Halifaxtiger

David Crane indicates that Sittingbourne are in the NL on the Mildenhall website Speedy Star indicates two interested parties at Weymouth but this is subject to a reduction in the astonishing rent that is charged for the Wessex stadium - over a year, its higher than Poole's

Well said indeed I think these comments pretty much sum up my own experiences of the NL and how I feel about those who are critical of it and refuse to attend simply because it is NL. There's absolutely no difference between the quality of the racing at NL level when compared with the PL & EL.

Gods holy trousers Nikko at an away match, and one outside East Anglia at that Furthest I have seen you travel is Peterborough

I certainly didn't see that one coming. 30 minutes door to door for me and as the racing can't possibly be worse than the EL at Kirky Lane I'll certainly be giving it a try on NL nights. An away trip with the Fen Tigers (fingers crossed)on a week night that I don't have to take a day off for

It is a much deserved and somewhat overdue honour for Scunthorpe to be allocated a meeting of this quality. The only thing I would be slightly concerned about is whether the stadium will be big enough - the presence of some top riders on Britain's best racing track is bound to attract a huge crowd.

Consistent at least My own view has changed slightly, mainly thanks to Dale Allitt's eloquent persuasion. For the forthcoming season, I believe that a points limit should be set based upon 4 factors: the pool of riders available for the NL, the financial viability of the clubs, the development of British youngsters and the differing needs of the constituent members.I am sure that some sort of agreement could be reached on that basis, but have no idea what the figure would be. Bluntly, to make a decision to reduce (or indeed increase)the current limit with regard to only one of those factors would in my opinion be both foolish and, quite possibly, selfish. To suggest that Mildenhall would have survived based on a lower points limit is pure optimistic speculation and nothing else. I believe you advocated a 36pt limit at the end of 2009, which would have meant that Mildenhall would have started the 2010 season with a line up of Evans, Priest, Rayson, Jacobs and............3 3pt (or so) riders. That would be the same for all of the clubs, and I certainly don't know of 30 such riders. Nor does Jayne Moss, because she took issue with you over that specific subject on the pages of this forum, nor, too, does Laurence Rogers, stating to me at Dudley one night that they just don't exist. As such, that suggestion was completely impractical. In addition, it doesn't just mean 30 riders for that season, but for every season afterwards, with the undoubted possibility that some youngsters on a 6 or 7pt average would be squeezed out. Its true to suggest that a lower points limit would involve lower costs. Even on NL rates, based upon what I know Mildenhall would still need 300 paying adults to break even. According to Ray Mascall, they weren't getting that and while the losses would have been more sustainable, who is to say that the club still would not have folded ? That also overlooks whether gates would have remained the same without the likes of Hart, Lambert, Smart, Herne, Simmonds etc - the drawcards at NL level (never mind those who would have refused to ride for £10 a point). Would everyone who paid £10 to watch the Fen Tigers (and every other club) have continued to do so when each team had at least two novices ? One only has to read the comments about fans leaving due to lowering points levels in the EL for the answer to that, and while the amateur meetings I have seen are generally entertaining no-one goes despite the fact that entry is free. I am nearly as keen on youth development as you are (I followed Adam Kirby to places as far apart as Workington and Plymouth last season to watch him compete in the U15's) but that cannot be at the expense of everything else.

I think we all hope for deep pockets but in that we are no different to the majority of speedway supporters because most tracks lose money. Bloody hell, Steve. He'll be leaving the country with you making statements like that With one notorious exception, I have always found Dave and his brother Ron to be very reasonable indeed and it seems that Simon (who had a lot more contact) did too. It must not be forgotten that he is a businessman (not a charity) and therefore he will get a deal that suits him. Having said that, he will be very much aware that he can make a few quid on Sundays by having the speedway at West Row or alternatively make nothing by having it empty on that day. Great post . Agree completely

I thought I was done with the Fen Tigers last June Possibly not Like the venerable Mr Barton says, let's see who they are first. They are going to have to be something pretty dreadful (Proud Potter, perhaps ) to put me off. Isn't it amazing that the news of the return of the Fen Tigers is announced in the same post as a fan saying they will not be going any more..........

Complete rubbish He's been a member of the BSPA for six or seven seasons, being part of this heinous organisation and fully co-operating in inflicting unfair decisions on others (including Mildenhall). He's never said a word about impartial control or independent adjudication before now.

That's a very fair point but you will find that the setting of precedents is something that the Sandhu supporters simply brush aside because they really don't want to know about the possibility of Stuart Douglas, Bob Dugard or someone else taking the same actions next season. One wonders whether they all would have supported Matt Ford (and vice-versa) taking similar action in 2009 when it certainly seemed to me that regulations were set to spite Poole, and in far less justifiable circumstances as it was half way through the season. Somehow I doubt it, exposing their position for what it is - subjective, prejudiced and hypocritical. Very fair again. I think SCB has shown that the 60% conversion rate is fair, the Pawlicki rule does close a loophole (although I think it is motivated by spite) and the 8.00 rule is to even out top line riders.

If I understand you correctly these 'businessmen' can't come to an agreement with Dave Coventry, so what the hell is the point the BSPA looking at their proposal until they do. Even if the BSPA were all in favour, they'd have nowhere to run their meetings. It is down to Dave who promotes at West Row but it should not be forgotten that it is, at least to a degree, in his interests to have speedway at Mildenhall. After all, he can have someone there paying rent and people eating and drinking on a Sunday afternoon or he can have it empty.

Bluntly, it has often been the case that I have found your posts to be arrogant, biased and EL snobbish. On this occasion, though, I'd say that your viewpoint - that Coventry should be in the EL, that they should accept rules decided by the will of the majority, that their court action is merely holding the sport to ransom and that the BSPA - for all their faults - are in the right - is accepted by at the very least a substantial minority of British Speedway supporters. I suspect that a lot of the derogatory and abusive comments made about you on here are just people taking any excuse to have a pot shot.

Thtat's very much hitting the nail on the head and something that has been utterly brushed aside by the Sandhu supporters. According to this weeks speedway star, it is stated: 'both clubs are committed to reach a point where speedway becomes more transparent, run in an impartial way and members concerns can be raised in a productive forum' It would be very surprising, then, if there is a compromise and it is solely about rules and regulations, because according to that statement at least it was never about that anyway.

Dead right, agree with every word Some people say NL speedway is better than nothing. They are wrong, because it is frequently more exciting that than either the EL or PL - anyone who watches all three levels will tell you that. Peterborough is one of the best tracks in Britain so every supporter will want it to stay in business. If that is NL (and it seems that EL and Pl are ruled out)so be it.

To be honest I didn't check his website - I just based it on my experiences of being there early on Sunday morning. I really do believe (and always try to be realistic rather than optimistic or pessimistic) that it is Dave's interests to have speedway at West Row but it comes down to how much he is prepared to accept in rent before it no longer becomes in his interests, if you see what I mean. I thought £1,200 was excessive and sustainable for a club that does not often pull in 500 fans. One thing, though. Dave has made a lot of favourable noises regarding the speedway and he has never struck me as someone who is likely to give anyone a pile of crap with the intention of doing precisely the opposite.

Not so sure on that one, postie. While they do pull 10 times the speedway attendances, banger meetings are still held on alternate weekends as Dave Coventry promotes at Dover every fortnight as well as at Mildenhall. With speedway running on the off Saturday for bangers, it means he gets rent and food takings every week so it makes financial sense for him to have speedway there. It just comes down to a compromise between what he wants and what a speedway promotion would be prepared to pay. I got told he accepted a rent of £800pw last year, only for the bid to fail because of the court action. Having had dealings with him, with only one exception I have found him to a be a reasonable and pragmatic man who says it how he sees it. I don't rule out Dave being named as promoter himself with volunteers running it on match days. I am very optimistic that speedway will not only return, but that it may stay for seasons to come.

I think Damon is right. Whoever the BSPA might consider to be appropriate for Mildenhall Dave Coventry is the stadium owner and if he doesn't want them that's it.

I have said all along that that is the reason why Plymouth are not allowed in - I sincerely believe that any other reasons are merely window dressing. Distance is rubbish. As Bob C has accurately said, Trelawny had no problems, and that is about 50 miles or so further. I doubt if Exeter would have had, either. The track is small and the facilities somewhat basic, but the track at Mildenhall is not much bigger (if at all)and the facilities at Somerset (certainly on their elevation to the PL) no better. I have to say that the astonishing scenes that I witnessed in my one trip to Plymouth (against Weymouth at the back end of the season)which were almost entirely created by members of the promoters family and the opinions I heard that day would make me think twice about allowing Plymouth to join the PL, and that is a huge shame for their terrific supporters.

Gone on a bit maybe, but talked a lot of sense Someone else has mentioned the bolt from the blue nature of this announcement being a cause of the anger and its a fair point. When Mildenhall dropped down,we all knew it was coming and that PL speedway was unsustainable at West Row. Those who let their head rule their heart (like Malcolm)knew it was always beyond their remit. Its why we were all delighted when the club dropped down to a level we believed it could afford and that speedway would continue. Sadly, that wasn't to be, but if Dave Tattum had been a little more straight it might have made a little difference. You are dead right about the lack of a competitive team;if you haven't got the finances you can't put the team out, so supporters stay away and this just continues in a downward spiral.The thing is (and this is crucial)is that the lower costs in the NL might just mean that Stoke can put out a side capable of challenging for the league and (and I very much appreciate your honesty) you will be there every week - and you won't be alone. Those who choose to stay away will be doing little else other than cutting their noses off to spite their faces, and it will be extremely hard to do so if the struggling team you have supported through many years suddenly become successful. To my mind, its as simple as that: a successful team will make Stoke a success in the NL. In my view, Stoke is the best shaped track in Britain, but sometimes the preparation hasn't matched that. The quality of the racing in the NL is no different to that of the higher leagues, so get that right and, in combination with a winning team, things will pick up. I think you are right, too, about passions calming a bit by next March. We'll see how many still refuse to go if the NL gets up to about 10 teams or so (three bidders at Mildenhall, possible rescue at Weymouth)and they look like being in with a shout.

Absolutely right and that's precisely the point that matters. Easy to complain, not so easy to propose workable solutions. The very best of luck to Dave Tattum, Malcolm Vasey & Stoke Potters for next season.

Ok, if its not NL speedway, what precisely do you want or expect of Dave Tattum ? And its no good saying he should promote more without defining precisely what you mean by that word.

I'd say that makes your reaction even harder to understand - a passionate supporter who doesn't just attend matches but but helps out both on match days and before hand and organises trips. I cannot believe that someone like that cannot accept the reality of the situation, embrace the fact that the team that he has supported for so long will continue to ride and look forward to the new season. I say that because that's exactly how I felt when Mildenhall dropped into the NL in 2009, and I'd say my commitment to them at that time matched yours. There's no reason why they can't have both - in actual fact, that's the way most NL teams run. It'll be interesting to see whether Malcolm continues to support a 34 or 36pt limit now that he is at a stand alone club

At the end of the day its your choice. My two points are a/I don't blame Dave Tattum for dropping down if PL speedway is not sustainable and b/ the standard of entertainment (if not rider)will be exactly the same, just cheaper. I just don't see why every single Stoke fan who is taking him to the cleaners can't see either of those, and the stated viewpoints here and on the PL contrast starkly with those from Ipswich who recognise that there downward move is in the best interests of the team they support. f you will go to Buxton instead, you are doing nothing other than cutting your nose off to spite your face. As I say, though, that's your choice.

Perhaps you'd like to make that statement to every other club in British Speedway with the exception of the handful that actually make money. It also accuses not just Dave Tattum of failing to promote his track but all the others as well. As I stated in my post, there are many who constantly go on about promoting their tracks and, indeed, offer many suggestions about how to do so and seem to believe that those suggestions would have hundreds flocking back. All of those ideas involve spending money, but not one of those who crow about poor promotion have any intention whatsoever of risking their money but are perfectly happy to tell others to do so. As is undoubtedly the case, many tracks have wealthy benefactors who pour money in hand over fist to keep the track going and provide more competitive line ups. If Dave Tattum isn't prepared to do that (or, more likely, simply can't afford to do so) why should he ? Its fair to suggest that Stoke's sides haven't been top of the table contenders (nor even looked like it)for several seasons. The fact is that the lower costs in the NL might just enable him to put out a very decent side indeed and its better to have a chance of being top dog in the NL than perpetually at the bottom in the PL. As to the BMW, do you expect him to also sell his house and all possessions as well to keep the track going ?

Taken from the Mildenhall website: 'Mildenhall will begin to learn their fate for next season after the sport’s annual meeting a week today. The BSPA, who now hold the promoting licence for speedway at West Row, will then be able to further advise stadium boss Dave Coventry, who has begun talks with two interested parties. The legal battle involving the stadium and noise complaints has been put back to January 24th when a two-week trial will commence at the High Court.