torpointfanatic22

I make Dan on 4.86 and Joe on 3.51. With Alfie and Ben signed that's 20.26 I believe. Leaves 17.74 for the last three. I'm guessing the team will line up something like... 1. 2. Bowtell 3. 4. Dan 5. Barker 6. Joe 7. Lots of talk about Newman (5.51), would leave the chance for a decent number one and would negate the need for a two pointer.

Depends on averages I guess... Barker - 7.41, Bowtell - 4.48, D Thompson - 4.86, J Thompson - 3.51 = 20.26 So last three would need to be 17.74 or less. Newman would be 5.51, Gilkes 4.84 and Pearson is 4.08. If Newman and Pearson, we 'd have 8.15 for a number 1. If Gilkes and Pearson, we'd have 8.82 for a number one. Pretty sure Gilkes is off to Scunny so if rumours are to be believed the number one would be up to 8.15. Options definitely more limited with 8.15 so hoping we've got a bit more than that for our top rider.

I don't think he is either but with the reduced points limit this season I think a number of teams will be starting the season with two genuine heat leaders and three second stringers with the hope one will develop into a heat leader, especially if they want to have some strength at reserve. You could say the same about Oxford who have completed their team. Heeps / Jenkins are not 3rd heat leader material based on last seasons form but I'm sure they will be hoping that one will develop into that (especially at home). Thompson came on leaps and bounds last season in fairness to him and showed he can do more than ride Leicester. Much will depend on who we bring in to ride at number 1 and reserve. Alfie and Ben should score really well at home, I'm not sold on both Thompsons personally but I do see that happening. Newman is more likely than Gilkes, which is a shame as I really rate Gilkes and I'm not sure Newman improves his average from last season being away from Poole but time will tell.

Really like Alfie returning. Great bloke and really good at Plymouth, away form has improved over the last season too.

Saw that, and noted Gary calling him his 2nd heat leader which is a relief, as a number one he isn't. Needs to improve his away form next season but can't fault him at home.

It is an odd one, I thought he'd be a shoe in. But the paper did go on to say that Trigger's dad, Lee, was keen to know if he was in the plans for Plymouth or not as he wanted to secure a place elsewhere if he wasn't. At that time Plymouth weren't sure if he would be, so agreed for him to seek a place elsewhere so he wouldn't miss out. It may point to us looking at having a stronger tail given we were too exposed at reserve last season.

Love the idea of strength in depth, only problem with that sort of team, is we may struggle to beat any heat leaders, especially away. No question we were left too weak at the bottom end last season so hopefully we'll have a different make up this year. The likes of Gilkes, Kemp, Dan Thompson are all around that figure and would have potential to improve (appreciating rumours of where they may be going). Just hope we don't go down the route of riders like Newman who have an inflated average due to their form at their home track from last season and would likely drop their average this.

Local rag in Plymouth has Mark Phillips saying he's got 5 riders signed, although hasn't named them as yet, with Ben Trigger definitely not returning. Also says we've got virtually 10 points to play with for the last two.

Because both are probably on the way down and aint getting any better. Sedgmen rode for Plymouth a few season ago and his attitude was diabolical. Clearly doesn't like the track or the club. I hope we don't go near either to be honest, want big money for mediocre on track performances. I'd rather take a 6 pointer on the way up every day of the week.

I don't think Plymouth fans think any different in the main. We finished bottom last season and have had a number of tough seasons at this level. The way the fans rally around Mark and the club to invest and keep the club running is nothing short of miraculous. It doesn't mean the fans can't have a view on which riders they want to see compared to means they don't. Your last line is the biggest catch 22 in the sport. You won't get more fans in (on a normal day) unless the product is worth the fee. Does that have to mean you win every week at all costs or that the racing is great, win, lose or draw? In my experience (look at Newport for example) you can go big on your team in the hope it brings more fans in, but rarely does that work, even if you have got a top side. I'd argue that would see the club close within 12 months.

Horrible side, would never beat an opposing heat leader. I'd be surprised if Barker and Trigger weren't in the side, whether they should be on merit is another question mind you. Alfie would be great to have back, can't see Gilkes returning, I'm sure I heard he was Scunny bound.

Problem with Pearson is he finished the season on 4.08 which with the reduced points limit leaves him as a very expensive reserve (meaning you suffer at the top end) or as a weak main body rider. He's unfortunately in a bit of no-mans-land. I think his return for me, if he wants to come back that is, would very much depend on where we see him fitting in and who will be the reserves (with or without him at reserve). Last season we made the error of being far too weak at the bottom end of the team. With a lower points limit finding riders at the bottom end that will improve their starting average is crucial. Barker is going to take up about 7.5 so we're in effect playing with 30.5 for six riders and Barker isn't number one material so to be competitive this season we're going to need a gem or two at the bottom end. One thing we cannot be is sentimental. We need to be calculated in looking for riders that want to come here and that can improve average wise.

I see the short term benefits to make clearer boundaries across the two leagues, however, there continues to be a huge air of arrogance from promoters who will still put prices up (or hold them) and expect paying punters (who are also feeling the pinch) to foot the cost despite seeing a lower level of product. The sport is dying in the UK, and the inevitability of one league has never been so clear. Trying to make re-establish levels will just make it a harder pill to swallow when we move back to one league imo.

Another utter pointless AGM with pathetic outcomes. There really is no point at all to these annual meetings, I can't wait for a breakaway league

The man in the know will be Lewy, but my understanding is that we don't currently own it the land. However Mark was looking into ways that he could purchase the land that would allow him the ability to complete further track work and potentially utilise the land where he could earn further income. If I recall correctly, I believe there was an article a couple months back either in the Speedway Star or the local rag that said something to that effect.

Appreciate this is an example but promoters shouldn’t be building to anything until the AGM, so bigger fool them if they have made assumptions. As I say appreciate this was an example but you know full well some promoters are in cahoots to get ahead of the game and agree to support one another before they get around the table.

Would see Plymouth bottom of the league again.

Think Kerr could be a shout, the promotion do seem to like him. Barker will inevitably be back so that could be the top 2. Pearson and Trigger maybe, don’t see Gilkes or Howarth returning.

The problem we have every year and it has been the same for the last 10-15 years, is that promoters will always look after themselves. Not saying they should or shouldn’t but that’s the reality. So they will always do what suits them best regardless of what we as fans think or what is logical. The BSPA is run by promoters for promoters so nothing will change because if they are surviving that appears good enough. I can’t see TV money continuing to come in where it’s the same teams week in, week out and I just don’t see the attraction to new supporters to see the same teams and riders over and over, and that’s not counting guests. It has to be one league, one standard where it’s competitive with variety. 14 teams would be great for the product and for supporters. Reality is it will be as many have said; two leagues, six and eight teams with Mickey Mouse cup competitions to fill blank race nights.

I find the article in the local rag to be the usual fluff to be honest. How any promoter can come out and blame people on social media for dropping a rider is utter twoddle. Anyone that knows Mark knows he does it his way and that's the end of it. Plymouth also probably has the lowest number of social media posters in the all the leagues, I can only think of about three or four Plymouth fans that post regularly on here and the Plymouth forum is absolutely dead! The team assembled was always likely to struggle given the weakness at reserve, completely agree we had horrid luck with injuries and the form of a couple of riders at the top end let us down but it's time to own it and stop shifting the blame. Hopefully mistakes have been learnt from. I sincerely hope Plymouth can return as it's Mark's passion for the sport that's keeping it going in the west country and fingers crossed we can bring in someone who can generate the sponsorship required. Saturday's could be a good move and may entice a few more riders down to Plymouth given they won't be travelling south west on a Tuesday! If we are back, it will be interesting to see the sort of team assembled. I imagine Trigger and Barker will be on the list given they are local, Barker is a relative of Mark's and Trigger I assume was given this season as a stepping stone to better things in 2024. Outside of that I wouldn't be surprised to see five newbies.

A sadly embarrassing end to a dreadful season for Plymouth. Two wins from 16 and the wooden spoon, can't help but wonder if we'll be back next season. Fingers crossed we are.

Who is Matt Marson? Edit - Just seen he rides NL for Belle Vue.

I really feel for the Plymouth promotion on this. I don't agree with everything that goes on at Plymouth and I think things could be better but the injuries and then the Barker fiasco last season and now Worrall this is just such bad luck. I fear for the future of the club (and speedway as a whole to be honest).

It comes down to track prep, plain and simple. Whether it rains or not, the track needs to be prepped to suit the conditions.

Completely agree, if you're the home team if you want to rip up the start line, the bends, the straights whatever, it's up to you. As long as everyone gets a chance to have a look prior to racing starting it's fair enough. I'm shocked all teams don't do it, I really am.