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Morning all, The weather is no concern at all today. It’s stopped raining already and the forecast for the rest of the day is good! The track was bone dry yesterday and could take last nights rain, so no problem there. We have the back straight open for you all and plenty of car parking so please don’t worry about travelling over for this one, we have it covered! This is a momentous occasion for both clubs and one that we hope will be enjoyed by a healthy crowd for both legs. Plan to get here earlier than normal as we will be starting bang on 7.30pm with the British 125cc Final to follow the KO Cup Final. Jitendra Duffill

Unlike Poole who thought they had won it before they even got to Foxhall for the second leg, Swindon will not be so complacent and with Ipswich being discounted and by some and not worthy of being finalists before a wheel has turned, all critics should wait and see, this speedway and nothing is certain. The witches are in the final and you have to be in it to win it unlike those on the south coast who will get another chance next season (assuming both are in the same league). Both finalist have a chance and let the real talking be done on the track. Whatever the result, one thing for sure, the sport needs wholesale changes and a serious inward look at itself to decide where it is going. Failure to have a condensed season over four/five months and regular weekly meetings means you end up with meetings like Wolves had and others that have gone before. No excuses, it is a summer sport and the main programme of league racing should be conducted in those months with other meetings before and after. One other point to consider, would racing be different if riders had been taking part in ‘Filler meetings’ to keep racing fit. Perhaps individual meetings and challenge matches do have some value afterall.

Both teams giving their fans advanced warning for IF they make it to the final. Surely this should be taken as a positive from both sides and not turned in to a negative by the minority. Well done both for letting the public know of the dates.

The Premiership would be a hell of alot poorer without Poole in the league but hazarding a guess i recon 99.9 per cent of Poole fans on the forum would still go and support there club whatever level they ride at.My take on it is speedway is speedway a night out hopefully be entertained by some good racing and go home happy

One of the most valid points made on here. Rained off meetings are an absolute killer for promotions. It's what speedway fans do best. They moan when there are not fixtures every week from March to October. They moan it's too wet or cold in March and October. They moan that the big meetings are held at the end of the season. They moan when there are "meaningless" meetings at the end of the season. They moan when meetings are called off that riders didn't give it a go. They moan when meetings go ahead that the racing isn't up to standard. They moan about meetings being on TV. They moan that TV doesn't get as much TV exposure as other sports.

Thanks for your structured comments. I would just like this all put behind me to be honest. I made a bad judgment to go across and try and speak to the referee. I did knock and wait before being called in. I did not know who it was that called me in to be honest, it could have been the referee for all I knew as I wasn't aware of the seating plan in the box. Ive been a supporter of Speedway all my life. A rider for the last 4 years and a team manager just this season. What I did was wrong and won't be repeated, however I still believe that a £100 fine for something non violent or even threatening ( I know entering the box was stupid ) for a volunteer who makes nothing from Speedway and for a first offence is very harsh without even asking for my side of the story. Lets just move on and Ive learnt from my actions lets say.

If Ipswich are so poor, how poor does that make you lot?

Everyone said we would be bottom of the league so in my book whatever happens we are already winners, but lets hope its closer than you all have predicted Speedway is a funny sport ...sometimes you can never tell

A good management team would be listening to feedback and understanding such actions have absolutely no benefit, only the negative of possible lost fans through the turnstiles. It's not as if the sport can afford that is it. As for never happened before or since, it's certainly a rare thing. Imagine a football manager and players having a laugh in front of a camera as they leave the pitch 3-0 down at half time. There would be outrage from supporters. Your response is absolutely typical of those involved in running the sport and is yet another indication of just how out of touch promoters and management teams can be and another indicator of why the sport in this country is in the mess it is. Time and a place.. when your team is being humiliated, that most certainly isn't it. You already have an annoyed fan base as it is.

Were you a politician in a former life. Back tracking at it's worst there

Disgraceful - I hope Jitendra uses this as motivation etc etc

The politics is the biggest turn off for many of us . Still the best sporting spectacle when it's done properly , which compensates for the few who strangle the sport with self interest .

I've thought for quite a few seasons that the Aces should have 'dropped down'... Many of the Championship teams are northern based and many of the Aces riders over the past good few years have rode in the Championship anyway so it's not like there's any 'superstar' that will be missed that currently brings a crowd in.. Could have rode Fridays or Saturdays too... None of the league titles carry any real kudos anyway so you might as well ride in the one that gets you the most financial return.. More variety of teams visiting and, I would assume, lower rider costs.. I would think they would get 1400 or so every weekend no problem considering the good crowds they get at NL. With circa 1800-2000 at BH's.. And BV, with their history and standing in the sport, would be a crowd puller for the home teams they visit too meaning more fans visiting tracks.. Which can never be a bad thing..

This certainly isn't the foregone conclusion some think, Ipswich are a good side, will the occasion get to them or inspire them, over 2 tightly contested meeting I'll go for a 95-85 agg to Swindon, but if Ipswich win they will have deserved it and be a new name on the Trophy which is always a good thing. Hope the weather is kind and we have a cracking final.

I can see keeping fans informed has went well .

It’s been done with supporters in mind who may want to keep the day free to travel. We were thinking of our fans, not ourselves and we have stated ‘should’ we progress.

How many times is Shovlar going to keep repeating about a one sided final. it's getting a bit boring. For someone who doesn't care about the final after his beloved Poole choked why does he keep posting. I'm not expected an Ipswich victory on aggregate, but at least we are in the final and that's more than a lot of fans thought we would do.

Wipe out that middle result and I'd settle for the other 2 being repeated Unlikely to be enough but very few if any would expect the Witches to win our home leg let alone overall Any advantage at least keeps us in the contest and well you never know what can happen after that We certainly cant win it in the first leg - even if some how we won by 20 we still wouldn't be favourites! Whatever happens the boys have done the Witches proud but cant say it wouldn't be great to be Champions.......

Why would you subject us to that?!!

Can't agree with this. Douglas is one to actively pursue. He's put some good scores in at Monmore and he will only improve there. The fact he has the ability to score well away from home is a massive plus point and something the club needs. Of the other three you mention only Becker would I most certainly sign. Thorssell most likely, but Masters would need some consideration. Some fresh blood is needed and most certainly a leader. I'm not totally convinced Schlein is the answer in that regard although I'm not knocking his efforts for the club.

Masters. Camera switched to him, stood next to Peter Adams. Adams his usual face, Masters straight faced. Turns, saw camera was on him, breaks into big smile and laughs. Now I know that's the kind of character he is, but it's not what you want to see your No 1 doing on a humiliating night for your team. There are fans who have already stated, if the riders don't care, why should they and next season they may not bother. It's not to say he didn't care... but there is a time and a place and perception can go a long way.

if you read the article in the echo earlier in the week I think you will find that's where it came from

I think Swindon fans have every right to be confident and shouldn't hold back from being so All else being equal they should win quite comfortably overall and probably should win both legs I just hope they dont

If Poole ever dropped down they’d be the biggest fish in that pond and would have no trouble attracting whatever riders they wanted and would start the season as one of the favourites I’m sure.

Well if you disagree, it's a good start. ..

Aawwh c'mon be nice now...

We can’t look past Ipswich that’s for sure. In the playoffs on merit so must be taken seriously. I do however think we will have too much top end power over the two matches. Ideally keep it tight Monday, anything under 8 & I see no other outcome then a Swindon win. This isn’t meant to sound cocky or anything but just how I see it.

What some crap you talk surely Speedway as a whole wants it to be a spectacle and entertaining.Ipswich are very dangerous in my book and we start on levels it would be nice if you could say i hope whoever wins enjoy the occasion is that to much to ask.

Can we all just stop squabbling

I don't recall Perks ever riding for Poole (unless I blinked and missed it!) was just signed as an asset.

Why would anyone who goes home and away would walk away because they have dropped down a league

By stating that you won't watch Poole if the drop down, you have shown what type of supporter your are, and will cop some flack whether they go down or not. If it was posted for a reaction, then it worked. If it was genuine then your not as Poole through and through as you like to make out. Either way people are going to react.

Omg the viral troll is talking to itself again.....isn't it about time that thing faked its own 'death' again?......

He means Parr. Looking forward to both legs. May the best team win and no injuries to either side.

Doyley, Batch, Rasser, Ellis gating tarts?!! Have seen plenty of passes at Swindon this year so hopefully your boys make a few starts in the final so we get to see some more.

Doyle, Ellis and Perks have all left the FPA recently after being discarded by Poole. Doyle becoming World Champion. Adam has continued to improve in each of the 3 years he has been at The Abbey and young Perks has stepped up massively on his previous showings in Robins colours with his ‘never say die’ attitude and effort not in doubt. I wouldn’t be surprised to see all 3 in the 2020 line up. Are these examples because Rosco is a better motivator than Neil, creating a team ethic and bringing out the best out of riders or is it Swindon are just a bigger and better run club?

Think there is a natural change in the mentality of the Aussies who now ride in Poland every week from those who don't. . When they came over the UK was their 'bread and butter' and the only ticket in town for them to earn enough to stay being a pro rider.. Now, for several, Poland will be their priority given the potential earnings out there, even in the lower divisions.. And do well there, and the top league may come knocking moving you into the mega bucks league... Fair play to Doyle who still seems to treat the UK with the same focus as he does all his racing...

I actually switched the match off last night after heat 10 ,watching s/way like that is not a pleasure in any shape or form IMO, Swindon did what was needed and no one can say otherwise .I felt sorry for NP/KT for trying to paper over what was a less than impressive advert for the sport itself. Wolves have never looked that great all season to me and squeaked into the playoffs,IMO there needs to be a root and branch clear out ,sadly I don't think that Morris is going to be the rider he was Thorssell is not and never will be a PK ( will there ever be another) .Two new heat leaders at least are called for i don't blame Adams I think he can only work with what he has but i think they have paid a price for loyalty in the past and have certainly done so this season .

Poor forum poster

Can only see one winner really, North East speedway. Two good crowds hopefully!

He was our trump card on our last visit to Swindon. Scored a massive 3 points from 5,,, but that wasn't a play off,,,, and everyone knows about play off Bomber.

You're like one of those little kids that's taken their ball home.

You are a 1 man minority, fact. I'd rather be a 'pillock' than what the majority of folk on here think you are.

Why are you still posting ..your team went out ages ago ...

More variety of teams in the Champ too! As long as the racing is good, does it matter who is under the helmet?

Compared to many on here I am a recent supporter of the Pirates. I started going to speedway in the early 1970's supporting Oxford Rebels as they were then, following the team to White City in '76, then back to Oxford in the lower division and on to the glory years of the mid 80's with the likes of Nielsen, Wigg etc. Poole were always my "second team" looking forward to seeing them at Oxford and always going to see them if I was on holiday on the south coast. When Oxford sadly folded in 2007 I became a Pirates supporter despite a trip of 105 miles each way. Obviously I don't get down there too often, usually managing about 5 or 6 meetings in a season. It saddens me to hear of people who would not support the Pirates in a lower league, do you not realise how lucky you are? Ask the supporters of say, Cradley, Reading, Rye House, Wimbledon, Lakeside and countless other now defunct teams how they would feel about about Championship League racing. I now have my Buckinghamshire home on the market and an offer accepted on a house in Poole, hopefully I will have relocated in time for next season and I will be there to support the Pirates every week.

You haven't got a clue who I am so you will never know when/if I attend. I have been going to Poole regularly since the mid 70's and have always remained loyal to them. IF Poole dropped down to the Championship I will continue to attend and support them. That's what a TRUE fan/supporter does! p.s. FYI - We're currently in the PL (Premier League) DOH!!

Your a glory hunter Team is winning and you can come on here an be all high and mighty......Poole get knocked out by the leagues weakest team and you throw your dummy out. So what if you go every week!!!! I hope the Poole promotion read your crap and are glad that if they do drop down you wont go............. And your not a fan of lower league racing ...............wobblers!!........well i hate to tell you this......Ipswich had 6 riders who ride in the lower league and those wobblers smashed your team in the second leg because you had prima donnas like Kurtz and Holder being shown up............................so glad we had wobblers rather than Aussie tarts Poole have 4 riders who ride top league only.....Ipswich 1....Swindon 3 and Wolves 2.........perhaps you need to sign a few more of those lower league wobblers ...you might actually win something!!

IT will save you £36 a year and have it delivered to your door

It is no excuse but to have such long gaps between finishing the league and the play offs with little or no racing in between and then have the rain affected conditions etc. ( rain being no one’s fault except the the organisation which is piss poor and down to the BSPA having no back bone) will inevitably lead to poor meetings such as those witnessed over the last two nights. When will the powers that be recognise the fact that the season should run from May until August and the finals in September. Build teams with riders who can commit to that schedule. I feel sorry for the Wolves fans who have been badly let down but these circumstances could be avoided if only things were organised better. Having said that Swindon had a job to do and you can only race what is in front of you. Good luck to both teams next week and let’s hope for some close racing. Runaway meetings does nothing for the sport.