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I thought Mr Godfrey's comments about Plymouth and Kent were particularly disingenuous, short sighted and stupid. Without a third tier that works for stand-alone clubs there would have been no Kent or Plymouth available to supplement the crumbling ranks of the senior leagues. Somerset, Trelawny, Mildenhall, Rye House, Berwick, Eastbourne, Stoke, Isle of Wight and SCUNTHORPE all moved up to/ returned to the professional leagues after running as stand alone clubs in the third tier. (In addition it provided a place for Birmingham and Oxford to carry on when they went bust mid season) There are now fewer 'professional' clubs running than at any time since 1959. Next time Godfrey wants re-inforcements for his crumbling edifice where will he find them?

The reality is that the standalone clubs were invariably running Speedway at the level that is both affordable for customers and delivered VFM, whilst also being profitable for them... How very dare they.... That's not the way to run a business.... Well not in UK Speedway anyway...

Ultimately the BSPL have shafted Isle of Wight speedway for all that it is worth, in the manner in which the NDL for 2021 was constituted. I suspect they also hoped to shaft Mildenhall out of the league too, to turn the competition into a reserve team league. The BSPL need to wake up and realise that speedway in this country is on borrowed time. They can't afford to lose teams and tracks, as once gone, it is far harder to bring them back. Regardless of the current mantra of 'promoting youth,' speedway in Britain is rapidly heading towards the state it is in other European countries e.g. Norway and Finland with a handful of spectators watching largely amateur riders take part in what for most of them is an expensive hobby, unless those who claim to 'promote' the sport go out and actively promote it, rather than finding methods to shaft one another for minor gain.

Reply to the BSPL Chairman's and NL Coordinator's comments in this weeks Speedway Star. Hi all, Take your time reading this as it’s a long one and please read the article too. I feel we must respond to the article below in this week’s Speedway Star, not to cause confrontation but it is very clear that the BSPL and National League Co-ordinator still do not understand why Martin and I took the decision to leave the NL and BSPL. So here goes. It is correct to state that we do not agree with the 35 point limit, but more importantly we do not agree with how this limit was imposed on the league without discussion or agreement of the NL members at an AGM or any other meeting. It is also true to say that during the 2019 NL AGM, the Chairman of the BSPL in heated discussion about the then attempt to reduce the points limit from 39 to 37, told NL clubs “well it’s coming, the NL will revert to like the Conference League”…. And that was it, it was a statement of change, not a method to change and how that method would be achieved. It is not true to say that we were made aware of what was happening before 2021. At the 2019 NL AGM, yes, we were told, as detailed in the NL AGM minutes that the Chairman reiterated that the league will be tailored more to a development league but being a development league does not mean you must reduce the point limit. Even with a year of no racing, so time to discuss plans, theorise how to implement any such changes that were in place, the next time there was any communication on how the NL will be run was in February 2021 when we received an email with the following statement in “The Board of Directors have discussed, at length, the NDL and agreed the following changes to the current regulations …… regulations listed” and finished with “if you wish to participate in the NDL with these regulations please respond so that you can participate in a zoom call to discuss who will be taking part and NL fixtures…” There was no option to ask questions, which we obviously wanted to do, just a simple statement of are you in or out. None the less, we did ask some questions. We asked if the practice of the Board of Directors deciding the rules will continue at the end of this season. Response – could not confirm this but would look to league members to have an input going forward. We asked if Mr. Len Silver attended any meetings in which this was discussed – no answer. We asked if we had additional restrictions on the IOW like fewer ferry crossings and could not fulfil our fixtures that we would not be fined –Response - that could not be guaranteed. So, you see while we do not believe in the 35 point limit, equally we were not allowed to discuss it, buy in to it, share our opinion as to why it could have a terrible effect on our business, offer advice as a club that runs NL speedway how we think it should be. If we had, and still did not agree with 35 points, we probably would be still in the BSPL with our license on hold looking forward. Furthermore, the 35 points limit is a perceived short-term fix and yet it has clearly increased the number of mid average riders being pushed out of the league just when they need to push on with more competitive racing to step up to CL standard and when all the teams are announced, how many new riders are introduced this year who were not already named in 2020 line-ups? The article states “the points limit was the will of every PL/CL promoter to implement these changes” – will the Chairman prove that? And if it is the case - doesn’t this mean clubs who’s second team are NL should not be included due to conflict of interest? Will he also prove that the NL representative Mr Len Silver attended, or was invited to attend these meetings during which the NL was discussed, as per the reason for creating that position, and if he was why wasn’t these messages passed on to NL members. Let us now analyse why were we told in 2019 about the desire to change but heard nothing about the method of change until just before we had to agree to it to be involved. As we said earlier during the 2019 NL AGM, it was said that there was a requirement to bring the league to be more like the Conference League. However, at the time the reasoning for change had nothing to do with rider development and everything to do with wage costs for those riders exiting the NL and going up to the CL. Why? In the National League a rider can earn X but, in the Championship, unless that rider has a guarantee he may well earn less. Meaning NL riders looking to progress to the higher leagues (and leave the NL with no double-up) ideally need a guaranteed amount to be able to do so. This “guarantee” is not out of greed but so as to not affect their income as they turn professional and stepping away from semi-professional/amateur. The problem with this is we were told CL clubs feel this level of pay is too high for them to commit to provide a comparable income. So, in short the plan was to take semi-professional riders, make their status professional to earn less. Our view is that any points limit change has in reality nothing to do with producing riders at all because the NL has done (and will continue to do) a great job in this regard plus natural talent will make it regardless of a NL or not. So if we now look to the view of costs, the only way to reduce cost is to have more supply than demand (more riders than jobs) and you achieve this by encouraging new clubs and teams to join with a structure of development – Speedway School, MDL, NL, CL, PL plus of course the Youth Series and amateur tracks. What you don’t do is cut off the very supply of your next riders. Let’s also touch on Kent and Plymouth applying to go up in the Championship because of the NL changes. As far as we know, this is not true. Neither club would have known the changes to be implemented as they were only decided and communicated in February. Kent have stated for some years, depending on planning, it had been their wish to go up and Plymouth applied in 2020 only to be denied, before any changes were imposed or decided, before a successful application this year following Somersets exit. Then there is the comment that PL/CL clubs subsidise the NL. This has been a bone of contention at every AGM we have attended and at every NL AGM, especially requested by Mr. Len Silver an explanation of this statement was requested and never supplied. They say the NL has reduced BSPL Fees – true, but standalone clubs are not full members only Associates Members and receive no TV money (so now the only club in the sport to receive no TV money is Mildenhall). They state we have reduced referee’s fees. That is true, but these are charged by the SCB not the BSPL and it is the referee’s contribution to grassroots league speedway. They will say our insurance is cheaper – again true, but only because the benefits are much less than in the other two leagues. So, please, if as the BSPL say they subsidise the NL – tell us how so that clubs can understand the valuable contribution it makes to the sport, because the answers we have been given at the AGMs we attended stated it was because: That’s why you don’t get TV money, It pays for your fee reduction, You get it cheaper because you are Associates and don’t have full membership rights… the list of “reasons” goes on. The new National League at 35 points will develop riders, for sure it will, but it will not develop any more than it always has. So why would Martin and I let decisions imposed upon us, that will not produce more riders moving into the Championship than previous years, risk our business, our product, our fans entertainment, and our credibility? There is no just reason, because the only benefit is the perceived view that CL will start to pay less for their reserves, which if doubling up to the National League is prevented, has a very low likelihood of being a successful strategy. Our view is, if the BSPL truly wanted to develop they would have invested a percentage of the TV money (and other revenue streams) into the grassroots and youth of the sport instead of spending on ever increasing wage bills. For example, if you look at the US and its new stimulus package, everyone who works in finance expects the result of this to be inflation solely because there is extra money in everyone’s pocket to spend. Now back to our sport, the BSPL announce they have a TV deal and what happens? Wage expectation goes up because clubs have cash to spend when the BSPL should investing in youth, stadia (invest in an asset and build the sport on it), promotion, advertising but our sport spends it on short term, “quick wins” and investment that has zero return for the organisation. They could also make commitments in higher leagues to have 3 riders for example under 21, or an experience restriction in the NL for example number of meetings at certain levels, or every UK club staging second halves, but restrict the travel to get there to encourage more local riders and for sure, bring back nomadic clubs in the MDL. The last thing to say on this report…. Where in the report is there any reference to you the fans, to your night out, to your club, to your investment both financially and emotionally? Do you feel like you have been taken into consideration with the new league? All the best and Tomorrow will be a better day Barry and Martin.

Why would a change in points limit prevent the other teams from entering the NDL, if this league is solely about development, and in most cases all the meeting of new comers are double header meetings? As I wrote it is because this is not about development because the NDL will always develop riders it is about wage cuts for those riders who go up a league. The same old story.....instead of taking your product and building the fanbase the answer is always to cost cut. Never in my life have I known any business to prosper and grow by cost cutting the core product. Perhaps you didnt read the article in the speedway star for which this response was for, as if that was a meeting to discuss these revised rules, new entrants, we could have bought in to it, accepted it, decided if or if not it was for us and we would still be in the BSPL and looking forward to either racing or putting our license on hold until 2022. But this was not the case - it was all imposed, last minute despite over a year in which to discuss it. Now friends, no business, no organisation, not even my Sea Cadet group would behave in such a rubbish way. This is not leadership this is a haphazard last minute approach to the most import league in speedway. (just my view here) Why should team promotions like Poole, Kings Lynn, Sheffield, Glasgow who have no NL teams, be allowed to vote on NL business? At the end of the day the BSPL have failed in protecting one of its businesses, one of its core responsibilities - the Isle of Wight, it has lost a member and access to a track. Additionally, all new clubs, to any league, may NOT in the first year, at least, vote on any league business - this is why the rules were imposed because they knew that there is no way IOW, Kent, BV, Plymouth (if still there) and Mildenhall would accept this way of running the league. Len Silver should have been invited to every meeting (as per the rules) that involved conversation of the NDL as the leagues representative - stand alone clubs are not permitted to attend such meetings as we are only associates. He was invited to any such meetings. Regards going up... we were told in 2019, that clubs would be invited to attend the 2020/2021Pre-AGM of the CL to see if it was for us, of course this invitation did not arrive. Kent have wanted to go up for years subject to planning and Plymouth applied to go up in 2020 but were not accepted (wrongly in my view) and they reapplied in 2021 and were let in whem Somerset pulled out. Stay safe one and all, and I hpoe you enjoy the season ahead.

The difference is of course that for many of the clubs you mention, who pushed up wages, who gave contracts to NL 'lifers', and worked under a sustainable operating model and business plan whilst in the third tier... Are now no longer in it... Instead they are reaping in the higher divisions what they themselves heavily contributed to sowing whilst in the NL. A neck made of pure brass some people...

It’s the PREMIERSHIP that is not working the way it should be. The problem starts at the top and works its way down. As it’s mostly championship riders ( on bigger wages ) it is not what it claims to be. It either should be done away with or revamped to be just that, a ‘ Premiership ‘ without championship riders and ‘ rising stars’ .

Hi all, Take your time reading this as it’s a long one and please read the article too. I feel we must respond to the article below in this week’s Speedway Star, not to cause confrontation but it is very clear that the BSPL and National League Co-ordinator still do not understand why Martin and I took the decision to leave the NL and BSPL. So here goes. It is correct to state that we do not agree with the 35 point limit, but more importantly we do not agree with how this limit was imposed on the league without discussion or agreement of the NL members at an AGM or any other meeting. It is also true to say that during the 2019 NL AGM, the Chairman of the BSPL in heated discussion about the then attempt to reduce the points limit from 39 to 37, told NL clubs “well it’s coming, the NL will revert to like the Conference League”…. And that was it, it was a statement of change, not a method to change and how that method would be achieved. It is not true to say that we were made aware of what was happening before 2021. At the 2019 NL AGM, yes, we were told, as detailed in the NL AGM minutes that the Chairman reiterated that the league will be tailored more to a development league but being a development league does not mean you must reduce the point limit. Even with a year of no racing, so time to discuss plans, theorise how to implement any such changes that were in place, the next time there was any communication on how the NL will be run was in February 2021 when we received an email with the following statement in “The Board of Directors have discussed, at length, the NDL and agreed the following changes to the current regulations …… regulations listed” and finished with “if you wish to participate in the NDL with these regulations please respond so that you can participate in a zoom call to discuss who will be taking part and NL fixtures…” There was no option to ask questions, which we obviously wanted to do, just a simple statement of are you in or out. None the less, we did ask some questions. We asked if the practice of the Board of Directors deciding the rules will continue at the end of this season. Response – could not confirm this but would look to league members to have an input going forward. We asked if Mr. Len Silver attended any meetings in which this was discussed – no answer. We asked if we had additional restrictions on the IOW like fewer ferry crossings and could not fulfil our fixtures that we would not be fined –Response - that could not be guaranteed. So, you see while we do not believe in the 35 point limit, equally we were not allowed to discuss it, buy in to it, share our opinion as to why it could have a terrible effect on our business, offer advice as a club that runs NL speedway how we think it should be. If we had, and still did not agree with 35 points, we probably would be still in the BSPL with our license on hold looking forward. Furthermore, the 35 points limit is a perceived short-term fix and yet it has clearly increased the number of mid average riders being pushed out of the league just when they need to push on with more competitive racing to step up to CL standard and when all the teams are announced, how many new riders are introduced this year who were not already named in 2020 line-ups? The article states “the points limit was the will of every PL/CL promoter to implement these changes” – will the Chairman prove that? And if it is the case - doesn’t this mean clubs who’s second team are NL should not be included due to conflict of interest? Will he also prove that the NL representative Mr Len Silver attended, or was invited to attend these meetings during which the NL was discussed, as per the reason for creating that position, and if he was why wasn’t these messages passed on to NL members. Let us now analyse why were we told in 2019 about the desire to change but heard nothing about the method of change until just before we had to agree to it to be involved. As we said earlier during the 2019 NL AGM, it was said that there was a requirement to bring the league to be more like the Conference League. However, at the time the reasoning for change had nothing to do with rider development and everything to do with wage costs for those riders exiting the NL and going up to the CL. Why? In the National League a rider can earn X but, in the Championship, unless that rider has a guarantee he may well earn less. Meaning NL riders looking to progress to the higher leagues (and leave the NL with no double-up) ideally need a guaranteed amount to be able to do so. This “guarantee” is not out of greed but so as to not affect their income as they turn professional and stepping away from semi-professional/amateur. The problem with this is we were told CL clubs feel this level of pay is too high for them to commit to provide a comparable income. So, in short the plan was to take semi-professional riders, make their status professional to earn less. Our view is that any points limit change has in reality nothing to do with producing riders at all because the NL has done (and will continue to do) a great job in this regard plus natural talent will make it regardless of a NL or not. So if we now look to the view of costs, the only way to reduce cost is to have more supply than demand (more riders than jobs) and you achieve this by encouraging new clubs and teams to join with a structure of development – Speedway School, MDL, NL, CL, PL plus of course the Youth Series and amateur tracks. What you don’t do is cut off the very supply of your next riders. Let’s also touch on Kent and Plymouth applying to go up in the Championship because of the NL changes. As far as we know, this is not true. Neither club would have known the changes to be implemented as they were only decided and communicated in February. Kent have stated for some years, depending on planning, it had been their wish to go up and Plymouth applied in 2020 only to be denied, before any changes were imposed or decided, before a successful application this year following Somersets exit. Then there is the comment that PL/CL clubs subsidise the NL. This has been a bone of contention at every AGM we have attended and at every NL AGM, especially requested by Mr. Len Silver an explanation of this statement was requested and never supplied. They say the NL has reduced BSPL Fees – true, but standalone clubs are not full members only Associates Members and receive no TV money (so now the only club in the sport to receive no TV money is Mildenhall). They state we have reduced referee’s fees. That is true, but these are charged by the SCB not the BSPL and it is the referee’s contribution to grassroots league speedway. They will say our insurance is cheaper – again true, but only because the benefits are much less than in the other two leagues. So, please, if as the BSPL say they subsidise the NL – tell us how so that clubs can understand the valuable contribution it makes to the sport, because the answers we have been given at the AGMs we attended stated it was because: That’s why you don’t get TV money, It pays for your fee reduction, You get it cheaper because you are Associates and don’t have full membership rights… the list of “reasons” goes on. The new National League at 35 points will develop riders, for sure it will, but it will not develop any more than it always has. So why would Martin and I let decisions imposed upon us, that will not produce more riders moving into the Championship than previous years, risk our business, our product, our fans entertainment, and our credibility? There is no just reason, because the only benefit is the perceived view that CL will start to pay less for their reserves, which if doubling up to the National League is prevented, has a very low likelihood of being a successful strategy. Our view is, if the BSPL truly wanted to develop they would have invested a percentage of the TV money (and other revenue streams) into the grassroots and youth of the sport instead of spending on ever increasing wage bills. For example, if you look at the US and its new stimulus package, everyone who works in finance expects the result of this to be inflation solely because there is extra money in everyone’s pocket to spend. Now back to our sport, the BSPL announce they have a TV deal and what happens? Wage expectation goes up because clubs have cash to spend when the BSPL should investing in youth, stadia (invest in an asset and build the sport on it), promotion, advertising but our sport spends it on short term, “quick wins” and investment that has zero return for the organisation. They could also make commitments in higher leagues to have 3 riders for example under 21, or an experience restriction in the NL for example number of meetings at certain levels, or every UK club staging second halves, but restrict the travel to get there to encourage more local riders and for sure, bring back nomadic clubs in the MDL. The last thing to say on this report…. Where in the report is there any reference to you the fans, to your night out, to your club, to your investment both financially and emotionally? Do you feel like you have been taken into consideration with the new league? All the best and Tomorrow will be a better day Barry and Martin.

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!

I would think most riders will improve a there previous avarage, as the league is weaker.

It's just the old, old situation - put a 10 point man and a 2 point man out in a race against two 6 point men and the result will be a 3-3. Do this all evening and you will certainly get a close result - but you will never get close racing. And as far as the fans are concerned, it's close racing that really matters for speedway isn't a results-based sport. If the racing isn't competitive then the spectators will stop coming. The 10 pointer and 2 pointer against two 6 pointers looks set to become more prevalent in the coming season, which isn't good news.

Not good

Having just had a catch up on the National league goings on and signings the teams look so unbalanced its not going to make much of a sceptical . Basically every team has 2 or some 3 number ones then the rest of the team is made up of reserve quality riders . Heats 13 and 15 look like they could be tasty most meetings . But come on nearly getting lapped by Max Clegg or Nathan Greaves isn't going to help these kids . Clearly the points limit is far too low to enable teams to swap a couple of 3 pointers with 4.5-6.5 averaged riders who can fill the void . Far too many races/heats will just be processional and very strung out . It would/will surely be hard for stand alone clubs to charge for such entertainment other than the bare minimum . This is only my opinion guys if you think i am wrong fair enough tell me why in your opinion i am . Maybe i can be convinced to change my mind . Most important thing i suppose is speedway is returning so that i suppose is all that counts .

surely this is the sort of league that people would benefit having a GTR?

“Shame the facility is lost to the sport” But it isn’t. Barry has said the training school will continue and being the progressive fellow that he is, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some form of motor sport taking place at Smallbrook this summer especially with the other attractions on the IOW for the staycation brigade.

Now THIS is also promotion ^^. Really appreciate the offer Barry, but I have proggies from Hull's IOW visits, I downsized (?) my speedway collection focusing mostly on Hull Vikings & Ivan Mauger related items or other meetings I attended, or 'special' ones e.g. SGPs, SWC, SONs, Test Matchs, etc. as I literally had boxes and boxes (and boxes) of stuff. The items I disposed of BTW; a lot was given to a fellow collector in Hull, some posted to a good friend & Glasgow supporter and vast amount of NL progs from 1970's to mid 1980's, many relating to Scunny, were given to a guy who works at Scunny speedway, so it all went to speedway-related good causes. I hope IOW can come to the tapes in some from in 2021 and I wish you and Martin all the very best for the future. Good luck....

Personally, even though Rob's honouring his commitments, I'd personally go for Batchelor for Allen Connor Mountain for Pijper Ryan Kinsley for Lambert but thats not gonna happen, sadly.... If the team isn't going to be competitive, I shall be going to support Sheffield in the premiership most weeks, as much as I have time and respect for rob, is it too much to ask as a loyal supporter of 15 years for a successful season

Don't see the problem, in terms of engineering isn't this what Japanese, Chinese; Koreans and others have done for decades. Take a Car / Engine / Engineering over to their people, strip it down, re-component and re-build pretty much identically. GM seems to have become complacent.

I went 3 x to see Brummies / Leicester and paid £16 as a concession I'm pretty sure so don't think it's changed from then based on their website details for 2021. Easy for them to be ahead of some others as I recall they had Stock Car meetings late in 2020 so will know minimum numbers permitted from that. Would think Scunthorpe, Leicester , Plymouth know numbers allowed too from 2020.

I don't know if the points limit would have affected other entrants because that's counter to the facts. We'd have to ask those promoters. I'd theorise that all teams would have wanted to be competitive and had a view on the riders they wanted to utilise. On that basis the points limit might have been a deciding factor. I don't think that the National Development League is the core product is it? From a BSPL perspective. It's effectively the R&D department. Obviously at odds with your own opinion and as I say it sounds like you made the right decision. Shame the facility is lost to the sport.

Thats it, season over. CUP OF RUSSIA, ROUNDS 7 & 8, YUGORSK SATURDAY, MARCH 13 & SUNDAY, MARCH 14 RESULTS: SATURDAY ROUND 7 Daniil Ivanov 15, Nikita Bogdanov 14, Dmitri Solyannikov 13, Ivan Chichkov 12, Konstantin Kolenkin 11, Igor Saydullin 10, Evgeny Sharov 9, Nikita Toloknov 8, German Khazmurzin 7, Savely Vedyanov 5, Vladimir Fadeev 5, Artem Burmistrov 4, Matvey Volkov 3, Eduard Krysov 3, Andrei Anisimov 1 SUNDAY ROUND 8 Ivanov 14, Bogdanov 13+3, Solyannikov 13+d, Kolenkin 12, Chichkov 11, Sharov 9, Saydullin 9, Krysov 8, Toloknov 6, Khazmurzin 6, Vedyanov 4, Burmistrov 4, Fadeev 4, Anisimov 2 FINAL STANDINGS: Ivanov 108, Bogdanov 106, Chichkov 87, Solyannikov 86, Kolenkin 68, Toloknov 60, Sharov 59, Krysov 49, I. Saydullin 44, Ivan Khuzhin 41, Vedyanov 30, Khazmurzin 30, Dmitri Khomitsevich 25, Dinar Valeev 25, Igor Kononov 24, Fadeev 21, Dmitri Borodin 21, Evgenei Saydullin 20, Burmistrov 17, Volkov 16, Nikita Tarasov 15, Anisimov 3, Elisey Vydrin 2. Interesting rumour that Daniil Ivanov is leaving Mega-Lada and will line up for Kamensk Ural next year.

No as the Stadium is gone as far as I know. Replaced by Heerenveen.

I don’t know who to suggest to sign but surely Rob can’t track that team! It’s hopeless. It’s miles below the limit and will struggle at home and get thrashed away. There’s no number 1 and barely a heat leader compared to some of the top heavy sides. The suggestion of Kennedy, McDonald etc disrupts the balance of the team too as one of the plus points was Lambert at reserve. But then he’s stuck at second string along with Pijper, who I personally think is a woeful signing anyway and will average around 4-4.5 even when he drops to number 7. Rob’s tried strength in depth before with Auty at number 1 and it just doesn’t work. The Scunny faithful respect that they have an entertaining track but they still want to see their team win and when they aren’t doing that regularly they vote with their feet.

You think?

Billy Janniro and Chris Harris now added to the podcast https://anchor.fm/martin-coleman5

Think you maybe disappointed

Why are Poole still in the Premiership section?

So sad to hear the news of the passing of Jean Wilkinson a devoted wife of the much loved Alan.Life is so unfair and cruel at times and now Jean is back reunited with Alan god bless both of them.

Lads can't win. Take a leap at developing their career by riding in stronger leagues in Poland and they're turning their back on British Speedway. Ride two British leagues and they're milking the UK gravy train. I think Ellis and Bewley have made the right choice by picking PL and Poland. Hopefully scoring heavily and maintaining confidence in the UK and taking that confidence on to the continent for tougher challenges overseas. Should the opportunities in Poland be limited then consider a CL place. For which they'd no doubt get stick. Imagine having the freedom to do whatever is best for your own circumstances.......

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

How long before a "promoter" lodges an appeal and rides "under protest" against Plymouth for tracking Jason Crump in their team ? There's a few " promoters" that come to mind who would do this ...... no names no clues .