gazzac

Unfortunately you've asked and answered all the questions.It will be futile to ask for an explanation,this is the bspa and they make it up as they go along, I bet a ban of this type doesn't happen again.

I expect a " deal " will be done with someone like Eastbourne for him to ride in the nl,and perhaps Brennen riding for both Lakeside and Eastie.Would help bring on both riders and Lakeside still get to see a youngster on the up.

It's been done in what seems the usual bspa way, wet finger hold it up in air see which way the winds blowing and make a decision that has no bearing on any rules or previous decisions made.

I don't suppose he'd thought he'd get a ban by not riding, but what I really want to know is what flavour his engine normally is!

I'm getting to the point where I don't really care now . What should have been the best season for the Nl, not just Eastbourne has been ruined by doubling up and the bspa.

Think if Kent do come top they'll leave BV to play Eastbourne and pick the team who come 4th.

I know I'm repeating what other's have said but I do finally think the only way around this is 2 leagues not 3, probably slightly improved /larger championship level plus NL. It's become obvious this year 3 leagues is just not sustainable and has become more of a farce with rider availability than previous years.

Think the Eagles strength at No 2 and the reserves will as usual be the key, won't be much in it at the top end, but baring any mishaps should be strong enough to win and probably stop lakeside getting any points.

Like or loath the track, I suppose we forget how lucky we are with Arlington and it's location.

Having read the recent posts and being an Eagles fan it does seem the main problem is management who don't want to be in the NL and have never embraced it for what it is. When Eastie went to the NL, the new management of Connor and Martin Dugard gave the club new impetus after being also rans in the Elite and brought a breath of fresh air to the club, helped being pretty successful from word go. In nearly 3 seasons in the NL , cannot remember any posts at all like the recent pages on this segment being anti club, looking to support another one or being anti management. Don't like to say it but unless the club can adopt the attitude of the Eastie management, don't hold out a lot of hope in any league really.

No Jake Knight in the top 20?

Nikki was Nikki and as you say, in the time he was with us, alongside Crump he was just the best wherever he would have ridden. Bit unfair on the others mentioned, it was really bad injuries that finished their careers, especially Norris and Barker at the end. Well into their careers their average was normally in the upper 8's to 9, and that was when the league was truly Elite.Don't forget Martin won the British Gp towards the end of his career, having more or less only riden for Eastbourne.

I suppose all the Kent fans should be posting on their own section.Seems not much comment considering it was such a good performance.

Agree it's really annoying and should be banned.

I do know what you mean about the cold evenings, although the track is normally pretty good and after having no speedway for 5 months, I normally found the enthusiasm to go.

Good signing, and really pleased we've gone for a 'youngster' rather than someone from the older guard.

Whimp!!! Nothing that a warm coat and a hip flask wouldn't combat!

Our first home league match was April 29th, so the potential problem really starts at that point, would have thought we could have got in a couple of league matches by that time which would help the situation later on in the season, the weather was pretty good in April as well if I remember correctly.

You could be right, I still think BV will come top anyway, so wouldn't make any difference if Eastie come 2nd/3rd or 4th, as BV will probably not pick us in the semi's anyway. It still annoys me every year that we get to this point and already are worrying about getting fixtures in having had so few over the summer. Got all the KO cup fixtures, playoffs to fit in, only takes a wet September/October, and we'll be keeping fingers crossed that the 31st October is dry.

I suppose one they have a chance of winning, the other no chance, but I'm sure Eastie won't want to lose their unbeaten home record this year especially to Kent even if it's in the NT.

The NT match is now the 26th Aug, with the NL one as you say on the 16th Sept.They always try to avoid double headers if possible,and as its a bank holiday weekend wonder if Eastie have any grass track clashes with some of their riders,hence leaving the more important league match to the 16th when they have a full team.

I suppose similar to Shanes and Davey last year for Birmingham, had a second chance to help win the league. Happens all the time in all leagues every year,right or wrong. Actually having brought up Shanes, maybe he would be willing ride in the nl again for the rest of the season. Think he'd fit average wise but grass track/long track commitments could be a problem.

Unfortunately think it'll be guests or r/r with the limited options,and reckon if Cradley don't make the playoffs,Danny Ayres will become a 'regular'if we get to the finals.

Spot on post Halifaxtiger,you've said what most of us thought!

Good in one way that it will give him experience on other tracks, especially a big one like Sheffield, but we'll soon have first hand knowledge of the problems with the championship having first go of his services and no asset loan fee to compensate. I can see some very similar post's coming on here, to what we've seem on the Kent, IOW, Buxton, Birmingham (etc) threads.