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The first thing they need to do is agree to start on time. I get really annoyed turning up for an advertised 19:30 start time then not seeing heat 1 before 20:00 then leaving the stadium after 22:00. That's far to long to run a mere 15 minutes of entertainment.

Not really sure why its woffindens responsibility to help anyone?

IN SS this week... Tai says he is backing Dan in Wroclaw this year, his mechanics will set up his bikes, use Tai's engines, etc

Just reading Philip Dalling's excellent book 'Saving Speedway'. Highly recommended but I was intrigued by a photo on page 91, of the Stoke vs. Liverpool line ups. Number 7 for Liverpool is Sonny Dewhurst who was so much smaller than everyone else. Been digging and found he was only 4 foot 9 inches tall. Was he the shortest rider? And how tall were Peter Craven, Billy Bales, Georgie White and Johnny Chamberlin, all who I remember as being vertically challenged. At only 5 foot 6 myself I have an morbid interest in this.

Sad news from Poland today that Speedway referee Wojciech Grodzki has died after a long illness- he was only 54

congratulations to lightning Luke his dad was never that fast

The Stoke track came under regular criticism when Tatum was doing the job. it was the reason I stopped going to stoke

In connection with the above post, I have been asked to address it on behalf of Rob. Rob does read this forum but doesn't have an account to comment or reply to any questions directly, but as I'm sure everyone knows by now, he definitley doesn't have anything to hide and will make everything known to fans and anyone else for that matter who takes an interest. In his last direct public statement he obviously touched upon the financial issues that Newcastle found itself in this year. Bearing this in mind, the financial situation going in to 2021 is still being closely monitored and we are having to be extra careful with the pot of money we do have. Rob has spoken to Jonny Swales earlier this week, where the outcome of the conversation was to release Jonny from his duties at Newcastle. This was not done under any negative pretences and no hard feelings were taken from this conversation on either side. It was merely a cost cutting exercise as Jonny was in a paid position and Newcastle must save money wherever it can this year in order to carry on for the years ahead. Jonny had already secured the track work at Redcar for next season and is happy with that. In regards to the rest of the staffing. No other track staff have been relieved of their duties, this includes Robbie and Moxy and all sheeters remain the same. The track itself will be done by Dave Tattum, Darren Hartley and Robs family as they all come from a farming background so are very capable and also legal to drive the tractors (which still remain at Brough by the way). And just to put any more rumours to rest here is a list of Newcastle's staffing as we head in to 2021: Lawrence heppell - press officer Barry Wallace - Announcer Andrew Dalby - Centre green presenter Terry Bolam - Pits Marshall Brian Mcbean - Clerk of the course Mark Brown/Alan Murray - Track electricians Rachel Robley & Angela Tinning - Hospitality Adam Tinning -Time keeping and incident recorder. Stewart Townsley - Environmental officer and asst clerk of course. Phil Day/Alan Roberts/Don Dorey - Start marshalls Sarah Bulman - Medical Co-ordinator Medics - Rapid Response Rachel Robley - Commercial manager Tony Kearman - Marketing Steve Brock/Kevin Oliver/Taz McDougall - photography Lee Coates/Lloyd Tattum/Mark Brown/Steve Pate - Asst Track maintenance Track Stewards this year will be provided by The Protector Group. The programmes are going to be printed by Ponteland Print and Grants events Catering will obviously be the caterers at the stadium, as well as putting staff on turnstiles and in the track shop. And let's not forget Rob himself.... Unlike previous management he is definitley not scared of getting his hands dirty and he will be there from the crack of dawn providing help with the track and fence and anything else that needs his attention. Rob has everything well in hand and would never get rid of staff without having a replacement in place. I hope this answers a few of the staffing rumours flying around right now. Happy New year everyone!

Newcastle Speedway Facebook page (part of): Newcastle Speedway would like to wish all of our staff, riders, supporters and speedway fans everywhere a very happy new year. We are certain that a lot of us will be desperate to see the back of 2020 and we all can't wait to have a much better 2021! The tapes are waiting for us all and we can not wait to be back at Newcastle Stadium hopefully by April. Rob Grant would also like to let all supporters know who travel by car to our home meetings, that from next season, the car parking charge has been abolished, which is welcome news indeed. We also have some more VERY exciting announcements coming up in the new year, so make sure to listen out for those! In the meantime, all the best to all friends far and wide of Newcastle Diamonds!! Have a good one!

I don't know how tall Sam Nickolajsen was but when he retired he became a painter and decorator and had to have a special skirtingboard ladder made for him

Al sell the ice-creams first, before they melt.

You could do the sheeting during the day, put the air fence up and inflate it, stand at the door selling the programmes (sorry race magazine), grab a red flag, and sell ice creams when you are not busy. Only do one job at a time but, don't want to wear you out before reversing all those jobs after the meeting is finished or rained off. Happy days.

Not silly at all. I can't see one big league in this or the near future, so split leagues can get enough riders, with more of the best juniors and more doubling up when necessary. 6 rider teams Two leagues 6/11 Lower standard in the lower league with more young riders in the reserve positions. Controlled riding nights to allow for doubling up.

A bit alarming, but not unexpected. I believe Terry " the track man" left Redcar this year, so that's where Johnny will go I expect. What happens then to Robbie and Moxy ? as they can't do the track, especially without tractors and Moxy hasn't got a driving licence. We have always had difficulties getting track staff, It used to be me looking after them and finding new ones, so to lose even more gives me concern. Phillips was given that advice and did sod all about getting any more. Something needs to be done or known about how we are going to operate with some work areas next year. Food wagon will sell food on the ground, Dave Tatum I suppose could do the track, who will sell merchandising, turnstile staff, programme sellers, Medics, other officials, air fence, and now track staff. You could be very busy next year Ruff multitasking .

Is it time to go to 2 leagues , top league 8 teams at a standard in-between premier and championship and then an 11 team league between championship and national League kept at a lower standard than the top league so riders can progress and 6 man teams and riders semi pro in 2nd league to cut costs. Probably me being silly

Rumours that Mr.Grant has informed the track staff including Jonathan Swales that there services are no longer required at Newcastle and the tractors have been sold. If true then I wonder who’s taking over the role and why sell the equipment ? Cost cutting or a new signing imminent? Personally I think Swales did an unbelievably good job considering all the obstacles in the way at Brough . It’s hardly an ideal shape track to work on , little if any drainage and the time constraints are ridiculous .I’m sure his services would be wanted at Redcar in some capacity, where he has family connections, if he can fit Friday nights in with his full time work. He is a talented, young track curator and there’s precious few of those around. Lets hope we have an outstanding replacement lined up and a new tractor or two!

I'm sure they've all attended previous AGMs in their underpants..........

Probably all of them - Debbie Hancock?

Dan holds the track record at Belle Vue, on his own bike.

Microsoft Teams/zoom or similar. Which begs the question who will be the first promoter to attend the AGM in their underpants?

If the AGM is taken place on the 7th January, If every Track is represented how will this work with the lock downs,

Barry Briggs must be moving up to second reserve soon-he was born in December 1934.

I think you will have jack and Chris holder in your team. Chris was due to go to Ipswich but his visa didn’t come through in time and Ipswich signed crump instead. shortly after Holders visa came through !!! Truplant are long term sponsors of holder. Financially I can’t see him asking more than pedersen

Well I finally received 2 Speedway Stars yesterday (18th and 25th Dec, so I feel that Pinegen ought to be able to claim some compensation from Royal Mail (or whoever it is). If this is First Class then why are they putting the price up by 9p from 1st Jan, what possible justification can there be? Also I think Speedway Star should be congratulated on keeping the magazine going in such an interesting way, just keep the standard going when the racing resumes.

4th bender, you are not Darcy Ward are you? God, love him, he was good on a speedway bike. But this is the type of thing he talks about on Twitter (well he just posts other people's conspiracy theories about Covid and Trump)

They will do well to start before May tbh!! I am certainly not expecting anything before then.

Karma for what? Producing a product that both the public and large companies want to be involved in & then protecting that product?

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.