neil3065

I have an original race jacket from Wiggy's Big Day Out meeting in 2001. Its the number 10 jacket, which was worn in the meeting by Brent Werner. Brent has signed the jacket on the back. Sensible offers considered. Please PM me if interested. Pics available.

Like all successful sides, Mildenhall have had to break up their side from last season. Heeps, Blackbird and Jacobs will take some replacing in the Fen Tigers side. If Nielsen keeps progressing, he'll be an excellent number one. If Stoneman picks up from before his injury, he'll be one of the best reserves in the league and could well move into the top five as a result. Halsey is a solid heat-leader at home, but, IMO, has to prove he can be consistent away. Jon has had a while out, but obviously still has the desire to race and if he's anywhere near his best can still be a consistent double figure scorer at this level. If Josh Bates continues to progress, he'll be a very good second string and could push on towards heat-leader standard. Aaron Baseby is a solid second string who could push the top three averages if he continues his development. Liam Rumsey won races round West Row for Stoke last season and if he can do that regularly for Mildenhall could well prove a shrewd signing. Mildenhall, will of course, face a massive challenge to emulate last season's magnificent achievements. They'll be tough to beat at West Row, but could find it tough away, as I think several teams will be stronger round their own tracks than they were last season. They should compete for the play-offs, but will find it much tougher to secure a spot this time. There is still a lot of potential there, alongside the experience of Armstrong. The availability (or not) of doubling up riders could also be a significant factor. Of the other sides Dudley will be strong again and have a top two as good as any in the league. Overall, like Mildenhall, not quite as strong as last season though, perhaps. Plus there looks to be more competition from other sides. IOW have taken advantage of Dudley's changes and seem to have their strongest side since dropping down from the PL. To me, they look certs for the top four, with a serious chance of winning trophies. Stoke have a number of riders either returning to the sport, or complete newcomers to NL level, but if they gel and show their best form, they'll be competitive for the play-offs. Hard to say with Kent, as they've only signed two so far. However, they'll no doubt bring in most of last year's Raiders team, so will be a combination of experience and potential. With the fresh impetus of being a new club and if they can get another proven heat leader and discover a promising newcomer or two, they should have a serious play-off chance. Lynn have a solid top five with potential to improve and that puts them in with a play-off chance, especially if they can sign some reserves who can improve their starting averages. Buxton have an experienced top three who can beat the best on their day, but will need their lower order and newcomers to make significant progress to have a play-off chance. Coventry have some riders who can compete with the best on their day, but may not have enough for the top four. I'll predict (with Kent and Lynn not yet complete). IOW and Dudley look like likely top two (in whichever order). Then two of Mildenhall, Stoke, Kent, Lynn with a potentially really close scrap to make up the top four. Followed by Coventry and Buxton (possibly in that order).

Great signing. A true Mildenhall legend returns!!! :approve:

Interesting choice. Assuming he's wanting to ride this season, he'd obviously need a new club at NL. Perhaps West Row isn't a big enough track to suit his style ideally. He did ride for Mildenhall in the Graham Drury era, and did well on the whole. My criticism of him at the time was it seemed to me that sometimes he tried too hard to pass the rider in front and fell as a result, when he'd have been better off holding onto the points he already had. Having said that, he's probably a much better rider for the experience he's gained in the ten years or so since he was at Mildenhall. I'd have my reservations about Cockle coming back to Mildenhall. Mainly that I'm not sure he's a genuine heat-leader on a consistent basis at NL level these days. But I thought I saw some decent scores from him last season. He's probably one who has been guilty of trying too hard at times in his career. With options limited, especially if Heeps or Schramm are no-go's, then these two, along with Hargreaves, could be options Mildenhall consider. If that's genuinely you, Jon, and you feel can score the points like you've done for Mildenhall in the past, then they ought to be considering you. Mildenhall legend!!

While the nature of the National League means there arent a huge number of options open to Mildenhall for second heat-leader, I'm sure if Hargreaves is making a comeback, then he'll be one they'll consider, along with Schramm if there's any possibility he might be eligible and indeed Cameron Heeps if there's any chance of him being able to double-up. Beyond those three, which all must have some element of doubt surrounding them, its difficult to see what other genuine heat-leader options there might be.

I'm not sure whether promoters and other officials have as much of a problem with these patriality riders coming through the NL as some fans do. However, the problem seems to me to be that, despite the regional junior leagues that have now been created, the training structure still isnt at a level where its possible to produce a greater number of young British riders to a better standard of ability than is currently the case. Certain clubs and officials are clearly committed to the discovering and training of young British riders, but the fact that this commitment is not consistent across our clubs and officials limits what can be done. With no disrespects to young British riders trying to make their way in Speedway - there are some very talented British lads in the NL - in a lot of cases the patriality riders are of a better and more advanced standard when they start riding in the NL, both in terms of on-track ability and off-track set-up and attitude. This is presumably because more time and effort has been put into their development than is the case, barring a few notable exceptions, amongst British clubs. If British Speedway genuinely is committed to finding and developing more British riders to a higher standard of ability, then it needs to do a lot more in terms of its training structure. It needs to match the efforts of those who have demonstrated genuine commitment and build on them. It needs to stop paying lip service to the issue, as is currently done in a lot of cases, it seems. Otherwise, people will keep coming back to these very same discussions about patriality riders and a limited number of British lads progressing in the sport.

Would be competitive at home, for sure, but could struggle away. Halsey has something to prove as a heat-leader on away tracks. Connor Coles must be fairly likely to ride for Kent I'd have thought. And obviously Kerr is at Leicester, which would clash at times. Still wondering why no website updates for a month and no Mildenhall signings confirmed on BSPA site, even though ML had announced six signings in the Cambridge News (albeit now Jacobs has moved on).

How come no signings have been confirmed on either BSPA or Mildenhall websites?! Halsey a solid rider round Mildenhall, but the challenge for him is to prove he can be a heat-leader away from home. A solid side, but like any other successful side in Speedway, Mildenhall have had to let some good riders go and while they'll be tough to beat at West Row, it'll be interesting to see how they fare away from home.

Really hope Berwick survive, its a cracking track and a decent stadium. They've had plenty of decent riders up there in recent seasons, but sadly very few trophies to show for it. Trouble is, when you've had decent riders and won a trophy and the crowds still arent at a decent level, then it makes it harder to keep signing those riders. Is the National League a potential 'better than nothing' option for the Bandits in 2013?!

That could well be their thinking. Having said that, while Halsey is a very solid scorer at home and can comfortably do a job as third heatleader round West Row, he's going to have to improve his away form considerably to be considered a genuine heat-leader. Nielsen should make an excellent number one and Bates and Stoneman are also excellent re-signings.

From 1-6 that was the line-up I thought of when I was thinking about what they might do for next season. Understandably, they will want to use their own assets as much as possible, but they'll have to make at least two changes to the 2012 side, just to fit into a 40 point limit. I cant see how they can accomodate Heeps on a 9.00+ average without having to lose too many other assets from the side, so I think its fairly certain he'll be concentrating on his Ipswich commitments next year. Baseby will be a big consideration for them - and I just wonder whether Halsey could be the one to make way, with Baseby's average a point lower, to accomodate an 8.00 number one Bates and Stoneman will be good choices to retain, if possible. Having stuck with Ryan Terry-Daley for much of the season, it must be fairly likely they'll have him back at reserve, I'd have thought. I have heard that Josh Bailey is highly rated, though. Like you, Adz, I see Jacobs and Blackbird as two of the three heat leaders on bargain averages. Nielsen would be a good number one, but with Mildenhall not owning his contract, and him nailed on to get a PL place, you just never know. There arent that many established number ones out there that could come into the side. So it could well be Jacobs finds himself at number one, with another heat leader brought in. That might spare Halsey, and brings your initial selection into play. Having said that - Halsey doesnt always score as well away as he does at home, so might be a weak link as third heat leader. I'd think they'd look to use Baseby in anycase, rather than sign another second string.

I suspect, gp, that if Roynon had gone for a similar gap in between two Mildenhall riders and been knocked into and sent sprawling into the fence, you (and many others connected with Dudley) would be spitting feathers and wanting serious recriminations. How Nielsen managed to get up and walk away from that, I'll never know. If it had happened in a GP on Sky, the commentators would have demanded the authorities throw the book at the rider.

Indeed, clutching at straws. That's exactly what it is. We had it after the KO Cup and we've got it now after the play-offs. Somehow I think the Dudley management have just looked to rake something up because the results werent what they expected. Dudley simply need to accept the result and move on.

As successful a season as 2012 has been for Mildenhall. Sadly, I cannot see a move up the leagues materialising - certainly not at present anyway. With the current set-up, Mildenhall is effectively a feeder club for Ipswich. For Mildenhall to go PL again, the Witches would have to return to the EL and I cant see that happening, certainly not in 2013. Despite the fact that current attendance levels indicate that PL Speedway might be viable at West Row, given a competitive team being put together. Unless the Witches ever return to the EL, I can only see Mildenhall remaining an NL club. There's also the fact that West Row stadium seems to be available for fewer dates for Speedway than was previously the case. Taking into account bad weather, Mildenhall havent been able to complete their full home fixture list at NL level this year (needing Kings Lynn's help to stage last nights fixture and still having one NT fixture to race). Its difficult to see how a PL fixture list could be completed at West Row.

The ref could have chosen to exclude Nielsen, had they felt that to be the appropriate decision. They'll have known what was at stake and that the losing side would have been angry about it. You'd have happily taken victory if the circumstances, the decision and result had been the other way around. To be fair, Dudley are a very good side and their time for winning trophies will come - just as Mildenhall lost out last year in the league and have their moment now.

It does seem strange. re; the re-admission tickets, but promoters do seem to be able to pick and choose when they honour them, to a certain extent. What surprised me was that Mildenhall were offering discounted, but not free admission to the re-arranged Stoke NT match, the original of which was abandoned after heat 5. It always used to be that re-admission tickets were valid for FREE admission to a future meeting if a meeting was abandoned before heat six. Perhaps things have changed since I stopped going regularly?! Anyway, tonight will be a tough ask for Mildenhall to turn the tie around. Having said that, Scunthorpe won the first leg by 30 last year, but only held on by a point overall, so you never know. Mildenhall have seemed to be able to pull out a result when they've most needed it this season, and seem a better side than last year, to me. If they could win the title, it would cap a very successful season for them. However, even if they dont manage it tonight, it has still been a very successful 2012 season. KO Cup winners, 4TT and Pairs champs, and almost certain to add the National Trophy too. Another very very good season for Mildenhall.

As Adam says, I think the promotion were hopeful Heeps would be fit for the end of the season. Once this was not the case, however, there were just not the riders available of genuine number one quality, to make a signing with the points available. So you then need to use the guest option. To be absolutely honest, given that the guest needs to be a rider in a NL 1-7, there arent that many genuine number one options available, with the averages ruling out some of the other clubs best riders and injuries ruling out others. Fair play to the Mildenhall promotion, they have gone out and got the best that was realistically available. I'm sure they'd admit to making some mistakes over the two seasons they've been in charge, but they've got it right with Garrity. Effectively, Garrity is doing the same job for Mildenhall that Haines did for Dudley - only Garrity is a guest and Haines was a temporary signing. As it happens, Garrity has strengthened the Mildenhall side, in replacing Heeps. Garrity's just got that bit more experience, and you only have to look at his PL scores for Rye to see how well he has progressed this year. Cameron can use the time over the winter to get fit again and be ready to continue his development next season, with the likes of Garrity a good standard to aim at.

Good comeback by Mildenhall after the aggregate result seemed in the balance part way through the meeting. I dont understand why they use R/R at number five for a rider who is currently fourth in the averages. Surely more sensible to use R/R at 2, like they do at home.

Completely agree. To suggest that seeking clarification on a rule is 'looking to see if there was any way round the rule' is an absolutely ridiculous comment to make - and, quite frankly, TMW, you do yourself no credit for making it.

Mildenhall are saying they re-declared their side with Bates back in after Aaron Baseby was injured, then were told by Peter Morrish that they could use Gareth Isherwood as a temporary replacement until Bates was fit to ride again. Mildenhall are adamant they have re-declared their team legitimately and done nothing wrong, having evidence to support their case. Dudley seem sure they have, but then Dudley would rather face an 18 point defecit than a 28 point one in the KO Cup. If Dudley were so sure a rule had been broken, why did they not lodge their protest before the meeting. It could have been ridden under protest, with Bates in the Mildenhall side, surely?

The issue is whether or not the change was confirmed as registered with the authorities. If it was, why wasnt a revised team declaration published? If it wasnt, why did Mildenhall include him in the team for Sunday? You cant just bring a rider back into your line-up without getting the move confirmed by the authorities! Surely, Mildenhall informed the BSPA before Sunday they wanted to re-declare their team, with Bates in, and the BSPA either said yes or no!!! This needs to be resolved ASAP, though, as Mildenhall need to know whether they are OK to keep Bates in the side or not.

The process, as far as I knew, always was that, as you say, a protest had to be registered (and a fee lodged) before a match started. But I'm sure the BSPA can take retrospective action if an ineligible rider has been used. Once again, there is a very different version of events from each club.Mildenhall suggesting that Bates' return was OK'd by the league co-ordinator and BSPA. But if that was the case, why was the team declaration not published with Bates in the side?! I thought I'd seen one issued since the start of October with Bates in, but apparently not. I cant see why he wouldnt be allowed to return. He was in the Mildenhall side until injured, As others have said, he's a 16 year old Brit who has made decent progress in his first year in the sport and is now fit again to resume his career. Dudley stating that Mildenhall have had written notfication Bates was not eligible. If the latter is true (or if Bates' eligibility was not confirmed by the appropriate authorities), then I cannot understand why Mildenhall put Bates in the team on Sunday. Dudley obviously want Bates' points removed if he wasnt eligible - therefore, I fail to see why they didnt lodge a protest prior to the meeting. Neither do I understand their suggestion that doing so would have been unfair to the fans in some way.

Absolutely anything can happen in the remaining play-off fixtures. Mildenhall still have their second leg to race on the Island, Stoke have had a very good result away at Dudley, but Dudley could well go and win the second leg at Stoke.Then anything could happen over the two legged final between whichever two teams make it. Additionally, the weather needs to hold off to allow all the matches to be run. To say its a 'waste of a season ticket' just because you are worried your team might miss out on the trophies is a ridiculous comment. Nothing has been won or lost yet. You can put together a very good side, as the play-off contenders have done this season, but that doesnt guarantee trophies. All the play-off teams have been hopeful of winning trophies this season, but at other times feared they might win nothing. A long way to go still and everything to race for for all four teams in the play-offs.

Clearly, the Dudley management feel that Mildenhall represent the strongest opposition amongst the teams in the play-offs. No promoter given the pick of play-off opponents in a semi-final would pick the strongest opposition. You're obviously disappointed to have missed out on the chance of a short break on the Isle of Wight. Shame.

One of the problems with the NL these days is there simply arent enough meetings for riders looking to develop their careers. That's irrespective of which club a rider happens to ride for. Unless a rider is doubling-up in the PL, then most at this level, it seems, will have spells of a few meetings, then almost nothing for a few weeks. The weather hasnt helped this summer, of course. But even if the weather hadnt been an issue, its the lack of teams at this level and the way the fixture lists work that cause this situation.