Leaderboard

Another statement from Barry Bishop here after the comments by Jason Pipe in this week’s Speedway Star. ‘Of course it is 100% our business to know why we didn’t take part of the NL in 2021 and leave the BSPL. We know why, that’s why we left. However, I have to say that if I was coordinating anything from a picnic to a trip to Mars and one of the most popular, level headed members of my team/association, who incidentally was a big award winner, including amongst my peers, decided to leave and leave the governing body, I would at the very least want to know exactly why that member had left. Why would I do this...... 1. To find out why they left for example - better pay, better organisation, interpersonal issues, bullying, corruption, job opportunities, lack of progress or personal development - you know this sort of thing. 2. To find out how I can improve my picnics or trips to Mars so that my other valuable members don’t follow suit and leave too. 3. For my own self development and the betterment of whatever I was organising. Where have I gone wrong or how can I improve. But no, back in the real world, not one Director of the BSPL or its “coordinator” gave a hoot if we left or not. You see, not one of them contacted us, spoke to us, emailed us, called us, texted us, watsap’d us, or sent a pigeon. Because they view it as “it was our business to know why we had left”......... NO ITS YOUR BUSINESS TOO..... a question in itself.... Then there is a final question, is the leadership of the National League and BSPL fit for purpose ? Fit to lead the sport out of its current position....? I also note that none of the 8 teams taking part said a word of the 35 point limit, yet unless I have enjoyed very vivid dreams with fellow promoters and people throughout the sport, we know (and NL fans know) this isn’t true - so why keep up the false pretence that this was agreed and not imposed with no other option. Take it or leave it.’

3 good heatleaders but a few question marks over the other 4 imo.

No Buster no speedway get real.

Having spent the last 4 or 5 days virtually non stop with little breaks, I’ve now completed the National ‘Development’ League Fixtures. It’s certainly been a challenge this one has, with it going to be a short season and less dates to play with and trying to please every club by spreading out the away fixtures the best I could. I must thank all 8 clubs for their patience, help and understanding. As stressful as it was, it was enjoyable to do and I’m looking forward to working with these 8 clubs during the 2021 season when we get going in May. A couple of nights even involved me staying awake to between 3-4am, checking dates, availability and clashes and I wasn’t even on nights. Just shows the commitment and time I put into this Voluntary job! I’ll be sleeping a lot for the next 3 days, so no more fixture changes yet please!

Think he has dropped the Danish league.

Interesting in an actually interesting way, or interesting in that it's a load of bo!!ocks?

1. Eastbourne - Very strong 1-5 with brilliant reserves. 2. Leicester - Very strong 1-5 with brilliant reserves, at home. May struggle a tiny bit away with their lack of experience at this level. The only thing separating the top two, very tight between the two teams. 3. Glasgow - Powerful number 1 and possibly the strongest reserve partnership in the league, will be very strong at home but I feel won't beat some of the stronger teams away as they have a couple hit and miss riders (Ricky, Justin and Ulrich.) 4. Redcar - A lot depends on their 3rd signing, but with the riders who are left available, don't see them using up all their available points, if they can pull a rabbit out of the hat, they will compete with Eastbourne and Leicester imo. Best rider in the league at number 1 too and arguably the best reserve with Anders? 5. Poole - Best top 3 in the league but not a huge amount beyond that, Danyon should do well at reserve and Stefan always gives 110%, not sure about the 2 new Aussies, don't know much about them. Poole should make the playoffs, and I'm sure any underperforming rider will quickly be replaced... 6. Plymouth - Think a lot of people are underestimating the ability of some of the riders in this team. Henry is top class around the arena and Alfie is very good there too, very strong reserves. Dillon will be used to small tracks in the USA and I think he will make a very good 3rd heatleader. Steven is a very exciting rider who I have the priviledge to watch on more than one occasion in France, for a teenager he looks to have a massive career ahead of him and he should be able to take to the arena very well. Jason and Bjarne are 2 big names who shall draw in the crowds and add a bit of entertainment and priceless experience for the 5 youngsters in the team. Plymouth SHOULD make the playoffs, and I look forward to making the 6 hour journey to see them. 7. Edinburgh - A lot will depend on how well the 2 new lads get going, Kye should feel relatively at home with the pedigree of Australians the Monarchs have bought through the ranks and currently have in the team, Max Fricke and Sam Masters spring to mind. Lasse looks like a decent little prospect so should be able to do a decent enough job for the Monarchs. That being said, I don't think they look quite as strong on paper as the teams above. 8. Kent - Starting to get towards the weaker end of the table now. Think Kent have enough experience to top the 'weaker teams table'. Scott Nicholls and Cameron Heeps should be able to add invaluable experience and help the younger lads (Dan and Ben) on very well, who should both be decent reserves. Looking forward to seeing how Tom Bacon gets on, as he should surprise a few this year imo. Paul Hurry is an interesting name. 9. Birmingham - A lot will obviously depend on who their remaining 3 signings are, but they seem to have a decent reserve pairing with Paco and Jack. Chris Harris is a good number 1 and Ashley is a 110% trier. If they can get 3 decent signings I think they may be bumped up a few places here. 10. Berwick - Another typical Berwick team, not the worst but nowhere near the playoffs. Nice to see 2 young, local talents at reserve, Leon should be near enough unbeatable at home against any other reserve in the league. Nikolaj should do a decent job, but they really need to get Dany going away from home, as this is one of the biggest weakness of the team. At least the 1-7 should have decent enough chemistry, which I can see pushing them away from the wooden spoon. 11. Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe have an ok enough team, but I just can't see them looking any stronger than the teams above. Yes they've got ok reserves and I think at home they will be very difficult to beat. But having Auty, Jorgensen, Aarnio and the inexperience of Jordan at reserve, they may struggle away from home. Of course, a lot depends on their final signing, but I really don't see who is available??? 12. Newcastle - My beloved Newcastle. I appreciate the situation the club has been in the last couple of years, with the takeover and the delayed start we had behind everyone else, and tbh we've got a pretty good team scraped together. However, we have a few too many unknowns imo. James Wright is a big unknown, he looked good at the Ben Fund last season and in years gone by, he was a decent rider, however that was an awful long time ago. An even bigger unknown is Adam Roynon's love (Or lack of) for Brough Park, really hope he can get to grips with the track and he can have an injury free season. Joe Alcock, to me, isn't good enough for this level yet, I don't want to sound harsh, but it's true. If we were going to go for that level of rider, I would have much rather have seen either Josh or Archie, think if we could have gone for someone like Connor Coles at reserve, I'd have been a lot more confident. I do however love the fact that Max and Matty are back and at 3 and 4, they should be a brilliant pairing around Brough, worth a lot more then their averages suggest. Fingers crossed my negativity is wrong, but I don't see Newcastle anywhere but the wooden spoon this year, if we finish with this team. However, I don't really care, I just wanna see some bikes now, get out the house and see some racing!!!

Just as much quality and far more quantity and competitiveness than the bland PL. Think Poole might be in for a rude awakening with that attitude, certainly when visiting up to Midlands and the North . Away wins will be very hard for any side to find such is the nature of the League.

There's probably no interest in signings because many already know who they are.It's only Dale who believes he has kept everything top secret.

I no it’s still early in the day but the interest to KL news/ signings on social media is really worrying - there be so many comments a few seasons ago on any news coming from the club but now - maybe blocking fans wasn’t such a clever idea after all

Anybody bar Poole or Glasgow

Remember anything can happen a team gets written off then makes H18TORY the mighty comets in 2018

Good to see Adam Ellis riding over here... No overnight sensation like some, but instead is a rider that has made steady incremental improvements... With still a fair bit to come I reckon..

Wont be bitten twice surely

Of course that’s assuming they all start when they usually do, at the moment it isn’t looking too promising.

Rather than worrying over whos going to win what I reckon most of us are just hugely grateful to get back to the tracks again come what may ? But as you press me on it I cannot see past. 1 Poole 2. Leicester 3. Glasgow 4. Eastbourne 5. Edinburgh 6.Redcar 7. Berwick 8.Birmingham 9. Plymouth 10 Kent 11 Scunthorpe 12 Newcastle Pains me to dump Scunny second bottom but unless we sign a bone fide No1 ? Its going to be close run at the EWR every match and wallopings away. I think Plymouth might suprise a few if Crump & Pedersen get into gear and say Ruuml steps up. Of course it all hinges on who stays fit and finds form ? Another factor is the best part of 18 months enforced "suspension" for the British base riders. Whilst the Aussie based riders ie: Ryan Douglas !, should hit the season running against UK based race rusty racers. Then again the "rising stars" might spring a suprise ? A lot is anticipated from Jordan Palin at Scunny and he could be "the rising star" if too much pressure is not heaped on him ? As, I say its not so much about winning titles because having Speedway back on some sort of regular basis is a win in itself for all of us !

Even without the polish two league rule you would not have had Robert lambert. I believe he had no intention of riding in the uk

Dugard is a surprise , the lad appears to have a little bit of talent but it also appears his commitment has been lacking in the past. He’s also working as Barkers mechanic ? Well I hope that works out for him ! On paper it’s not a bad side. Clegg should be unbeatable around our track, I expect Josh and Archie also to be good at home and give support to Terry-Daley, if Dugard settles in quickly ( he hasn't got much option) then we’ll be fine at home, which is where it counts.

I would say interesting, as you have qualified your decisions in a constructive way. I agree with practically every assessment.

Bjarne Pedersen I think his average is 6.91 Jason Crump average is 8.00

Think Bridger will be at reserve.Assuming he's on a 4 that would put us a ridiculous 2.5pts under the limit.Unless Dale is yet to pull that big rabbit from the hat which he isn't we will win the wooden spoon this season.You just knew it when he took Kinsley as the rising star.No disrespect to Kinsley but i don't think he is as good as some of the other rising stars that were on the list. Although if Poland were to relax the rules on riders in other leagues you could fit the better RL in the team.

Being unsure on Bridger’s average, are you thinking Proctor & Nicholls as the last 2?? Edit, Proctor & Lawson, it's obvious

So you are trying to take credit,, for something everyone has know for a long time,, except one person. Wow,,, what a plank.

Agree,it’s a big if in Gappmaier ‘s case though.IMO.

I hope some of the racing makes up for the lack of overall quality. Just had a browse at the teams. All a bit of a mish mash. Poole clearly stand out as the team to beat as expected. Can’t see why anyone rates the budgies. Other than Eddie they don’t look that good, though it will be great fun reviving the rivalry and picking up our usual win at Arlington. Leicester look ok but it’s gate and go. Just have to get to the first bend leading and it’s all over. More passing on The Bidding Room. The rest? Nothing to see. By the way I see the name Paul Hurry in the Kent side. Is that old ex rider Paul Hurry’s son? If not.....hahaha.. As for Plymouth, having two old riders in Bjarne and Crump might get the crowd in for a few meetings but when they are trailing at the back that novelty will soon wear off. Still, this has to be better than last year.

But the official press statements made clear that was because of the very short lead time between the announcement of the sanctions and the event. So I think if you follow that logic the event looks doubtful.

Yes saturday... Sorry. Track should be ok, it was covered with snow until thursday and has been exposed to serious minus grades since. Today it’ll be closer to zero with snowfall and sleet later on, so I expect Ian to miss his footie totally.

Thank you for another great video that shows just how much the Warriors will be missed in 2021. I hope things can be sorted out for 2022 so that we can enjoy action like this once again.

I think that might of made him the rider he was Steve ? , like Lee he had flaws but god he was a talent.For me up there with Lee, Gollob, Ward as the most talented riders ive seen anyway.Also like yourself see loads of Hans he ended up being a great team rider ( like Hans) Kelly was the same awesome with Shawn and a really good team guy great style great rider for me.

With a 6-30pm start

Our final meeting of 2019 was a Double Header with Glasgow and Edinburgh

Berwick have a curfew of 9.30pm, so unless they start earlier it doesn't seem possible.

It's been known for ages that hans was going to Peterborough

Should be top team goes into play off final, with 2nd and 3rd placed teams, to fight it out to join them imho.

Only three full sides so far but Belle vue and Sheffield look good.

I predict we are a top 6 side this year.

The limelight was wide enough to encompass Speedway as an Elite professional sport last year so that it was prevented from happening.... I understand you scepticism though

Wells and Ash Morris would fit

As a 16 year old I was waiting to go out for my first ever laps of a Speedway track on a grass bike at Eastbourne following a meeting when Kelly came over and very politely asked if I would mind him either going out before or with me. There was no need for him to ask, as the big star at the time he could have just gone out or even had my ride cancelled so he could get some laps in. Genuinely nice guy who always seemed to chat to everybody and was helpful to youngsters riding, although if I'd been a fan of his team he would have driven me mad at times when he turned up totally unprepared to go racing. Incidentally about 25 years later it was Greg Hancock did exactly the same with my son at Oxford. Very different to some riders of the time who forced the cancellation of a whole set of after meeting races for youngsters so they could test engines (although to be fair that may have been the Promoter saying it was the riders as at least one of the riders was horrified when he found out afterwards)

No chance of thorssell of riding over here.

An empty glass can be filled. A full glass can be emptied But you always need a glass

As everyone knows a 'poor team' is generally regarded as "overall bad for business" as they get beat at home and dont then generally attract a crowd away from home so all clubs then suffer.. One reason Plymouth have been allowed in I would think is that they have one of the all time greats of the sport in their team in Jason Crump and another ex 'World level' rider in Bjarne Pederson basically doing a "farewell tour"... Add in a couple of exciting potential new talents from the USA and France and you will certainly have something to 'sell' each week for both the home and away promotions.. And 12 months later, when established and with more time to plan, they can then start to build on what will hopefully have been a good year.. They seem a progressive promoting team down there so that alone can only be an asset to the sport...

Anyone who thinks that binning the NL is progress doesn't even earn the effort of reading the remainder of the post. There are precious few positives about British speedway but the National league is one of its jewels and scrapping it because its inconvenient would see the sport end in 5 years.

Certainly won't be Workington.

Or Workington

Basically it's a form of entertainment (on a par with Stockcars and fairgrounds) masquerading as a sport.