Leaderboard

I am truly devastated at the loss of Steve. He was my friend and travelling companion on several memorable domestic and overseas trips. He had no side to him but was a straightforward gentle gentleman. He worked tirelessly to get Peter Collins to come back to Belle Vue - and don’t believe PC’s propaganda, he was told he would always be welcomed at the NSS as would any ex-Belle Vue rider. What wasn’t on offer though was his demand, not request, that nearly 200 of his cronies, some who’d had no involvement with speedway let alone Belle Vue, also got in free. Steve tried many times to talk sense into PC, including going round to his house, but PC would not change his mind, possibly because he’d backed himself into a corner. Steve was never one for taking offence and went to the Glossop signing of PC’s book. Having paid his £20, PC scrawled in his copy “Steve, I will never forgive you for what you have done to me and my family. I will never go to BV if you are there.” Steve shared a photo of the inscription but then said to me that he’d enjoyed reading the book. That is the sort of man that Steve was and I hope that, although Steve will never be at BV again, neither will PC as he’ll be barred. I am not alone in knowing that I will never forgive PC for what he wrote. Many men become world speedway champion, there’s one every year, but there will only ever be one Steve Casey. I knew Steve’s cancer would take him sooner rather than later but am still stunned that we have lost him. The world is a much sadder place today.

Firstly to say that we at Retro Speedway are naturally sincerely saddened by the news of Steve's death. In my experience he was a very amiable, decent bloke. He was clearly devoted to Belle Vue, had a keen sense of Aces' history, and was a natural enthusiast for speedway as a whole. With respect, Gordon, and I fully appreciate you are feeling very sad and upset right now, the acknowledgement you hoped for WAS addressed by Retro Speedway - PRIVATELY - with Steve direct. An online forum is not the best way to handle such personal matters. I believe Steve thought so too. Possibly unknown to you, Susie and I both communicated personally with Steve, separately, over the book signing matter. Understanding the possible upset caused, we offered to try and resolve things to his satisfaction. He appreciated our sympathetic words. As you rightly point out on the other thread, Steve did read the book and said he enjoyed it. In fact, on Nov 23 he sent me an unsolicited text saying: "Hiya Tony...just finished the PC book and really enjoyed it...was a great read with some fabulous memories and insights (accompanied by four 'thumbs up' emojis)." I obviously thanked him for his kind comments. Earlier this month, he phoned me to say how grateful he was to unexpectedly receive our new DVD, Defunct British Speedway Tracks 2, which we sent him as a goodwill gesture, to hopefully lift his spirits after another spell in hospital, and because he actually features on it in the BV Kirky Kane segment. I hope this serves as the public 'acknowledgement' you expected and that those reading these posts gather a true picture of Retro Speedway's part. RIP, Steve.

I have kept quiet on this for a very long time in the hope that there would at least be an acknowledgement of the wrong that occurred that night. For those that want more, please see my comments on the thread entitled Steve Casey RIP

Those other sports usually have options. However, the British Basketball League is actually owned by the owners of the London team, so you absolutely see it in other sports.

I thought she did a grand job when I went to see Sheffield there. Could be 3 years of experience to where she's improved, but I found her level of interaction and talking to the fans to be spot on, which is better than 80% of announcers who absolutely love the sound of their own voice.

Sadly, it was announced tonight that Steve Casey has passed away after a battle with cancer. A wonderful man, a wonderful speedway FAN. After his riding career ended after spells at Ellesmere Port and Newport he returned to his spiritual home at Belle Vue where he performed a superb job as a presentation manager. I was proud to know him when he worked with Allied Dunbar (along with Chris Morton) in the 90s, and used to love our chats at the NSS every meeting in recent years. He always had time for people, and there's no greater compliment that I can give him. It's a lovely coincidence that he passed away as his team are finally the champions again. RIP Steve. A speedway legend who will be missed by many. Thoughts are with his family and friends.

It amazes me how much stick Gerry and Peter get. In my experience, pretty straightforward, people-focused, invested in the community, great at business. They seem very private but that’s all.

So after all the faffing and delay it's not even the club that let's the cat out of the bag!

Interesting snippet in the Redcar section of the Speedway Star. Interview with Danyon Hume about his move there. Buried in amongst that.. ”Hume is hopeful of returning to Ipswich to double up in the Premiership, and feels the stars are aligning nicely in his attempt to continue climbing the Speedway ladder” No direct quotes from Danyon himself but that was obviously relayed to the interviewer off record. Thought that was interesting.. New boy Keynan Rew is the front cover headliner this week as well, with a two page interview inside. . Well worth picking up. Fully fit sometime in February and will be raring to go in time for press and practice.

Its a winning team most want ..

Not a ringer - a legal replacement for an injured rider. Certainly more credible than a guest. Unless you know otherwise?

Thanks Steve. Great photo of SKC and Jackie

318 - it has to pay for him home and away

Why thank you

Well,, how do ya do that then

Thanks Tony. And I appreciated then and am happy now to acknowledge your gestures. You were, of course, as much an innocent party to what happened as was Steve but I did and do believe that what happened needed to be made public. The one man who should have apologised has remained silent. As I have said elsewhere, PC’s behaviour was unforgivable and I am not alone being shocked and disgusted by it. I know he’s got a huge chip on his shoulder about the NSS, but you don’t take your bile out on one of the guys who has worked flat out to achieve a reconciliation.

Not a great looking side imo

He's expensive .....and take him away from B.V isnt that good...

I wouldn't shift Worrall out personally, I'm all for Worrall signing as I think it's a shrewd move tbh. Only Prem track Richie is rubbish on is Belle Vue imo other than the NSS he's pretty reliable everywhere else and he rarely let's his team down imo.

Its ok....but not that good if thats the team ..needed a big signing like N.P to draw the crowd's in ...

And less conspiracy theorists

Will the deal just be for one season if Glasgow don't win the Championship? Asking for a friend.........

It’s just you, I think.

The Oxford Channel was a free-to-air terrestrial channel, later rebranded SixTV. It was an analogue channel though, so went the way of the Dodo after the digital switchover.

Great news! We need more Facennas in speedway.

188 different tracks in total covering 31 countries which is every country in the world that has staged a meeting within the past 5 or so years.

And with most guesses "it's good , but it's not right"

This is hilarious. You expect the paranoia from the other end of the M8 , but the affliction goes much further than there . Speedway fan - wish the league had a sponsor Speedway God- it has now Speedway Fan - yeah but its a Glasgow promoters company , surely that's a conflict of interests Speedway God - how ? Speedway fan - i dont know it just is . Thats them trying to buy the league again Speedway God - how ? Speedway fan - ( getting more worked up ) I dont know it just is . It seems well dodgy though . Speedway God - in what way ? Speedway fan ( reaching for the valium) i dont know it just is . So there you have it , the league and the sport badly needs sponsors , but only.if it's the right kind of sponsor . If Vladimir Putin owned Cab Taxis , nobody on here would bat an eyelid . But anything to do with splash the cash Glasgow and its , " oh no no no we cant have that "

Sorry Tony, I can't buy that. Unless we have the exact number and names between Wee Eck's 180 and your "tiny handful" it's pure conjecture. I also can't go with the notion of riders "putting their neck on the line". I have admiration for anyone who gets their head above the parapet and goes for it in life, particularly if that is something dangerous like speedway or stepping into the boxing ring. But let's not pretend they are risking their lives for some greater noble cause and sacrifice. These are not volunteers marching off to war. They are sports people in it primarily for selfish reasons, personal glory and remuneration. Without those, they wouldn't be doing it. In PC's case, often very well remunerated, squeezing out as much as he could get from BV in his latter seasons. And fair play to him too...it's a short and dangerous career. What makes me uncomfortable about this book is that it is a one sided take from someone who has had a brain injury. This has had an effect and as such, his interpretations are questionable at least. And, to be really, really honest, it's only been published because there is a few quid in it. We can't take it as some sort of historical document without the views of all other parties involved be they past and current BV management. You can't have your cake and eat it. I was a big fan of PC and I've enjoyed lots of your output over the years. But let's say this as it is.

Rosco is Team Manager!!!

159 new fans at £22 = £3498. That sounds doable to me.

Nurse I think it's time for my injection

Bugger! I would love to have gone to that get-together but I'm only seeing it now. I'm told that motor sport in general is not that popular any more here in South Africa although I really only follow speedway. I think it was sometime back in the 70's when I saw the World Champions travelling circus (with riders like Olsen and Briggs) riding at the old Wembley track in Johannesburg. Those days seem to long gone! It's sad when you think that South Africa has produced world class riders like Henry Long and Doug Davies in the past. Doug was one of my favorite riders when I supported New Cross back in the 60's.

Good way of paying less tax via “sponsorship”. However benefits the sport in some way and a bit less goes to those pesky royals which is a winner. however I do see the point of it wouldn’t happen in any other sport in the world where a club owner sponsors the league. However it’s speedway so sporting integrity doesn’t exist does it.

Many, if not all top rider's demand per meeting these days. £3.5k is a bargain for Nicki P

Having thought about today's social media NKI reveal. 'Lead by example' could mean that NKI is the captain rather than the No.1 Nicki P, Andersen, Basso, Worrall, NKI, Cook & JJ is the only team that makes sense to me but Gasser is 100% certain on Holder. I think the club are going to save the best signing till last rather than ending the lengthy 2023 team building process on a whimper. So if Chris Holder isn't one of the next two announced then don't rule out Nicki Pedersen being the last announced rider for 2023. I agree, Very expensive for an average return.

Watch out. Watch out, snowflakes about!

It could be that it was I who started this hare ... I saw in the Speedway Star that Gino wanted to come over here and had a low average, and so suggested it on this forum. This speculation/wild guess seems to have taken on a life of its own! If it was really Manzares, he would have been signed by now?

It doesn't look the strongest team on paper,,, but neither did your team 2 years ago,,, and look what happened. And I've read often,, it's better to have a rubbish team to support than no team.

The real blame lies with Buster, Carl and Dale if / when the inevitable let down happens. All three of them are experienced enough to a point where they should be having a word with Tomalin and advising him to hold back on making public statements we wont be able to back up on track as well as setting out goals that aren't achievable or realistic. Instead they've basically just stood around watching the new promoter dig himself a hole from the get go tbh if the last one is Hans Andersen. Where's Buster this winter? He's been as quiet as a mouse.

Time to give Gasser90 credit where credits due me thinks, Basically the club have confirmed NKI as the No.1 by saying 'lead by example' therefore that basically says Chris Holder is at 5 considering we've not been linked with any other rider on a 7.00-7.58. Richie Worrall is a lock and he's just left a like on the NKI post too.

Richie worrall unfortunately

Thought he looked rapid the meeting he did with Kings Lynn early last year, welcome back NKI, good signing

Hardly shooting itself in the foot. Sponsers are not queuing round the block to invest in the Sport.The sport is already a closed shop.Conflict of interest even if there was one in this case is the least of their worries .

It's much less of a conflict than having the same people owning more than one speedway club in competition with each other. So the Facennas choose to invest in Speedway in the UK and all they get is S##t from people. I guarantee they've put more ££ in than they've got out of it.

Of course British Speedway is a wash with possible league sponsors so they should turn the Allied money away and get another sponsor

Why would a business allow its former (self employed) workers to use its facilities for free, especially in the current climate. Honestly the naivety of some people staggers me, the riders of yesteryear (other than, at most, a handful of legends) got paid and aren't owed anything.

Maybe clubs would get more mileage in running a membership scheme rather than Season Tickets? Eg £20 a month for 12 months and you get a free programme when you attend however many meetings there are.. Plus maybe several goes on the centre green per season to watch the racing..? Make the membership transferable for meetings the person paying may miss.. The benefits for the club are a constant cash flow, emails and communication details of fans so they can target them with merchandise offers, send them birthday and Xmas cards etc, meaning they stay in contact all year, not just during the season.. Maybe run prize draws too, once a month, to provide more interest and stimulate take up, cash prizes, merchandise, free food or drink vouchers etc... And non attendance on those "dodgy weather nights" is irrelevant as the money has already been taken.. For the fans they get to pay over 12 months so can budget and get to feel a bit like a "VIP" if the club runs the scheme well enough, seperate entrance, newsletters, etc thus making that so important emotional connection which stimulates loyalty.. A "500 Club" with fans paying £20 a month delivers £10k a month, and £120k a year..

I worked at Tesco's for 4 years as a student. Can you believe they won't let have free food now? There's a difference in your comparison. No one would question the right for PC to enter for free as a lifetime guest of honour. But riders who were paid for their time back in the 80s and 90s....Mark Crang, Bernie Collier, Barry Ayres, Paul Embley and hundreds of other wannabees, why should they get lifetime passes - that's the issue.