villiers210

I must confess that every time I come away from Stoke, ther are more questions that need answering. Only a couple of weeks ago, the British U21 semi fials were abandoned at 9.20 due to a 9.30 curfew. And last night the MDL races went on well past 9.30. Now I'm not knocking the MDL, but really, which is most important?

Fantastic day today. A huge well done to all 14 riders for a cracking match. I am Dudley through and through, but appreciate good racing when I see it, and today was another cliff hanger. Nice to see our old mate Joe Jacobs putting in a superb performance too. And what about the team riding in heat 15? As I said, credit to all concerned, and after hearing all the recent horror stories about how certain speedway meetings have been run recently, a damn good advert for British Speedway.

Not happy about us using an Elite League rider? I bet you are over the moon about signing a squad which totals over the 40 points limit though, not to mention using a guest for a rider who isn't your number 1.

Hope this meeting is as good as the one at the beginning of the season last yer. Looking forward to seeing a real close match, and also seeing one of my favourite non Dudley riders Joe Jacobs. Whatever happens, let's hope for a close and safe match. 'Ommer 'Um

Yes it did. Trouble is, this isn't the first time it's happened. Or the second. Or the third............

Me too. How long do they need to get this problem sorted? I fully understand that no speedway promoter is making much money out of speedway these days, but I shudder to think what would have happened if it had been a close race an hour later in total darkness. Promoters have got to understand that rider safety is paramount and this is just not acceptable. Track of the year 2011? Whatever.

and not a bad idea too.

at least people are thinking and coming up with ideas. All good stuff!!

Nice idea Steve, and personally I do agree that it would be great if any club whether it be EL or PL could be rewarded for running a NL side as well. My only concern is, that doing it by giving em an extra point to play with will disadvantage those that genuinely cant run NL as well (for reasons such as stadium availability etc).

You asked me if I would support the NL if Dudley went PL. That suggested to me that you expected the answer to be no, and I was just pointing out that this is not the case. If I misunderstood - I apologse. The NL very much reminds me of the old Provincial league in the 60's with more excitement and closer racing. I cant get enough of it to be honest, and yes, I totally agree that we all have to get involved in any way we can. The reason I posted this in the first place was to try and spark some discussion in the hope that 1 or 2 good ideas may be taken forward.

Because I support Dudley, you seem to have jumped to the conclusion that if and when Dudley move on from the NL, then I will abandon all interest in the NL. You could NOT be more wrong. You seem to have not read where I said "I have been a supporter of this fabulous sport now for 50 years. 2010 was the first time I saw NL racing - and I love it." If Dudley ever went PL, I would hope that they took NL onboard as well, and if that was not possible, apart from supporting my life long team, I would also support a NL side. And - I am not on my own here, many Dudley supporters have said exactly the same thing.

Neil - I genuinely and whole heartedly wish you every success with this - its about time that somebody stood up and pointed out that we have a problem thats not going to go away. Keep us up to date please with any news - whether it be good or bad. Yes they are good signs, but what is really concerning me is because of the lack of teams in the league this year and the result of that is we have damn good prospects who cannot find a team place. Not only that - they often have to travel hundreds of miles to get a practice ride in.That is a scandal of monumental proportions, and if it isnt addressed the future looks bleak.

I should have also said, that while I applaud the efforts of the likes of Sunthorpe and Newport (of course it is a help), it is not the total answer to our prayers. If the authorities want to see British speedway back where it was, much much more has to be done. They should consider reverting back to 13 heat meetings in all leagues, and reintroducing second halves again (to get around the problems with curfews). I know that there are those who will consider this to be a backward step, but you cant have your cake and eat it. Youngsters will then get more rides and not have so far to travel to get a ride. Have you noticed that the decline of British talent and the abandonment of second halves started at roughly the same time? I am not for one minute saying that it is the reason, but I genuinely believe that it is a contributing factor. Where can a younster learn the trade these days? Give them the opportunity back!!! Again, I urge evryone involved in NL speedway - the BSPA, promoters, managers, riders and supportes alike to get involved NOW to make 2013 a better season for everybody. I am really looking forward to 2012, but it could have been so much better.

Is there anybody else, who like me, has a genuine concern now for the future of the National League? 2010 saw 12 teams taking part in the competition, last year there was 10, and this year there is just 8. Alarm bells are starting to ring now, and although I have no idea what the answer is, something just had to be done, and be done soon, if it is to survive. Once again, over the winter, there have been rumblings about new clubs taking part - Sittingbourne, Exeter and Ellesmere Port to name just 3, but all this has come to nothing. I understand only too well the difficulties in getting a speedway team up and running on their own track, but if we want to see this fabulous league continue, then we are now at the stage where we should be putting our efforts together collectively for the start of the 2013 season. Its far too easy to forget the problem until the next season is over - its too late then. I would like to see some kind of "commitee" (I hate using that word) set up to attempt to adrress the problems we now face, with nobodys individual interest at heart - but the interest of the National Legue as a whole. We must increase the size of our league as a matter of urgency. We are now in the stupid position where there are so few teams in the league, that there has been another league set up with some of the clubs taking part, apart from the cup matches etc etc. Half of the teams in this years league will reach the play offs. Thats crazy. While I would suggest that the whole of British Speedway is an a mess right now (and has been for some time) the National League was set up with the main intention of developing new young talent who could then progress through the system. While it has not been used properly, we are now also seeing it crumbling away before our eyes and what answer do they come up with? - give the fewer teams more matches. That answer may keep the fans happy to some extent, but it is like putting a sticking plaster over a gaping wound. On a personal note, I am a Dudley supporter who has been waiting for years without any luck to find our own ground to host what would undoubtedly be a well supported team. It seems that at long last, there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel on this score, but If we ever had to fold again because of the collapse of the league, I dread to think what chance we would ever have of returning. I have been a supporter of this fabulous sport now for 50 years. 2010 was the first time I saw NL racing - and I love it. We are all supporters in this NL and its now time that those who run it take a long hard look at the problems that we face. The NL (if used properly) holds the key to the future of British Speedway. Of that there is no doubt. At this moment in time, we find ourselves in a very precarious position and the message should be sent loud and clear "Use it, or lose it".

As a supporter from Dudley (who Brendan rode a couple of matches for last season) I am delighted that he has got a ride for this season. I was hoping that we could have fit him in our team for 2012, and still hope that he will wear our colours again before he moves on from NL. From what I saw, he is one of the most dedicated riders in the NL, who just needs a good run in a team to enable him to prove himself. A more polite bloke you could not wish to meet, and I wish him every success at Kings Lynn. 'Ommer 'Um Brendan!!!

I love the idea of riding a few home meetings against "weaker" PL sides. I am sure that every one of the NL boys would up their game, and would be great to see how they got on. I think it would be a waste of time riding away - too much of a recipe for a complete drubbing,. Great idea and it would put all the NL riders in the PL shop window. After all, isn't that what the NL is all about? 'Ommer 'Um

Woz01 - I love watching NL speedway - of course it's not the fastest, but I tell you that after 2 years of watching , I have probably seen more exciting races and more passing than you would in 20 years of EL racing!! However, I am afraid to say that you are in the minority. The only reason that Dudley has such good crowds is that by and large, it is made up of die hard Cradley fans who want a team to support. Contrary to what some people have said, it is NOT the Wolves junior team. I so wish that there were more people like you, but sadly it appears .that clubs are struggling to field a team in both EL/PL and the NL as well. Neither BV or Newport will now be operating NL in 2012, and even Scunthorpe were making noises earlier on - thank God that has now been sorted. As I see it, the 2 biggest problems that the NL now face have both been highlighted on this forum - decent riders not getting a team place, and not enough clubs in the NL. Obviously, the one is related to the other. I dont know whether the biggest problem is apethy on the part of speedway supporters, but I would urge anyone who reads these postings, and hasn't seen NL racing before to give it a go. And, as others have also suggested, I would urge those EL/PL teams who are able to do so to reintroduce second halves to give our youngsters a chance. The cost would be low, and the benefits would be huge.

Let's not be kidding ourselves here - all motor sport is damned expensive these days and trust me, I know from the personal experience of parting with about £6k each and every year to race gearbox karts without a penny piece in sponsorship or money earned back from it. In any motor sport you care to name, and at any level, there will always be those who have a real talent but struggle to afford to buy and maintain equipment, and there will always be those to whom money is no object and always seem to have the best kit. Thats life Im afraid. You can do it on a tight budget, but by the same token you shouldn't expect to set the world on fire. Regulations could be put in place to make NL racing more affordable, but then you open the door up to people making stupid decisions. Again - I have seen this happen and its damned annoying. As far as those who spend loads of money to make their kit look good are concerned, good luck to them I say. There are 2 schools of thought on this - firstly those who think its an unnecessary expense, and then there are those who take a pride in giving the impression that they want to make their kit look professional. Personally, I applaud anyone who spends as much as they can afford on maintaining their bikes. Some will always be able to afford more than others.

I think people may be jumping to conclusions here. OK, it does say that on the Heathens website, but why are people presuming that this idea is the brainchild of the Dudley Chairman? This was a posting after one of the Heathens supporters made the comment that 7 home NL fixtures was not enough. All it says is that we should expect 8 NL teams with a possible 10 NL home fixtures and more will be announced after the AGM. At the end of the day, all that is wanted by all "stand alone" clubs supporters (or so I would imagine) is enough meaningul matches to feed our apetite. 'Ommer 'Um

If there are only 8 teams competing next year, then my view is that we MUST ride each team home and away twice. Firstly, as stated here, our young riders need all the experience they can get at NL level, and just 7 home and away meetings will not be enough, and also I wouldnt have thought that anybody wants to see the season filled in with meaningless challenge matches - that isn't fair on the paying public either. I do hope that this mess is sorted out to everybodys satisfaction at the AGM, but I would urge all those taking part to please remember the needs of not only yourselves, but also the young British riders who are trying to make a name for themselves, and also the punters who part with their hard earned cash. 'Ommer 'Um

Dudley Heathens complete their line-up by signing Dan Greenwood at no 7 http://www.dudleyheathens.co/news.php?extend.465

He also score a fair few at Stoke toward the back end of last season I seem to remember. Although I have never seen him (to my knowledge) he does come highly recommended from our old friend Laurence (or is it Main Man?) and that is good enough for me. After Dan Stoneman had been given the red light, of all the riders that were available with a 3 point average he is probably the most experienced at a competitive level and am looking forward to seeing him no end. Having said all that, lets give the lad a chance to settle in and get round turn 2!!! Injuries permitting, I reckon 2012 should be "the year of the Heathen" and we certainly shouldn't be overawed by any of the teams that have been announced as yet. Welcome to Dan, BIG thanks to those involved in getting him a ride at Dudley and most important of all -'OMMER 'UM!!!!!

Its not only hits on the website that prosper from announcing the team in "dribs and drabs". The reason teams do it is simple - to gain maximum exposure in the press, on the radio etc etc. If we had announced our line up in one go 4 weeks ago, there would have been nothing further to report and the name of Dudley Heathens wouldnt have surfaced again in the media untill the start of the season. It's for everyones benefit really. 'Ommer 'Um

does anybody actually know when the NL AGM is, or is the date "on hold?"

Not sure I quite agree there Montie. You say Richie was only at reserve for a short period, but the way the rules are these days, half the season was over before new averages took effect. The fact that "seven ride Richie" (as we call him at Dudley), increased his avereage to 7.75 by the year end, was a major factor in Scunthorpe doing so well last year I'd say. Although I have in the past complained that updated averages should take effect much sooner, of course every team would talke advantage of an opportunity like this given the chance, and its what most teams are hoping for in 2012. Having said all that, I aint knocking Scunthorpe one little bit - I have every respect for a team that can find new talent through its training school like Scunny does. 'Ommer 'Um