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Just en-route to Berkshire so I thought I would give my thoughts on last night's action. Bar the one incident mentioned above clarifying what happened as we entered the stadium it was a fun evening for us 'Bar Bandits' and 'Gladiators on tour'. The simple fact of the matter was Poole gated in every heat and we didn't and that was the difference. We thoroughly enjoyed Aaron Summers' heat win in 14 and duly celebrated as if we won the match! To be fair to the whole team, everyone gave 100% but sadly we came up against a fired up Pirates side who outclassed us on the night and gave a masterclass in gating. My views on the entertainment differ slightly to Steve's view in the fact other than Summers, there was very little passing and plenty FTG (Which Plymouth get pelters for every week...). On the whole, we came, we made a lot of noise (Respectfully), we had plenty of fun and laughs and we'd like to think the home fans enjoyed our visit. We certainly got a lot of smiles and claps as we gave off our renditions of: "Three Little Birds... Garry don't worry...about a thing... Every little thing... is gonna be alright..." and finally as we left the stadium.. "61-29 we're gonna win 61-29..." on our way out of the stadium to make our way home. All we are, before people get the wrong impression are a group of 12-15 people who love sport and are passionate about the side, yes we like a drink but we know our limits and we don't ever want to cross the line, we don't seek to cause offence or to make any fellow speedway supporter uncomfortable, hence why we tailor our songs to be family friendly and to get a few laughs. We promised to be loud and proud and we were. There was a lovely gesture from Garry and the boys to come over to us at the end and thank us for our support. We will still be there on Tuesday night getting behind the team. Over turning a 30 point disadvantage will almost be a tad tricky but we will try our best and end the season on a positive note.

Guaranteed full season at the Showground for 2023

Hi Lisa, I feel like I should just clarify this before wires get crossed. The 'Bar Bandits' stood on bend two all evening amongst Poole fans and just around from the NID gang by the pits and there were no issues whatsoever and plenty of laughs/banter were had. On entry to the stadium, our group were challenged by a member of the home support as they were allowed to take drinks around to our position instead of walking all the way around the track. Our group did nothing to provoke any violence bar one small, ill-advised comment which was never intended to cause any harm or offence but there was quite a hostile approach taken by said individual who was spoken to by security for his behaviour. We were also spoken to by the security team just to clarify the position and other than this one rather unsavoury incident, there were no such thing as trying to start fights and everyone enjoyed themselves whilst being respectful. (I can 100% confirm this as due to not feeling on top form, I was free from alcohol last night haha!)

TBF Batchelor is a 'random pick' wherever he rides?!

Really feel for those Plymouth fans . The team at the start of the season was awesome and if it had stayed fit I reckon they could have gone all the way. Always next year gladiators and abit more luck you never know.

Strange Trackrat hasn't commented on our win, i thought he would be the first to congratulate us!!

Says a lot for the state of speedway that there was (lots) more chat about the weather before this meeting than the actual contest itself!

It's one team in a tie.

On the Poole Pirates facebook, the situation has been explained as it happened with input from someone who was working in the area of the incident and it all just stemmed from some confusion and mis-understanding. It was nothing more than petty words. I'm not going to say anymore because it takes away from the meeting itself and how proud we were to get behind the group. We certainly weren't being abusive and most certainly wouldn't look to cause hassle or trouble. I'd strongly disagree with the fact our supporters embarrassed ourselves last night. Sure the group like to drink and enjoy their evening but as I stress, we are respectful and just want to have a good time with fans of our side and the opposition. This is one of the reasons we all like speedway because it doesn't have the 'yob' like culture of football.

Fair enough! It was mentioned on SM last night about 'Plymouth fans embarrassing themselves' so I asked why and that is when they said about being drunk and trying to start fights. But I am happy to take your side of events!

Not that many fans from overseas, and very few from Britain at Cardiff this year. For me British League speedway is overpriced..

Tbf apparently there were a few drunk Plymouth fans last night, so they prob can't remember what happened!

BSPA is the association of speedway promoters with BSPL the umbrella organisation. BSPL has four (or five?) directors. I know that Messrs Godfrey, Bates, Louis and Ford (Dan) are directors. I don’t know who else is if anyone. SCB is a sub-committee of the ACU, the governing body for motorcycle sport throughout the British Isles excluding Northern Ireland. It has two members from ACU - Tony Steele and Paul Hurry - and two from BSPA - Rob Godfrey and Chris Van Straaten. It also has an independent non voting chairman, currently Jim Lawrence. An easy way to look at the different roles is that SCB is responsible for the rules of the sport whereas BSPL/BSPA are responsible for the business of speedway.

A touch wobbly - he is 68! - but he still showed the old form!

for me its ££, and the reason i don't attend league football (although they don't seem to be missing me) at the risk of starting a whole new row - £12/14 max and find a way of making it viable through reduction of expenses - not easy i know. I don't care if they go round in rattly old JAPS. Its the market level and you can not sell something above the market value. Pubs are finding this out now - £5 a pint versus 4 excellent bottles for £6 at Tesco, people are staying in. Even cinemas are having to drop prices. Hard to coax people out and I'm one of them

Have to agree that the racing wasn't the best tonight, there were races where the riders were closely bunched together but there just wasn't anything out wide, anyone trying to get some drive to go round their opponent went backwards. Odd that the track was hardly graded tonight when most of the time folk moan about the tractor racing, thought it was crying out for a spiking and some water but there you go. Decent meeting in terms of the scores throughout though and great news about 2023. Also pleasing to see how Jenkins has progressed this year and his last couple of scores might make one or two eat their words.

Onto the match. I said Peterborough would win and at the 3/4 stage it looked like they would so well done to us for pulling that out the bag thanks to a brilliant ride from Brennan and Zagar. wasn’t a bad meeting I thought . Not much passing granted but there was a lot of close racing. Sometimes you don’t need a pass for a good race. good news about your return. See y’all next season where hopefully you have a better season

Big spoon your using tonight

Especially Hans !!

Heat 10 was worth a few quid

12 noon UK time

Absolutely spot on. Thought it was good to see the away fans in good voice.

But people still vote for him and are shocked when the Leopard doesn't change his spots.

Looking at the line ups I’d agree. News we’ve been bought by the Saudi royal family being announced along with Laguta at 1 and Bartosz at 5 next year should make up for tonight’s result

Yes you can, normally 3 lines, one for advanced Tickets, one for card, one for cash

We have Flint at 6 and Smith at 7. 53-37 ish

I fancy that too, but I suspect it'll be in the final. I think Leicester will send them up north and I we'll find it too tough. Too many injured riders, and Connor Bailey's not got anyone else to race for. That said, I'd like a semi-final against Edinburgh, so we have two matches to go to.

Maybe Leicester will wait on the KO Cup results before choosing their semi final play-off opponents. K.O.Cup semi final Leicester v Poole Sat 17th Poole v Leicester Weds 21st OR maybe they'll choose Redcar or Edinburgh just for a bit of variety?!

Thats a shame, Maybe any refunds that might be due can be donated to the BEN Fund, Thanks

Haven't heard about that. Just got told that a few Plymouth fans were drunk and trying to start fights apparently.

Agree with that, whilst unrealistic, based on current averages two from Mountain, Edwards, Gilkes, Jenkins, Starke and even Palin look better options

BIRMINGHAM and Cradley will attempt to do battle once again on Wednesday (September 14, 7.30) with the restaging of the Alan Grahame Memorial.The West Midlands rivals were originally meant to meet last Wednesday, before the fixture was pulled on the same afternoon due to a waterlogged track.But the season finale is now all set with two balanced, competitive line-ups.The Curtis Sport Brummies include both of their fit regular riders in Justin Sedgmen and James Pearson and are led by Josh Pickering who has been a Perry Barr crowd pleaser on numerous occasions this term as a guest booking.They also include 2015/16 National League winner Jack Smith at reserve with rising American star Dillon Ruml the new addition to their line-up from the original sides.Former Birmingham captain Tom Perry will be back on a bike for the first time in three years - but will be in the Heathens’ camp having begun his career with the former Dudley Wood outfit back in 2010.Former British Under-21 Champion Tom Brennan also rides for the visitors with fans’ favourite Max Clegg their only new face after being unavailable last week.Season Ticket holders and Advanced ten ticket holders are reminded that general admission prices apply - UNLESS they didn’t use their tickets for the Coventry challenge fixture at Perry Barr last month.BIRMINGHAM: Josh Pickering, Dillon Ruml, James Wright, Simon Lambert, Justin Sedgmen, Jack Smith, James Pearson.CRADLEY: Ryan Douglas, Max Clegg, Tom Brennan, Adam Roynon, Paul Starke, Tom Spencer, Tom Perry.

It just shows the damage that verminous jordan really caused

You have just suggested the actual rule in place. The cut off was 31st August.

Cookie was declared in danyons place for British final so he must be fit. Last I saw Ipswich on TV Louis wasn't positive about danyon and no idea on ulle. The initial chat was he'd hoped to be back for play offs but who knows what condition be in

at least there are news about the last ever issue ... http://www.retro-speedway.com/news.php?extend.99.1

But you don't need a crystal ball to see where we ALWAYS end up... ie cramming in meetings to complete a season... It will be the same next year, the same the year after that, and the year after that etc etc... Split the season into four sectors from April to November... 1. The "Cup" thingy. - 3 Home meetings per team and a another one for the two finalists. All done by the end of April... 2. The Premiership. - May to the first week of September. Meaning you run the play offs in the better weather and you take the most advantage of the kids being off school. 3. The Pairs - 2nd Week of September to October. Done in three weeks to keep fans interested. 4. All the rest - October. The League Riders Championships, The National Individual Finals, Any Testimonials, Any Individual Comps. That way you would keep interest in the Comps and also get some momentum fan wise through the year. Currently with all comps ending at the same time any succesful tracks cannot build on that success as their season often ends on the night of that success.... It also can mean fans forking out for five or six meetings within a one month salary window (regardless of following a succesful team), on colder evenings where they closely most monitor the weather forecasts, and even "light drizzle" will then keep them away... Sheffield are doing a "three match special" for £50 which highlights they recognise the issue so fair play to them... But not needed really if they all had a structure to their season...

it was a challenge match to honour and remember Alan Grahame . Starke was a late withdrawal being unfit after his crash last week so R/R was on]y option and being a challenge no averages were used in what was a good entertaining meeting with a good crowd.

Paul Starke was injured last week and was due to make his comeback for this meeting but had to pull out late as not fit enough to race . A good entertaining meeting with a good crowd to honour and remember Alan Grahame

The bond is paid to help if teams fail to fulfill the season and Eastbourne have previous

Maybe Hans is not on a Guarantee.

Congratulations to Poole well done no complaints we have just run out of steam towards the end of the year I’ll still be there next Tuesday but good luck to Poole for the rest of the season and keep that league title in England lol.

This post like a lot of other posts about Plymouth in recent months is massively over the top around the fact that Plymouth played within the rules in using a guest facility. Many other clubs have done it over years gone by, it's the rules that are the problem, not the club. I'd have loved for us to have signed a replacement ad the club tried, for the record Sedgmen and Summers wanted crazy money to ride for Plymouth and I stand by the promotion for not going there, neither rider imo is very good at Plymouth. We approached a host of riders one of which agreed terms only for the Chairman to block it (nothing to do with the rider's links to Scunthorpe of course). All of that being said, guest facility or not, no-one could have foreseen the injury crisis, none of which occurred at Plymouth's track and it's a real shame for the fans that they won't get to see what promised to be a very competitive side in the playoffs.

Maybe not starting the flagship competition until June didnt help? And they havent finished the other one yet have they? The one that meant the flagship competion started so late... Not to mention the pairs havent been completed yet either... Maybe given it is only 6 meetings they should have done the pairs during October and tried to fit them in Mon/Thu for 3 weeks..? Would have kept interest too, unlike now where it has dragged on... And meant the league took priority as well as was finished by the end of September...

Yea but if the cut was 31 August whatever, the fixtures would have to be completed to gain a league position, then you have all of September to run play offs and final in last week of September, but bspa or whatever they are called can't see it is getting worse every year, no wonder the sport is on its last legs

It was a ridiculous decision and both clubs should have used neither.

This does need to be tho a complete reset, fixtures so few and far between in all leagues is losing fans all the time

In 2018 when the comets won the treble, mid season attendances fell to around 500 well below break even level as the cup finals got near attendances get better near to break even levels, then at the very end of season had crowds of around 1500 to see the trophies lifted, but could/should have been more, forced to run late October often with only a few days notice so very little promotion get done, we all know what happened then the comets closed. Fast forward to 2022 matched getting postponed right left and centre KO cup still to run many matches, can see it being a dash to complete the season now autumn is well on its way, speedway will never learn and get most of the matches completed by the end of September

He would certainly keep the dust down in summer...

Can think of another middle name starting with W that is more appropriate.