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List along with Gilmore are the two after Lidsey that have been noted as the best two young riders coming through in Australia.You also have Kew, Browne, Bowes progessing nicely and i thought Mcguinness might of had a bit of interest shown in him also.Keleher is a different proposition alot older than List but in European terms no more experienced.I believe List has alot of ability and i would be giving him the whole season and see him as a longterm project.Scunny there top four i believe is very good and also the reserves should be able to mix it with the likes of Ruddick,Chessell,Phillips, Clegg ( ect) injuries allowing?? Scunny will do ok.

I don't see a lot of improvement in this season's (anticipated) side and don't see us challenging at all, which is very disappointing after last season. Robert would have to go great guns to put a big increase on his average again. Went from 7.38 to 9.13. Sure he'll be between 9.00 to 9.50 but he won't have a lot of support this year. Despite Niels having a poor season by his standards, they still chalked up several match winning 5-1's. Ty put 1.17 on his average last season (5.50 to 6.67) and I can't see him doing that again, in fact would be surprised if he even matched his average with having to be 2nd heat leader. Thomas only added 0.12 (5.93 to 6.05). MPT's average actually dropped by 0.21 (5.57 to 5.36) despite some headline performances. Lewis added 0.44 (5.06 to 5.50) and will do well at reserve, especially at home. Kasper was nowhere near his 4.00 average despite there obviously being some talent there as shown with some of his performances for Sheffield. Erik came in on 6.10 and finished on 6.08. Became very good at the AFA but his away performances tailed off after a promising start. I could maybe see increases for Robert, Thomas, Erik and maybe MPT but that would be about it and certainly not by a point or so, more like the odd 0.10/0.20. I see Lewis probably being in around the same but think he'll struggle in the main body of team away from home. Be surprised if Kasper reaches over 4.00 and think Ty's will fall if no one else steps up into the second heat leader role. To me, the side looks like the cheap, easy option. Would love to be proved wrong but expecting a battle to avoid the wooden spoon. I actually like all the riders, I just don't like the balance of the team and think we'll really be lacking in heats 13 & 15. Might get away with it at home but see some right hammerings on the road. At £18 a meeting. I'll be picking and choosing my matches from now on rather than being the die hard I once considered myself.

It's not a case of ignoring 2018 at all. Yes PUK had a poor year average wise he still regularly delivered when it mattered in heats 13 and 15. From the start to the end of the season Iversen and Lambert pretty much swapped averages. The gains came from Proctor adding over a point. Realistically, could he do that again? Of course but unlikely. Jorgensen's average stood still in 2018 People are saying MPT is a must but his average was also stagnant from when he signed, this including time at reserve. Riss average stayed the same in his short period with the team but I do expect his average to rise being with us from the start of the 2019 season. Andersen can't be any worse than his less than 3 average but I can't see an improvement on his assessed 4. Kerr won't improve much but is consistently good to excellent at home which is most important, especially in a meeting over 2 legs. I think Kerr in both finals was missed more than Toft. -------------------------- Apart from Riss, I just don't see where the improvement is going to come from? With the predicted line-up there certainly isn't any back-up for Lambert in heat 13 & 15 compared to other 1-7's. The back end of meetings are hugely vital in securing results. Yes we did finish top of the table, but there was no hope of that happening until Andersen, Kerr, Garrity were all replaced. With the predicted 1-7, like the first half of 2018, we will flop again. It isn't a solid team throughout, to many weak spots. Kerr's fitness is in question. Andersen is an uncertainty. MPT only any real quality at reserve. Proctor, Riss and Jorgensen are no 2nd heatleader. Any way you try to look at the predicted team it does come out looking extremely poor to other 1-7's. We have to hope other teams injuries are worse than ours to get anywhere I'm afraid to say.

Yep, could be a lot worse, could be in the situations of lakeside/Workington/rye house fans and have no speedway at all - instead we’ve got speedway, a team that will be competitive at home at least and top flight speedway which suits me, should be much more competitive racing!

Quite honestly, that is one of the most ridiculous posts I have seen! Okay, I know iris can be abrasive, and I know you are not a fan of his, but you need to look in the mirror sometimes instead of making comments like "why do you act like this?" This is HIS thread, and he has - as is not uncommon - some fascinating information for us. Like me, he is genuinely interested in the "years gone by". It's not like he is just coming on here to antagonize others - seriously. You can see by comments from others, including myself, that we are perplexed by some of the self-promoting (and often poorly produced) posts by a certain forum member. Even as strongly as we feel about John's posts at times, nobody is "advising" him to stay away from the forum, and there is absolutely no reason for you to make such ridiculous statements about another forum member who provides us with some great stuff. Steve

Yes,as always no depth of research.The other links are far more interesting imo As has been said often,a rather poor website and your articles fit perfectly

He was a joy to watch around Shawfield and was a big part of our phenomenal team's of the 93 - 94 seasons.

So let’s get this right. You start a thread asking a question you already know the answer to, and which nobody has the slightest interest in, and when challenged you try to tell us your reason for starting it was to see if Iris 123 would trail you . Of course you didn’t expect him to catch you out by pointing out that it was just another of your attention seeking scams. Take notice of what Chunky says and stop making a complete fool of yourself.

Funny thing is that over the years, I have had several private conversations (on here and on Facebook) with John about this very topic. With his knowledge and experience, John is - and should be - a valuable member of these forums, but he just doesn't help his cause with some of the things he posts. No John - we don't have a problem with YOU; we welcome your interesting historical posts. We just wish you wouldnt make some of the ridiculous and unnecessary posts you do, and I have said to you before that simply asking for answers to questions to which most of us already know the answers is not advisable. Steve

Great stuff, Doug; thanks for sharing! Steve

but if those "excellent replacements" are in the team this year, then they're poor .. not getting your logic, sorry

Can’t be bothered.I would be making 20 or so contacts per day,just like the mod said you was doing.You make the mistake in assuming others are obsessed as yourself

I know you will probably take this the wrong way as you don't really like my opinion if it differs to yours but,you say we were fortunate with our injuries/replacements and facing teams with terrible injuries which made our results look good.Really only Belle Vue spring to mind and Wolves with Schlein missing,but then the other teams had to face these in the league with the same riders missing.It normally balances itself out in that respect.So as you say we were fortunate because of that.Doesn't that then make us unfortunate to lose the final because of the same that happened to us,but you say we blew it.

I'm pretty sure that Laura has more than enough integrity to ensure all monies paid by fans will be returned in full.

Translated as - Have no opinion about what decisions we make " in the best interests of the sport". We offer no information as to how those decisions were reached and anyway it is nothing to do with you. Purely a business decision. We are handling the managed decline of UK speedway as we see fit ( as it belongs entirely to us ). What remains of the sport in the UK after crowd numbers and sponsors fall to an unviable level is equally of no concern of yours. How many clubs are owned by or under the control of any BSPA member is a private matter for themselves only. Yes, please pay by direct debit, whether you intend to go to matches or not - Oh, and bring a friend ( as our dependable marketing scheme has long directed ). You know it makes sense and offers you a stress-free way to enjoy speedway racing.

Considering the tragedy that was Lokeren, West Ham has to hold that sadly unwanted title. Any other team's perceived misfortune pales in comparison.

Just cough up your cash and stop whingeing. Pay by direct debit and don't bother to turn up if all you can do is moan

If you have nothing to contribute,and you & Gustix rarely do,jog on

That’s the best post I’ve read in ages just saying it as it is - and I agree 100%

He was a really good rider Shane, Kenny Mckinna, Robert Nagy, Les Collins, and Mr Glasgow Steve Lawson.It was great days for the NL and Glasgow not that i saw nearly as much as i would of liked.

Will we feck !! We would be delighted if you’d just naff off

Max was your captain that year.

Also the price for away trips will be published well in advance.. & watchout for special offers NOT TO BE MISSED

Is that a threat or a promise ?

Stephen Morris was the rider in question I believe... I think Wainwright had already been excluded in the first running of the heat. Although the memory may be playing tricks! It was a huge crowd and great atmosphere.. if only we could relive something similar.

5th September Sheffield 36 (T Forward 11, J Young 9, M Hepworth 8, D Boocock 8) Cradley Heath 23 (J Bostin 8, P Taylor 8, P Fry 5, N Leaver 2) Halifax 21 (D Clay 10, G Whittaker 8, I Sutcliffe 3, S Quick 0) Wolverhampton 16 (C Cobby 8, A Butt 4, F Killeen 3, A Phillips 1)

Just a quick add on to Moxey's excellent post. Some may be thinking, so they lost a few riders, no big deal. The difference that season was guests were only allowed for your No 1 rider, which of course was Sam Ermolenko. Where the league was really lost was a 2pt home defeat against Ipswich when we had a side of Sam Ermolenko, Peter Karlsson, Neil Evitts (riding injured and woefully out of form and confidence) RR and four juniors. Sam rattled off a 21pt max, PK may have got a max too, or close to it, but it wasn't enough. Shane Parker decided to goad the Wolves crowd after the meeting celebrating wildly and became somewhat unpopular to say the least. That said my opinion of Parker changed a few years later when we held a fund raising event for PK, Parker came along and was brilliant. He's a bit handy at Laserquest! The Ermolenko crash in Heat 1 against Bradford had more ramifications as it meant we didn't get the bonus pt that match which would have won us the league that night if I remember correctly.

OMG!!! That is brilliant! When I saw "Sandy Powell", I thought, "I only know one Sandy Powell?" I love old British comedy and music-hall stuff, so that is right up my alley! Steve

Surely posting something you know the answer to is called being a troll?Just what is the point of this attention seeking?

Not so much a gating tart,just not interested most of the time,he has talent but attitude stinks IMO.His fellow Frenchman Bellego suffers the same traits.Seem to be earning a living out the sport though.

That's how online adverts work. Your interest is Speedway so you will see those adverts when advertised on line. To any general bod out there who's never clicked anything to do with Speedway will never see those adverts. It's just advertiser's preaching to the already converted.

Newcastle is a track that does require more learning than most. For me the entrance to the first turn is too tight which appears to result in many more spills than any other Championship track that I can think of. There is room to alter the shape but obviously this would erode home advantage. The most accomplished away riders who are also slick gaters do alright on it but I've always felt that the excitement struggles to get past a certain level. I've been on many occasion when poor throttle control has been given as the reason for the frequency of falls but this has rarely been entirely true in my experience . The inconsistency of track prep has played its part and has created problems even for the likes of Lambert and Cook.

Of course it will be more competitive.Take a look at the Witches team from last year towards this years team 6 of them would be classed as Championship heat leaders all riding for the same team.The same with most other teams plus a good few higher classed riders as well so most races the witches fans will see this year would last year have been all heat leader clashes so it has to be a better class and more competitive season of speedway than last year.

His son Steve, i remember Shane he was a very good NL rider.

I think the biggest positive is its another season of speedway at Foxhall for those that want to go and watch it.

IF, the team turns out to be the one we all fear, our chances of success will be totally dependant on Robert Lambert. Yes he may have the ability to beat everybody, BUT, if he were to have a bad meeting, a fall, an E/F or he was unavailable, we would be up the creek without a paddle. At home, it might be possible to lose retaining some distinction for effort , but if it was an away meeting it would be embarrassing. Nothing does more harm to this sport than watching easy meetings where the teams are so one sided... When looking at the make-up of the other teams, if we don't acquire a back-up for Robert we can forget it....

Campton's average is well over a point higher than Berge's so wouldn't fit. Lambert simply isn't good enough.

It's just a shame that the, and I use the term very loosely, music is utter toilet

Very sad - I am fortunate enough to have seen Speedway at Walkerville but when I went in 2017 it was clear that it was struggling to survive and that Flat Track and Quads were much more viable options. Unfortunately, it is a sign of the times with Speedway pretty much worldwide as the same could be said of Canada and even some European countries much closer to home. I'm glad I went when I did as I don't anticipate be able to watch Speedway in South Africa again.

Season tickets at KL for many years have not been worth buying miss one meeting then your on a loser - offer fans a good deal then they would sell more .

Well that's totally killed this thread well and truly ! Seems like there's nothing 'positive to say' here as there hasn't been a post since last Wednesday............................................................................

Agree totally but it’s easy to invite calls when all teams are full and another 7 riders still looking for a team after the demise of Workington. I will be happy if we have 7 men standing at the end of April early season is usually carnage. Personally think most teams have a fairly long tail this year due to the points limit.

So good to see Darcy Ward getting wed to the lovely Lizzie on Friday. Congratulations to them both. So many speedway friends in attendance in Oz, including Middlo, the Holders and the Kurtzs, Leigh Adams plus Aussie Team Manager Mark Lemon and many more..

I think we already know Speedtiger by other names on this forum.

You're not surprised what recorded figures are true??? You have no access to any recorded figures for crowds or for "average rider costs" do you? First you misread a balance sheet as a Profit & Loss account, now you're claiming to have recorded crowd and rider cost figures that you simply don't have. Basically you're just making stuff up based on your own opinions and guesses which are anything but accurate

Totally agree with you !

Last season Rye House Lakeside and Eastbourne regularly had 150 and 250 pre meeting racing. With 2 of those clubs gone who will continue this vital experience for these young boys.

I understand Susans sentiment. I agree that we need to give the team the chance - I dont think it is as adrift of the others as many are predicting and cant understand the level of negativity I do however think Blu is right in that you shouldnt expect people to not post their genuine thoughts. I dont think those posting negatively are doing so just for the sake of it (even Baldy ) - they are honest opinions which should always be welcome

Some of us don't do censorship, especially on a public forum