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Wow and I mean WOW!!! Talk about airing your dirty washing in public... so where I was guessing before at a build limit of 38/39 it looks like this option is being discussed and the limit will be 38.5 if other clubs get their way and all clubs will be looking to lose at least one rider from their chosen 2020 septet if the new build limit is enforced... Alan Dick does to a certain extent have a point however there are some very extenuating circumstances to be considered here with Brexit, Poland and now to a lesser extent Covid and not least 11 other clubs in the Championship and another 7 in the Premiership... I could pull apart some of his arguments with counter arguments but there would be little value in that and I do sympathise with some of the points he has put forward; but I think as he himself has stated everyone should have held off and waited until after Brexit and the Poland issue's were sorted and him included with this press release... It smacks to me (and I may be totally wide of the mark) that Glasgow may have jumped the gun and paid riders sign on fees that they will now struggle to recover and obviously if changes are now forced upon them they may wish to take the team in a totally different direction and cut more than one rider to restructure their team; but of course this could potentially cost more in lost sign on fees and the paying of new ones... Interesting times and I think there will be ramifications from this press release as it isn't the way the BSPL tend to operate... i.e. in the public domain; so to speak... I would love to be a fly on the wall at the next BSPL meeting as his press release will certainly generate debate that's for sure... Finally as everyone (including Alan Dick) is of the opinion that the "product is being diluted" why don't Glasgow take their team up a league which would strengthen the rider pool for the teams left in the championship or possibly make an opening for Plymouth to come back into the league?... I have said for a long time Glasgow have the support; the stadium and the financial clout to compete with the so called big boys in the Premiership... Sheffield have taken the risk and unless you try you will never know; it may be more financially rewarding than where they are now... Regards THJ

It was only a few years ago that Glasgow were not getting enough fans (current promotion) also the distance to other teams in the top division is too great at least now they attract fans from Edinburgh , Berwick , Newcastle , Redcar and Workington . I totally get what Glasgow are saying but they might find the majority of clubs against them

Ahh Royno man just call it a day, its going to be one big bang too many one of these days. Working with Brain injury i really worry about the ‘next time’.

As the teams get weakened by lower points limits, it becomes more important in most cases who the number six and seven riders are, as they often seem to win/lose meetings, but is this seeing a quality product, or a mathematically manoeuvred one. Remember when Wednesday was Speedway night, now you can go a month without a home meeting, and you then have to find something else to do, and gradually get used to not going to Speedway, so sad but a fact.

Happy Birthday to you, and hope you have a day that you deserve, after all your hard work these past 9-months. You and your team have worked so hard in continuing to give us speedway supporters a magazine that we crave for each week, in the most difficult of times. As far as I'm personally concerned, the Speedway Star is a top quality magazine, being the best I've ever known it. I have every copy at home covering the past 61-years, plus numerous copies from earlier years, and none compare to the quality of what you are producing for us now. So a huge thank you. You and ALL of your staff and contributors, are a credit to your profession, to each other, and to the sport in general. So once again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Mike Moseley

The last time I spoke to him he said that he has nowt but bad memories off brough park

Unfortunately got to agree, think he is the human cat, but I do wonder how many of his nine lives he has got left !!

You forgot "Pug Ugly" Jimbo, hey ho. Happy Birthday Phil.

They might find the clubs that are against them are; 1 in a position of "influence" within the BSP 2 Bleeding out of the backside on a perpetual basis but won't consider the lower league I won't praise Glasgow's extravagance over recent years but their point based on minuted General Council Meetings is totally valid, anyone for Coventry and Peterborough v BSPA as an interval attraction?

It's time for your medication John ..

Agree with what you are saying to a certain extent however without trying it's only guess work really... The rewards are higher in the top league and surely the crowds would be bigger... what are the crowds like now? 6/800 possibly? With better racing could they double that and with a couple of quid on the entry fee? Its not beyond the reach of a club as big as Glasgow are now... I honestly don't think it should be totally dismissed out of hand as they are losing fortunes (or subsidising lots whatever your take is) on providing the current level of racing... it wouldn't cost much more to make the jump up and the returns would be a lot greater... no sign on fees it the top league... If it was me I would give it a go... how many teams have went up one year then came back down the next... Just a thought Regards THJ

Aki Ala-Riihimäki was a top ice racer prior to the millennium. I do not know his back story nearly as well as f-s-p, but he rode in the Nordic Championship pre-Covid and ended up the highest placed Finnish rider, so he has earned his place on merit. Atte Suolammi is very young, but showed promise last winter. At the moment, Finnish ice racing seems stuck between these two polar points, with the likes of Aakko having retired, Jarf seemingly not interested in riding abroad and others not able to make an international breakthrough.

Nice little piece on the BSPL web site where Darren Hartley is recommending some of his Newcastle team for doubling up roles in the Premiership http://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.38510 He is suggesting that Claus Vissing; Max Clegg and James Wright are all keen to double up and he believes they could do a job for someone in the Premiership... and why not... Regards THJ

Aki Ala-Riihimäki rode years ago, had back problems, a stroke of somesort but now back at it. Think he’s now in his early 50’s. Atte Suolammi is about 17.

Thanks

The moment a rider signs a contract, they know the rules (or at least they should) and have therefore agreed to them. They can’t then claim restriction of trade when they have knowingly agreed to it.

THANK you, very kind

Blunsdon should be packed to the rafters, then

I doubt you will see any Polish riders in Britain in the future, if the Polish leagues insist on riders signing for only one team, which is on the horizon the way things are going. I think because of cost cutting, British clubs will need to look for home grown riders.

It comes under Rugby council

Just tell all these riders that fancy Poland “off you go” and build our leagues without them ,we need to start at the bottom again anyway, it was all getting out of hand before the Pandemic.