Coventry_Bee

The toys have been thrown... After years of success and a few late season signings the wheels have suddenly come off and the KK signing just didn't work. I think just looking at the league apart from one or 2 riders there isn't anybody that comes close to what Matt and Poole have been used to in Hancock, Magic, Ward, Holder and even lindback. The piece that has come out that the team is useless is a great confidence booster, who would want to come and ride over here, Poole have no loyalty just look at Holder, Watt and Newman, so why should and would anybody of any note they maybe looking at want to join this team? Why Lahti was at number 5 I will never know, a bad signing but can't be Fords fault now can it. No matter who they sign I think Poole will not make the play-off final even if they scrape through into the top 4. It's not always about how you win..... !!

I agree with previous posts that it will be a big surprise to see Holder back at Kings Lynn. What on earth is going on there though, not so long back Kings Lynn was a very popular and seemingly we'll run club? Now they can't seem to get the track right, the riders are not happy and I used to be a big fan of buster but why does it always have to be the case that you think the right man is in charge and then he changes and causes so much trouble for himself and the club. In his position he in my opinion should have nothing to do with a club, I'm amazed holder didn't get a 2 month ban the way he speaks about him but with out actually naming holder. What ever you think of what happened last week, if there is one rider who won't risk getting injured is Chris Holder and I can't blame him. He has been effected by Darcy's crash and these bikes don't need any excuse to start lifting in a corner. On a track where the dirt hasn't mixed well and is patchy grippy then slick why go out and risk being out for weeks. Why has it become so hard to get a track right? To come out with the statement why tonight's meeting was cancelled is not very professional, not something the head of British speedway should be coming out with. A way to annoy many riders I'd guess, but these guys want to race speedway not motocross. We as fans want to see racing not riders trying to get round 4 laps without falling off. Sad to see and I feel for kings Lynn fans. If the promotors feel it's ok to race on then let's see them hop on a bike and do a few laps.

Not a bad meeting at all, The one point about heat 13 I'd like to make is that although it was applauded for being fair and it was good of Bomber to leave so much room but you wouldn't see the very top riders doing it they would have cut masters off in a more cutting way, but it was good to see fair racing and you get that with bomber and that's why he is involved in so many good races and entertains as other riders know they can have a race with him and you are not going to end up in the fence. The track is one that requires riders to think more than just opening the throttle like Belle Vue for example. The first/second bend does make you want to close your eyes sometimes as riders have to lock up so hard, I think Nicholls was nearly going backwards at one point. They must know much better than us but it kills all momentum but I do quite enjoy seeing a mixture of racing but I don't think I could watch speedway all the while there but you get races like heat 13 where the different lines you can take made for passing and re-passing lap after lap. Wolves look very strong and so happy to see Rory going so well and long may it continue.

Interesting reading, I hope Sandhu takes them to the cleaners. They are just playing a stupid game and considering they purchased a motorsport stadium not a ready to go building site I hope they sit and rot on it. The speedway and Horton can't afford to run the stadium even if it was good to go tomorrow. The issue with Sandhu is ridiculous, they never wanted the stox before the things were taken out otherwise the lease would have ran like it did in 2016. This adds further slur to his name. The police found nothing so will they really go to high court?? They best thing they could do is bugger off as the animosity towards them keeps growing. Rugby Council find us a new home and throw every obstacle in the way for years to come. Bully boy tactics from people who hide behind scenes. We can tell you that in the contract for and on completion of the sale of the stadium the fixtures and fittings were not excluded". Obviously the police investigation didn't see it this way otherwise it would have been classed as theft and Sandhu Charged. The fact he was not even arrested but spoke with the police voluntarily shows what the law made of it.

Who on earth would want Horton anywhere near the speedway, I'd imagine if you asked riders over the past 10 years who was the better owner, I'd take a good guess who the clear favourite would be. It was well documented it wasn't Sandhu who sold Brandon, it's also been very clear from the police that Sandhu did not run off with lights and shale but took what was his. Facts are facts and the truth is we have no idea what talks are on going regarding a new location or going back to Brandon. Far too much unpleasant feeling has been made public and all of it should have been done behind closed doors. Brandon Estates should have just struck the same deal with Sandhu as they had for the 2016 season. The quote below from Sandhu's statement makes me think he is giving Brandon Estates the opportunity to try and meet half way or at some point and if no solution is attempted then he might think again. Might be reading too much in to it but he and his family have took a battering. "For the sake of speedway and stox I have decided to sit back at this time to see if solutions can be found to get both sports back on track."

You are right they do all need to sit down and sort this sorry mess out. Like it or not they all need each other, we need Brandon estates to let us in, Brandon estates need the council and the council are desperate to keep speedway and stox going. If it was say a 5-8 year plan, we stay at Brandon whilst planning is looked at and fine details with rugby borough council, in this time surly a location that suits can be found and built. Brandon estates get income from the site and we get our sports back. The only problem is the locals, they still rightly so oppose the idea of houses and the lack of infrastructure to sustain the amount on houses spoken about. Mr Sandhu has rightly so come out of this with no charges, Brandon Estates have been let off in my view as he would be more within his rights to be upset at what he and his family have had to listen and read on this saga, same goes for Jeremy Heaver. The statement he put out still points at the fact of unsigned deals. Deals agreed too and we know who is responsible and I don't think Sandhu and Heaver will forget in a hurry either. The bees needs to be back in the control of Sandhu, along with the stox so there is no third party playing games. The committee group has a long term aim and I think whoever takes over the bees the committee should stay in place as the figures on board have the very best interest of Coventry speedway and stox at heart. It's far from sorted but something Brandon Estates were sure to take so long has been thrown out maybe 7 months earlier than they imagined, still no word from them either not that I expected them to. They are the silent assassins quick enough to speak with the telegraph when it suited. Sandhu is ready to put it to one side and re-enter discussions, will they be willing? The least they can do in my opinion.

Let's hope we get somewhere now, buy the Bees back !!

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/speedway/fresh-hope-coventry-bees-police-13008211 To me that reads Sandhu did nothing wrong in removing what was his. Like a game of chess, next move ??

King/Cook must be big favourites, Not a track either Harris or Nicholls do well at and will need to improve on last years performances to even get to the final. Hope it's not raining this year though..

And to think you are grown men!! Back to speedway...I went tonight with so many ex bees riders on show, it was a good meeting although all over by heat 2 in all fairness. Wolves look a powerful team, the addition of Rory is a going to serve you well. In previous where the reserves have struggled they have chipped in with good points and Riss looked good quality. Be interesting to see how they go against a better reserve pairing though. Rye looked ready for a right tonking after 8 laps of racing, Eddie has reached British final "finals" in the past and tonight he looked like he had never been round the track before. He wobbled around first ride, fell on his own in another and didn't look confident at all. Bomber struggled for speed and of course gating wasn't great but his last 2 rides put himself about and the effort wasn't lacking but bike issues still continue to frustrate. Scott started well and just was out gated and on a few occasions, as with bomber the effort was there but wolves were just too good. Wells scored more than Watt would have and looked quick, Robson was the rider of the night for the away team, clever lines and great skill on the bike and some great rides. The racing was good, I just find wolves track to stop-start to enjoy going regular. The second bend is key to so many races, away riders take it wide and home riders go the inside line. Being used to Brandon which is bigger and riders taking the speed through the bends rather than turning so sharp and being more of a race track. All tracks differ and it's going to take a very very good team to beat wolves at home if this team stays fit.

Well I thought it was an ok meeting, heat 8 and 13 were especially entertaining. Stefan was very good value, Rory and Bjerre both had good rides. It was unfortunately King and Garrity that struggled, Jason really is getting frustrating to watch. He has been watching the simon stead locking up technique, to much time going sideward and at times backwards to provide enough points. I thought over the winter he would kick on this season but the same as last year.. Frustrating. Even made Skorniki look good!!! The bees team when running this year did have a new identity, people saying it doesn't feel like a bees team just wait till Harris is back and then it suddenly will feel different. Some riders pulling out was not ideal but some rode when not feeling 100%. Kerr has obviously gone to the dark side already with the Pirates . These meetings are to support the riders but also the name of the club, I fully support what we are trying to achieve and fair play to Jeff Davies and co for what they are doing. When we open back up again be it next year or a year or so later these people deserve huge credit, if there is a way to save us these guys are going to do all they can. Giving up now helps how? Wolves top 3 look very good at home at least, they are carrying the reserves though and with that they will struggle to get top 4 unless changes are made.

A fresh start is what is needed, Time is very much against us but we have the best possible people trying to help with the council and the committee that has been put together. It isn't going to be easy but doing something is better than a shrug of the shoulders and saying that's it. The matter does seem very complex between Sandhu and Brandon Estates. The Money Brandon Estates could get over the next 5-8 years while planning is going through or being looked at would benefit much more than going to court over something that was documented as going to be fixed at no cost to them. The local community along with speedway and stox fans are the people missing out here so I would rather the council help find land for us, Let Brandon Estates sit on that land for the next 30 years with no planning allowed. It was purchased as a working stadium and not a housing estate so it should be kept this way until the speedway club has a new permanent home. There can be no "winner" in the fixtures and fittings debate, Sandhu found guilty he says bye bye. Brandon Estates found guilty and they just keep the gates locked. New ground, New start ... We don't want the speedway club held to ransom every few years. More fans lost to the sport as I won't attend as many meetings at all this year, The bees were one of the best supported teams in the land so I guess our cash along with hundreds as the years have gone by goes out of the speedway pocket.

Yes a return of the fighting bee or a modern version of it rather than the wasp type version that we currently use.

Agree, I pay £3 a day for the pleasure of parking at work.

My first visit to Peterborough, I must say its a good little stadium. Perfectly situated and if only Coventry could have got the same sort of thing at Stonleigh. The "discussion" about turnstiles etc is what the forum is and should be about. It's not about who is right or wrong but more a point of getting your own personal view across, some may be read by promotions and help in the future. We got there about 11.20 and there was a lot of people waiting to get in, I was expecting it to be a large crowd as there was always going to be a good following plus the home supporters seeing good opposition so having more turnstiles open from the start in hiendsight may have been better. The delay between heat 14 and 15 was very strange, with the initial delay and knowing people wanted to get to Wolverhampton we were left waiting and waiting. No announcement as to why? It's not just Peterborough here, the frustration as a supporter is that it's meant to be a professional sport and I don't think meetings in general are run that way.If I was a first timer I would have thought nobody knows what's going on here around heat 15. Most other sports seem to have it nailed on, it's an event from start to finish not just here and there. However... A great meeting with riders going for it in a challenge meeting. K.Bjerre was so much more than I expected, would have been interesting to see how this team would have done. Josh Bates looked very good and how L.Bjerre stayed on in heat 14 as he headed towards the fence I'll never know. Not been mentioned much but also good of havvy to be team manager for us. A huge thank you to Peterborough promotion for allowing us to watch and support the Bees. The one and only time the original 1-7 rode together and K.Bjerre leaves as an unbeaten Coventry rider.

I would imagine the most valuable bit is the name. The asset based purchased with the club from Sandhu has greatly depreciated or been sold.

How on earth is CVS dragged into this?

Interesting points from the lawyer who was there yesterday. Did councillor stokes make it?? Still confused as to why fans were not even allowed on the land then suddenly they were allowed inside? £240,000 was the reported sponsorship from Brandon estates if that was over one season with 16 meetings that's £15,000 a meeting before a supporter has paid a penny. That would cover riders costs or close to it. So if Sandhu was prepared to cover other bills then what actually was Mick paying for? I hope once and for all now the Sandhu/Brandon Estates link or lack of it will be accepted. Still seems daft, a smooth transition offer 3-5 years to find and build a new stadium, fans get to see sports they love, riders have a job and Brandon estates get rent on the land. Simply crazy with politics or not. If a new stadium is to be built considering the car park is filled on stock car events, it's going to take some area of land. We watch and wait and keep everything crossed.

CVS has done great with this, a good gesture and if you are a Bees fan and you want to watch some speedway this year where might you go? Leicester or wolves. I am not saying he has only done it to try and increase the gates this year but as a businessman it makes sense to try and attract Bees fans especially as Leicester track (until the improvements) was not always popular. I would like to have thought we would have done the same thing, local rivals but sometimes neighbours come in handy.

Looking over the Belle Vue situation in regards to the council it goes to show purely on a financial and supporting basis of a site and red tape that the council can play a big part in our future. As the previous post mentions, it's an old stadium with limited shelf life but the site as a whole in size and location is ideal as it has been for decades for speedway and stox. I have everything crossed that somebody comes in and saves us from this mess. As March drags on and press & practice would have been days away with the first smell of speedway, instead we out locked outside the gates begging for a future.

If you are passionate about a sport its near top of your priorities so you budget accordingly. I have had a 5 min look on what's local to Coventry and what an evening out costs. I have done this on Adult prices as I don't have time at the moment to go through Kids/Concessions etc. Belgrade £26.50 (That's an evening with Jasper Carrot .. surly they pay you) Wasps £31.00 Cov City £26 Bees £18 Blaze £17 Cinema £10.50 Bowling £7.55 (1 game never enough) Ice Skating £9.70 Speedway 15 Heats 60 Laps 30p per lap In my opinion speedway isn't massively over priced at all. The raw product is great, the presentation could do with a massive update. We had that with Chris Simpson at Coventry until Horton fell out with him..

Good Choice in Jim Lynch, Spoke well at the NSSC meeting. Apart from the bit about Coventry being the only team he would go back to team management for That aside, I am sure with a few changes early on he will do well.

Bees update from the website... Don't really have an interest in much Mick has to say after his treatment of his employees in all this. Ask a fair price and please just go. CLUB owner Mick Horton says his efforts to bring the Coventry Bees back to the tapes will continue, despite the news of their withdrawal from the 2017 SGB Premiership. He said: “Our thoughts are with the fans, riders, officials and the wider speedway world, for whom this came as shattering blow. Much has been said about these events, but the decision is final and we must now all look forward, not back.” Finding a venue to race at remains the top priority, and Horton remains in discussions with Cllr Michael Stokes and others to this end. In the meantime, a group of dedicated fans containing expertise in several different areas including media and marketing as well as the sport itself, will ensure that Coventry Speedway will not be forgotten during 2017. They are working on various initiatives during the season to raise funds for the riders left out-of-pocket by the last-minute decision that the Bees will not compete in 2017, as well as longer-term objectives. The Group will be launching a website with details of their events, and representatives will be making a short presentation at the NSSC on Thursday March 9. Horton has made public his willingness to pass the mantle on to a new owner, and invites any potential purchaser to contact him to discuss this further by email at mick@coventrybees.co .

Look, all we want is for the riders to have a little bit of income from these meetings or like you say a donation towards them. I am sick to death of Sandhu is Brandon estates... I'm amazed nobody hired a private detective. They are all guilty and the riders should be looked after, messaged by Mick to tell them. The same way Colin Pratt left .. By txt. So nobody comes out in a good way. Reading the Speedway star you can see K.Bjerre was really committed. Closer to his family that's the only reason he went for Coventry not Poole.Must go for most riders though, just a job.

It's to try and give some income towards the riders who have been left without a job, so as much as its a challenge match I think it's a gesture many would welcome. It doesn't matter what it's called. Team A vs Team B for all I care, just be good to support these guys who didn't ask for this and stuck by Coventry all winter.