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Heartfelt apology or cynical PR damage limitation exercise? mmm Of course there will be opinions as to both. I know what mine is. It resembles the statements you see when MPs or other such celebrities get their fingers caught in the till or other such indiscretions where they are bang to rights. Here's where I have a problem with it : 1. Why did it take from the 2nd November until now to get the apology? 2. Would the apology have been forthcoming if the incident had not been published on social media? 3. If the apology was based on the fact that he didn't know of Steve's illness - is he saying he would be justified if Steve had had a clean bill of health? 4. He didn't know Steve was ill. Very, very difficult to believe. Steve was in communication with his wife (again to try and resolve the 'issues') and she was well aware. Plus I know many of his inner circle who also knew. And apparently Peter didn't? 5. A 35 year long feud that exploded on that particular night? really? 6. A 35 year long feud that spanned 4 different promotions? That takes you back to the time when he was part of one such promotion! The situation commenced in 2016 at the start of the NSS opening. That I do know. Interestingly, some 20+ ex-riders have been in touch to commiserate and ask about arrangements, I asked them the same question. - ''Did you get a free pass when PC was Promoter?'' the answer was unanimous and I will let you guess the answer. It may surprise you. The good news is that I am reliably informed that book sales have not been affected. At least that is one consolation to this whole affair The truth sets you free

Ok, you can either view the PC ‘apology’ as a honest genuine apology or more likely a clumsy cynical attempt to try to repair the self inflicted damage. What still remains very puzzling is PC bizarre claim that he has had an ongoing feud with BV for 35 years, that doesn’t truly explain the main issue, that has upset many, as to why he wrote the hurtful and disgraceful note in Steve Casey book? From all accounts on here Steve was an honest broker trying to get PC back involved at BV!!

One of the saddest days of my life when Steve passed (Betty) last Wednesday. I've know Steve since I was 9 and he was 12. I feel a sense of loss that I would usually only associate with losing a family member. He always, always took the micky out of me as I did with him but underneath there was much love and respect. I saw Steve at Thameside Hospital last Saturday and he was still talking about beating his illness. If you look in the dictionary under zest for life, the first words say, " Steve Casey". He was the most positive person I have ever met. I have so many memories of time spent with Steve, time he spent with my family. We was the most sarcastic person I have ever met, he was naturally funny even though he wasn't trying to be. He always had plans, he never stood still, there was always something to plan or look forward to and he never gave up. He used to call me and say, I've got a problem Betty with my push bike or my car or that bloody lawnmower lol, then follow that up by saying, dont bother coming round because its unfixable, there is no one alive that can fix it, knowing full well that was a red rag to a bull for me. Round Ide go and we would both get stuck in and we always, always fixed or repaired whatever it was. Steve always got the good biscuits out when I went round for a brew and a catch up, ( well that's what he told me ) He was the most gentle, entertaining, strong, determined, placid, generous man I have ever met. I count myself privileged that he considered me as a friend. My heart goes out to his beautiful daughter Mia and his girlfriend Jackie at this time. He was one in a million and I will miss him until we next meet.

What a strange comment. I agree that it is probably best to take the apology at face value, even if it appears carefully crafted following criticism. The second part, however, implies that he is above reproach because he was a fine rider. If people are, however, disappointed with his behaviour surely this is a mature enough environment to at least discuss it - whether that is palatable to you as a fan or not.

Even as a Lynn fan it all looks incredibly dodgy, especially as the initial staging was rained off on a dry warm day.

For Mia's sake, I am pleased that he has apologised and hopefully a line can be drawn under this sad affair. Whether it changes people's opinion of him I'm not sure, I think that the damage has been done. However, I think that bringing up a 35 year feud was a rather petty way to somehow justify his actions, and whether he knew about Steve's cancer or not, the comments were disgraceful. Thank you to Tony Mac for being an intermediary in this, it can't have been an easy conversation.

Whilst this could be seen as a calculated, cynical PR attempt to restore his battered reputation, I think that you have to try to take his apology at face value. Hopefully PC may have learned from this sorry episode that life really is too short to carry this sort of petty baggage.

The current Belle Vue management have only been in place for 6 years and have no connection to past management teams! And there we have the truth. Collins' beef was with John Perrin, 35 years ago in 1988. Yet he has continued his petty vendetta against every new promotion that Belle Vue have had over the past 35 years. Everyone is at fault except him. And he will continue his vendetta against every future promotion. The Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury could buy Belle Vue tomorrow, but unless he is given Sainthood and 100+ pals can come along, they will be attacked. A great, great rider, but a sad, sad, little man.

If he's exemplary with fans then that's good enough for me.

Wimborne Winkers

Lancaster "Bombers" Slough "Berks" Epsom "Salts"

"Lie" seems an appropriate word where Collins is concerned.

Lets just " let it lie" enjoy the book and the good times he gave us .

You could be the Promoter with your experience.!!

Brian White had his lease terminated at Weymouth because Phil Bartlett paid the then Weymouth Chief Exec Gary Calder a back hander. Gary Calder was later banned by the FA for 8 years for match fixing. That guy could fix anything. Gary'll Fix It!

With all the negative posts/comments regarding PC I think that it's worth mentioning that in an article printed in the last edition of "Backtrack" he got to hear of the plight of King's Lynn fan Keith Burman leaving him a voice mail and forwarded signed memorabilia to Keith who was terminally ill with cancer.

Like you say it’s already been said that Brum have precedence, so what’s your point in bringing it up.Sh#t stirring IMO.

Good grief. A 35 year old fued There have been Mafia or Albanian blood feuds that haven’t lasted that long !!!

I'm not convinced there's any truth in this rumour about all ex-referees being allowed free admission into any meeting they want, but I'd be pretty sure that an ex-referee is not allowed to bring along 100+ of his mates, most of whom have never refereed a meeting in their lives. That would put them on a par with Collins. And I'm pretty sure no ex-referee has ever scrawled a vindictive message defacing the property of a dying man who had only tried to encourage him along to meetings.

Is there, I can never find them

Loved Shawfield too. Hopefully the sport won't die out but we need to sort out our cost base. Right now we have a standard we can't afford. If/when the number of tracks falls to about ten, we could have the much hoped for "big league " but at that point the costs need to be brought down to what the lesser clubs can afford. In the heyday of the 70s most riders had a day job and were semi professionals, had one bike and no mechanic. We need to get back to this approach ... but getting there is going to be difficult. However the sports long term future depends on it.

What has happened in previous seasons is irrelevant, because as we know the Regs are fiddled with every winter. Even so, I think the version of Reg 12.02 in the 2022 set was rehashed from before, because of the previous problems and other changes, e.g. the Transfer Window, etc. Every time the BSPA & SCB make a cock-up with the Regs, they patch them up, but don't seem to conduct a thorough review. Any idiot can see that "proven long term injury" is a hopelessly vague statement (any idiot except the BSPA and the SCB). The point is that Belle Vue didn't make a tactical change, it was made because their #1 rider was absent with a proven long term injury - what ever period was set as a precedent (possibly based on Jake Allen's and Erik Riss's absences), and was completely within the 2022 Regs.

Fixed that for you.

It took a solicitor because the BSPA and SCB originally approved a poorly worded Regulation, yet refused to interpret it, even though precedents were set with previously approved changes - that's the only taint. People are wrong to question the necessary change made by Belle Vue - they should question the continued poor quality Regulations, and the BSPA's & SCB's inability to use them (nobody even knew the clearly written Regulation for tied teams in the Pairs - including the Sheffield team manager!). If Sheffield had beaten a Belle Vue team that was using a random guest or R/R, then their win would have been tainted, as have previous wins against weakened opposition. As it is, Sheffield's defeat was tainted by Holder's miserable failure at Belle Vue.

Ironically... "Made up Speedway Teams" are not allowed, even though "Made up Speedway Teams" are an integral part of the operating model...

I think you will find that the same applied to the Wolves/Cradley matches. I always made sure I got to theses matches & there was always a strong turn out of other Bees fans too. The attendances at both Monmore & Dudley Wood were always excellent, the atmosphere was something special & way above the usual. Wonderful days very sadly missed.

After last seasons balls-up with Ellis, anything can happen! I have no expectations and will simply attend as many meetings as possible regardless of who's riding, just to get a speedway fix! You only have to look at what happened with Kennett at Plymouth last season, to realise that there's a lot of 'fixing' in speedway, I'm too long in the tooth to take it seriously as a sport of integrity!

They used to until big brother stepped in and closed all ghost clubs down.

I know this was a bad idea...

I wonder, would the club colours change during the month ? I'll get me coat

Blandford Forum 'Fannies'?

Really looking forward to the start of the season and a reunion with the old enemy. Going to be tough with Doyle in the side but bring it on.

Oh I’m sure their was nothing untoward about it, rofl.

Team being sponsored by the WSRA.

Yes along with his availability to guest on a lower average,seen him shut the throttle off near the finish line when he's leading his team mate home coming second still I believe gets paid a win very clever.

A perfect summation of the man I remember .

Lawson certainly is nigh unbeatable in the Championship, so why doesn't his average reflect this? Could it be a team building average!

Or just accept it for what it is, a heartfelt apology.

Pie and Mash is an excellent book, I have loaned it to a number of my Canadian mates who find the depiction of life inearly post war Britain fascinating-ration books etc. Also reading it made me wish even more that I could have seen Speedway at New Cross.

You might get quite a few if BassoRacingFan turns up with all his imaginary friends

Who said it didn't? Not sure I understand the point you are trying to make. My position is absolutely clear - I don't think anyone should be guaranteed entry to spectate because of their previous employment. They should only get free entry if they deliver equivalent or more value than the entry fee. If a promotion wants to let people in for free it's their call, but it should not be guaranteed or, as appears in some cases, demanded. If former referees get in for free, I would suggest the policy should be reviewed on a regular basis, based on business goals and strategy. I can't see how their attendance would add value personally.

Your obsessed with stirring sh#t.IMO

Of course it's tainted, it took a solicitor to get the Robert Lambert signing done. The rights or wrongs on either side is irrelevant, the title win is in question by many, that makes it tainted. In the same way many of Poole's title wins have question marks over them.

Exactly the same principle applies, why should a business allow someone in for free because they used to have a (paid) position for the sport's regulator.

The “regulation “ is as vague as it useless. Of course these “regulations” have been adapted and amended for any promoter who chooses to challenge it for their own benefit. Previously over abused by Poole and Matt Ford it seems Lemon has taken on that role of fudging the regulation. It will just need yet another amendment after the farce of bringing a rider in just for part of the play offs. Yes both Sheffield and Ipswich took advantage of this vague regulation and one may well say they might have abused the terminology but when has it ever been allowed to bring a rider in AFTER the play offs start? It’s never happened before so you have to question why now? If the regulation allows interpretation on the ‘proven long term injury’ line why have no other teams in the play offs been allowed to replace a rider before 2022. The play offs are littered with teams decimated by injury over the years ruining their possible chances of a title victory. Why have those season ending injuries never allowed teams to replace that rider before? Wolves had a season with both Freddie and Jacob have season ending injuries yet permission to use Woffy was denied. Seems there was no such thing allowed in the interpretation that year. Certainly seems it depends on who asks as to whether it’s a yes or no. Let’s be clear here. It’s the regulation/rule that’s the issue as well as the interpretation of that regulation. No doubt there will be changes and amendments after the Lambert farce of 22. That said some promoters will be looking at self interest at the business end of the season when they can potentially open a loophole to gain an advantage. sorry, that’s a total farce. A hollow victory in 22.

Me too. When my son was little he loved Troy Batchelor, and always got a good response when shouting "TROY!!!" at him.

I wouldn't worry too much about the SRBF "rules" they are a very compassionate body and do not operate in any way like an insurance company. Their support stretches way beyond injured riders which is highly commendable but not public due to the nature of the circumstances of the beneficiary. Nora affiliated Speedway clubs could make donations to the SRBF or take an initiative that I would like to see across every Speedway track and that is a 25p optional levy on every admission and bespoke SRBF collection boxes inside every stadium. The governing bodies need to do a lot more than the one off (very welcome) track collections every season and facilitating additional donations would be a positive step in the right direction.

Perfectly correct Chris - Nora's insurance was infact superior to the BSPL's NL with the exception of death when we did the analysis, and underwritten by the same company. I would imagine when other stadiums that also run Nora events, Iwade, Lydd, Scunthorpe, Leicester, Kings Lynn, Redcar when for example Dirt Track Events race there or even their own series of racing the insurance has already been deemed as acceptable by those clubs too. For the last two season everything has worked fine with the insurances when needed and the general feedback by those that needed it was that it was swift and easy to claim (if it is ever easy to claim for such a thing). So we are happy with it, riders can also take out their own personal insurance with the Nora race license which comes in very competitively when compared to other licenses and insurance options. All the best and thanks for the feedback. Barry

Perfect. Free speech - lets shut it down immediately. I see nothing but facts here personally - and if you don't like what is being said then you should jog on. It would be a pretty pointless forum if every thread was shut down on the basis of somebody not liking what they read. As a close personal friend of Steve's over many years - I am happy that a certain ex-rider is being exposed. And I know Steve's family feel the same way. There is way more to come out about this but might have to be on alternatives platforms if people like you insist on shutting down the truth.

Most councils in Britain are corrupt but going on an anti-Tory rant is a bit rich when you consider that a lot of the worst ones for accepting bungs or doing favours for their mates are Labour-controlled (especially in the North) *for the record i don't vote and i hate all mainstream parties equally