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Signing a rider +6 weeks ago, promoting a ‘marquee signing’, selling season tickets, then release the rider in order to cut costs. That’s a Pi$$ poor business model.

I'm not a diehard, but I am gutted about the Comets closing. I live about 150 miles away from Workington and attended more meetings because of my friendship with announcer Dave Hoggart. I went about every other Saturday, and that consisted of travelling over to Dave's and then a superb run over the North Pennines and the Lake District (this included much debate, laughing and piss taking ) . Into the Henry Bessemer for a pint or 3 and a huge mixed grill, then on to the track. The racing was usually pretty good and then there was another pint and a natter with the locals in the bar afterwards. It was almost always a belter of day and while it was usually £50 a pop, I'll miss it hugely.

PROBABLY because neither KL nor Ipswich also have Andersen and Cook on their books. Have no idea of what sort of money is involved but, leaving personalities aside, better for Peterborough to cut their cloth accordingly and run in 2020 than go bust during 2019.

Very strange. Do not believe Harris would have taken this lying down if there was not something else behind it

For all we know Ged had control of team building and Buster seemingly giving him a budget to work too.Couldn't Ged have gone over his budget and Buster then said no you have to release someone.Just looking at the other side of the coin.

It absolutely stinks if Harris ends up at either Lynn or Ipswich if he does this is the precise reason why one man shouldn’t effectively own 3 clubs in a 7 team league . If he was was to end up at either club it’s another nail in Speedway’s credibility coffin .

It's not the lies it's the untold truths that are being withheld from supporters . Speedway promoters are like a cross between politicians and dodgy secondhand car dealers .

IF, and it's a big IF, Buster is trying to bring down some pay scales across the board then surely that's a good thing for the future of the sport? it's not a good business model to be paying out more than comes in, no matter who the rider is

You have to remember what was rumoured weeks ago (rubbished by Watson). All rider's were made aware that team changes may have to be made if the club ISN'T sold. With it announced that Buster is officially the new owner then the club HASN'T been sold as such so rider's have to go, so to fit the budget Buster set from the start.

Wouldn’t take either. I’d prefer a couple of riders with hunger and fire in their belly, busting a gut to impress and move up the Speedway ladder. Not riders who are looking for one last Payday to top up their retirement fund.

There must be a communications and diplomacy post going at the BSPA. You must be looking for working examples to copy into your CV

Bus loads! We tried to hunt him in May but couldnt find a replacement. Infuriating watching his lack of effort for us then pull off heroics for Poole.

Of course Steve but had he not offered to help, the Comets would have gone on ice in November. Oops have I let a cat out? Sorry

I suppose my memories of Preben Rosenkilde and Bent Norregard at West Ham are a bit coloured by comparison with the great Sverre Harrfeldt at his imperial best sweeping round the boards, beating all-comers at Custom House. I think for sheer spectacle and excitement he was the best rider I've ever seen. Quite apart from the dash and exhilaration he showed, he could mix it with the best - riders of the calibre of Briggo and Fundin, as his second place in the 1966 World Championship showed. I'm afraid the memory of Rosenkilde and Norregard pale in comparison.

I think that’s a bit unfair - Chris Harris has been nothing but 100% full commitment wherever and whoever he’s ridden for his whole career. You will not find a more committed rider that never gives up in a race, never knows when he’s beaten

Steve, I reckon a lot of it is cosmetic. The track needs a few grasstrack bikes going around on it to rip up the weeds, and the terracing could be sorted by a gang of fans. The only areas where a lot of cash might be required are the complex interior (which would be preferable, but not essential, in terms of speedway) and the speedway pits, which are a bit dilapidated.

Nicholls over Harris any day of the week.... Nicholls cares about this town and club for Harris it would just be a pay cheque.

At this moment in time, Peter has not been approached yet about being inducted into the Hall of Fame. If and when he is asked it is his decision whether he accepts.

dry, as in very few fixtures in the U.K. speedway scene ? i think its time to run the speedway fixtures like the football did . once a fortnight @ home and the following week away . that way the season will seem longer ! fans will keep an interest in the sport and look forward to the next home fixture . eh ..

Tungate is a better rider than Harris anyway.

I understand your point. But I no longer attend because I saw the gradual demise of team speedway and of riders putting clubs second behind what was actually the best night for them to ride. The few fans remaining now only reiterates that not all are bothered about who rides for their team. It is about winning. Poole last year proved that. It is more important to win now than anything, and faces are introduced to a club just to appease fans who have lost a few matches. These riders have no attachment to the club, fans are happy so long as it's successful. You use the argument of me not attending as me not having a grasp of current day speedway. But I stopped attending because I didn't like how speedway was going. I have enough nouse of the sport now to realise it's a case of riders' names thrown in the air at the start of each season, where they land is where they ride. You defend speedway because you still attend. You'd be silly not to, and layout £20 for something you no longer believe in. You mention Workington. Didn't they close because they weren't getting the fans to warrant them continuing? More terrace spaces, fewer fans, no speedway. You are neutral, which highlights my point. You would watch any speedway and switch clubs when your track ceases. You weren't really supporting a team (Halifax) but just liking the racing. The testimonial argument is flawed. Twenty riders in 10 years is a decent amount. You don't mention how many riders did six or seven years at clubs. As for Craig Cook riding for Belle Vue for six years - but how many of those did he spend doubling down and riding for another club? Instead of trying to prove me wrong, just look at speedway as a product. Take me out of the equation, and I bet there are so many others who lost the love of speedway because there was no real team ethic in the sport anymore. When riders can ride in the same team one night and be dicing in opposition the other (for another team), don't you find that silly? If not, try explaining it to someone you're trying to introduce to the sport. If you think this is how team sport should model itself, then it is no wonder teams, clubs, tracks are fighting to keep afloat. I didn't attach myself to an individual sport when I fell in love with speedway, but that's what it's become. I don't think speedway in 1975 was a perfect model, but you expect things to be improved over the years. But they haven't. If you really feel I don't have a point, then I just expect it to reach your way of thinking when your local track folds, which it no doubt will. But, as you didn't when the Shay closed, you'll travel elsewhere to watch the racing. And that, in a sentence, shows why you are more the follower of speedway than any one team. And, sadly, there aren't enough of you left. Team speedway is speedway's lifeblood.

It's all coming from the same big pot of money effectively though so it's not a case of can't afford it - that would be a case of needing a no.1 at Ipswich so I've transferred him across to Ipswich wouldn't it?

Isn't this what most fans wanted,a cheaper sport?It seems that in a small way it could start with the Harris debacle but certain fans which want a cheaper sport will still have moan about it.

For me many of the posts reacting to this are reading far too much into it re 'corruption' and 'control' Just because it is only announced now it doesnt mean its just blown up in the last few days It may now look like Buster is trying to move the pieces due to Ipswich not having found a top end when infact the issue was known right from the outset and unrelated

From a reliable source within BSSC, Peter has never been asked so could not have turned down the offer. If you are to make a statement, please get your facts right first please

So Buster says On the money he is getting at Boro is too expensive. Now he has Harris by the short and curlies. This is what is on the table for Harris, take it or leave it. This is Speedway nearest thing to price fixing. Harris has a choice to make. Take it or leave it. His call. Get the feeling Buster is using Harris as an example.

Not much room left in the lid of that coffin

Maybe that's whats behind the 'BSPA Ltd' plan mentioned at the AGM? ie 'own' every rider..? Then do what's needed to spread them about around the teams to try and make it competitive? Efffectively rider control but without the name, (and stigma)..? And all teams under one central commander controlling budgets and spending to ensure continuation of the sport?

No doubt after this latest fiasco he would be happy to stand down , he's been used in my opinion.

nail on head.

The way it looks to me is.. Martin Dugard and Jon Cook now lease the stadium from the Dugard family, they both have control over the venue and can promote what they want having payed the lease on the venue to the owners. Eastbourne Speedway have moved up to the championship under the management of Jon Cook and Ian Jordan. I would think that Dugard/Cook are going to promote the stadium, stock cars, speedway and what ever they want to do so they can fund speedway, which at this present time is not really sustainable.

With the right replacement Panthers could quite conceivably be stronger. It still stinks how this has been done though.

PUK over Harris 7 days a week

Either that or Diane Abbott is doing the accounts and Stanley Unwin the PR: "Now, as eve on his deep approach, his eye on the moon. Alltime sometime deept joy of a full moon scintyladen dangly in the heavenly bode. But now only half! So, gathering all behind him the hintermost, he ploddy-ploddy forward into the deep complicadent fundermold of the forry to sort this one out.”

And they've only just realised that now? After Harris signed a contract and was announced? After the whole team was announced? Something stinks about this, the reasons given don't add up at all.

Can anyone fly a plane?

In today’s Times and Star Kyle is quoted as feeling sorry for the fans and local community. As everyone knows he’s a great prospect, I think he’ll have another team before long. It’s Mason I feel most sorry for, bad news for all of them though.

Back then there were characters in the sport and they were allowed to show it. I remember Simmo having a right go at someone (forget who) by the pit gate after a race because he took the mick . We all loved to hate Olle Nygren (until he became one of ours of course). The banter when Tipswich turned up and the riders played up to the crowd (Shane Parker was a master at it). Sadly the powers that be have stifled all of that. I'm not advocating full blown fights between riders but spats that get the crowd going and involved all added to the atmosphere. If a rider tried anything like it nowadays they would be landed with a fine of a few hundred quid.

Back in the early days at Lynn the racing was always enjoyable. We never won much, but we could just about hold our own at home. The average gate was around 5K and the atmosphere was amazing. I agree there were some processional races and some were well spaced out, but most races would have a angle to then that made them important. Our strength was usually our heat leaders, who would have to pull the rabbit out of the bag to attain a win. But it was so important not to lose... After the meeting the environment moved to the bars where riders mixed with fans drinking way into the night... How things have changed..... Back then the sport was priced at a cost the fans could afford, the VFM was never questioned, and it was always night out at a weekend . For our sport to stand any sort of chance of surviving, we have to re-create along those lines. ( minus the late drinking)

And what do you want me to talk about the company I was employed by is no more 2018 cost over 30k I have invested 10k for 2019 already and you want me to talk about fans

Both would see us finish bottom, so would have to go with better home pairing since 99.7 fans only watch at home. So first pairing. I might go once or twice, but no more than that

Exactly, I wouldn’t dispute in any way he’s at the tail end of his career an not at the same level of a few years ago but to say he’s just turning up for a pay cheque is being his character into question and imo a misjudgment to suggest this

As a kid, i saw Rosenkilde beat Olsen at West Ham in 1971. A memorable moment for me. I never saw Harrfeldt at his best, although he was still decent riding for Wembley. I've got Rosenkilde's original no.2 Hammers race jacket in my collection. One of my more treasured items.

You worry about the future when such clubs as Reading, Belle Vue (Hyde Road), Oxford, Cradley and Coventry lost to the sport. They all won titles in the 1980s. The sport isn't too big to lose. Bradford shut, months after winning the title in 1997. The sport now hangs by a thread. Lesser clubs are pulling down shutters one last time. The sport is being run under the BSPA umbrella but each member goes off in their own direction to run their respective club. They have no real power, as each venue is owned by someone else who may take a stash of cash for redevelopment. The sport lost its chance to own each and every stadium, it lots the chance to cement the sport by at least owning the tracks they race on. That is the problem. When the future rests in the hands of others and is not controlled by the sport, the future looks cloudy.

Lynn have their No1 tied up so your logic is sound if he goes there Ipswich still have their premium No1 budget available.......

Was my initial thoughts as well. Both Louis and Ged are on record as saying is was “business as usual” although obviously not as before, and they were building the team. Perhaps they were given a rough estimate of available funds and built the teams accordingly. Now that a sale has been completed, buster has decided it’s too expensive? The other possibility, is buster has a responsibility to all three clubs he’s now in charge of, and he can see that Ipswich are struggling to get in a heatleader? There is one available (Tungate), but for reasons I won’t go in to on here that is a move that won’t happen. So his plan is to move Bomber out of one of his clubs and move him to another, and then move Tungate to Peterborough where he’d be more welcome.. Only speculating of course, but I wouldn’t be surprised at either scenario.

Looks like they have plans for motorsport to grow at the stadium. I hope they can tempt Kevin Coombes back as announcer / presenter.

Up to a point, I agree. In 1978 (when British speedway had a remarkable 38 teams) Tony Davey took to the press to state that to buy a new engine he had to sell his car. At the time, Davey was a 9.5 heat leader in the British League and an England international, so its fair to say he was a top rider if not in the world class category. To my knowledge, at the time he and his brother ran a garage.Tom Owen, the unquestioned NL star during the late 1970's, ran a plant hire business during his racing days. I could name 4 or 5 other similar examples here. How many current riders(NL excepted) have other employment during the season ? Truth is speedway has never been a full time occupation for the overwhelming majority of riders, with only the really top boys managing that. These days, however, it seems to me that that is precisely their expectation and it is why we have the blight on British Speedway called uncontrolled doubling up. It also seems to me that the only thing that is off the table when considering the future of the sport is riders wages. Given the proportion of overall expenses that that accounts for, it must surely be considered although it can reasonably be argued that that is as much the fault of promotions who pay far more than they can afford. Make no mistake, I have every sympathy for Kyle Bickley and make no criticism of his view. He stayed loyal to Workington, only to lose his team place with no hope in the short term of getting another. That, however, shouldn't be allowed to cloud an issue - ie riders making a living from speedway - that is, as you have said, right at the heart of the sport's problems.

The gentleman involved with D.L. I saw standing on the first bend of the "st. boniface arena" last season, good man & one-time cameraman for ReRun @ Exeter..........

The problem with that is, season tickets are already on sale, with the amount of fixtures already worked out on the assumption that it will be 3 groups of 4 in the Champ Shield and 11 home league fixtures. If they divided the Shield to North/South, the clubs would have extra home meetings, not accounted for on the price of a season ticket. It's bad enough fans have bought a season ticket thinking they were paying for at least 11 home league meetings, rather than the 10 they have now ended up paying for.