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Can I put some perspective on this please? I have kept in touch with David and have heard his views first hand. I also have a business connection with the SGP series and so meet Phil Morris from time to time. He and I used to cut each other dead, I thought he did it to me because of comments I’d made in the Speedway Star after the incident, and I did it to him because of what happened. As my GP attendances became more frequent, I realised that Phil and I would end up in the same room together and would need to have a conversation. I messaged David along these lines and wouldn’t have spoken to Phil without his approval. A few years ago, Phil and I were in the same airport lounge and we finally took the opportunity to clear the air. Before relating that conversation, I discovered that I was wrong about his reason for disliking me. He told me that, after the incident, when he was racing, his wife started getting anonymous phone calls threatening her and their children. It was a Scottish voice. He thought it was me. Regardless of what happened to David, that is a despicable thing to do and whoever was responsible should hang their head in shame. As far as the crash was concerned, Phil made a mistake. He thought he was clean passed David and went to the fence to stop him being repassed. David was still on the outside, far closer than Phil realised and Phil’s push bar hit David’s handlebars. Phil was never a tidy or a fast rider, but he would use what he had to bully his way past. That time he got it wrong. Now, I’m not trying to be his apologist or anything like that but he is fully aware of his actions and acknowledges the impact they had. It was a racing incident and not one rider trying to injure let alone end the career of another. If anyone on here gets the chance, speak to David about it and you’ll get his perspective. He is an amazing guy and far more upbeat than certainly I would be under the circumstances. Turning now to Phil’s work at the GPs, he works flat out during the meetings and commands the respect of riders, officials and track staff. Someone said he wasn’t as good as Ole Olsen and cited the track at Cardiff as an example. Which is ironic as it was Olsen that built that horrendous track. And that was probably the last one he’ll be asked to build. I have tried to make this an explanation rather than a defence. What happened cannot be reversed and I will always remember that day. And it was Phil’s fault. He’ll tell you that. But having spoken to the only two people directly involved, it is also my view he was clumsy, not dirty.

Honestly What did ya Mam always say about listening to rumours... fake news Biffa fake news... Workington could have filled this team three times over with riders contacting them wanting to ride at Northside... and had a couple of spares to boot... Before it was even decided to run the outline team was there... only one rider has been approached and that was after the team build figures were raised and even then the club management did a great deal of soul searching before they swapped out the last rider because they had a couple of additional points to play with and here's the rub... they did go to the other cluds promotion impacted and told them the situatìon before making the approach... which they were thanked for... So there was "No tempting" and definitely no "throwing of big money" at anyone... however what riders will get is the opportunity of additional free track time during the week to hone their skills which other clubs will struggle to offer... This is a stand alone operation and if it does not pay it's way the team won't run next season it's as simple as that... this team has been built on a budget and with a business plan that will need to work... we need to have fans through the turnstiles and we need to have sponsorship from local business to make it work... neither are guarenteed yet... this first year racing is a work in progress and is being run separately from the training track... we can't afford one business to pull down the other... If money wasn't an issue and we had pleanty of it sloshing around to "Tempt Riders" and "Throw Big Deals At Them" we would have jumped directly into the Championship.... but we haven't and we are not in the fortunate position of some other clubs where the sport is bankrolled by a wealthy business... fiscal prudence especially in this first season back will very much be the watchword... So your rumour is no more than that Biffa or is it something you have made up just to stir things up... and if you try and follow the other motherly advice of... if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all... may be a good mantra to follow... and keep your ill informed rumours to yourself... Regards THJ

He's confirming He's confirmed,not like Lawson Richie Worrall keeps his word.

Workington have the Ideal set up for youngsters to practice 7 days a week who wouldn't want to join them,if they have ambitions it's a complete no brainer to join them.

Well you can have it from the horses mouth no big money chucked at my rider. We declined more from others for his services

Matt never has been a hairdresser. He owned a hair salon. That’s it.

David is great with the kids at one of the coaches of the Monarch’s academy as well.

Yup, it is indeed his real name! Ace John Pijper to be legally exact! His nickname (at home) is either ‘Acey Jay’ or ‘AJ’

As an avid local speedway fan I have not heard rumours of the cash being splashed. But have heard that there's hardly any riders who don't want to ride for the comets, the main reason I have heard is they want to ride what looks to be a great track. And most importantly have access to ride 7 days a week practicing to improve themselves, so far most are young and have the ambition to progress further through the speedway ranks, Looking forward to seeing these young kids progress and only 2 mile fra yam you never know one of these kids could turn out to be the next Dan Bewley UTC

One of the most stupid posts Ive seen on this forum and that's saying something... It was the way he laid it down haha There is what looks like a floodlight pylon a few feet behind a bag of plastic bottles. The run off area is full of of objects. Incredibly dangerous. Did you not notice him hit a solid fence feet first and hear the impact. The lads lucky he can still walk How that track can be signed off by anyone as safe is crazy.

Ringo Starr owned a hairdressers but I'm sure he was a drummer. ffs.

Bloody hell who gives a monkeys weather he was a hairdresser or not this is a speedway forum not an advertising sight for a bloody hairdressers what ever he’s done he’s been successful and good luck to him but let’s get back to talking speedway.

I think this argument is cut and dry

Poor @HGould and his usual misinformation he spreads, even I know Matt was never a hairdresser lol.

You're absolutely splitting hairs by saying that Rew didn't hit the fence. The kickboards are part of the fence/barrier/banana whatever word you use to describe it. He quite clearly hit a solid part of the fence with a hard thud, and bounced back - that would have caused compression injuries, and he's incredibly fortunate to not have more than cracks or minor breaks.

A Polish report by Lezno says they are small cracks not fractures,, and after 2 month's rehabilitation,, they expect him to be ready to race at start of season

Believe it is one for practice, think also depends on the amount of riders?

Yes Lawson will drop Poole if a better offer comes along for sure.

Umm are you sure about that?! Wonder if Edinburgh see it the same way?

£18,£20,£22 its all relative to how much enjoyment you get from it,personally during the season for me its the best £££ I spend all week.

Looks like all behind the rebirth of the comets mean business 1st what looks to be a great track now looking like a great team to go with it UTC

And you get emails from the BSN team, advertising their product, and making sure I dont forget they exist... Almost like they understand the way that to be successful today your online presence and targeted marketing is key... Who'd have thought that? Will be signing up as an extra Xmas present to my wife... I am sure she will be delighted...

Think you could be getting your metaphor's mixed up there Biffa... No smoke without fire maybe but never believe a rumour... especially one you made up yourself... Ziad K. Abdelnour once said "Always remember… Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.” wise words eh... Think you got Shanghai there RoundTheBoards... more like RoundTheBend.... keep taking the pills Biffa and don't believe everything you hear... even if your telling yourself the rumours... Here's a fact (that's opposite to any rumour) no big wages no poaching of riders by Workington and they have definitley not been throwing big money at riders or trying to tempt them away from their clubs.... But Santa is real so be a good soul and you won't be getting a big lump of coal... Regards THJ

Haha. So he did the business side of things. Doesn't make him a hairdresser. Get your dictionary out and check lol.

I think it has been said many times that he owned a salon but wasn't a hairdresser, just some like to think it's funnier to call him a hairdresser.

Danny's the puppet, his dad pulls the strings. He owned hairdressing Salons. Fact He was a Sales Rep for Hair Products including VS Fact If you own a Building Firm you may never leave the Office. You're still a Builder.

Yeah just goes to show you how clueless HGould is.

Think they are right giving him another season,he didn’t have lot of luck last year.on a 4pt av could do a job.

Cordell is fine, bit of a battering & sore & 1 dead bike. Bit of a rest & he says he’ll be good to go.

People generally tell you what you want too hear when they know they are in the wrong. But if David has moved on from this then maybe us as fans should as well. It is a day I will never forget and unfortunately for David he has too live with the consequences of the actions of another rider that day.

Feel sorry for him, I think he is a good rider who could be very good with the right management, certainly has a lot of potential. I hope he does well for Leicester this season, he certainly rides his home track very well and if he doesn't have a CL place now I am sure he will get one later in the season.

He confirmed that himself at there last meeting when he was riding as a guest

That's a home weighted average for you unfortunately. Has to be some way to incentivise clubs to sign him rather than some of the non British second strings that have got places, a young promising Brit shouldn't be starting the season without a second division team spot.

£20 is expensive? I don't know what it is this season, but last year, to go to a third division football match (Walsall) was £35. Just to see 22 men running up and down, with perhaps a couple of goals if you're lucky.

Bit pathetic that they had to regionalise it in a six team league and then they still couldn’t complete the fixtures.

You can cross Ace Pijper off the list.

From Sportowefakty it’s reporting that Rew is already home and won’t need an operation, hopefully for him it’s a quick healing process and he’s back on a bike at start of the season

Fair point Lisa the Ford's don't get much wrong and if he is in next year's team who am I to judge just didn't understand his behaviour at not wanting to be involved in the final celebration.

On BSN you can get English commentary. Scottish commentary, Australian commentary,

Seems like my prediction last week of who the next two signings would be was spot on. Hard to believe that Berwick wouldn't want to retain Ace Pijper. Seems to fit in with the rumours that Workington have been throwing big money at riders to try to tempt them away from their clubs.

Cracking signing for the comets is young ACE !! From what I saw at the end of the season at Redcar ( he was mixing it with the top lads of the championship & beating some of them ) but what's more impressive is they way he conducts himself which stands him in good stead for the future & is a credit to his parents & can't wait for 2023 to see how he progresses

Lasse is UK based during the season so costs the Monarchs less than a southern based rider who would want travel costs

It's a couple of quid at most clubs they still have bills to pay which will of also gone up aswel

Lowering the points limit has never worked before don’t understand why they persist with this nonsense. All it means is mediocrity is being rewarded. And to compound matters they increase admission for a weaker product.

I think that’s good for both - the Bullets and Archie.

Kerr as well ? ……according to the speedway star.

Yeah my team (Scunthorpe United) are now in the conference and it’s £21 so when you compare it to that it’s proportional

Is 'Ace' his real name, or just a nickname?

Ace Pijper is signing number 4: https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=477478057828699

That price would certainly put me off attending. The diehards will go no matter what, others will pick & choose their matches depending on the opposition. Fans who don't feel £20 is value for money may go even less. I don't know the right answer as halfing the cost doesn't guarantee double the crowd! But I do feel £20 is too much for second tier speedway!