Halifaxtiger

Hoggy is absolutely right to instruct Ashworth not to say anything. For a start, there is enough dirty linen washed in public where speedway is concerned as it is. Secondly, contract matters are strictly confidential. Finally, while some of Bowden's comments are petulant, childish and absolutely unnecessary (what on earth is wrong with saying 'we feel let down and disappointed' and leaving it at that ?) Ashworth's are fair and dignified.

Thank you for your comments, Dave. It is always appreciated when a member of the speedway establishment (for want of a better term) comes on here and gives us the benefit of their opinion (even if that is because you are getting 'warmed up' about it ). As one or two have pointed out, the situation seems to have worked out to everyone's advantage and for that reason it can be quickly forgotten. One last point: I think you are absolutely right to tell Ricky Ashworth not to make negative comments. Mike Bowden had, I believe, reason to feel let down but did himself no favours by publicly criticising the rider in the way that he did.

As Womble said, behave. While we won't know the truth, I don't think Mike Bowden did change the contract (which is why I publicly apologised)- I think Ashworth changed his mind regarding the travelling. While he should not have agreed to join Plymouth in the first place, he's not the first and he won't be the last to give backword and I can understand why he did. The thing is quite unusually it looks as though everyone has benefitted from his change of mind so, at the end of the day, who really cares ? Last season was a bit under par but otherwise I would agree - I have seen some terrific speedway there in the past. Fingers crossed that a new track curator will restore it to its best. Like you, for me its the racing that counts, not the stadium. If Plymouth is anything like it was last year, you won't be disappointed. It is a a bit spartan but the speedway can be out of the top drawer.

You mean Bill Hancock who is listed as a promoter of the club and is father of Debbie Hancock, another promoter and who is stated on the Oak Tree Arena website as managing 'the family business'. I suppose if you want to be extremely pedantic Somerset Speedway do not own Oak tree Arena. I daresay Eastbourne Speedway do not have Arlington as an asset either, but its owned by Bob Dugard nevertheless. To suggest that Somerset Speedway are tenants is nonsense and you know it.

You have a lot to learn AF In my job, you never ask a question you don't know the answer to............... I am waiting to see what Najjer comes up with

Enlighten me, who does ?

It did work out rather well for Ashworth and Berwick but he says he wasn't tapped up nor did he tap Berwick up and I see no reason to disbelieve him. I am not sure that he would have been 'very happy' to ride for Plymouth, more that it was a case of Hobson's choice. I also think it worked out rather well for Plymouth so your pathetic comment about him 'getting the boot' is absolutely uncalled for. Its difficult to argue with the viewpoint that we don't know the full facts and probably never will. The only thing is Ashworth doesn't say in even the smallest way that it was Plymouth's fault (he doesn't even hint at it) going on to say that it was the travelling that put him off. Given that he lives in Manchester and would face a 700 mile, 12 hour round trip for meetings that is entirely plausible; which of us wouldn't have second thoughts ?

Actually, what I said was that a Somerset supporter was not in a position to have a pop at someone else's stadium. Quite simply, their's isn't that good that they are in a position to do so. The track I compared it with was Scunthorpe, and I'd say EWR is definitely better. The three best racing tracks I went to last season (out of 25 visited) were Scunthorpe, Mildenhall & Plymouth. While I have a bit of a soft spot for the Devils and know some cracking lads down there, I wouldn't make a 700 mile round trip for crap racing when I can do it in 40. Somerset is better than Plymouth, but then they are owners, not tenants and have been in existence for a fair bit longer. I think its more likely that Squall's Dad is a secret millionaire Don't listen to that lazy, freeloading git Nikko, Spinny. And don't stir him up, either. He is difficult to lull to sleep again. I think that I (and maybe one or two others) might owe Mr Bowden an apology. Ricky Ashworth gives a pretty convincing and reasonable account of why he won't be at SBA in Speedy Star this week, and its nothing to do with money or contract conditions.

I daresay that viewpoint is as unbiased as mine is. I should point out I went to 25 tracks last season, so I think I am better qualified to judge who has good racing and who doesn't and, based admittedly upon last season only, Somerset isn't in Plymouth's league. One day you might even have some cover for spectators, and I am wondering just what you might do to increase 'viewing opportunities'. One thing you don't lack at Somerset is a good view. The bar and restaurent is fantastic, but you can't see the track from inside. Consequently, I might question whether the principle reason for its development was for the benefit and enjoyment of speedway fans on race night or weddings, sunday lunches and other fund raising at all other times. As I have said, Plymouth don't own their stadium, so they are at the mercy of the owners as to the development of the place. A fair comparison would be with Scunthorpe, who have been opened for about half the time. I think its fair to say that EWR is acknowledged as the best racing track in the country. They have three covered areas on the home straight and are in the process of building extra concrete terracing around the first bend. They have a bar, new pits, a new toliet block, a training track, floodlights, an air fence and a hard core car park. I'd be the first to admit that if the racing is good I don't really care that much about the facilities (and I'd accept that isn't everyone's point of view) so, up to last season, I rather enjoyed my all my visits to OTA. What I object to is someone having a pop at a track that can do very little about their facilities when their own stadium isn't up to much and they can.

Aside from the restaurant/bar, I am wondering precisely what they have done since then, because it can't be much. Four visits to Plymouth for me this season pencilled in so far, and that's because its one of the best racing tracks around. Rye House down there could be an absolute cracker of a match.

That's rich coming from a Somerset supporter. OTA isn't exactly Wembley stadium where supporters facilities are concerned (unless you count those nice seats on the back straight) and Plymouth at least have the excuse that they don't own the land and have been around for half the time. From what I have heard and seen, Somerset have even lost the reputation of having a terrific race track, while from what I have heard and seen Plymouth have gained one. No question about which track I would prefer to take a newcomer to (Mr Bowden included).

I think you are probably right but it will make them very difficult to beat at SBA. Barker is almost unbeatable there and there's no reason why Fisher can't be the same. Cockle scored some big points on his home circuit at the end of the season and Glanz should do OK. In addition, any team that has two riders in it capable of beating anyone, anywhere, will be a drawcard and that's something the Devils most certainly were not in 2011. This thread tends to turn into a bit of a Bowden bashing session but I think he deserves a bit of credit here. He's gone out and signed probably the best rider available who fits average wise, hasn't done it on the cheap and has given Plymouth fans reason to be enthusiastic and inspired about the new season.

The problem with all that is 'Mike Bowden says'. Firstly, its one side of the story and secondly since when is he someone to be absolutely trusted ? Word is he changed Ashworth's contract, so its little wonder Ashworth gave back word. Having said all that, Berwick might say that they heard that Ashworth had become available and then contacted him but it does rather fit all too nicely doesn't it ? Still, everyone's happy in the end, so who really cares what happened ?

No more than I was coming anyway - its the company and the racing that make SBA such an attractive (if expensive) destination I might take in a few more away matches, though, as the sight of Barker & Fisher must make Plymouth attractive visitors where ever they go.. To be fair to Bowden, that's a superb signing . Not only that, Fisher doesn't come cheap and while he might have moderated his terms a bit in the face of missing out altogether he will still cost more than many.

To be fair, I think you have given a genuine comment here after watching him on Saturday, perhaps for the first time. I, too, was a little disappointed with his overall score after seeing him put in a very, very impressive first ride; after reading Scunny Stag's comments, I now know why that was the case. What I will say is this lad has made a huge amount of progress in a very short time, and commented so to his Dad on the boat coming back from the Isle of Wight last summer. His first race win on Saturday was, as I say, very impressive indeed and a huge step up again. Given that he has just turned 15, Buxton could have a very good rider indeed on their hands. Very best of luck to him for the new season.

I don't think you have missed anything but there is definitely an opening at Berwick. Tsunami spotted it earlier; if Ashworth isn't going to Plymouth, where is he going and would he have backed out if he had nowhere else to go ? Maybe it worked out very nicely for him when Mr Bowden (apparently) changed their deal.

I have been told Bowden changed his contract. You have to wonder, though, whether he would have pulled out had he not had the opportunity to go to Berwick. Whatever the case, it appears that the infamous Plymouth promoter strikes again

That was provided for me...........to be fair, SCB is right. While Mr Bowden can be criticised in many areas, asking for volunteers to paint the fence isn't one of them.

Well said Its hardly unheard of to have volunteers in. In fact, I once painted the whole of Mildenhall's fence.

I think you are right about the viewpoint of PL (or EL) supporters regarding the NL. In fact, the majority of them care more or less about their club and their club alone. I don't think its true that necessarily pay to see the big stars. If they did, no-one would go to PL racing, either. Most go to watch the team they support or, alternatively, good speedway and many NL clubs are above there bigger cousins where the latter is concerned, as Dudley, Mildenhall & Scunthorpe are up there with the best. Very difficult to disagree with that but short of opening new tracks or persuading more promoters to accept the losses that a third tier team will almost certainly create I am not sure what can be done. There is a possibility that the NL will increase in size by 50% next season (and I will be surprised if it does not increase by 20% at least). I doubt if that will apply to the PL or EL. Fair point, Dean. To a degree, its window dressing anyway. Most double up clubs do lose money on the second string team. Its a question whether the losses are sustainable and the numbers of riders produced make it worthwhile. Scunthorpe have shown that you can make a success of it. I asked Main Man that very question and he agrees

Thoroughly deserved That clash with Dudley looks pretty good, too.

Actually, I am not so pessimistic. Huge crowds at Dudley, the spectacular rejuventaion of Mildenhall, the introduction of NL speedway at Isle of Wight and Stoke and the continuing commitment to the third tier at Scunthorpe, Rye House and King's Lynn are all positve signs. We are told that Sittingbourne, Bristol & Cornwall will all be NL. One has planning permission and is starting to build a track, the other two are in the stage of obtaining that planning permission (indeed, I am reliably informed that Cornwall looks very good indeed). Tim Helm has confirmed that there is interest in reopening Weymouth, and there must be at least a possibility that all 4 will come to the tapes in 2013 (I am further advised that Cornwall may even be racing this season). Most of the NL tracks that have closed over the last few years have either been double up teamclubs that coufd not afford to run two teams (Newport, Belle Vue, Redcar, Edinburgh) teams that have been promoted (Plymouth) or those who have lost the use of their stadiums for one reason or another (Oxford, Wimbledon, Weymouth). Its not financial losses as such that forced closure (as an example, the Newport NL side lost far less than its PL equivalent). While I greatly regret the loss of teams and in particular the loss of places for young riders, do not believe that sufficient care and attention is paid to the NL and would be the first to admit that everything is not perfect, in some ways the future of the NL is far brighter than either the EL or the PL.

Agreed . Cockle could improve significantly too; he had a nightmare start last season but was doing very well for Plymouth by the end. Team full of young assets, Mallett to return at some point, potentially some real improvers (especially Lewis Kerr; very impressed with him at times last season). Best of luck to Dale and his team.

Very surprised by that. Maybe he will be a track expert at Plymouth Whatever, I wish him well.

I don't agree with the opinion that he is a one track pony for a second, Spinny (he was a favoured guest for Mildenhall for a start) but I equally don't believe that anyone would suggest that small tight tracks are his favourite - and that is exactly what SBA is. Once again, I hope I am wrong.