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For, “Laurence still in talks”. Read, Laurence still begging and grovelling !

Ive always liked Mark Lemon , he was the rider who knocked Richard Hall off in ht 14 allowing the Panthers to get a 5-1 in the rerun against Reading in 2006 and then in 2021 he put Etheridge in ht 6 as R/R with Brennan against Harris & Palm Toft that turned the play off final firmly in Panthers favour , so hes had a hand in helping the Panthers to win the league title twice now ,

They have less and less each year as the die hards actually die out. That's the hard facts of life with a fan base of "that" generation.

Who would have been the "we"? Who was lined up with cash to splash on buying the land, getting planning permission, building a stadium, providing the car parking, transport links and other infrastructure etc etc to these "brown field" sies? Granted if it was a field in the middle of Somerset it may be possible, there land is comparatively cheap. But inner-city land, with the cash and competition from industry and commerce, that's a different ball game.

Absolutely not! Naming a rider you're talking to, then having to announce he's not going to be available after all (even if no fault of the club) is quite the wrong way to go. Only announce a name when he is signed, sealed and delivered.

I do think that things said on this forum may affect chances of sponsorship, especially if it is from a non-speedway company. Before spending money on sponsorship they would conduct "due diligence" which at a minimum would be an internet/social media search – and the BSF discussions would pop up. Of course, fans who sponsor, would not be affected. They will know the history but for all concerned a period of calm would not go amiss. Now is the time to move on and look forward.

If LR knows the riders he wants, why not give the fans a name or two? It's not like another promoter is going to jump in and snap them up.

My thoughts entirely. It’s not a question of refusing to watch speedway on TV more a matter of not being bothered most of the time. There is something special, almost magical, about the atmosphere of being present at a meeting, the noise, the smell , the feeling of being part of things, that just doesn’t convert to sitting in an armchair in front of a TV screen. Like others , I was a regular week in, week out supporter , until my track closed. The feeling of disgust towards those in charge these days doesn’t engender much enthusiasm either. I never though my view of the sport would become so tarnished. I agree with you about TV sport generally now. Most of the time it is all about money , not the true ethos of sport. Even the Olympics now pass me by as if they haven’t happened. I can still enjoy watching local cricket in the park but agree totally with you that the baggage that goes with televised sport is often a turn off.

I can somewhat equate with that and I occasionally dip in and out of "televised" races (although I have never subscribed to any "pay" channels") but I always prefered watching racing "live" and the banter one could have with regular collleagues on the terraces and the general atmosphere that creates. Even during the heady days of "World of Sport" (which I viewed religiously) it never replaced actually being present and all that entails. On a seperate issue I tend to avoid watching sport on TV because of all the hype, over analysis with all those studio "experts" and screaming commentators.

Interesting to note that one promotion that are doing that is Isle of Wight. They certainly do 1, 2, 4 and 5 (and much more besides) and I am sure Barry and Martin would be quite happy to do 3. Any yet they have opted to operate outside the BSPA and league structure.

Well the Gems one won’t take long.

Star is giving Berwick good coverage of late. All we need now is the seasonal review.

Paid for by 50 years of working and paying national insurance, something you will have done when you reach retirement age.

There still seems a desire in some quarters to pick over the bones of what happened at Eastbourne last summer. Admittedly it was all very upsetting and people lost money. However, it is probably for the best that this doesn't go on for too much longer as it just may taint the activities of the group trying to get the sport back into Arlington for 2023. They are certainly going to need all the positivity they can get. Of course, the issues Birmingham seem to be having in completing a team should be a worry for the whole league. If Birmingham can't get a team, how would Eastbourne fare in 2023 when they need seven, having no assets.

We may be missed a trick when Star City or even Fort Dunlop were developed / re-developed during the fallow years when we had no Speedway. Both sites would have offered space on brown field development and an excellent infrastructure re Free Parking and other attractions and adjacent and visible from m6 with no noise issues. Sad with a City Council who were often ignorant to Sport at the time; we had little or no chance, despite the wonderful work of Brian and his band of hard working supporters who have at least given us speedway to enjoy this past decade or so. We are where we are though and it's hard to imagine the Gogs will move from there whilst ARC can rake in the Betting Levy so we have to make it our Speedway home for as long as possible.

You appear to have absolutely no idea what your talking about. Perhaps you should learn about the stadium set up and who runs what before you make uneducated , sweeping statements .

Zeheller still available On twitter saying UK promoters to put him on speed dial!

One promotion already do what you have suggested but sadly are not in the BSPL but last season ran a successful season on the Isle of Wight. Hopefully in the future they will be able to back into the league AND allowed to provide the show they did this last season.

Interesting reading here, a good starting point for 2022 the promoters would be to get their priorities rearranged maybe something more like this: 1. Promote & advertise your race meetings, set your gate targets much higher then break even. 2. Present the riders with a well prepared race track & put extra effort/cash in as & when when required. 3. Have a few pre-season seminars for promoters & presenters in "How to present a speedway meeting for YOUR fans". 4. Have clean & presentable toilets that you would be happy for your own Wife, Daughter or family member to use. "5" Delete from your existing mindset "Must get in the playoffs @ all cost". My 55 years in speedway tells me I will have more chance of seeing pigs fly then even one promoter taking on board what I've said!

The working enviroment for most of us has changed so much, Where I was working when I used to go all over to watch Speedway there were 12 to 15 blokes on the floor so if I wanted to shoot off early to a speedway track there was cover as long as I stepped in when they wanted to get away early, Now there are only 4 blokes & 2 of them are drivers so the cover is not there. Then there is the cost of fuel now at record prices. But the biggest issue is plain & simple the timing & the VFM I used to go & expect to see the first race at 7:30 with the parade 15 minutes earlier then there would be a whole meeting 13/15 races, To the bar for a pint & a chat & watch 6/8 second half races & I could leave happy at 9:30 latest. For speedway to save it's self & encourage people like Steve Roberts back as regulars it needs to be run in a manner that gives the paying public any chance to believe they are getting VFM

Brought to the top

No bottle....not good enuff at all!

Thanks for that, I found this literally after I posted https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2022/02/15/3-steps-to-reopen-the-netherlands

As someone that works in media sales and sports sponsorship I can assure you regardless of platform or sport a potential sponsor will carry out due diligence. This will include (but not limited to) looking at three areas of SM. 1 The clubs/sport official SM platforms, 2. Players (or riders) in the sport or club concerned, 3. Unofficial SM channels and the BSF would be included in the latter. So, speedway is no different to football, rugby, cricket, basketball, netball, F1, BSB etc.

Laurence might still be in talks with Jason Lyons to see if he will come out of retirement…

If you can’t attract gappmaier then you really are in the mire.

I understand. I supported Reading when I lived there and Coventry again when I moved back to the Midlands. It's always hard summoning up the enthusiasm to go to another track but I'm glad I did. I can appreciate how you feel about Jordan as I felt pretty much the same about some involved in the demise of Brandon. However, going to Leicester reminded that a promotion can be welcoming and that there is something about the mix of fans that is good as well- , that it still has some connection with its working class roots and being a bit quaintly old-fashioned is a good antidote to the hyper-real presentation of other sports. It may be that this can actually be a selling point, I don;t know. I do hope you go again. As El Addio has said there is something magical about a good live speedway match.

Must be signing Gappmaier.

Poor VFM for me. Also its a massive rush around to get to Lynn for me after work in the summer months. I used to be a week in week out fan but only go very occasionally now and enjoy it far more. And I never, ever take the risk now if the weather forecast is dodgy as riders are very rarely interested once there's a spot of rain.

For me it is simple, my working hours don't allow me to. I suspect that applies to quite a lot more people than in the 70's or 80's as well. Additionally for so many it means an hour or more each way travelling although I have to admit that didn't stop us, as a family, going in earlier decades, travel is more expensive now though I think. I can only do weekends but there is nothing local and most weekends I would rather be riding bikes than watching somebody else anyway. Never miss a GP on the TV but league meetings are recorded and the fast forward button used frequently unless it is an especially good meeting. I have never been a typical fan though having always preferred individual meetings.

I am confident he will do a good job for us

It's on the track where he needs to do the talking!

Sad for this year of course but as said in the original press release, Eric & Margaret Dugard are keen to see speedway return to the venue..

https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/manchester/belle-vue-sports-village/facilities It appears that if you want to book the sports pitches , or the hospitality areas , you have to book via Better Leisure. That would tend to suggest that Belle Vue speedway does not control the stadium other than on its own event days

Can not sign anyone when LR has no contact left to sign. Verge James Jessop There the riders available and fit LR budget. CHEAP!!

The wait goes on for the last 3 signings. Thought we would of got atleast 2 or even 3in by now from the video he made or was that just letting the fans get some hope. come on LR. Get them riders signed!! Or do we have to wait till the end of the week

One would assume from GiveusaB's comments that in comparison to Perry Barr, Redcar is some utopian paradise, or that Ashfield is a carbon copy of Shangri-La. These places are what they are. You play with the cards you are dealt and get on with it. Perry Barr is the subject of a £700m reinvestment programme and in addition a long-term regeneration and improvement plan that will build on that investment. https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50253/perry_barr_regeneration/2388/perry_barr_2040_a_vision_for_legacy If the Brummies were to get merely a one hundred thousandth of that sort of investment by way of the first sponsor, they may be able to persuade someone to take up one of the 3 remaining sits vacant that they have.

Worse than that, I don't understand why people REFUSE to watch it on TV or online. Yet they claim to be speedway "fans".

Possibly, but other than a brief sojourn at Hall Green, speedway in the city has always been associated with Perry Barr, either where it is now (and the 40's, 50's and 1960) or the old Ladbrokes Stadium over the road which is now buried under the One Stop Shopping Centre. What doesn't help is all the construction work going on, some of it unnecessarily.

Kuzhin & Toloknov facetimeing eachother in the hospital: https://www.instagram.com/stories/nikita.toloknov/2774368225835453009/ Both boys in good spirits it seems!

Expect response from UK Martin with that comment.

We have Oxford back. Newcastle and Birmingham are still running. It's important we don't talk the sport down. Times are tough and money is tight but speedway is still a reasonable option in these times. It's not as expensive as football and some other sports. I just hope that the promoters think about this and give value for money - decent tracks, promptly run meetings, some s smiling faces when I buy a programme or a drink - and no last minute cancellations. Oh and have a word with the riders about making sure they turn up properly prepared. I personally cannot understand why people on this forum don't attend meetings. This is a speedway forum after all!

Is that because it's 1 mile from the Villa ground and 3.5 mile from the Albion ground?

Mark was a good rider, not that it has anything to do with someones's ability to run a speedway club

Worst post I've ever read on here, total nonsense.

Been told the track work is near completion. So when the team is complete and I'm sure it will be sorted soon, will have a good track to race on. That's got to be a positive. Sure all be OK in the end .

Current UK inflation rate is 5.4% and forecast to rise further Pensions will rise by 3.1% in April so how is that rising by inflation ?.

I've said it many times but I would expect more than just fifteen heats of racing after paying my admission price and petrol to travel to my local track some 60 plus miles away irrspective of the expected rise in the cost of living.

Sheffield The Others Kings Lynn

So, why do Belle Vue Speedway has such extortionate debts to the Council??