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Firstly, let me say that I count Dave Hoggart as a good friend so I am slightly biased. Secondly, after being critical on the pages of this forum (in my opinion, both reasonably and with full justification) I have had some very hostile and aggressive - and even abusive and threatening - responses from promoters, team managers and riders both on here and in person. I have long said that speedway's PR and the way it treats its paying customers often leave a great deal to be desired. Some years ago and as a result of comments made about Sheffield , Hoggy invited the diehard Tigers fan Spin King and I for a chat. I went along with some reservation given past experiences but Dave was as accommodating as he could be about the situation at the club. He couldn't tell us everything, but went as far as possible. Take it from me, it was an enlightening experience and gave us both a better understanding of what was actually happening. I have no doubt that Spinny would agree. As I understand it, Hoggy has responded to a request from Keith Chapman to help out at King's Lynn although he had, to my knowledge, been out of the sport for some years. Most of my time watching speedway was as a neutral but, having supported clubs, I know how frustrating and annoying it can be when they are performing badly. Usually, however, there are circumstances why that is the case of which the ordinary paying punter is unaware. In the post above, Hoggy has requested that any Stars fan see him after Thursday's meeting and he will try to give some insight as to what precisely is going on - clearly, the club and team are in a difficult position following the departure of the former promoter. My advice is to take the opportunity to speak to Hoggy if you can. I'm sure you won't hear everything you might want to hear, but he is entirely approachable and reasonable and you will get some idea of the present situation. If you are very lucky, he might even buy you a beer.

Oh well never mind

It's more of a Middle Ditch... thank you, here all week

Not a hole it's a slight ridge on turn one which has been smoothed out.

Not gained another forum idiot have we. Thought I was the last to slip through the net.

Wow, your'e really on the negative stuff aren't you? Come and have a chat with me after the meeting on Thursday and I'll try and help to balance your opinion. No tricks at all but I need to understand why you are battering King's Lynn so vehemently. It's no good us announcing a signing until we have secured contractual obligations and fulfilled legal criteria. I get it that it hasn't been a brilliant season but whilst we are working to improve it give us a break ffs! No guarantees but we're working on it

Honestly, thought it would be really tough going tonight but didn’t see this coming. Shocking display by us….shocking track as far as racing lines are concerned and shocking entertainment value all round. My immediate reaction was to refrain from attending the “no chance” second leg…..BUT…..I will attend…..because I’ll be assured of some fantastic racing and a fabulously entertaining evening. Borefests with silverware?……or “real racing” at Ashfield?……..I know what my preference is………

Do Poole fans actually pay to watch that gate and go sh*te , I feel robbed paying 12 quid for the stream

Today Kowalski's carburettors were checked by the manufacturer, and were found to be legal. I wonder how many riders will put apologies on their twitter pages

Personally I think fans should get a refund if any match doesn't go to heat 15. Say £1 a heat, so anyone at Monday's match gets £5 off another Sheffield meeting this season? The promotion must be saving money not having to pay points for 5 races, so why not pass that saving onto the fans who paid for a full meeting?

As a neutral watching this meeting, how can there be good racing when there is a complete no show from the away team. It takes 2 teams to make a good meeting and Glasgow were just outclassed. It was like watching Halifax away meetings in the 70s and early 80s. Cannot blame the home side or the track, start with Team manager who is crap, and riders who looked beat before 1st corner.

Thought the track was excellent. Just the right amount of water, no dust at all, plent of dirt as well for those that wanted to give it a blast. Perhaps Berwick will show Glasgow how it’s done next week? Don’t think they will do as badly, that’s for sure.

Wow all is well then.

Glasgow as a team just can't ride Poole, ruts or not, bloody awful display really

They should just abandon this and run it in 2024

Hope the spectator that needed medical attention is ok. If they fell down the hole in bend 1 it could be serious.

All rather embarrassing for the Swedes. Some unanswered questions nonetheless: 1) Was this the first time this equipment for checking had been used? 2) Was the machinery of any other riders checked, and if so, why didn't they show up as "non-regulatory"? 3) Given that it seems to have been a complete hoax, why did the Swedes announce it all publicly without checking things carefully first? 4) How will Kowalski move forward from this? As has been mentioned already, will other riders and tuners who lambasted him now all apologise, along with the Swedes themselves?

Home win, by a comfortable margin, with Lady Luck once again urinating on the Bandits hopes of a win.

Another comfortable away win at Oxford for the Bandits I think. With what it lacks in firepower, Berwick’s 1 to 5 certainly makes up for it with strength in depth and with arguably the best reserve pairing in the league, it’s sure to be a tricky night for the Cheetahs.

That’s just nitpicking !

Quite. The problem with this forum is - and Daniel said that himself - is that there are a lot of idiots who can't wait to stick the boot in whatever Hoggy (or any other promoter or team manager for that matter) might say or do. Aside from the fact that Dave may not wish to disclose everything in such a public arena, he shouldn't be asked to set himself up as a focal point for those who have nothing better to do than bash him, Keith Chapman and King's Lynn Stars. On the other hand, there are a lot of genuine and long term Stars supporters - my old mate Bagpuss for a start - who only want the best for the team and the club. That doesn't preclude them from being critical, but it also means they are likely to listen to what Hoggy has to say, especially given the fact that he is, as I said before, entirely approachable and reasonable. It is for that reason that I believe they should take him up on his offer to engage - and surely it is better to do so face to face. I somehow can't see those who are completely negative doing that, as they are far happier sitting behind keyboards.

I'm getting the impression every time there's another speedway shambles a few more walk away even the die hards seem to be getting fed up

Are there any 'good' nits?

If rider safety is an issue for heats 11 - 15 then it should be an issue prior to that too

I bought the stream expecting to see a good match and that was shocking The track was awful absolutely disgusting to be honest … no passing and a huge rut on bend one … Glasgow happy to get out without injuries though must be said they were shocking And sorry but did also read that Glasgow are a team of gaters …. Lol that has to be the daftest comment of the night award ….Harris Basso Vissing and Brennan known as gaters are they!!!!! Poole have Lawson Worrall Rowe and Zach who are known for their gating ability … in fact Ben and Newman your only real racers Poole as expected better out of the starts and on a crap track nobody is going to pass Certainly won’t buy again if Poole are at home how your fans put up with crap racing I will never know

Jeez. If that’s what excellent I dread to think what you think superb is. Blue groove after heat 1. The passes in heat 3 you talked about were only made bc of the “ridge, hole, rut” whatever you want to call it. have to say that was one of the worse meetings I’ve seen in many a year. If follow the leader speedway is for you then you can have it. Thats not for me.

Thanks to Rob Godfrey blocking them using Friday nights and rain offs they had ridden two home meetings from March to June both against Glasgow. So they were around bottom of the league due to not having ridden many meetings. Then they went on a winning run winning everything. Probably rode 10 home in October and still didn't complete their league fixtures, final meeting after all the finals had been raced abandoned. Then Godfrey fined them!

Absolutely. And I've now cancelled the thought of going to Dorset for a holiday - what with the dire dross speedway and the dangerous bus station. I'm sure the racing at Poole was better when they had all the wavy bits and the proper craters.

It’s not a hole apparently it’s a ridge. The ridge has a hole on it though.

For future reference so you understand what it is... This is gloating

15 races and 15 last places tells its own story. Aside from the result you really need to sit back and soak up how lucky you are not to be watching that absolute tripe week in week out. Absolutely deplorable racing.

Glasgow embarrassing in a final yet again. But absolutely c**p track, heat 14 before a genuine pass and yet the Poole riders were praising the track. Glad I don't have to watch that every week Congratulations to Poole on their first trophy of the season.

Yep it was certainly that. I am actually surprised I thought we might have hit the dizzy heights of 29 points. Im also surprised you think it’s an embarrassment as supporting Edinburgh this season should have you conditioned for embarrassment.

You reckon there'll be a next season?

It could make international news... like the Chilean miners, will they be rescued?

Why is the first bend a roll off the dice to keep on the bike. Can understand ruts and whatever after a few heats but it’s really poor prep to have it as dangerous as that from the start.

Follow Follow is fine now they have banned the infested.

we had it tough in them days.

I don't get the moaning,,, just shut up and pay up next time like the good people you are,,,, you know ya gonna

You never slipped through the net we just pitted you.

Good signings. Transformed the team completely

A thought about the 2 home/ away. Given there would be far more fixtures would clubs not take the risk of running with potentially weaker sides a couple times a season as one or two bad results wouldn't have that much of an effect on final positions. Whereas with only 8 home league fixtures one home defeat could be difference in league position for play offs. And if we had double the fixtures wouldn't that reduce the need for doubling up as would be enough fixtures in the champ? Lambert was interviewed after Glasgow meeting, might've been for Edinburgh's preview said just wasn't enough fixtures for guys only doing one league. Give them the extra fixtures, limit doubling up to the RS and maybe riders averaging over 7 in champ. Get the full compliment of fixtures we were used to in no problem imo

Will give that a try - lets hope the grey suits listen to new ideas then!

Been done to death but basic figures that are likely way under what is actually being paid out shows the position PL teams are in. 2000 spectators at £22 = £44,000 (less vat = £35200) based on 100 points paid out (50 home and away) that allows for £350 per point....higher or lower etc as long as the average is £350 per point (and completely ignoring guarantees etc) The 12 home fixtures at £10,000 a meeting to host (rent, medical, flights, fuel, tyres etc) as covered means sponsorships of at least £120,000 per season. Then add all the bells a whistles like vans, visas, accommodation, workshops, race suits, bike covers, team wear and other pre season costs, bonds etc its certainly not hard to see how teams who aren't getting 2000+ fans a week and don't have very good sponsorships are going to fall by the wayside very soon.

I was told Turner signed a few weeks ago so guessing thats fallen through?. Either way as covered by other posters the season is over, 3 matches left and no possibility of getting in the playoffs so why waste any money on new signings.

I said I hope for an early call on this one as it could cost the promoter a fortune otherwise and now it has very unfortunately and I see no fun in that none at all, I’m embarrassing to Plymouth speedway just because I’m not wearing the rose tinted glasses you wear I see how hard the promoter works and he deserves applause for that. I’m the sort of fan speedway doesn’t need coming from you, some of the people you have badger baited on here you make me laugh ( mostly Poole fans) some you have even got down right personal on, isn’t that called bullying.some people I will take criticism you not a chance.

Well he did waste a couple of quidsworth of fuel, nevermind the cost to the promotion which probably ran into god knows how much. He the sort of fan speedway doesn't need, bit of an embarrassment to himself and Plymouth Speedway, we're not all as thick,honest!

You have to give Nigel Tolley a lot of credit, I think he's realised that no matter what team he puts out or which manager he puts in charge, people in the local area just won't come out and support speedway sufficiently enough to make ends meet. But Tolley continues to persevere and do his very best against the odds. You have to take your hat off to him.

What really miffed the fans last night was the fact that they rushed through heats 8 & 9 whilst it was pouring down with rain, what can be worse for the riders safety when those at the back get filled in and can't see where they're going. Jenkins actually pulled up in 8 and tootled round as he couldn't see and Ellis was totally coated at the back in 9 and lost yards as the race went on. Then the rain stopped, the riders came out on track and had a look. It was decided to grade the track and Graham Trollope brought the tractor to the gate, but then it was decided they wouldn't grade it. All the time the clouds were passing and blue sky was visible. Heat 10 then took place, Holder off gate 3 didn't get away too well but passed everyone out of bend 2 down the back straight. There was a tussle for second between Howarth and Cook and Basso rode around at the back apparently totally uninterested. That gave the fans the impression that the track WAS raceable. Then both teams had meetings and it was obvious that it was going to be abandoned. No attempt was made to try and improve the surface, the sun was shining, there was no hint that there was more rain on the way (both visibly and on the apps) and a result they had a very unhappy crowd. If just a little effort had been put in to try and improve the track surface it would've been appreciated (after all it was only just 8.35) we all know rider safety is important, but so is making an effort so the fans get their moneys worth. This was another bad day for this sport, no wonder it's dying on it's arse!

Didn’t he have a bit of trouble with Derek Sneddon when they were both at Edinburgh?