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Absolutely everything to do with professionalism of the sport. The situation should have been taken out of both clubs hands. Take Etheridge out of the equation and you still have two guests and R/R fit the first match of the season, should have been rescheduled by the governing body as soon as that became apparent. People go on and on about racing, the bikes, track prep etc but the biggest problem we have is unavailability of riders. People want to see 7v7 of contracted riders wherever possible!

Am I one of those folk who needs a shake? I’ve bought merchandise, bought a season ticket... I pay into the supporters club 5-1 draw. I’ll continue to turn up every week to ensure I do my part in supporting the club but I’ll have a moan if I want to thank you very much. That doesn’t make me any less a supporter. Aye, just getting to be back trackside was great in itself, normality as such on the way, but people saw lots of ifs and buts in the line up pre COVID too I’m afraid! And it showed! And by the way, take a look at those you say “are moaning”. They’re ones who’ve been going for years and will continue to still attend as long as the speedway is around! We just happen to care and want to see the promotion rewarded for the work they’ve clearly put into it!

Although the " racing" was fast it was follow the leader, jye lifted coming of turn 2 hit fence race stopped hence his exclusion.on the down side stood on back straight most people didnt wear a mask and was free to walk round the stadium might need to look at that , and ofcourse the chip shop was closed but the pie and chips in stadium were not too bad.enjoyed the night 2.45 hrs drive home so will do again .

Black tyres matter

SpeedwayRUS on vk (russian facebook) is a good source: https://vk.com/speedwayrussian?z=video-53550004_456240987%2Fvideos-53550004%2Fpl_-53550004_-2

Can only wonder why the referee put crump back 15 metres,for protesting at autys tyre warming? He spoilt what was potentially a damn good speedway race, Scunthorpe had the meeting won,but he should have used his discretion and not penalised him.again the paying public get short-changed because of one act of lunacy by the ref..

But that is 100% the frustrating issue... It clearly isnt an 'impossible situation' to run the sport properly.. Running with three riders you 100% know will be missing is 'self inflicted' nonsense.. As is every meeting they run on nights which mean guests when the FIM already have a meeting in place.. And invariably on 'FIM nights' the missing riders are the better ones who, by definition of being at that qualifier or final, should have been one of the 'main fan attractions' at the league meeting.. The promoters will no doubt argue when in their own 'echo chambers', that... "No one in the stadiums complain about the make up of the teams". And that may be 100% factual, however.. Its the 80% empty terracing at the vast majority of tracks that they should "listen" to.. That "deafening silence" from those who still keep a keen interest in the sport, but are no longer prepared to pay out their hard earned to UK Speedway, is the 'noise' they should be listening to and learning from.. As has already been mentioned, this year was always going to have some 'travel chaos', (you didnt need some superhuman psychic skills to predict that)... So therefore why run with their usual operating model when it was so obvious huge logistical challenges would exist? Why still run with 7 man teams? Why still run with a plethora of overseas riders? And, if running a wider NDL league as they have planned, why not instead do a combined level league using an amalgam of British based Championship/NDL level riders, rather than run the two leagues seperate, (which no doubt will result in even more fixture clashes where riders have to be in 'two places at once').. Not 'impossible situations' at all... Just more of the same self inflicted nonsense which has gone on well before the pandemic, and no doubt, will continue a long time after..

Even though it is rather stupid rule Home riders get 5% added to their average for guest bookings meaning even though Aarnio's average is 6.85 they can have a guest up to 7.19 so Howarth (6.97) is allowed.

Disappointing reslt for the home fans. Some of those riders need to have a long hard think... I enjoyed the NL match more, Greg Blair was the standout entertainment wise. I didnt see any difference in how the track was riding after all the hard work put in. Bandits will have to get their act together if they don't want crowds down to an unsustainable level

Well Brum offered Berwick to change the dates like Edinburgh and Newcastle did but Berwick declined so what could Brum do apart from choose guests which they were entitled to do

First match of the season. 6 man Berwick team 39 Championship Select 51 And this is supposed to be a professionally run sport!!!!

The riders that didn't beat an opponent were very poor out of the gate,scunny were on it and we were well beaten, but I'm optimistic we will improve

Perfectly acceptable then that Kent were allowed R/R, here`s me thinking there was something iffy.

Track has been flooded. Funny how it’s been sunny since the last race. Has the away manager got a screw loose not using Miskowiak in heat 15? What a thrilling and extraordinary meeting this was.

I watched young Mulford on my computer at Glasgow on Friday. He was taking Daniel Gilkes place in the Kings team. I was highly impressed with him. Bear in mind he has very limited experience at National League level, none at Championship level and he faced a tough team on what was A very wet and heavy track he'd never seen before. I'm looking forward to following him progress at Central Park. He is one to take note of.

Just the usual bullsh#t in speedway.The fans are treated with contempt .You hear a different story from each Promotion.Take or leave it seems to be the answer.

https://youtu.be/aC2r6GJZ95g

Two guests and rider replacement on first night. This is why speedway can not be taken seriously. Only the die hards going RN4L

Unfortunately, there isn't an answer to the problem of riders missing meetings, and this is not just confined to foreigners - British based riders also miss their club matches when they have a preference for more financially lucrative continental bookings, and they will come up with the same excuses (and more often not, will get away with them!) Even if all clubs only employed British riders, the same situation would inevitably arise. What is needed is a complete re-evaulation of how speedway is run - with only British or British-based riders employed with watertight contracts compelling them to ride exclusively for their British team, but can anyone see that ever happening? We would all like to see our teams contain only our own contracted riders who only ride for us, like football clubs do, but speedway has gone too far away from this to ever be able to contemplate doing this. What I am saying is that there really is no answer but to try to make the best of an impossible situation.

The main thing is you enjoyed your night.This is a forum where people post their views,you gave yours in the 1st paragraph,positive or negative it’s only people thoughts.That’s Social Media these days.

That’s like having a 6 point average rider out injured and being allowed to replace him with a 7 point average rider. Only in British speedway this could happen.

pretty sure he is in for the next match at plymouth great guest

I refrained from posting last night! That was a very very bitter pill to swallow! And already, even though it’s only the 1st meeting, a 12 point home defeat is not a good way to start! Some may see this as moaning, but trust me, I speak as a very long time genuine fan of Berwick. I’ve spent thousands following my club over the years, sacrificed family holidays, made excuses to miss birthdays just so I could get to away meetings #imabadfriend We are seriously going to struggle using RR for Coty. Nobody knows when the South American borders will be opened and even when so, he’ll have to quarantine over here! IMO, that needs sorted ASAP! We need Dany G on rubbish hot home form and that was sadly not so last night as can be said with Spud too. Losing Jye was a big blow for us... immediately throwing more pressure on to Leon and Kyle in the process. Our 2 reserves definitely showed huge promise though. Leon scoring 9&2 which should have been more but for his bike failing when leading heat 4. Racing in the 1st meeting was not brilliant... going to have to turn it around against Scunthorpe! on the upside, I did enjoy the NDL meeting against Belle Vue where there was actually some memorable passes... Greg Blair being the stand out!

I can't obviously speak for the person concerned but I would be surprised if it was... Because, over the years, my team (or should I say my 'select'), have lost ( and won) in such contrived circumstances, and therefore, the outcome of the meeting didn't matter enough to be disappointed (or pleased).. And when followers of a team sport have an attitude of '"the result doesn't really matter" due to way the teams are contrived, then it really can't be a good thing...

Is this sour grapes

Exactly that, it’s not Birmingham’s fault but it’s the system that is the problem. I’ve said it many times over the course of the winter but it’s blatantly obvious now that the system should of been changed to be 6 man teams. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by 7 man teams with guests galore everywhere.

This is why the guest rule is rubbish. Should have to run R/R and not just guests

The late Danny Ayres was the master of celebration and that was one of the many reasons he was so popular. many riders said they wanted to honour his memory this year and for me the best way is to celebrate like Danny !!!

It used to be the best track when it had plenty of dirt on it..certain riders a few years ago requested it to be slick and smooth and it hasn’t changed since

Eurosport are now planning to show this one apparently

Isn’t Berwick stadium owned by the football supporters club? It makes you wonder why fans within speedway circles don’t pursue some kind of share ownership in a similar way

For me Goret looked like he had some pace however the others were really quite bad Theo Pijper and Kyle Howarth were nearly a straight clear after one lap in one of the heats

Teams for Monday on Sheffield website:- PETERBOROUGH: Bjarne Pedersen, Hans Andersen, Michael Palm Toft, Scott Nicholls, Chris Harris, Jordan Palin, Ulrich Ostergaard.SHEFFIELD: Troy Batchelor, Kyle Howarth, Adam Ellis, Justin Sedgmen, Jack Holder, James Wright, Josh Bates.

First of many results like that for the devils I think.

I think Woryna's bike is much better today.

Hi Paul, long time no see. Hopefully catch up at Wimborne Road this season!

So I hope after seeing the photos and from what Ian said, you will accept that living 3 miles away and making judgements on meetings being on is not a good opportunity to comment. Being at the track, and seeing it is usually the best position to be in. I say that as a former Newcastle Promoter, and conflicting stories about whether it is on or isn't on is unsettling for many fans and their arrangements Luckily the meeting was called off fairly early, but the Newcastle riders had nearly made it and had to turn around after going over the Dartford Bridge. From their photos to me , it would seem like it was raining quite heavy there.

Great to be back watching live sport and it is true that sport is nothing without fans. Entry and exit to the stadium seemed to work well and was easy to follow, admittedly I did get to the track earlier than normal so avoided any cueing, exiting was just as easy with the extra doors opened at the back of the stand, so well done to all. Congratulations to Birmingham on their win, thoroughly deserved, they took advantage of Berwick`s bad luck losing Jye Etheridge in Ht3 and ran out comfortable winners. Decent night for our two reserves but last night showed Berwick cannot cover for the absent Coty Garcia medium or long term, if a replacement is called for and in the current circumstances I wouldn't know where another rider could come from, hopefully the management will have looked at this already. Home defeats are no good at anytime, lets hope for a first home win next Saturday against Scunthorpe.

Rising Star riders can only compete in 2 leagues at any one time. Premiership teams shall declare their initial 1-7’s with a Rising Star rider at reserve and will conform to the following points limitation; 1-6 Total average of 35.50 points maximum and will declare a 4* rider or under. At the commencement of the season, the Rising Star must ride at reserve (No. 6 or 7), at the Team Managers discretion. Upon the issue of Match Averages, the Rising Star riders Team Position will be determined as per SCB reg. 012.3 (Team Line-ups). Championship teams shall declare their initial 1-7’s with a Rising Star rider at reserve and will conform to the following points limitations; 1-6 Total average of 38 points or less will declare a 3* rider or under 1-6 Total average of 39 points or less will declare a 2* rider or under Rising Star riders will remain so for the entire season and can only be replaced in a team declaration by a rider equal to the teams star rating or less at the initial Team Declaration. Rising Star riders, who as per SCB reg. 012.3 (Team Line-ups), shall move into a team’s 1-5 will be subject to SCB reg. 012.4 (Facilities). In the event a Rising Star is absent, with a facility permitted, he can be replaced by; i. any guest rider from the Rising Star list, of that teams initial permitted Team Declaration rating or below, or ii. Rider Replacement, at the Team Managers discretion. Rising Star riders shall compete with a special riding number design denoting they are a Rising Star.

Absolutely, makes complete sense to me...

By tonight, six teams will have been tracked for their FIRST Championship match of the season. Only one will have fielded their declared seven riders. That's farcical. Injuries and adverse reactions to innoculations are, I suppose, unavoidable but the fans want to see THEIR team competing on "equal" terms, with heart and soul, not R/R and guests. And, I'm sympathetic with the totally-foreseeable situation Coty finds himself in but surely Berwick should have signed a replacement by now? If the clubs can't turn up with their own team for the FIRST meeting of the season, how much worse will it be later on when even more riders are injured or retired or committed to individual/international/foreign/long track/etc fixtures? The authorities need to decide if speedway is a team sport or an individual one. There aren't enough viable dates in the season for both. If it's a team sport, apart from the GP series, vastly reduce the number of individual/pairs/fours titles. Or, if it's an individuals sport, watch support for teams dwindle away to unsupportable levels until the riders don't have teams to supply their 'bread and butter' income anymore.

Pics here: https://www.eastbourne-speedway.com/eagles-v-diamonds-off-latest-update/

If you say so

At UK level I don't think it is even supposed to be that anymore.. Lets be honest, this season the promoters can hide behind the pandemic and the fans will cut them lots of slack given how long they have been without speedway.. The reality of course is that much of what will happen this season will have happened pandemic or not.. As that is simply the way they choose to run things..

You got that one wrong Mr Brightside

Just watched this match on You Tube,some fantastic racing,very scary outside lines,like you say what would aGP be like there.

Just like to say well done for re-arranging it so quickly. Sometimes seems to take months to re-schedule certain fixtures.

How do you police it though? Put a lot of trust on those who only want to watch the first match and hope they leave?

I wouldn't know on your first point, but I do find it bizarre that Berwick Speedway wont or don't interact with their fans on social media.

Well i for one wouldn`t touch them with a barge pole !! Sunday`s top match Wroclaw v Leszno(6.15pm) "we are showing Poland Sunday`s" first showing 6pm on Monday.