villiers210

Thats a fair enough assesment I'd say. In fact the only I would differ on is Byron (but you would have expected me to say that wouldn't you ). He's at home in South Africa at the moment training hard on his fitness, and has 2 new bikes to look forward to on his return. He has wanted to be part of the Dudley set up for over 2 years, and knows full well whats expected of him. I would be surprised (if he can steer clear of injury), if he doesn't end up with an 8+ at the end of the year. I must say though, that the overall line-up looks to be nicely balanced, and a match for anybody. Can't wait now!!!! 'Ommer 'Um

With both Tom Perry and Ashley Morris now confirmed signings for the new season, the Heathens look to have a well balanced side with strength in depth. Just the no 7 to be confirmed now.

As expected by the Heathens fans, Tom Perry & Ashley Morris have signed up for 2012 http://www.dudleyhea....php?extend.464

Perhaps it should. The topic being discussed here isnt aimed at Mildenhall, but still warrants discussion.

I have an opnion that I have said before - that suggested team is over the 40 points limit.

Malcolm - for once I agree with your sentiments, and I for one am glad that there was the like of yourself who has made you views known, irrespective of who it upsets. What bothers me as well, is that you can bet your life that when people start using terms like "common sense has to prevail when applying the rules" it usually means that someone is about to bend them to their limits for the benefit of somebody. I have no axe to grind whatsoever with Mildenhall - tell me which club wouldn't have done the same if they were allowed to? But I do have an axe to grind with the people who apply the rules then turn a blind eye because its in someones best interest to do so. Was the NL the better for having Cameron Heeps riding in it last year? Undoubtedly it was, and I was particularly impressed with the youngster, but that is not the issue. The issue is the rules being applied equally and fairly to all who take part.

I think we all reaised a long time ago that the words "BSPA" "simple" and "obvious" do not belong in the same sentence.

i don't disagree with your sentiments one bit. However, a level playing ground for all wouldn't go amiss.

The thing is, the problem hasn't gone away, nor will it become tomorrows chip paper.The problem has just moved up a league that's all. My understanding is that Cameron starts as Ipwich reserve on a 3 point average in 2012. Deja Vu?

Fair looking team, although by my reckoning over the 40 points limit even with a 3 pointer as A.N. Other

...or the medic won't turn up!!!

I dont think it matters one iota whether the NL finances are a seperate entity from the rest of Speedway or not, the pinciple is the same - if all teams don't pay their dues, it makes it harder for the rest of them. Our disagreement here seems to revolve around the issue that I do not see that the academy issue and the BSPA fee are at all related, and you obviously do. We are going to have to agree to disagree on this. I just hope that some satisfactory conclusion can be brought about to the agreement of everyone.

Kev like I said, no right minded person would argue against an academy. I myself am 110% behind it, just as I am the Darren & Sharon Boocock acedamy in Oz that do brilliant work without one penny piece of funding from Britain. However, I maintain that this is indeed a smoke screen, because the academy and the BSPA fees are 2 entirely different issues. Any clubs first responsibility is to pay its way, and no club can be allowed to be a "special case" because of x y or z. To pay its way and stand up as an organisation that doesnt owe money is their primary duty. As far as other clubs "mopping up" monies, nobody said that before me. It is a simple case of mathematics. If the NL costs a certain amount of money to administer, and there are 10 teams in the league, all 10 pay an equal amount. If 1 team doesnt pay, then the others have an extra burden.

I just do not see the academy at all relavent in this argument. Kev - you make it sound as though Non Mildenhall supporters dont want an acedemy. From my part, you have made totally the wrong assumption there. I think the idea is wholly commendable, and its high time that British speedway took a leaf out of the book of the Danes and the Swedes etc,and operated a fully organised acedemy for British youngsters. I don't think that any right minded person would argue with that. However, that has absolutely nothing at all to do with this unpaid fee to the BSPA saga. Lets not start to throw up a smoke screen here. The fact is that Mildenhall ride in the British N.L., and as such they must pay their fees in exactly the same way as everyone else for the privelage of doing so. If they don't, then that is simply unfair on the rest of the clubs in the league, as they then have to bear the brunt of it, and again, I'm thinking here of not my own club, but clubs like Buxton who struggle year after year to make ends meet. That is simply not fair, and should not be tolerated. Please tell me, what makes you think that the likes of Buxton should have to "mop up" non payment from other clubs? First and foremost Mildenhall are a NL speedway team - first and foremost they should honour their obligations for that. Furthermore, I cannot believe for the life of me how these events have unfolded. If the BSPA didn't tell Mildenhall how last years unpaid fee should be paid, I find that very odd. What I find even more peculiar, is that if this was the case, then Mildenhall didn't ask!! And what I find absolutely mind-blowing, is that Mildenhall, knowing that they had unpaid fees that had to be paid back, then spent "thousands of pounds" on a completely different project, leaving them unable to repay their debt.

I also find it very interesting that some are making a comaprison with Buxton. Well how about this comparison? If a tiny club like Buxton can afford to pay its way in the N.L. - what's the problem at Mildenhall? I cannot think of any other sport where a team is allowed to participate without paying it's dues. The rules are aimple - if you dont want to pay, then you shouldn't expect to play.

No, I think you got it just about spot on Montie. Hope Joe makes a quick recovery - of all the riders in the league that are not in the team I support, hes a real favourite of mine. Get well soon mate.

bigred - please tell me who I have written off??? Please dont accuse me of writing any young British rider off because believe me, you couldnt be more wrong. There is nobody prouder than me of any NL rioder who makes in into the PL/EL which ever team they ride for. And furthermore, how can you accuse me of writing British youngsters off by saying I expect Dan Greenwood to be our no 7. Oh yeah - I forgot, he's well "over the hill" isn't he? Apologies - I didnt explain myself very well. All I meant was that if each of our riders can substantially increase their average, I see this as the key to being a successful 2012 team, and I think that we already have the riders to be able to do that (if we sign Ash & Tom).

At the end of the day, all we need is for em to improve their 2011 average, which they are both more than capable of doing. To my mind, its a far better option than signing someone like Kurtz who is indeed a top rider, but can't improve his average by that much. As far as the reserve is concerned, I expect neither Clegg or Nathan. I expect Dan Greenwood. Having said that, I've said all along that an untried 3 pointer is a bit of a lottery really. Either of them could turn out to be hopeless or brilliant. Could be interesting.

Regardless of anything else, its obvious that with a 40 point restriction, you have to field as many riders as possible who are capable of upping their averages. Not much else matters really, and at 6.5 points, Byron is well worth a punt in my book. There again, I am just slightly biased as I have been a huuuuge fan of his for the past 2 years. Welcome Byron and 'Ommer 'Um

over the limit by more than 4 points. We'd all love to have a team like that

Adam Roynon confirmed as no 1 and captain for Dudley http://www.dudleyheathens.co/news.php?extend.448

The ruling was changed before the 2011 season - riders with a PL average of 5 cannot ride in the NL these days. Doesnt answer the question you asked about rule changes for next season though, unless some of the rules have already been agreed for 2012 prior to the AGM. 'Ommer 'Um

Bring em to Monmore Wood to see the Heathens - we are all behind you, and we have nice chips!!!!! Seriously, from the heart of the Black Country, we wish you all the very best, and hope that everything goes to plan. Weymouth has produced gome good riders over the years, and it's a facility that the town, and Speedway in general cannot afford to lose.

I hope you dont take this the wrong way, because I certainly mean no malice, but you clearly don't understand the situation with the Dudley set-up at Wolverhampton. As has been said previously, the Dudley fan base is made up of largely of die-hard ex Cradley fans who have been looking for a home for donkeys years. Very few fans go to both Wolves & Dudley matches. You make it sound like the Wolves 2nd team, which it certainly is not. We have a team to support at a temporary home until we can find our own stadium. For that we are certainly most grateful to the people at Wolverhampton Speedway and Ladbrokes, but to imply that resurrecting the Heathens name is just a marketing gimmick is a very poorly informed point of view. 'Ommer 'Um

And really well deserved too. I have a message to anyone who has thoughts of signing young Darryl for next year - BOG OFF!! Hahahaha 'Ommer 'Um