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Hey, The challenges for a club such as ours are many - for example we have already spent for 40 AIr fence banners, plus A frame and trackside banners, we have invested in new media equipment, track equipment, we have undertaken Ferry TV and Newpapers marketing campaigns (although these are suspended), and there are many other expenses associated with the season starting insurances, pbs, machinery hire contracts and more... its pretty tricky right now. Luckily, we havent processed any season tickets and not all sponsorship agreements, but the worry is that if our sponsors pull out or reduce their sponsorship it could provide a much greater challenge moving forward for the sustainability of the club (as you know speedway is not my main work). I am sure that our club is not alone when I say that we have already had contact from sponsors raising such questions about the seaon ahead and what's happening and how that might reflect their sponsorship contribution. Nothing said in a bad way... just enquiring because for sure, they will also be hurting too and worried about their bottom line. It is a heartbraking situation for us all and even more so for anyone who has to make considerable financial investment to bring speedway to the public in the first place.. Riders, Promoters, Management, and I am sure our govening bodies too. But all this really does not compare in the effort of our nation(s) right now to protect us all against Covid 19 and I wish you all well and keep healthy and safe. As to the question of if we can all survive this... I am always very positive about the future and what lays ahead but it will take an effort from everyone involved in speedway from our fans to our governing bodies to ensure that we succeed. Promoters and riders cannot do it alone... never could, but even more so after this. Keep safe, check in with your elderly relatives and if you need a chat reach out to me anytime. No need to be lonely.

If I can do it, anyone can.

To be fair I thought with everyone stuck in the house under lock-down and with very little to do (as I point blank refuse to do any decorating whilst I am off) that the forum would have been on fire... but maybe folk have more serious stuff to worry about... as for a dream team there are teams through the ages I have watched at Brough that have had some exceptional riders in and I started going in 1968 (Credit to Auntie Norma and Uncle Doug!) and was lucky enough to see the late great Ivan Mauger in his last season for Newcastle and many other riders who excelled for Newcastle... (Cant get back as far as Tsunami though)(Kudos) So not a 1 to 7 (unless you look at the first 7 on the list)... no... I am going to offer up the riders who I remember for a one off tournament and give 16 of my favourite riders who I would love to have seen going head to head around Brough. 1. Ivan Mauger (Although I didn't appreciate what I was watching at the time he was something else. The biggest memory wasn't his racing funnily enough but when he sat down in the middle of the track because he had been excluded and the place went mad) 2. Ole Olsen (My boyhood hero at the time and I watched him win the 1978 world final at Wembley and still have my rosette) 3. Anders Michanek (Although I cant really remember him being there for a full season; as much as I remember the previous two named above; however never mind Nicki Pedersen being a hard rider this guy could mix it up with the best of them) 4. Nicki Pedersen (another of my favourite riders "tough as old boots") (no not dirty and neither was Anders) (Hard ) 5. Joe Owen (70's as a kid this bloke was sublime around Brough Park) 6. Tom Owen (Another tough guy) 7. Robert Lambert (Another talented rider) 8. Kenni Larsen 9. Rene Bach 10. Kenneth Bjerre 11. Bjarne Pedersen 12. Richie Worrall 13. Steve Worrall 14. James Grieves 15. Danny King 16. Kenny Carter Not forgetting any of the under-card of supporting riders who all at some time or other offered memorable moments and just to mention a few who I can remember from the 60's Goog Allen; Allan Buterfield: Russ Dent: Dave Gifford: the 70's David Bargh: Robbie Blackadder: Neil Coddington: Nigel Crabtree: Andy and Martyn Cusworth: Robbie Gardner: Brian Havelock: Ron Henderson: Rod Hunter: Phil Kynman: Dag Lovas: Taffy Owen: Tim Swales: the 80's Bobby Beaton: Paul Bentley: Dave Blackburn: Keith Bloxsome: Alan Emerson: Eddie Ingels: Paul McHale: Dave Morton: Reg Wilson; the 90's Andre Compton; Dickie Juul: David Nagel; Jesper Olsen; Stuart Robson; Gary Stead; the 00's Pepe Franc; Christian Henry; Jason King; Mark Lemon; Trent Leverington; Kevin Little; George Stancil; Davie Watt; and the 10's to date Tero Aarnio; Lasse Bjerre; Matej Ferjan; Lewis Kerr; Matej Kus; Ludvig Lindgren; Claes Neddermark; Kyle Newman; Dakota North: Lewis Rose; Anton Rosen; Chris Schramm to name but few who have provided some fantastic entertainment over the years and the names above may not have been regular GP winners (or even won anything) but at times they have been world beaters and unbeatable around Brough providing some brilliant individual moments and this doesn't detract from any other rider who has rode for the Diamonds either. That Ladies and Gentlemen has just about filled my day in and I can confirm my Programme Boxes (all 7 of them) and Speedway memorabilia (another 3 boxes) from the late 60's to date are now all tidied up; ship shape and put back away in the cupboard until the next time I get totally bored out of my brick.... I started this exercise as what I thought would be a good idea at 10:00 am this morning and only stopped for Pop Master with Ken Bruce at 10:30 am and a cuppa and a bite to eat for my lunch... After something like 6 hours (enjoyable graft and a bit of sneezing with the dust) its time for tea now as I am one hungry fat lad... Regards THJ

Great team man. When we used him as a regular guest he just got used to everything about Newcastle, and that was seen when so many supporters went down for his farewell meeting at Birmingham which was quite something. As it happened I think we had a league meeting at Sheffield the following night, so we all stayed over in the hotel that Jason had made his party centre. He was up all night and him, and Adam Scornicki were sat on the wall outside next morning very worse for wear. He was a great guy to work with, and we knew it was guaranteed he would be doing his best to try to win, not something that you get with some guests. On our Southern tour we were at Somerset on Friday and going to Rye House on the Saturday. We stayed, as usual, at a hotel on the road into Swindon. We got back before the riders, but when Jason walked in and, after getting his first pint, he found the Pizza menu and proceeded to ask everyone their choice and when they arrived, he paid for the lot. Being a good mechanic/tuner he always helped his new teammates doing the meeting. He loved being with his Newcastle fans and management. I wouldn't mind bet that he had similar experiences with other clubs whilst guesting.

Not forgetting the 2nd halfers like robin Dixon & local lad mike watkin special times

The late, great "White Ghost", tragically killed at Sydney Sports Ground in 1951. Rode for New Cross, Newcastle and Ashfield (Glasgow). Having been brought up on the large Australian tracks things did not go well for Ken at New Cross, hence the move to Newcastle who he moved with to Glasgow. I know my father thought he was very spectacular but I never saw him as I was not born until three and a half years after his death.

Lots of work on Pits and Riders Car Park, lot of painting and cleaning of kick boards and replaced and cleaned various bits of air fence. Also some replacement of the temporary stands on first turn to meet new safety requirements with regular working groups most weekends. I think Peter and David own Cleaning Contract Company covering London and South East where they are based.

I would like to mourn the passing of Stars superfan and season ticket holder - David Mckuen, who passed away last week after a short illness. David was devoted to the Stars and attended every year since they opened ( and also the Linnets football team ). He was a kind and generous man who went out of his way to give me a lift to Stars matches. If you knew him on the first bend terraces, join me in a There You Go friend salute. R.I.P. David. God Bless.

Ah, the oft refered to Pit Marshall. He was a bit of a character, forcefull in his way and no-one would tangle with him. Don't see people so strong minded these day, but would have loved to see Ivan as a Start Marshal. None of the fannying around gardening and pulling back, he would be looking straight to the ref wanting action against the worst offenders. Reasons you can't these do that these days is promoters don't want to upset their senior riders. Incidentally Ivan turned up at a Social evening at Gosforth SC last year, and had considerable shrunk and didn't look particularly well. I for one would wish him well and hope he is taken care of in these dangerous days. My first memory of Speedway is being taken to Brough when I was 6 in 1949. Was on the third bend kicking dirt, and my only real recollection is a rider in white leathers. Ken le Breton I think rode for Glasgow then, so they must have been the visitors as he has left Brough the previous year I believe. Then next it was onto 1961 with a start with a Diamonds select team against Wolverhampton.

A more sane decision than that being made by the FIM/BSI on the GPs.

You can forget May, June and maybe July I reckon

The original King Erik Wunder Gunder

Oh do not get me started with those people. A few times I have had people come up asking what have I seen and it seems to turn into a game of trumps as they start going off a long list of birds!

Sadly we likely won't be watching any live speedway for a while I'd encouage people to subsctibe to Speedway Star, and possibly also the excellent Retro Speedway publications of Classic Speedway and Backtrack. Think the Retro Speedway mags are subscription only anyway, happy to be proved wrong there, but the Star sales will be massively hit by lack of track sales and now at supermarkets. I began 'subbing The Star' by accident so sick was I of the mag 'being late' according to newagents and you know what, I wish I'd subscribed much earlier, it arrives crisp and early on Thursday mornrings and one saves on the cover price of £3.00, paying only £2.30 per issue, the price of some programmes. A 3-monthly 'Star subscription of 13 issues is £30, a yearly sub to Backtrack (6 issues) is £25; both roughly the price of 2 meetings we won't be seeing anyway. We are in self-lockdown and need something to occupy ourselves, are lacking in speedway so I reccomend helping out Phil Rising & Co at the Speedway Star and also Tony McDonald & his team at Retro Speedway, if only for the current difficult times til we can enjoy live speedway once more. Stating the obvious disclaimer: I set up & pay for my own magazine subscriptions and posted the above only to express my own opinion. So, cheques in the post then Phil & Tony ? ....

Emil Sayfutdinov Czestochowa race

Depends how many he has sold I think? He did have a lot of stick when launching late and for high cost (on here and social media). Kent also sold a combined CL and NDL ticket, no option to buy one or other League. So he obviously realises just not enough matches can be fitted in now for both so either won't run NDL or CL. So may be announcement coming about no NDL who knows? Nice bit of PR hopefully premature. I think most Clubs will wait until end of May at least? Clubs like Brummies have done a fair bit of stadium work, some of it vital safety work, so may have already spent some of my season ticket money so, I'd be happy to have a pro rata refund or even carry over to 2021 if that helps my Club.I appreciate some fans might want money back though. Not many Promoters as rich as Len but if you're a Kent fan fair enough.

Post a heat of speedway off YouTube etc! Doesn't have to be a clasic. Don't give away the result of that race! If we want to know, we'll have to watch it (unless obvious). No more than 1 heat though! Keep it short and sweet! Just an idea to pass the time!

I am a UD Almería season ticket holder and we still have 6 home games to be played! Will these games be played? If not will I get a refund? Who cares? People are dying, people are very ill......there are far too many serious matters to address, rather than speculating about refunds!

Wouldn't surprise me if Cardiff is the first GP.

Honestly I thought I had him down.... two Jason's must have blind sided me... Lyons was suppose to follow King... doh... and to think his lovely Swedish partner used to stand with us that seson he guested at No1 each week at home.for us... also I think in that 2004 season he averaged around 10+... You are spot on with that comment Regards THJ

Really good to see the promotion taking time to tell the fans there thoughts on the latest delay. Not just paste it from the BSPA site. Like most clubs do.

What is stupid ? Only Warsaw moved to August 8th so far. Thats as far as the plan goes.

There are a few pictures on the Brummies social media somewhere of theses works . Whilst i do not always agree with h/&s i do on this occasion. Considering the average age of the fans and the fact it can sometimes be pitch black when exiting the stadium . I feel the works necessary and sensible .

Back in 2008 I posted my dream team on the Speedway plus website, here it is reproduced with my comments at the time - Very poignant this week with the sad news about Jim Burdfield - who made my dream team!! Steve Wilcock Without question the number one Middlesbrough rider of the modern era, watched him progress from solid second string to THE best rider in the National League. He never really received the full accolades he deserved, possibly due to being too quiet both on and off the track, just basically piling the points unnoticed. I also had the thrill of winning his race jacket and getting a ride round Cleveland Park with Steve after the Ellesmere Port match in 1985!! Allan Brown My first hero in 1968 was Graham Edmonds, but after he was injured Allan Brown came in and he became my top man. I don't have many personal memories from back then, but know he was very stylish (and won lots of races). Tom Leadbitter As well as being a top performer for the Teessiders/Tigers Tom was a great team man, always helping teammates on and off the track. He was also great with the fans and loved to be involved in everything going on. I have a fantastic picture of an end of season meeting. Tom is covered in flour, riding a donkey like it's the finish of the Grand National. Martin Dixon Dicko in full action was worth the admission money alone!! I've witnessed numerous passes both inside and out at Cleveland Park, when the opposing riding hasn't known what's hit them. At the time of his serious elbow injury in the late 80s, in my opinion Dicko was the best rider in the National League and would have dominated for several years. He also had fantastic equipment, I remember one away match at Stoke, M'bro needed a 3-3 to win the match, Wilks (Steve Wilcock) had been struggling all night, but came out on Dicko's bike against Paul Thorp, gated and won by a mile. Gary Havelock Witnessed his after meeting rides, pre meeting rides, first "official" team rides and all the time we all knew he had that special something. Another who never looked overly spectacular, but had a great knack of gating when he had to and winning the important races. Nowadays at Redcar he leads by example and if heat 15 is vital then he brings out all the World Champion class to produce the goods. Bruce Forrester Another of my heroes sadly no longer with us. Bruce came to Cleveland Park a novice, but was a quick developer, and another who led by example. Very quick out of the gate, Bruce also wasn't afraid to move opponents if he had to. One meeting up at Sunderland he invariably was ahead after turn 2 and the Sunderland fans gave him real stick, but at the end of a superb maximum they all applauded a great performance. Jim Burdfield For my last rider I wanted someone who typified the Middlesbrough spirit of wholehearted trier, if not a top performer. I considered John Spilsbury, Dave Butt, Bob Watts and John Place amongst others, but eventually went for Burdy - mainly due to his personality, his ability to produce match winning performances and most of all his never say die attitude.

I would of mentioned Jason Lyons as he was a joy to watch in 2004 and was the highlight of a poor season.Very good read THJ.

Remember travelling to the 1986 World Final (Katowice) and what could go wrong went wrong...starting with the coach breaking down in London!

Can’t remember who we travelled with. Met the coach at Harwich, sailed to Bremerhaven, crossed Germany to enter Poland, for the next weekend we coached to Marianski Lazne for world long track. I remember in Poland being approached by a lady asking to exchange pounds for zlotys....well I think that is what she was after! On world final day, the wife got stuck in the hotel lift, and I was not too well pleased as we may be late. She wasn’t too pleased with me - don’t know why lol. We delayed at border leaving Poland going into Czech at Ostrava. One of the guys had too many Zlotys going out then he changed from pounds going in. That was a pain. Long track spectacular speed etc, but not as good as speedway IMO. Finally, we got the boat in Hamburg, but sailing down the river to North Sea the kitchens caught fire, eventful to say the least. Wonderful memories of the 1976 world final, now available on You Tube. After the mess at Wembley in 1975 when the over watered track by a spectator messed up PC world championship bid, and he should have got it. That’s when we decided to go to Katowice in 1976. My claim to fame was leading PC for the first half a lap in a grass track. He flew past me on the back straight so fast he would have been in the pits relaxing as I started the last lap. He was class.

YES

You can look all you like towards the ref, action very rarely happens.

On a similar note, what are ppls earliest memories of speedway at Brough Park, mine would be the reopening in 1975 my dad worked shift work so we could only go once every three weeks, I was about 5 or 6 yrs old. The Owen brothers Robbie blackadder Phil Michaelides Ron Henderson Tim swales, many a time I'd be chased out of the pits by Ivan the pits Marshall whilst looking for autographs.. If I remember rightly they had the telephone to the referee next to the start gate which made for a brilliant watch when Ian Thomas tried to reason with the ref lol

Sean Wilson to blame in my view!

No start for speedway till at least till June 15th.

What a stupid plan to come up with at THIS time. Some people really should not be allowed in decision making positions.

Yeah I doubt that will be on this year though the programme is on a little later in the year but they would of been doing the filming for bits now. Brandon Nature Reserve is shut but if you are a member like you can still go in through the members gate with the code. Middleton Lakes is still open but that one you can gain access via the canal and a couple of different routes and you usually see people walking dogs and jogging round there so that one should be ok.

I think I can lay my hands on one of those!

Yes I go looking for solitude personally...went on a ramble some years ago with about 15 people. Can't say I enjoyed it very much. Prefer just me, the other half and the dog!

Well I had a similar but better experience last summer. A beautiful polish woman ,who was very well equipped I must say (camera wise) started talking and seemed to want to show me all the hundreds if not thousands of photos (most very good) she had saved on her camera. It did get a bit tiring as I am not only looking for birds and insects or in this case an area where snakes and lizards are seen. She even invited me to join here the following days to one or two spots she knew including a place Eagle Owls are known. But tbh I was glad to finally get away....I couldn't get a word in edgeways

I used to enjoy the Swindon v Oxford meetings but sadly those days have gone. Great meetings, great atmosphere, good crowds.

Bit of a dilemma for me. The spot I was hoping to go to for a bit of bird watching is in the next county and they have banned 'tourists'....so I don't know if me travelling over the border for a few hours counts as being a tourist. Did see one woman on FB ranting about day tourists though. The thing is, as I said before, I would just be in my car and have no contact with anyone. Whereas if I just go round by foot in my local area I have the problem of people coming up to me and talking to me, just like yesterday. An old guy who didn't look too healthy with his runny nose came up and asked if I had seen anything interesting and then carried on talking.........which normally annoys me anyway. Often I am stalking a bird trying to get a better look and then lose track f where it is. Or like the woman who came along with her dog when I had spent abut 20 minutes getting close to a kingfisher and she said quite loud 'i'm coming past.....oh,that was a kingfisher !' as it flew off . I really could have killed her

Thats pretty bizarre. Hopefully you can help the OP out then

It's the bspa that is odd they are living in cloud cuckoo land, also bsi organise the SON meetings so nowt to do with bspa. On another note not widely reported yet, is that the ACU has suspended all liscenes till end of may, so no speedway (or any motorbikes) till at least mid June IMO, this dispite the bspa saying they will look at things in mid April !!! As I said living in cloud cuckoo land

Incorrect. You have shown a number of indicators but the riders make a massive investment in to their bikes etc. It is therefore possible for a rider to make a loss on the season. Riders are free to choose who to ride for e.g how many riders have chosen Polish speedway over British speedway. I’m not saying it’s morally correct but they can prioritise their work to maximise their income. The tool, CEST, should be completed in cases of status, as you say, to determine whether the individual should be classed within self-employment or an employee but it is only an indicator. The issue you refer to that has been delayed until April 2021 is IR35 and relates to Personal Service Companies, not self-employment.

I wasn't able to, no reply to phone call, waiting time queue of over an hour, so cancelled my DD

No it was called off cos I said I couldnt come.

Most seem to think that he's doing a good job and so do I tbh in uncharted waters. Trying not to be too draconian and relying on individuals to be sensible, but we're in the "I'll do what I want until forcibly stopped" era, and much like Panthers alleged Blue Badge policy, everyone pays due to those who will not (some, but not all by any means, cannot with good reason in unprecedented tough and worrying times) play ball. According to the BBC: Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he believes the UK can "turn the tide" against the outbreak within the next 12 weeks and the country can "send coronavirus packing". That's he believes that we can turn the tide in 12 weeks - all that really requires is to slow down the infection and make some progress on dealing with it. He's not saying anything more than that IMO and it assumes that people will do as they are told which seems unlikely. I'd lockdown totally London for starters as that's the worst place but I think that he said that he'll not do that which is a bit more of an own goal.

Firstly, I apologise for the mistake regarding the removal of the facebook post in February. I made a mistake and hold my hands up to that error. I seemed to remember going back to the post to make a comment congratulating the NSSG on a job well done to find a message stating that it had been taken down at Mr. Grant's request. Obviously that was not the case and I am sorry. Secondly, I would like nothing better than to be able to come and help on Sundays. However, you don't know me or my circumstances. My mother lives with me and she is approaching 100 years old, and leaving her for any length of time alone is a no no. Last season I missed 3 meetings in total home and away. I usually have to pay quite considerable sums to organise care for her. Usually well over £150 if it has to be overnight. I have helped the club in the past as and when I could and will possibly do so again as and when circumstances permit.

Added to ignore list

I run the Supporters group, and I assure the post was not removed at all by the "insistence of Mr. Grant". If you look on the Supporters Facebook page, all monies that have been raised at the social events are clearly detailed in posts on the page (the last one being 9th Feb). There would be no need to ever have a post removed of this nature. There are a lot of opinions that circulate on this forum (but not limited to) and not a lot of truth from what I can see. It still astounds me that to this day, there are still people who will gladly find a problem to every solution! Without Rob, Newcastle Speedway would not even be in anyone's consideration this year, never mind running. As with any company in trouble and under new management, things must change in order to sustain longevity, and if people actually care about Newcastle being able to continue to run for many years to come, then I would expect them to be showing slightly more gratitude and trust in the person that's saved speedway on Tyneside, as he could also have so easily decided to walk away from his decision to save our club. As for the website, it has been stated before, but I will state it again, that the new design of the website was already agreed before the takeover. It may not be to everyone's taste, however it runs off the same web design as many other clubs in the country, and we will continue to run with it until at least next year. Finally, in regard to Jason. Rob is more than entitled to have the people on HIS team that he sees fit. It may not have seemed fair to Jason, but unfortunately in business decisions have to be made that may not be popular, but will benefit the business in the long run. Everyone at Newcastle wishes Jason well and there is no animosity between us or him, it was just simply a business decision that needed to be altered before the season began. I sincerely hope this clears up a few issues on here.