theblueboy

So, are Poole relocating to Sheffield similar to Wimbledon to MK Dons and Wasps to Coventry? Both teams have made a success of leaving smaller locations to go to bigger and better locations. Will any of the Poole faithful being cheering on their new franchise?

Let’s hope it’s not Wells, THJ and Jack Holder, otherwise, it might be another 30 years before we see Sheffield again!

No one is alluding to overpaid superstars being included. Surely supporters want to see Fred, Tai and JD? I would suspect that any respectable UK speedway fan would much prefer a team of top notch British talent coming through but there has to be a pathway for the talent to surface. We had the reserves position designated for British talent but as per usual there were certain teams that took the proverbial and this was disbanded. For the record, I enjoyed seeing both Steve Worrall and Chas Wright develop from Swindon reserves in to decent speedway riders, however, in any sport you also want to see the best talent on show. Weakening the product with no clear pathway for UK riders to flourish and keeping averages artificially low to try and force the top riders away is just ridiculous. The promoters have to bite the bullet to reverse the trend so the sport grows. It is not something that is going to happen overnight and this has to be long term goal. Weakening the product just to keep costs down would be fine but no one has made a profit on the back of the averages being kept low, so the model that some promoters want does not not work. I wonder what the Peterborough promotion lost this year, given that they had no stars in their line up? Therefore, change the record and let’s try something different. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

It’s not. But this thread would be redundant if the promoters in this country had a brain. I want to see the best riders in this country. Others are happy with lesser riders, me I am paying £18, so I think as I am paying top dollar the best riders, that want to ride, should be here. Setting the average to the highest available average is the best way to return speedway to a level that the customer wants to see That’s not me just saying that, I am judging that by the number of missing people on the terraces.

I see the weakest clubs in speedway continuing to dictate terms to the BSPA. I suspect there isn’t many, if any, clubs that hasn’t had their fan base seriously eroded over the last 10 years. Speedway in the UK continues to erode the quality every year, yet, apparently using lower averages each year, which in theory makes the costs more sustainable. Can anyone tell me how many clubs have made a profit in the last 10 years, and evidence to support this? Surely, if you are cutting your cloth every year because you are addressing cost issues but you are not breaking even or making a profit then the business model you are using does not work! Speedway clubs are like lemmings. They continue to move to the cliff edge and the day when they go over the edge isn’t far away.

It's not how you start, it's how you finish.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/17990098.swindon-robins-owner-terry-russell-wants-bspa-increase-points-average-teams-allowed-operate-within-improve-sport/ So, who is El Tel alluding to? Surely no promoter would be stupid enough to ramp up the prices in a depressed market given that most teams are struggling for regular crowds.

Allan Wells? Too fast?

I'd rather have Llandrindrod Wells or Tunbridge Wells than Ricky.

Swindon ‘nailed’ it...53-37

I would say 3000 - 3500 would be the shout, maybe a little more. I was on the back straight, which was the busiest I’ve seen this season but went round for the presentations and the home straight was rammed from top to bottom. My sister left Nythe at a similar time and got in on time. I left Park at just on 7 hence why I struggled a bit more.

I understand your point but I can only speak for myself. I have always wanted to see the best product available. Probably like yourself, I’ve followed my club when things haven’t gone so well and I was at both Coventry in 2007 and Wolves in 2009 when we lost in the finals. El Tel, and mine FWIW, has been consistent in his approach and I can assure you having read various comments in the local paper and Star that his standpoint over the years has not changed. The continual weakening of the product does the sport no good. If clubs are not strong enough to compete, unfortunately, it is the survival of the fittest. Dragging clubs down to pander to the weaker clubs who do not have either the fan base or sponsorship means ultimately you will drag the other clubs in to the same position. Sweden is clearly in trouble, so now is the time to change our mindset, and start to build the strength again. Tempt those riders that have given the UK a miss, back again. If each club had the opportunity to get a genuine number 1, get the tv to pay for it. It’s not like it would cost a lot of money, in general terms. There must be something to speedway, otherwise, why would Sky, BT and now Eurosport continue to show it? The crowd on Thursday at Swindon, was huge, I’ve not seen a crowd like that for years( the Coventry 2007 final at Brandon was massive, biggest crowd outside GP and unlikely to be matched and 2009 at home v Wolves was excellent) There were many that didn’t get to the stadium. To put it in to context. At 7.30 I was fully half a mile from the stadium. It had taken me 20 minutes to travel 2 miles. Normally that journey takes 2 minutes. We had to use a bit of nouse (travel down 419 2 miles to turn round and come back) to get in for 7.40. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have got even close. So my point would be, what would the crowd have been like had we had a line ups similar to the 2007 and 2009 finals. I don’t believe the sport will ever get back to 2007 and 2009 levels but you can reverse the trend that for years has seen the quality quietly eroded year on year. It is the perfect time to address speedway in the UK and look to put proper governance and plans in for the future to build the sport rather than look at the cheapest option or keep changing the rules season after season

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/17979273.terry-russell-will-wait-agm-outcome-deciding-call-time-reign-swindon-robins-chairman/ Sensible comments from TR re how the sport should go forward by keeping the same septet, which to be honest, is what several fans have said for a long time now. By keeping the same line up builds affinity with the supporters and gives other clubs something to aspire to. The club is run professionally and to a budget, which requires prudence and understanding of your support base and sponsors. As a supporter, knowing the club is in good hands and will not be financially compromised, particularly in the current climate, is good to know. It’s no coincidence that since El Tel has come on board Swindon have virtually, for every season, had a proper number 1. There have been exceptions, but generally there has always been a decent number 1 opening the batting. I’m guessing the promoter he refers to wasn’t Matt from Dorset...

1. He attended the Calne Bike Meet/Wanborough show 2. He goes to local schools. I might be wrong but I was under the impression he lives(d) in London and has a job. Therefore, to undertake theses additional roles takes some doing.

What happens when the Pirates start getting beat at home next season and the local bingo hall has a bigger crowd, where will the Pirates go next?

Unfortunately for Ipswich, Swindon have been building momentum over the last 6-8 weeks with several away wins and destroying teams at home. Its never nice to see a team beaten so comfortably in a final, ask Watford fans, but Ipswich were there on merit they just run into a hungry team head and shoulders above everyone else. From a Swindon perspective, a thoroughly enjoyable evening in front of a large crowd, between 3-3500 at a guess, and a league and cup double safely tucked away. Razza was the catalyst obviously but everyone that rode this season played their part not just the final 7 including Lampart, White Knight, Bellego, Nielsen and Shanes. Well done Swindon, deserved champions. Already looking forward to the Charity Shield between the league and cup winners....

Start listing your facts... We can then all see who is holier than thou.

What has been illustrated is a repeat pattern of p*** poor behaviour that has been detrimental to British speedway. We won’t mention Coventry and Peterborough. Using your examples, shown above, how many instances can you demonstrate of other clubs poor behaviour?

Don’t forget ‘textgate’..

James Holder.

I would like to see for Poole:- J Holder R Wells THJ

Firstly, well done to the Ipswich track staff for getting the meeting on. Incessant rain clearly made it difficult to prepare a surface that the home riders would appreciate and the score line bears that out. Secondly, if you look at the Ipswich team pre and post changes they are clearly a better balanced outfit but most of us, certainly the Swindon fans, knew the Robins, if they qualified, would be difficult to beat purely on the the fact the top 5 was so strong. It’s no shame to be beaten by a better team. Finally, well done the Robins. A professional (from the gating tarts speedway manual) as you could wish to see. The change of Razza for Lampart has given that extra bit in the engine room as it did in 2017 when we sourced Alpen on a ridiculous 4. something average. JD, Razza and Alpen were excellent but Perks for me was the rider of the night and has shown the improvement and desire of a rider on the up and looking to make his mark. Both he and Vissing have stepped up in the last month to make sure a rider having an off night, as Troy did tonight,it is covered. He has a good chance of 3 Championship medals and I hope he makes the most of it and grabs the opportunity. Should be the first name on the 2020 Robins team sheet.

Just received a text from Foxhall from my brother saying the crowd is very sparse. Has Ipswich closed for the evening?

As our learned forumite, The Weasel, has already pointed out, the organisation and leadership of this organisation is shocking. We had a similar issue back in 2012 when 3 times the Poole v Swindon match was attempted before it was finally completed. That was in October too. Lessons learned - nope. As an example, I have been available to attend the original running of both Wolves and Ipswich but cannot attend the re-staged meetings as funnily enough, like most of us, I have work commitments and responsibilities. It is unbelievable that a group of people can continually make the same mistakes 'ad nauseum'. From a Swindon perspective 'young' Kilby seems to have an idea about how to engage the Swindon supporters and coaches have now run to Belle Vue, Wolves and Ipswich. He is also introducing a season ticket payable over a year to ease the tremendous financial burden families face but cleverly, you pay all year round to ensure a reliable cashflow to the club. The rest of the promoters, and I am sure that individually they are nice blokes, however, collectively I wouldn't p*** on any of them and trust them to organise the usual night out in the brewery. Typically, these dinosaurs are too selfish, shortsighted and refuse to see the bigger picture but like dinosaurs, you all know what happens in the end.....

You don’t understand this ‘arrogant’ tag nor do you believe ‘nobody’ chokes but the 3 posts, all from Poole fans, sum up perfectly why the vast majority of speedway fans root for ‘anyone but Poole’.