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Excellent turn out at the Brandon Hall Hotel tonight for a presentation by the S.C.S. Group detailing the continuing fight against Brandon Estates. Over 300 people attended, standing room only, to hear how the group are to counter the 'ahem' *inaccuracies* in the developers claims about viability and alternative sites. Almost a two hour presentation with no-one calling for a refreshments break, such was the interest in the well prepared (and delivered) presentation.

Starman I thought you were one of the reasons they closed the other one...?

I think the entrance fee is very reasonable , £16, for what we watched in the latter few weeks at Workington was better than Premier League served up on television. Through the season I paid £18, £17 for the likes of Edinburgh and Glasgow , to keep Speedway at Workington I would pay that too . Its a difficult one with the Concessions...you have those with a healthy work/state pension who have more disposable cash than the likes of my Mam who only has State pension so finds the concession price a winner every week so I'm torn with that one . Its the kids prices I think you should target. You get a family coming with 3 kids it makes for an expensive night . Cut the kids prices and try and make it elsewhere selling food/drinks , getting more Adults through the gates could be key if they can bring kids for say £1 , sounds a big a difference than paying £4/5 for each child. I'm praying we can go to the tapes in 2019, the buzz in DP for those finals was unbelievable. Would be amazing to go and do it all again !!! I know a lot more people willing to donate their cash into the Trust fund , if we do run next season . If we can make the Workington Trust work with more fund raising, 50/50 every week, donations from fans it could have a huge impact . Look at Edinburgh's Trust Fund this season , fantastic contribution. The downfall to it working this year was the uncertainty , people are not going to part with their money for it to fold half way through the season. The interest for Speedway in Workington is still there, that showed with the crowds for the Finals. It would be sin to lose Speedway in Workington after the season that made History

Taking a carer along might not be a bad idea, could use somebody to stand in the food/beer queue ensuring i don't miss any of the speedway action.

As someone who got addicted to Speedway with the Bulldogs in 77, I fear we will never see or hear the roar of a speedway bike in Bristol again. I have so many fond memories...it's under my skin and I keep logging back into this forum to keep up to date. However...after the demise of the Bulldogs and then following Swindon, Newport and Somerset around the Country...I'm left in despair. I haven't watched one single meeting this past season...either live or on TV. I'm so depressed with how this sport is run. I can't give it my time or effort...it's a complete farce. However...it feels like a son or daughter who has strayed...and you are still thir for them. You can't help the love...but you know deep down it's totally screwed. So sad...yet so simple to resolve. The sooner the old school promoter dies the better...bunch of clowns that only have the interest of their pockets. The sooner Speedway riders realise they aren't like any other Motorsport...the better. Apart from Poland...they are a Garden Shed product...yet they want to portray an F1 type status. It's total bullrubbish...smoke and mirrors. Speedway is followed by Lower working class people with very little disposable income...said with respect...it's run by Promoters that are no better than second hand car salesman, Circus Clowns, found out by TV and sponsorship. It's a total shambles. I just feel for the kid I was at 12yo age....who got addicted and wanted to ride a bike and have fun. And then got a bunch of speedway politics thrown at me. Same for riders....same for public....it's all complete bullrubbish...yet it's totally ingrained in our lives and hard to ignore. Totally punch drunk with the whole affair.

Hey End of season do at The Railway Club in Workington I weighed over a £20 pound note for four pints of "Amber Nectar" and got £10:20 change. When I looked at the cash in my hand the Steward said "is there a problem" I said "I think you have robbed your good self Marra as I got 4 pints there" (in my poshest Geordie accent) and the guy said "no Marra its as cheap as chips in here" so departing with a beaming smile I said "you better find a wheelbarrow for later as I will end up legless at these prices" and it got better as the night went on 2 pints of larger and 2 Gin and Slimline Tonics £9 quid. That's Nine English Pounds!!!! Honestly it was a duty to make a pig of myself. Who needs to go to Spain for cheap drink when there is the Costa Del Cumbria. £80:00 kitty all spent up and a few extras to boot, Hic!!! Needless to say I am just waiting for my application to become a full member of the The Railway Club in Workington to arrive. By the way what a great night the end of season bash was and I appreciate we usually end up rattling around the Trades Hall and due to the success the club has experienced this season the evening was a sell out with the venue (which was rather tight to say the least) being packed out however this just added to the night. (plus the cheap drink to boot which was an added bonus)Brilliant!!! If I had one complaint it was the two bottles of wine I won in the raffle being requisitioned by "The Witches of Workington" in a magic act which resulted in the contents of the said bottles disappearing; totally!!! Although I did see some of the wine later in the back of the Taxi on the way home when Worky Worky adorned with a carrier bag hooked by the handles over each ear started shouting for some Scottish bloke called "Hughie" in the bottom of the bag. Doh!!! Last of the big time drinkers eh!!!! Finally for the benefit of Byker Biker and Tsunami, yes I was rather "Thick Headed" the following morning or should I say Thicker Headed than the usual norm but a couple of pints at lunchtime sorted that laal problem out... Yeah.... Regards THJ

Mick was not there but did send a letter that was deemed to be quite helpful in the S.C.S cause.

One upside of the aging demographic of the speedway fan is that soon they'll be bringing their carers along, it might just save the sport

Really? You want to swap 2 meaningful heats for 6 un meaningful heats that the crowd aren't bothered about, from my memory at least 50% of the crowd left after the match, then some of the top riders were not interested and often dropped out anyway followed by whoever was in the Rider of the Night Final agreeing to split the prize money whatever the result

The club can always run these meetings after the main meeting, and any fans that want to get away early can leave after the main meeting. This is what used to happen, after the main meeting a few races for juniors or any riders that wanted to test out bikes etc, or the club checking out a new rider.

Really glad to read this news.In this time of doom and gloom for many speedway clubs if Brandon can re-open it would put a big smile on every speedway fans face across the country.I for one have really missed Coventry's visits to Belle vue you were always the club I loved to hate lol.Wishing you all the very best in your quest and will keep my fingers crossed that you are soon back at the tapes. KEEP UP THE FIGHT.

Years ago the rider was of secondary importance to the Club, but now the rider holds all the aces. With their demands, their costings and their distant relation with the clubs, they have to take some responsibility for the way this sport has declined. They appear as mercenaries taking the sport for all they can get, giving little back in return. Like you say the majority of riders want to rush off to their next payday. If the rider cant give 110% to the club then don't sign them, Would much rather have a lesser rider who gives his all, then someone who goes missing because of fixture clashes The phase 'second halves' is old fashioned. what the punter wants is a well organised meeting that flows through the evening. We could start with a 15min practice session , to help riders set their bike up, then a 5min break to regrade the track, before the meeting starts in earnest. After 4 heats another 5min break, again to regrade the track, another 4 heats then another break . We see this every week in the polish league and it works like clockwork.... Midway though the meeting there could be a set of races for youngsters starting out , before the climate at the end of the night. Presentation and a scheduled program is more important than anything, It would enable the fans the opportunity to get drinks or pop to the loo without them long delays...

One seasons experience of him at Berwick was more than enough to see he wasn’t fit for purpose

Thats terrible This year Ipswich didnt run the 16 Lapper which was due as part of the season ticket A pro rata refund cheque was sent within a couple of weeks of the confirmation the season was finished with a letter apologising for the meeting not happening and thanking the fan for their valuable support

Correct, but George has already said Newcastle can't afford to run in a single league, as the more affluent teams will force up the expensive costs of all teams. Newcastle won't be the only ones as well. Difficulty is the more teams don't return, the higher chance of a single league.

Resignation letter from anything to do with Speedway

One Belle Vue meeting i went to they had track grading after more or less every couple of heats however nearly every single race was a good one. No complaints from anyone then

Wolves season ticket includes all ko cup and playoff home fixtures and even the olympique individual meeting

I must be one of the few that does not mind track grading.At Belle vue the grading keeps the dirt where it should be and helps to produce some awesome racing.

Looking at this post, it would be understandable if would be promoters just gave up, knowing their audience was ungrateful supporters. Of course they care for supporters and the advancement of the sport, otherwise we wouldn’t have had Redcar, Leicester or the NSS. Various people have tried to get a site for Bristol, as they have for Cradley and other places. Each attempt costs time, energy and money. They don’t give up because they don’t care about supporters but because there are too many hurdles. In future, someone thinking about Bristol may well look at your post and think all supporters are like you, ungrateful of their efforts, and query why they are bothering.

They need to bring back uncovered wickets, levy hefty fines if 90 overs are not bowled in a day, and cut out those ridiculous hourly drinks breaks.

Seems a few were left wondering what that post on Twitter meant especially when it gets on other sites and you don't see the comments made. Seems to be something a school kid would post but strange for an official account to post. Did the post White Bunnies on the first of the month

It depends what people want to spend money on, 20 fags about a tenner, 4 pints up town about fifteen quid. In that context sixteen quid for speedway is ok, it’s getting people in and coming back again that is the problem.

I do think that £16 is a completely fair price for an adult. Could even reach £18 and I think it would be well worth the entertainment (considering some championship tracks do charge this and more, with no greater facilities than Derwent Park). As for concessions, it would be wrong to scrap the discounted rate in my opinion as the majority of the current audience are 65+. However, a concession rate is offered for ages 16-17, students and OAP’s. The argument has been raised regarding retired people having more disposable income. What about the massive amount of young workers (24 and under), apprentices, that earn a totally lower pay rate than ages 25+. No discount is given. Maybe this could explain a lack of interest from young people. There will never be an answer to please everybody. It is seemingly difficult to pull in new fans, but we can protect the club with what we already have. Every little helps, plenty of fundraising, people contributing to Workington Speedway Trust. It would be a real shame to lose the club we love after such a brilliant season.

Honestly It is not just the teams you have quoted who run at a loss nearly all of the promotions in all the leagues are "blowing their brains out", however when you talk to these guys it is the same old "Hydraulics" "oh we have made a small profit", or "oh we have broke even this year" or the old chestnut "oh we have only made a small loss but we are nearly their". One promoter advised that "I've nearly balanced the books and only took a seven grand hit this year due to buying a 25 grand air fence, next year I am in the black" on further due diligence inspection prior to a possible investment that £7k loss was actually and £85k loss and the following year there was another £75k loss. When are these people going to realise, when is the message going to get through, how the sport is being run (especially in the top two leagues) is just not sustainable. We can not compete financially with Poland or anywhere else on the European continent for that matter. Currently British Speedway is being run as a "feeder country" for the Polish Leagues and we may have to revert back to the semi pro or fully amateur format that we once run in the past and stick with that for a period before we can climb back to anywhere near the way the sport was. BluPanther may have put up a really negative post however under the current terms of reference the sport has major difficulties and he may well be correct in his assumptions (unfortunately) Regards THJ

That of course was similar to that plan of Gaming International (Stadia UK) initially - move Dogs/Speedway from Blunsdon to the new Racino in Reading. I actually drove round the land which Reading Council had offered GI/Stadia today. Warehouses - made me think what it could have been if GI/Stadia had kept their word. They of course didn’t and never have when it comes to any stadium construction / replacement.

Just received in the post a leaflet regarding a new release DVD entitled '90 Stars of British League - 1970 - 1990' from the excellent 'Retro Speedway Shop'. A definite purchase on the cards as the list of riders featured resembles a 'Who's Who' of British Speedway during speedway's last 'Golden Era'.

Must admit I can't understand the mentality of folks on here who go to speedway, who are looking to get away from the meeting as soon as possible. At the end of the day it's a night out, and as long as the meeting is progressing at a decent pace, what's there to complain about. What's wrong with grading, unless it is long winded, after the grading the track should be better to then maintain a similar standard to keep to decent racing. At Newcastle we always aim to have 6 races( 125 and 500 3 races each) after every meeting with invited riders, that is when we do not have an NJL meeting which takes up about 6 or 7 second halfs in the season.

Full details of the meeting content:- THE Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group held a hugely successful Public Meeting at the Mercure Brandon Hall Hotel on Tuesday. Over 300 speedway and stock car fans, and local residents, packed in to hear the latest updates on the battle against the plans to demolish the iconic Brandon Stadium and replace it with a housing estate – with no provision for any replacement. The meeting was also supported by speedway riders including former British Champions Chris Harris and Danny King, stock car drivers and as many as five local Councillors. There was live coverage on BBC Midlands Today in their early-evening programme and a further follow-up in the late bulletin, as well as coverage and interviews on local radio stations BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and Touch FM/Rugby FM. The meeting opened with brief speeches from the leader of Rugby Borough Council, Michael Stokes, and the MP for Rugby, Mark Pawsey. Cllr Stokes, whilst naturally having to declare impartiality in the case of an ongoing planning application, did confirm that in all of his time on the Council – over a decade – there has been no other local issue which has provoked a reaction on this scale. Following our submission earlier in the day of our reaction to the Framptons ‘Needs Analysis’ document – seeking to make the case that Brandon Stadium is surplus to requirements in line with National Planning Policy, as other ‘alternative’ stadiums exist in the Midlands – Cllr Stokes was able to deliver an encouraging update. He stated that due to the volume of material and the clear discrepancies between the submissions of the developers and ourselves, the Council will appoint an independent party to fully scrutinise both and seek expert advice in order to provide an informed conclusion to the Planning Officer. We welcome this news, and having subsequently heard our assessment of the Turley (viability) and Framptons (needs assessment) documents, we are sure all those present at the meeting will share that opinion. Cllr Stokes also confirmed the Planning Application will not be heard until after the Local Plan is finalised. Mr Pawsey grew up in Binley Woods so has a full affinity with the area and the stadium itself, and he has always offered ongoing support to the Campaign. He spoke as passionately as ever on the issues and his continued engagement, both locally and in Westminster, is of huge value to us. The meeting presentation took the form of a descriptive slideshow which first briefly summarised events leading up to the previous Public Meeting in October 2016. We then updated the events of the last year, including the further inadequacies of security at the stadium prior to the settlement of the Council’s Community Protection Order, the submission of planning documents and public reaction, the Local Plan hearings, media coverage, and other events/meetings attended. There was then a discussion of the Local Plan process, why we sought to strengthen it in terms of protecting facilities such as Brandon, and what the Government-appointed inspector said following the hearings. We then provided a selection of material produced either by or on behalf of the developers seeking to prove the stadium was disused and unviable with no interest forthcoming for re-opening – and then their subsequent, recent submissions stating there was no ongoing need for Brandon due to an apparent range of ‘alternative’ venues elsewhere in the Midlands. Whereas much of the developers’ information was based on misinformation and untruths, we were able to provide clear, indisputable evidence to disprove their claims. We also discussed the ongoing Brandon & Bretford Neighbourhood Plan, and following a brief Q&A session we ended with the following conclusions and recommendations: This meeting: 1. Endorses the ongoing activities of the Save Coventry & Stox Campaign Group including its representations on the Rugby Local Plan, Brandon Estates’ planning application for residential redevelopment on the site of Brandon Stadium, and the Brandon & Bretford Neighbourhood Plan; 2. Calls on Rugby Borough Council to a) reject Brandon Estates’ Planning Application and b) support reinstatement of Brandon Stadium for Speedway and Stock Car Racing at the earliest opportunity. 3. Confirms that the Coventry/Brandon Bees should race in the Rugby/Coventry area and that the relocation of the team to Leicester Speedway is not a realistic solution. But the most important part of the evening was the reaction and turnout from the sporting and local communities. To fill a room with over 300 people on a midweek evening was further proof of just what this issue means to everyone, even though there has been no racing for over two years – something the developers will never understand. Campaign Group Spokesman Jeff Davies said: “From our perspective, the meeting could not have gone better. The media coverage with local radio stations and BBC Midlands Today present throughout was brilliant and the messages of support, both directly and via a massive social media response is incredible. “People who attended the meeting are now better informed about the situation, understand what the issues are and why the process is taking so long. “We have put an immense amount of time and effort into this fight and to see so many passionate people supporting the campaign makes all that effort worthwhile. “Speaking on behalf of all the members of the Campaign Group, I promise speedway fans, stock car fans and local residents, we will fight this to the very end and will not give up. “Despite being up against wealthy developers, with their PR people, their solicitors and their consultants, it's a battle we've always believed we can win and eventually bring the sports 'home' for future generations to enjoy.” *WE have had various requests to make the slides from the presentation available to view online. We have respectfully decided that would not be appropriate, due to the fact that taken in isolation they could cause confusion – we ran the meeting with the slides complementing the narration, and they by no means provide a full record of what was said. However, we are more than willing to engage with anyone who contacts the Campaign Group, and are happy to take them through any of the issues discussed in as much detail as they wish.

As far as I am aware, Tero is already sorted

Tungate - based upon Premiership matches last season - actually averaged over 6 away from home (not including bonus points), two rubbish performances at King's Lynn putting a major dent in that figure. Could be better for a third heat leader, but most certainly not 'very poor' or a 'liability'. He's a big scorer at the NSS and, what's more, is hugely entertaining.

are you sure about that you could be wrong skidder goes under a different name just like you

As things stand right now NL racing at Berwick is just about a non starter, maybe if the likes of Newcastle, Edinburgh for example came down to it would be a possibility but right now our most local track would be Buxton or Belle Vue so Berwick would be even more reliant on their own fan base than ever.

Pretty sure you will still get them coming down when they have free weekends they all love a Berwick night out another rider Ryan Blacklock whose thinking of chucking his leg over a bike again

No...Steve Gresham was my Childhood Speedway hero...him and Tormod Langli ;-) Did a bit of digging and there is a Bristol Bulldogs Speedway team facebook page that has all of 143 followers A guy named Shaun Honour bought the rights to have the Bulldogs name and get the team up and running again. Last post was December 25th 2017...saying...'Merry Christmas and a happy new year. 2018 we will be back on track.' Well that didn't happen...so none the wiser as to what's happened. As for sites...Best place would be just off Junction 18 of the M4 where there is already a couple of Moto X tracks.

Only way forward. The same old, same old, league structure with a handful of "the top boys" popping up here there and merrily everywhere in team winning photos is doomed to crumble further. Managed decline continues.

nobody uses it I'm afraid or very rarely has not been used since the 27 oct

I have found a link to a Parliamentary paper, which shows in 2014 £26 million pounds was paid to ALL tracks, unfortunately, due to being on my phone, my own incompetence or possibly both, I cannot provide it to you. That sounds much more plausible. By definition the top tracks e.g. Sheffield, Hove, Belle Vue and Nottingham’s would take a bigger percentage compared to Swindon. However, it’s rumoured £10k per BAGS @ Swindon, which x 3 meetings per week isn’t too shabby. Both tracks are being shortened, which means that some sacrifices have to be made. Swindon currently has a BAGS contract. As the speedway track has to be put in place for the start of the season I guess the dogs have to take the hit over the winter months to allow the adjustments. The Commercial Manager for the Robins has confirmed on the Swindon Facebook page circa 2 weeks ago that the speedway track has already been pegged out.

This has been the attitude of many of the promoters for a few years now, and one of the main reasons for the demise of Speedway in GB. NO fan has a DUTY to support any team or any sport........and any team or any sport that thinks they have is in dangerous waters!!!

mr Gresham - without reading the thread but seeing the topic, immediately thought of Steve Gresham - wasn’t he a member of the Eastville days from way back when ? It ain’t you is it ? your post is 100% - for me, first time since 1976 I have not seen a live speedway event is in 2018 - not in the ‘flesh’ or even on tv. Missed Cardiff, and can’t say I gave a monkeys. Am Coventry based, where tonight there has been a BIG event close to the stadium in a hotel near the derelict stadium - have seen photos of the attendees and the age profile appears to be aged 50’s (I am being diplomatic here) and above. This week hearing the demise of Berwick and Lakeside/Arena - whatever they are called these days - just shows the writing is on the wall. The sport in the Uk needs an injection of younger personell, otherwise speedway will be remembered,purely on Wikipedia as what it was all about. No prospect anytime soon of that - being the younger injection I mean. as a youth, young man, middle aged man and now getting on a bit, had some fantastic experiences - Ole Olsen, Coventry Bees, trips to Dudley wood and getting our coach bombarded with stones from the Cradley ‘massive’ - Wembley world finals, White City dis-appointments when Ole failed to make the World final in Sweden 1980 (Michael Lee !) but travelling along on a tee mill trip by coach hearing false stories of Finn Thomson breaking a leg in practice and meaning Ole was in ! I remember our coach had a ‘commisioner’ who was Fat Rat Dave - who ran the supporters club office for badges/programmes at Monmore Green - my god we ripped into him with banter big time.

Not the infamous back straight bogs for once.

Gazc for his wit and for relentlessly owning all monarch posters on here when the debate goes into patter wars. Halifaxtiger for his knowledge on all tracks and up and coming riders he could be a speedway scout for the mighty Tiger's. Dontforgetthefueltapsbruv on every thread talking sense and is very fair and reasonable too into the bargin. Paulco for fantastic match reports very fair minded bloke. And a great ambassador for Glasgow Speedway. Tyretrax. Special mention too u love the tigers and its honest and i feel your pain. oh tigergirl your enthusiasm gushes through your posts too, true tiger!

For what it's worth I think current prices are about right, but don't think concessions should be got rid of, as a vast majority of crowds at Workington ( and other places ) fall into this category, you would lose more money as a lot of older people would not pay. Another point that should be considered is have fewer meetings a month, one week home, one week away, a bit like football, sometimes less is more,

Will never happen, it's dying a death and there is no way back ...

Believe me, That would be much worse than Horton

Its a bit unfair to single out individuals when there are so many interesting and knowledgeable contributors to this section of the forum . Yes there are also a few numpties who's sole purpose is to wind folk up and also one or two of the nasty variety . But thankfully they are in the minority and the rest of us love the sport and i enjoy the quiet moments reading the various threads . I remember the days when i went to the speedway ; went home and didnt have anyone to talk to about it until the following week , so this forum has been a godsend in that respect . Long may it continue to flourish .

You sound nice.

The London speedway tracks and teams dvd looks a winner too.

Easy to say when you are one of the teams building with the higher budgets and finishing towards the top end I wonder how those at the top would feel though if the Facennas at Glasgow and Guy Nicholls via Tru7 at Ipswich came in all guns blazing and went onto another level (both probably could if they wished) Would those then playing catch up rather than being top dogs then change their tune?

In 2014 Wolbert started with Glasgow on 8.48 and finished the season on a deplorable 6.19. The following season he rejoined Edinburgh on that bargain average and finished the season on 8.18. Supposing he was the only rider left on the planet who could fill your final team place, you'd be better closing your track with dignity than employing this shameless individual IMO.