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I think people should think twice about looking for someone to blame and remember the support that local businesses have given to the club over the years, and the fact that when we are looking to return in 2020 we will be looking to them again to help get us up and running again. Never bite the hand that feeds you

The problem is that you need to use it or run the risk of losing it - that's the standard line. It is actions like this that drive more fans away from a sport that is "dying on its @rse". So rather than encourage new fans they p!ss off existing fans - not a great business model

Just like the press releases from both Ipswich and Peterborough when he’d taken over both clubs. Think we know the game now. It’s sh!t, but we know the game. Going to be very interesting to see what the crowd levels are at the start, and throughout next season at both clubs Has all the makings of being disastrous this.

Better sorted before you put out a press release with your team for the coming season I think. Cowboy operations and communications will fail irrespective of the timing. We've had plenty of experience of that.

What a mess this is turning out to be. You have the Official Peterborough Speedway website advertising 2019 Season Tickets with it's full team of 7 riders advertised. Anyone buying these can do so by BACS to a Lloyds bank account or by cheque, to a Middlesborough address for the Peterborough Speedway Office, payable to Peterborough Panthers Speedway. You have a newly incorporated company, on the 16th November 2018, called Peterborough Speedway Limited with Keith & Cheryl Chapman as the only Directors, with a Downham Market, Norfolk address. Finally you have a changed team line up from that advertised to tempt you to buy a season ticket. I find that no better than internet scams where the advertised products don't turn into reality. Somewhere along the line someone must be the guilty party in this. So for those wanting to cancel their season ticket for a refund, which company refunds the money? Is it Peterborough Panthers Speedway or Peterborough Speedway Limited? I know that I wouldn't buy a season ticket from most of the promotions that are now running speedway

It no longer feels like "our" club, just "his" , if you are inclined to go along and pay your money to him, he will take it, I love the sport but don't feel at the moment inclined to hand over my hard earnt to Mr Chapman, I will make my mind up over the coming weeks.

What has changed is that Chapman has got his grubby hands on three clubs now in a league of seven, and i want no part of it ...

Ged has sold out and his sidekick Neil has also been silenced otherwise they may have made it known and the supporters have been sold out by this total farce , which I find dishonest and corrupt and I understand how you are feeling as well as most other Panthers fans will also. Promoters all over the country are wondering why supporters are dwindling away, well this is a perfect example why, but they will carry on just the same, expect you to turn up and pay your entrance fee as if nothing is wrong, then when they count the gate receipts, they will be pleading for fans to come and support as they are losing money .Laying everything at the door of the fans and not a thought about previous actions they have made having anything to do with this.

We may never know.. I think Buster thinks he is doing the best to keep the Prem going. He has laid lots of money on the line (no one else would) when speedway in the UK is on it's @rse. He has taken a big risk. Do people really think he has bought Ippo and Boro to make himself thousands when no one else can..?? We don't know anything about the deals in place or budgets etc, so I think people should cut him a bit of slack for now.

That's a matter of opinion ..a lot of people at the time thought it was ..and in time they were shown to be correct

I think you are partly right but many loyal supporters who are not forum members will turn up. Sad that single handedly and in such a short space of time he has managed to be so devisive and brought the sport into such disrepute yet being in charge he really could not give a fig. Lies, misleading stories, no public denials and staff silenced would appear to sum up his style. Sadly he appears to be less than a professional businessman and he lacks man management skills and his public persona does not endear anyone to him or his cause, look back at his interviews on TV. Unfortunately it is his money and he is calling the tune and the only way to get back at people like this is hit them in the pocket. That means boycotting meetings. Who is really going to do that? Supporters have a choice and can make stand but will they do it. Add to the unhealthy situation of one company owning three teams in one league in one part of the country and that is bad news for the future of the sport in this region. Add to this the monopoly known as the BSPA which needs breaking up and/or given a bloody nose says it all about the sad state the sport is in and the dire situation that speedway in East Anglia faces. Fans of all three clubs must be wondering what they have done to deserve the current situation.

Harris said on his Fakebook 'I will not be making any further comments at this time..' This whole saga looks like it's been organised and scripted by one person ...

Erm, let me get this right...you are digging out quotes from 16 years ago to revive a long-gone discussion? I've heard of quiet Sundays, but this is something else!

sad state of affairs sport on its knees is harris that greedy ? why didn"t buster but in when harris signing was made public is lambert on the same money as harris ? is there a set pay rate for peterboro ipswich king"s lynn do other teams pay more ? i hope speedway can turn the corner but this was one big kick in the teeth for the sport can you think man utd have signed messi but a couple of weeks before saying no he costs to much

Nice bonus to have the Bordernapolis included in the season ticket price. Promotion should be congratulated on that. They could easily have taken the "not our fault" attitude to fans losing a couple of fixtures from the ticket.

I'm sure there is medication available for that

Be careful what you wish for! There are thousands of Coventry, Workington, Rye House etc, fans who wish that this rider switching saga was all they had to worry about at this time.

The racing isn’t better, it’s just as good. A good speedway race is a good speedway race irregardless of what year or era it was. Its the million dollar question why stadiums aren’t packed out anymore, and there are probably as many reasons why. Speedway just loss mass appeal and its shot itself in the foot repeatedly for years since trying to find the answers.

That's the way..... We don't know the teams or the facts yet. We might never know all the facts, but surely as a "speedway fan" a King's Lynn one at that, you would be happy if all 3 clubs had good season and attracted enough fans to go again in 2020. As with all the clubs in the UK. " Says something when a Lynn fan would rather see Busters clubs all fail, because you don't like the bloke !! You would rather Ippo and Boro had crap seasons which will result in bad crowds and the clubs in problems ?? As a Lynn and a speedway fan, I would rather both Ippo and the Panthers finish above Lynn if it was a toss up between that and them finishing bottom, with no fans left... and we loose another club. If you hate Buster that much that you want all 3 clubs to fail this season, then I suggest, well I won't, but are you really a speedway fan or just someone who has a problem.

Tungate to Panthers, Harris to Ipswich on Chapman's orders is the rumour that appears to be the loudest.

More likely embargoed from comment I would think

As a witches supporter, I'm still in shock re buster buying the club, and in view the team Peterborough announced it had signed, I felt that our problems signing and announcing our team was because obviously Peterborough's budget was greater than ours. Now though I really feel for you all ( can't believe I'm saying that tbh) having your Hope's dashed after the feel good factor of you "knowing" your team. You have to wonder if our problem's signing and announcing our last 2 riders is similar.

And as the tail-lights of the last vehicle to leave the stadium carpark disappeared into the darkness after the meeting we had the announcement that it wasn't going to be a farewell after all.

And stop all the infighting!

Problem is as you say you heard a rumour.Unfortunately rumours escalate on here 10 fold.Sometimes rumours are best kept a secret until the truth is known.There is always people that like to spread things about even if they know they are untrue.

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.

That's what the cat said.

Probably stronger as there's no way in a million years Harris keeps that average up. The way all this has been handled is wrong but we may very well come out of it stronger on the track anyway.

Tungate is probably willing to ride for peanuts, he would do anything to stay away from Foxhole.

I am measured.I always think I make a point,rather than some irrational abuse.And if I have something to say to one of your posts,I do and will in future,don’t worry about that You do seem to have jumped in without thinking again,though,as gustix seems to have agreed with the point made by Grachan

If the bikes were 'standard', maybe the riders could adapt to conditions and, with the price of the gear you'd think there would be numbers, all over the buggers.

Speedway meetings are much like buses IMO. You don't see one for ages then two or three come together.

In the absence of any comment from management at a time crying out for clarification I am beginning to fear Ged and Neil have been Bustered and walked or have been pushed.

Main points from Fans Forum - very well attended by supporters, riders, sponsors and volunteers: Wightlink continue and expand sponsorship. Admission prices (including season tickets) held at 2018 levels Press and practice date to be advised once Eastbourne fixtures known. First meeting Thursday 11 April - Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy Second meeting Tuesday 16 April described as a ‘special’ meeting for which Thursday 18 April is reserved should the Tuesday be rained off. Details very soon. Wizards will continue in 2019 in the SDL. Plenty of other open discussion on various matters including the NL AGM outcome and implications, ongoing financial stability, award spin-off’s, sponsorship, My First Skid, social media and profile.

It's called the digital age. Most outdoor sports have suffered from the 'sit on your backside' multi billion dollar technology and gaming industry...

Concrete starting grid at Stoke 1953, with Belle Vue, led by Jack Parker, as visitors It looks to be about 4 bikes length, going well beyond the stationery bike position, so that transition isn't abrupt. (Peter craven is 3rd from left, on back row.)

This has brought them out. Lol.

Enjoy the ride under Buster's reign, your love for the club will dwindle under his ownership I have no doubt. Supporters are not in his thoughts as a business, you will just be a mugged off customer.

Perhaps its the bus pass age that needs changing rather than the speedway....

Things are better sorted now than going bust during the season?

Moving on, news issued a couple of days back by the promotion: "We can confirm that the 2019 season at Shielfield Park will kick off with Press & Practice evening on Friday the 29th of March at 6pm but the real fun begins 24 hours later! Competitive action gets underway with the 2019 Bordernapolis event on Saturday the 30th of March at 7pm! Due to the devastating news that the Workington Comets are unable to take their place in the SGB Championship division in 2019, Bandits management have agreed that the Bordernapolis event will now be included in your 15 match season pass alongside scheduled Championship, KO Cup and Championship Shield matches. Everyone at Berwick Bandits Speedway Club sends their condolences to all involved at Workington Comets Speedway Club. Workington’s unfortunate situation brings home the very real challenges the sport is facing to survive and sustain in the current climate. We hope to one day renew our border rivalry with the 2018 SGB treble Champions but for now all thoughts are with the Promotion, Management, Riders, Mechanics, Fans and sponsors. There has never been a more important time to back your local Speedway club!"

Good silencer as well.

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.

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

I have seen or heard nothing to say that it wont so I guess you will be ok.

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.

Typical just like Adolf Hitler , gets in his bunker when the flak is flying.

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)

I think you should probably read what is in my posts rather than what you think I'm saying. I shall repeat without the completely unnecessary large bold lettering and keep it as simple as I can for you. I don't do not get paid to ride because I do not ride Speedway. As I have said repeatedly just like your son I travel all over England and pay to race (in my case flat track). In Flat Track there is very rarely any prize money, if there was at 57 I wouldn't get a sniff at it. What is good though is that I only race weekends so can take a decent job and work around my sport. My son did used to ride NL Speedway and as I have said elsewhere I financed him for 4 years and it took me the same amount of time afterwards to recover financially. We did all our own work on the bikes including my doing his engines so money wasn't going to tuners or on unnecessary go faster bits or bling. What hit hardest by a long way was the travelling costs and time away from work. My son riding Speedway cost far more than for the two of us to ride MX as we were doing previously or the two of us to do flat track as we do now. For most of that 4 years he was on NL base rate with Newport and the normal travelling allowance but it still cost a lot of money to ride for a team. I agree that Speedway in the UK is living beyond it's means at the moment. I do not agree that you can have team Speedway without paying the riders because nobody in their right mind would pay to race in Berwick on a Saturday, Newcastle on Monday and Somerset Friday when they could ride as an amateur at their local track on a weekend. There is also the small matter of finding work that allows you to meet that schedule then make re-scheduled rain offs at short notice. For far less money you have your choice of motorcycle sports that allow you to travel as far as you want to, race in conditions or on tracks that you like and never be forced to ride anywhere. That is what your son does and what I do, we chose when and where we compete. Now I don't know your personal experience of finding the finances to ride Speedway but even when I was a youngster I ran out of money before I ran out of even my small talent. I have proven that I have a grasp of the realities so instead of trying to belittle my opinion let us know exactly what experience and figures you have to back up your case. I still say that if you run Speedway as an amateur sport you will have exactly an extension of what you have now in amateur Speedway. That is riders competing mostly with their local clubs in various ability classes as individuals. If you have team racing it is generally those same riders split into groups and while fun for them it is nothing like league racing. In the main it won't matter because not many will pay to watch it and the tracks won't be able to meet the costs. The costs of league Speedway have to be reduced or the income increased but it can no way survive if it doesn't at least go some way to covering the riders expenses.