been excellent. And guess what? He was there for any club to snaffle up. And on a low average which he is making mince meat out of.

Second 50-40 defeat in 3 days for Swindon, cannot afford any passengers with the top 5, when reserves are so weak, all bar Batchelor are guilty of this.

What have they done to my favourite track ? 4 heats of gate and go and now we're watching laps and laps of tractor racing . And they'e requested yet another track grade , losing the will to live

Seems Auty is there and Campos is number eight. #chinesewhispers

Really? I would rather go to a 46-44 meeting than 60-30 meeting. But maybe that's just me!

Won't be that wide. Averages

So we revert to the problems of doubling-up clashes? It's a big problem either way but I can't see any changes happening until the season is over. Personally I would prefer one big league and any riders missing for continental league engagements only being replaceable by a NL rider, that way promoters might be a bit more careful about who they sign.

Looking at the original line-ups of both teams, the stars would be missing only NKI whilst we’d be missing only Hans Andersen when this date was pencilled in. Whilst that’s still far from ideal maybe some thought that was a fair compromise. At the time anyways.

Not sure that's true. Poole didn't want Thursdays.

Have the showers turned up yet as forecasted or are they still on their way to the stadium?!!

FIVE of the top six riders from King's Lynn and Leicester missing tonight ... so perhaps it isn't working

All this moaning about the reserves is not justified. Rosco chose to go top heavy as did he last season. Did we finish bottom of the heap? No, we won the league. The reserves will pick up the odd point here & there, as long as the top 5 ride to their averages, that's ok with me. Zac will improve with time & will eventually prove a good signing. The majority of the side are now Swindon assets &that can only be good for the future.

Robin Brundle will learn, as Busters son JC and Rob Lyon before him, there is only one Organ Grinder at Lynn Speedway. Monkeys change nothing.

Clutching at straws for today's moan Jenga, you can tell we are doing well... BWD's 28 day contract started wef 23rd April, so add 28 days to that and it covers until Monday, not hard to work out!

Fast Freddie in action

what did you say about heat 9 in the post I quoted, nothing! What did you say about Dan Bewley in your post I quoted, again nothing. the only thing we agree on is the numbers attending the meeting, was very poor and must be a worry for our promotion, however I would hazard a guess that it was that poor mainly because of the celebrations in the City for the blue half. As for our super duper track, it's because it's super duper that it gives the riders confidence to race, as was witnessed in heat 9 So to quote yourself (only I wont be as rude as you). Read the post.

This situation is a complete joke and surely it's going to happen every week isn't it ? R/R for iversen and auty for toft while the opposition bring in the league's most in form rider for bjerre from what I thought would be a relatively easy deficit to over turn now will be very difficult. Kings lynn fans have had there pants pulled down once again ..

I would say that it is the actual "sticking plasters" that have caused the decline more than the Grand Prix. A failure to address fixed race nights - and then, when doing it, doing it against Denmark on a Wednesday. A Thursday, as well as being Britain's protected night, is much more likely to attract people as it is a night when people start thinking of maybe going out again as the weekend approaches. Low points limits. Constant rule changes. Tactical rides. Team full of guests due to clashing race nights. Constant rain offs. Old fashioned presentation. All these probbly had much more of an effect that the Grand Prix, which, if anything, should have attracted interest. Yes, Friday and Saturday nights would attract more, but Swindon switched from Saturdays to Thursdays many years ago and did ok, but there is an effect there too. ButI don't see that as the main reason.

Does Buster still have Rory as an ssset ? If so this really cops the p155. No number one for Lynn but ya own asset rides at number one for the opposition. Normally it’s the away side arrive depleted as the Home promotor has a ‘duty, to the home support to put out the strongest team possible to ensure a home victory.

For once I do not need to add anything at all as your post is EXACTLY how I feel. Other than, sadly - the much vaunted "New Era" came to nothing. KLS seems determined to bring about it's own demise.

i stay in Bristol do the pairs friday cardiff saturday, works perfect

Pleased for King. Was worried tonight would have come too early for him but safely qualified. British Final looks a really even field, if the weather plays ball it should be an absolute belter.

It has been mentioned a few times on this forum about atmosphere making a huge contribution to the experience of live sport. Recently I paid my first visit in living memory to a premier league football match, Huddersfield v Swansea to be precise. The atmosphere and noise was incredible, but as Tony Mac alludes to, most of the time nothing really exciting is actually happening. A huge cheer followed by fervent clapping as a player clears a ball away from danger – you would think the guy had just found a cure for some terrible disease. If you saw that same action with the crowd removed, there would be literally nothing exciting about it at all! In my opinion this partly explains the, ‘speedway was much better in my day’ viewpoint. The atmosphere back in the 60’s and 70’s clearly was superb and added hugely to the experience even if the racing was poor. A good example is the 1981 world final at Wembley. A fantastic occasion, for sure, but count the overtakes. Not many, and yet this is one of speedways best remembered meetings because the occasion and crowd elevated it to something way beyond just the racing.

In a surprising admission Peter Snow admits that his Smugometer may not be working properly: Up to and including Monday, May 14, 2018 M W D L 4W 3W D 1L L F A Pts 1 Wolverhampton 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 257 193 13 2 Swindon 6 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 275 264 13 3 Belle Vue 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 280 260 12 4 Rye House 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 242 298 9 5 Leicester 4 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 195 165 7 6 King's Lynn 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 187 173 7 7 Somerset 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 205 245 5 8 Poole 6 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 248 291 5

Matt has been known for his cunning stunts I think thats what I mean anyway.....

Lets hope its better than Baldrick's

You are right about Nicholls and Richardson. They made a stand, as Tai did, and should be congratulated for having the morals to drop out rather than ride when its shambles from top to toe. They had to pay to ride for their own country and rightly refused. Woffiden would have lost a lot on money in sponsorship by not riding. Pat him on the back, do not give him a hard time, Team GB in a far better place now than before.

Correct. It's fantastic Woffinden has sacrificed his own personal glory for the good of those coming up in the ranks providing them with a better organisation in which to showcase their skills and reap their rewards. If only more riders were as selfless as Woffinden. Tbf Nicholls and Richardson tried to do the same previously but they didn't have the same clout as the double World Champion does. Still, success breeds jealousy and it's always pleasing to see it spewing out from certain posters. Little point you posting about the Speedway of Nations, as you've said, you won't be watching.

It's sad (that was edited!) that a serious attempt to make a point about the relative state of speedway in response gets petty point-scoring drivel from the usual suspects. Tony mentioned that he couldn't comment on ice hockey. I don't have involvement with that sport these days but their league structure until recently has been similar to ours, with a small top division supported by a middle section of around a dozen clubs but then, unlike us, regionalised hockey in the third and fourth tiers. I noticed when taking a look at the structure during the winter that their second tier appeared to have self-destructed with the former members now picking up the pieces in the regionalised minor leagues. Yes, we're not the only sport with problems but we are the only one where it ios pressures from overseas that are damaging the sport domestically. I've said before the BSPA has its great limitations but I rather feel sorry for them trying to face up to the onslaught of Poland, BSI and One Sport and having to surrender weekends for the top tier in response. They weren't really equipped for the battle. Football is a sport apart, if only for the money. You only have to look at the success of Manchester City and Chelsea, backed up by virtually unlimited subsidy from private individuals and their businesses to see that the sport side is rapidly disappearing. Sadly football has been relentlessly hyped so far in the 25 years since it sold its soul to Murdoch that normal economic factors are long gone. Despite protests the clubs can practically charge what they like and run up debts with impunity that they can walk away from, just creating new phoenix clubs where necessary when it gets too bad. People though let them get away with it because football is simply too important to them, and they will put up with anything and pay anything for their 'fix'. I use that last word carefully. Yes, UK speedway's in a state, but it's far from being all the BSPA's fault. With skills which they sadly don't possess they might have been able to deflect some of the harm done by foreign pay-days but. in reality they were on a hiding to nothing. It might help if the 'supporters' who mouth off here might actually see the bigger picture than whingeing about 'watered down' leagues and accepted that structural change is sadly vital and on the whole we simply can't afford to pay the top talent, although some are somehow finding the cash. More fool them. It's time for the genuine speedway fans to stand by their sport, make allowances and for those who are simply in it for championships and the 'glamour' of names to let the rest of us try to enjoy what we still have and work to rebuild the sport rather than play pathetic 'whooshing' and 'fishing' games in this forum. The BSF should be a sounding board for ideas to rescue and rebuild UK speedway. Sadly it seems that's beyond the playground mentalities of too many 'heroes' hiding behind their hilarious false names.

Its been known many times how fickle Poole fans are when the team isnt going well , they simply dont turn up and support. They should go tonight as i can see nothing but a big home win

Have we finally put FRN " to bed " they will not help the sport in this country , just "KILL" it off more quickly IMO more weekend meetings would be the answer but we have the GP circus to thank for that not happening !

Totally agree, I would happily pay my money to watch speedway at the NSS every week, whether on TV or not. unfortunately I don't which is why I also have walked away. The National Speedway Stadium is one of the last few shining beacons of British speedway, frankly there are not many others. Unfortunately there are not another 10 - 15 stadiums / tracks on a par with the NSS to make the sport prosperous in this country. When someone of the experience of Martin Dugard says "speedway is dying on its feet " you know its true

He just doesn't want to be hen pecked by someone that sees no wrong

Another night of great racing at Belle vue, the crowds are there (bank holiday ) if the right race night is used?

I think that is what was being suggested, not by myself though. But I did say in the winter that we should only have retained one of Harris or Nicholls. Just as fans shouldn't be going overboard with Harris for one bad meeting at Leicester we mustn't also get ahead of ourselves because Nicholls scored a maximum on Monday. As with reduced money from TV and the fixed racenights they're just small parts of the greater problem that the sport has got itself into over the years here. That in itself is a completely different can of worms to suggesting team changes for us, but I think we're in a position where we need to make Speedway a semi-professional sport and knock doubling up on the head. We shouldn't be letting riders have two teams just to earn a living. If the sport can't sustain it, which it clearly can't with riders "needing" to double up/down then it needs to be nipped in the bud. The standard/strength of teams may suffer short term but long term British Speedway and British Speedway fans will benefit.