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So, having reviewed the short video clip it seems to me the riders could clearly see the marshall with his red flag (which means stop in a controlled manner) but the leading rider thought he knew best and would ride around the marshall. The marshall, thinking the rider did not understand the simple instruction (or see him) foolishly moved across to make himself impossible to avoid. The highly paid professional then deliberately attacked the volunteer marshall with a shoulder charge. Open and shut case for me.

On what possible grounds having watched the excellent racing clips on SGB website and Eastbourne website would anyone have for declaring the Meeting "null and void" and re-running on a "neutral track". That is the most ridiculous post I have seen for a long time. What possible action on Saturday means Eastbourne can't have a Home Leg or that kind of absolutely ridiculous comment. Seems you really are just a complete sore looser and the fact Eastbourne got 43 points at Glasgow and therefore warm favourites over 2 legs is just swept under the carpet. Every post you have made in this thread is now outed for what it is "complete sore looser".

As a lifelong Tigers fan, but long term Sussex resident , and Eagles fan, I’ve stayed out so far, letting those without any evidence have their say/opinion/speculation. I wasn’t at the meeting. However that longer video tells a contradictory story to what the previous 29 pages have alleged. A man walking in front of a bike with no brakes, that is not designed to turn RIGHT. A headbutt that turns out to be a shoulder charge. I can fully understand from other angles it may look like a headbutt. But it wasn’t...... I’m not sure how many of us would instantly react to nearly being knocked off. Punches thrown by more than one person, from both teams, and now we see Kennett wading in too. Oh, and by the way, when the dust settles, can you all go out and race your 500cc bike, no hard feelings eh? So far, on the evidence actually shown, neither side has anything to be proud of. In the face of what that video shows, Mr Facenna can be very proud of his decision to apologise for his side’s part in that ruck. That longer video would suggest that Cook (and Dugard) need to reflect both on their team’s part in it, and also what was said on the PA to exacerbate the situation.

I understand that at first the ref wanted to take Cook out of the meeting, but the Eastbourne promotion asked for him to be reinstated so as to not weaken the meeting. I believe Cook will be dealt with in an alternative way.

The simplest thing would be for the SCB to declare the result null and void and instruct that it be re-run at a neutral track. Belle Vue would be a sensible alternative venue as it is roughly 200+miles from both tracks.

So on Thursday at Poole (weather permitting) the parade will consist of 12 stationary bikes being lined up on the track - Ippo infront of the startline and Poole behind the startline. Riders will stand behind their bikes on the centre green with their mechanics/helpers and be introduced and announced individually starting with the Ippo Number 7. There will be a track marshall - sometimes the deputy Clerk of the Course - displaying a red flag on the track between the start and the first bend to stop riders riding away too early. Yes thats on the track not on the centre green, just like it happens at many other tracks who have the parade in similar style.

Unfortunately there are too many people on this thread and the Eastbourne one with an agenda and using their pre existing opinion of Cook to form their view without looking at the incident for what it was.

From the video it looks to me that the flag Marshall is gesturing with the flag and pointing with his right arm to indicate that he wants Craig to exit the track onto the infield which is why he has stepped to his left because he has indicated for the rider to go to his right. It doesn't look to me like either the Marshall deliberately stepped in his path or that Cook deliberately rode into him, more a misunderstanding. Certainly Cook lunged at him in anger but I wouldn't call that a deliberate head butt.

Blimey, finally we agree about something. Yeh no matter what caused it all, taking a swing at that guy who got in his face was the catalyst for the shambles that followed.

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Having seen the short video clip I am happy to say that my initial observation that Cook deliberately rode at the marshal, and tried to headbutt him were wrong. That's what it looked like on the night, but with the different angle of the video I can accept it was more likely an accidental collision, and a shoulder barge. What followed was still completely unacceptable. I suspect the reason Eastbourne haven't released the whole clip is that it will show several of their own people behaving equally as badly as Craig Cook and his associates. It's still a fact that if Craig had reigned his temper in there wouldn't have been a fight. It's also a fact that the home management deliberately wound him up beforehand. Nobody involved really comes out of this incident looking good.

Sharpenrake 3 points (1) have visited Arlington for many years as a brummies fan and our rivalry goes very deep over decades. I've never been treated with anything other than the kindest respect and positive welcome. Yes they are very partisan, but I don't think any of us need any lessons from Scottish fans in being partisan in speedway or any other sport. I can think of far worse and less safe places to travel as a visiting fan than Arlington (Dudley Wood, Brandon and Monmore Green made Arlington look like a Polo Club!) . Don't think a line was crossed from all accounts. (2) you fail to reflect on what those who WERE THERE are all saying, a pre-meditated attempt by Craig Cook and Michael Max (Team Manager) to stir up ill feeling about the tRack. I've seen various race clips this morning on SCB and Eastbourne website and the track looks excellent and no issues with it at all. Certainly Craig Cook seemed to race on it fine once he had picked his dummy off the floor. Shame he didn't go out in Heat 1! A greater shame his Team Manager let him ride in Heat 15! to the loss of possible earning to a team mate as meeting was over. (3) Craig Cook has a well documented history of mood swings, he can be a nice guy one week and a complete tool the next and Michael Max is well known in the Sport (not to be confused as a Karlsson brother) as a wind up merchant. I'm sure that supporters of many Clubs will be aware of his antics. Maybe wise that you accept that Craig Cook was partially in the wrong, Glasgow tried to intimidate for 60-90 minutes but came up against a Club that won't be intimidated and that the subsequent punch up did neither Club any favours at all. As for Jon Cook, he is like Michael Max a complete wind up merchant and clown. Glasgow started it, Eastbourne finished it. simple as that!

You have misunderstood. All the bikes were on the track, lined up and facing the main grandstand on the back straight. This is how the riders are announced at Arlington. They stand behind the bike, get introduced, wave and then sit on the bike waiting for the rest of the riders from both teams to be introduced. The away team is always introduced first. Once all the riders are introduced, all 14 riders (or less if RR is being used) are pushed off and they have a lap or two of practices starts and 'getting the feel' of the turns by sliding in. As the bikes are pushed off, little mascots, guests, media etc etc are either marched off the track or walked to the safe area on the centre green. What happened Saturday, is three or so of the Glasgow riders were pushed off before the Eagles were introduced and started their practice starts at turn 4. Down towards turn 1 and then, you see what happens. Its possible that Cook was going off but unlikely as most riders would at least do a lap and a bit round the track and not be happy doing just 3/4 of a lap. But, maybe Cookie had already decided he was not going to race and hence was going to the pits. Even if he was, the marshal would not have known that and would have wanted to stop the riders going round turn two and into the area where people were still milling around on the track.

Couldn’t the Leicester promotion just bring over some supporters from their other team, Sheffield, to boost the crowds?

I think the video proves this is all a bit of a storm in a teacup and most of the reports on Saturday night were wildly exaggerated. I expect a fine but don’t see there being the ban that many seem to be salivating for.

Ran him over...FFS wind it in.. Banned for the rest of the season lol.. Wasn't you the one that cried out for Lambo to be banned when he posted a pic of gallons of oil tipped on the Poole track after a meeting last season...? You said it was from the tractor.. When other Poole fans said they saw someone tip it on the track, you told them " to keep your gob shut, nothing to see here "...

Absolutely no surprise that this happened at Eastbourne, have been there several times over the years supporting Lynn and there is always the feeling that something is brewing. Add Jon Cook into that and it’s little wonder it happened there.

Its all getting a bit repetitive and tedious now

I have every faith in SCB Co-ordinator Neil Vatcher in sorting all the evidence submitted including what he witnessed with his own eyes and reaching the correct conclusion. I just hope it doesn't take too long.

RR for Heeps on this occasion helps Ipswich at Poole where Heeps normally struggles. It means Kennett, KP and King can take his rides! We should still get the points but it will be much closer.

26 pages for all the wrong reasons .with the aid of video , i have grabbed whats gone on , why cant others ?

It also proves that a lot of liars on here have tried to milk the situation.

Not quite sure why this is on the Poole v Ipswich meeting thread, but as I put on the other thread, the flag marshall was acting as instructed as the ref had put the red lights on when Cook set off before the rider parade and presentations had been completed - in fact were less than half way through. Cook nor any other rider should have been riding the track at that point - end of!!

Don't be a Div Baldy, Marshall waving a red flag well before he gets to him means stop, not ride past him. As far as I'm concerned he's bang out of order with his reaction.

Well this has been blown well out of proportion not like the BSF to do that. It sounded as if world war 3 had broken out on Saturday , it turns out to be handbags at dawn wit much ado about well as the video proves nothing. If anything the marshall was doing the hokey cokey he didn't know whether to go left or right

Now watch it again without the anti cook glasses on, the Marshall clearly steps left into cooks path, a speedway bike has no brakes, what's he meant to do?

What if he was on the track already tho ? The introduction were happening at this point remember..

Well done the IOW winners tonight and over the three legs of this competition,, Georgie Wood and Ben Morley looked at a different level tonight, both max,s ....Connor,King fought hard for his points and will be a decent rider at this level when he improves his gating..Verge was getting stuck in when the crash happened on the first bend with Extance and him coming together in what was first bend bunching both falling heavily ,,,best wishes to both for their recoveries This meeting had some good racing at times,,and it was a shame that it finished as it did....... well done to Len Silver and all those who organised these meetings to keep the fans interested on a weekly basis.........

Answers above

What was Cook doing on a bike when the intros were only half way through. Being disrespectful. Red light on by the ref. Flag man told to stop him. Cook ran him over then shoulder charged him. A guy went up and told Cook he was out of order. Got a punch in the head for his troubles. Then the fracas started. Can only lay the whole sorry mess on Cooks shoulders. Should be banned for the rest of the season and fined.

I have tried to let people know that from my view of the night, that did happen at Eastbourne, someone was down the back straight beyond the rider line up with a red flag out when the intros commenced. I only remember this as the person i was with commented on how big the flag was! No bugger believes me tho.

I think in terms of modern speedway that was a bit more than handbags to me. Good few punches thrown by different folk. Realise the old days were different gravy tho.

All this is in your opinion. I am definitely not a Cook fan, but I don't see how he could slow down, in the time that the marshal, walked in front of him. Only a lunatic, would walk into the path of a moving speedway bike. This is what caused Cooks reaction, (lets face it, it does not take much, to fire him up). Cook disobeyed many things and there are lots of questions to be answered, but you cannot ignore the provocation. It is, his only mitigation. This issue should have been addressed back in the pits.

Well Well Well. Dickie Juul in the middle of it. Who would have believed that.

I must admit I thought Musielak put in more than some of his temporary team mates. Cracking meeting with some excellent racing, good quality presentation and all done in about 90 minutes

Longer 2 minute version, sorry no sound and taken from tele by phone.

Since when did a red flag on a speedway track mean stop instantly regardless of where you are and do not move? A red flag is waved, they should slow down and return to the pits. The marshal clearly walks to his left into the line of the bike and deliberately causes a collision.

You had to spoil it didn't you ?

Steve this league is way easier than 2 seasons ago and Worrall with lambert were virtually unbeatable around brough then steve - is not the rider of 2 years ago atm in time (he may come good again) - and when he misses the gate he couldn't catch cold - harsh but true and as for bjerre and Jorgensen poncing around at the back when beaten .... well frankly it says everything (of course we get the crap they are hurting and really care.... yeah about their low wages due to low points scored) at least danny Philips tries to the end and they could learn at lot from that ! max and matty are the only 2 who can hold their heads up and both have been way above expectation of course, despite the bleeding obvious .... us keyboard warriors are not allowed to the criticise the fantastically built side which is always just one meeting away from glory ........ it is another poor team that is heading for the bottom 3 ................ and I hate writing this stuff as I would rather happily praise the riders one thing is certain.......... is sure Jorgensen and bjerre are not on the managements 2020 team - well at least I hope they are not ............. a poor side and its been another poor season ..... lets not kid ourselves otherwise

And if you are thinking those things based on the other night and what you’ve read/seen that’s fair enough. But there are people who don’t like him and couldn’t wait to wade in on him on the threads as soon as they got a whiff of what went on. He’s done wrong and been a silly billy but it’s been blown way out of proportion as things usually are on here.

Unfortunately there are too many people on this thread and the Eastbourne one with an agenda and using their pre existing opinion of Cook to form their view without looking at the incident for what it was. 

Regards michael max i allways thought he was fair when he was at derwent park him and hoggy the best at getting comets fans shouting, remember maxi wouldnt do a comets war cry at the fours as would be unfair to other fans have a lot of respect for him .

This thread has more storylines and backtracking than a Dynasty affair

When one team has a good day at the office and one has a poor day this is what happens. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, for either team. Think most fans would prefer to be where Ipswich are in the League than where Lynn are

Like many on here, they and I commented before the match thinking it will be tight and could go anyway. But unlike many on here you commented after the meeting. It's so much easier to predict how it's going to go after it's happened

It's like dealing with starman.

The track was better than I have seen it for some years and produced some good racing. Wolves deserved their victory. Howarth and Schlein were impressive and most of the Wolves put in solid performances. The Aces, Bjerre apart, were disappointing. Fricke rode better than his points suggest but it wasn't what is required from a number one. The second strings were very poor and although Bewley would probably have scored more than his replacement, we still wouldn't have been close to getting a point.

So now we have the truth. Cook did NOT aim his bike at a marshall, indeed it looks like he was headed for the pits gate to ride off the track? The marshall steps in front of him. Cook did NOT headbutt the marshall as I suspected. He put his shoulder into him, likely angry at being stepped in front of which could have been very dangerous. All that said, the riders were wrong to set off with the red flags waving.. but from that clip, they weren't going into a corner fast and appeared to be heading off the track.. as you do when the red flag is waved.. IF that is the pits gate we can see.

Christ alive. Y'all haven't half made a mountain out of a molehill. If you're going to walk into the path of a bike, then expect to get hit... And a headbutt? Where?

Just thought I would mention that the topic titles seem to have gone a bit amateurish this season ie Tigers v Lions sometime later or Redcar v Berwick 03/08. Not the end of the world I know but does look better with proper date and start time , competition.