Leaderboard

I agree Kester. Chunky is quite outspoken and doesn't mince words, but that doesn't mean he is wrong to do so especially if someone is posting complete nonsense and doing it specifically to wind people up themselves. Kester mentions Jack Keen from Erith, but at one time, John Hyam had at least four different aliases he was posting under and there were a number of threads where he took over and just argued with himself. It was bizarre. He did settle down from that but would then quite often post provocative statements and get hurt when people replied to them. I was actually quite friendly with John and had been for many years, as he did have a lot to contribute to the history of speedway, and, away from the Forum, was very helpful and supportive to me, but I have to say that even I found his posts very tiresome at times. I never picked him up on his posts or argued with him on here because of our friendship but it was a bit of strain to restrain myself sometimes! As Kester says, there were others far more outspoken than Chunky in their responses and Chunky did, on several occasions, try and help John out with information, both historical and technical, but, many times, his help was flung back in his face. Incidentally, I do find it funny how those posters accusing people of bullying are lining up to attack Chunky!

There's nothing wrong with it. But then you must expect people to react or interact with it, otherwise why post it on a public forum? John's postings could be quite bizarre (Jack Keen from Erith!) and were often going to receive a negative reaction from some. Chunky reacts to all sorts of posts on here, regardless of the age of the poster. In fact, I can think of several other posters who were far more vociferous towards John's postings.

Just re-reading John Berry's book and although written some years ago many of his observations and/or thoughts are still relevant.

Whilst Bill is fit I cannot see him allowing anyone else to run speedway.

Well done to the Plymouth management they have assembled a very attractive looking team - Crump and Pedersen will be box office at this level. Used to follow Reading up until they folded and then moved to Devon and have watched Somerset since 2014. I’ll definitely get down to Plymouth this season with the Rebels not running and I suspect a fair few Rebels fans will. It will just be great to see some live racing and the smell of methonal again. Hopefully all of the clubs that run make a success of it.

Is it the Polish Ocado guy who comes round with my home shopping?

I'm gutted that no fans can return to non league grassroots football until May 17th. It's perfectly ok for theme parks and zoo's to reopen on April 12th. I just don't understand it.

David Hunts last escort ride.....

Still waiting. I assume still negotiating with the stadium owners as to what facilities will be open in case there is an effect on capacity/attendance which may also affect prices?! Lets not forget the main reason for dropping to Championship level is to recoup some of the financial losses from 2019!!

mason deliveroo campton ?

Had to google that. Thandie Newton is actually Thandiwe Newton. And, yes, she's pretty well known.

The Scottish Clubs will be at the table.

Ray there's so many people on here who don't go , but think they could do so much better?

Except, he/she is suggesting, 'others' are whinging, but he/she isn't! I say he/she as he/she maybe using a pseudonym.

Can’t see that happening. Many people tried before the Hancock’s took over the whole lot. If they can’t make it pay when they own the land, the clubhouse, car park and food outlets... then nobody can.

Nicolai Klindt has been working for Tesco’s all winter but don’t think it’s him !

2 Poles need to be in the 1 to 5 and having a Pole in the U 24 position does not count as 1 of the 2

Now I've got to work out whether that's a pun on a non-Brit who took a job with Sainsbury's or something over the Winter... OR is is a young Aussie who don't really well in Australia this winter

Not from my view point. By contributing one is always open to criticism. The maxim is attack the post not the poster. We can all be guilty of building a picture up of someone that we never know if its accurate or a mis judgement. Jab #1 can hurt... but I still want Jab #2 PS: I like Marmite!

Why? Tarnow have Kim Nilsson sitting idly on the sidelines who's way more than good enough to cover for Niels... Not like they need another Pole to cover the 1-5 as the 3 they had yesterday seemed very good. Was shocked that Woentin was picked over Kim in the first place.

I dont think the threat is the standard of the stadiums... It's that they have an ever dwindling customer base and are now in many instances only running due to the money the internet betting can bring.. Add in the ever growing animal welfare pressure and the fact so many could return "millions" if sold due to their locations, and you can't see too much of a bright future for dog tracks.. Which, unless Speedway clubs who rent off them do something different, their future too will be similarly impacted.. You won't get too many NSS's being built maybe but I am sure a 'Somerset', 'Scunthorpe', or even a 'Buxton' could be built in many areas and then get upgraded over the years.. The sport has an ultra loyal fan base who are pretty much the only ones who now still attend with any level of regularity, therefore a move to somewhere in the same vicinity wouldnt prevent most of them attending I would think, and 700 or so punters whereby you keep all the income must be a thousand times better than getting the same amount and not getting car park money, bar take and having to pay rent...

Expect some wildly differing levels of co-operation from the various councils, counties, cities, even countries.......

No sorry mate it's worth the wait.

This is out of line. By implication you are stating that Chunky was a bully. That is bollocks. Lots of people had issues with John because of the crap he posted. This includes some of the most respected and mild mannered posters on the forum. Everyone agrees he had the knowledge to offer a huge amount to the forum - just a shame the nonsense posts so heavily outweighed the interesting and informative ones.

If i was you i would contact my local surgery and ask for a replacement card, just explain that as you may need some form of proof of vaccination, at some point between now and when BoJo and his chums finds a company they can spunk money on to provide one that probably won't work. As yours has had the name altered its very open to accusations of being a terrible forgery

It would be interesting to hear if speedway clubs in other countries would face the opposition that clubs in this country face when they look to open up anywhere new. It would be great to have speedway specific sites, even if it is in rural areas, like many of the tracks in Denmark and Sweden are, but there is just too much hurdles put up by residents and councils. As for getting speedway specific sites in town centres like Poland, dream on.

Not true. I get on his back when he posts crap on here, and acts like an idiot. I am one of the few who have actually stated that he is (or should be) a valuable member of the forum, and whenever he has needed assistance (often with technology), I have been one of the first to jump in and help.

maybe brits are the way to go this year what if overseas riders pull out at the last minute or can’t get to travel, or can’t pay for isolation etc

Enjoyed both meetings, particularly the tremendous match at Leszno. Just great to see speedway back. For an opener, some of the racing was really outstanding. If there are more meetings like that, we are in for a super season.

The Toruń/Zielona Gora was a great opener but the match this evening with Leszno/Gorzow really was speedway out of the top drawer. Been a while since we saw some action like that at Leszno... what a season opener! Zmarzlik to lead Gorzow to gold?

Have to say I consider my self lucky though I didn’t realise it at the time to have been able to do 3 meetings in a day I’d regularly do 3 in a weekend Friday Pboro Saturday Lynn Sunday Boston or Mildenhall that was more or less every weekend - imagine the cost now admission and fuel and food ? .They was happy days never to return I fear .

WOW! Zmarzlik already looks better than he was last year.

Nearly 4 years- and it was to Gorzow.

Could Poole use Swindon''s executive back-straight facility on loan for the season?

Well chaps Easter weekend which used to be a busy time for speedway. Years back meetings with Reading and Oxford in a three team tournament. Then home and away to Oxford on good Friday, then after losing Oxford and Reading it was then Poole home and away. I remember back in 86 we rode away at Oxford on Good Friday then onto Colchester to watch Swindon Town in the evening. Simon Garrett drove, i think Adie Fisher came and i can't remember who the other guy was perhaps someone will remind me. The pub was packed with Swindon fans. Happy days

I can't believe anyone on here secretly wants speedway to die. However, I think many of us are frustrated and sad that speedway is dying, especially as many of us saw the rot setting in years ago, but we were slapped down for being negative, if we voiced our opinion.

Be full price with lacking facilities if it's anything to do with the Poole *issTake Pirates!

I believe the 2 Scots clubs might not come to the table due to there own covid rules been different to the rest of the clubs Also the other rider every one is refusing to name will be Josh McDonald a good rider