theblueboy

I agree re Morris, very lucky to get a second bite of the cherry. I note you are somewhat scathing of the Swindon track. Now I’m not going to defend the Swindon track, I can’t. There was minimal passing, it was decided by 1 & 3 and said as much, however, I have just read your report from this morning’s match v Somerset. It would appear, from your report, that the racing was top notch as I can find absolutely no mention of the track conditions at all within your missive. However, several attendees, Paddy The Rebel said it was ‘very poor’, Lisa Collette ‘dusty’ and poole keith talked about ‘the holes’ in the track. It would therefore seem there’s a hole in that particular report Steve. I have no argument with what you have said re Swindon but at least be equally scathing of your own track if that is the case.

Well that was very enjoyable. The meeting was average with a few passes but the closeness of the score maintained the tension all the way through until the end. Ultimately, the huge bias in the gates meant that 1 and 3 decided this match. Great to see local talent (Swindon born) in the shape of Tom Brennan being given his chance. I remember him taking part in the 250cc series where the bike was bigger than him, however, he was always one to keep an eye on. He quickly took the opportunity to show the two Poole reserves, Pinky and Perky, how to gate and ride the track and it was embarrassing to watch Perky pootling around at the back after his showing on the motor cross circuit this morning. Perhaps he was tired after doing those donuts this morning? Harris huffed and puffed and Klindt might have to revisit that tweet he posted earlier. Kurtz scored well as he usually does around the desert. For the Robins, Batch came good when it mattered and Bellego after heat 1, found the right set up. All the other Robins contributed in a good team performance. Good to see several Poole fans in attendance this evening. It was just a shame so many of you seemed to suffer from laryngitis or maybe it was Marcel Marceau impressions you were doing after heat 1. Always best to wait to the end of the meeting and you’ve won before giving it the big oi oiiii.

To be fair, I’d rather lose to Poole than Man Ure.

What, and get rid of your 2 favourite riders? I can’t have that...

I think there’s more chance of Clark Osbourne driving over to South Wales with a low loader and returning with the pre-assembled stadium...

Would you bring back Jack Smith and David Bellego next season?

If it was a straight jacket I’d be more inclined to agree with you...

The BSPA make the Freemasons look like an outgoing and inclusive organisation.

As a young boy, it was the noise of the crowd and the smell of the methanol that grabbed my attention in that era. I can’t comment on the speedway per se because I was too young, although, I do remember the names and used to love reading the Star and The Mail. I do remember one match v The Dukes, which had Geoff Pusey and Henny Kroeze in their 7 and were routed 60-18! I have evidenced YouTube to remind me of a bygone era and to see for myself if really it was better times. Support wise it most certainly is, however, I have watched several meetings on this platform including several World Finals and Test Matches. There were many big names of the day but the meetings were broadly similar to today. Incidentally, the track at Swindon hasn’t got any better if the England’s USA match from the mid 80’s is anything to go by. My comment was not aimed at you but it’s an ideal shared by many supporters from that era that it was better speedway but I think that’s just the memories of those individuals, which is why I believe that meetings are not much different today to those from the 70’s, albeit on much faster bikes. To me, the speedway is no better or no worse than it was 40 years ago, so to me it’s not the product itself, however, it’s all the ancillary issues that speedway has failed to understand and adddress.

In answer to your missive, the promoters have failed to give the public what they want. Every year supporters come on here hoping for a change to the product. Broadly, most supporters want the same thing, so why do they continually ignore us? I don’t know of any business that has a business model similar to speedway, well Woolworths, BHS and House of Fraser, might have. Speedway in the 70’s and 80’s was no better than speedway today. I have seen excerpts of You Tube from yesteryear. This blinkered understanding that people passed and repassed is not true. Conversely, I have watched various meetings in Poland and Sweden this season that have been absolute pants. What it tells me is that speedway is the same product then as it is now. The odd good meeting in amongst the usual gate and go. I go every week because I am old romantic . The promoters rely on me and others like me but we are an ever decreasing support base. The various promoters in the various leagues have failed to grasp what is required to drive the sport forward. There is no joined up thinking or thought for the supporter. The presentation, the music, the stadia, the inconsistency of the rules applications by referees and the SCB plus the track preparation in this country is damn right embarrassing (that’s a general statement re tracks as there are one or two that would be exempt). I mean at Swindon on Thursday they trotted out the Spice Girls, a sport where 90% of the supporters are men they played that sh*t. Add in Now 1 and 2 and you have the complete music collection of Swindon speedway. The track was again in a poor state, Troy Batchelor is not everyone’s favourite rider but at least he has a pair and says it how it is. The rules and their interpretations vary from week to week depending on the referee or which promoter is asking the favour. There is no long term plan or strategy. They introduced the draft system, they f*cked that up. Fixed race nights, they introduced that, ballsed that up. They had tv exposure and a decent contract, chucked that down the toilet. Play offs apart, I cannot think of anything that has enhanced the sport in recent times. Everything these fools touch turns to dust. If speedway was a horse, we wouldn’t hesitate...

I can’t believe that some of my fellow posters cannot see what Orion is saying. Swindon won the league last season but Rosco has said publicly that they made a substantial loss. Now that could be £5k, it could be £50k but the bottom line is if the team that won the league lost money how did the other clubs make fare? If you are suggesting that the promoters have ‘business accumen’ then why do they continually make losses every season? Why do they have to continually dilute the product? We have lost Rye House this season, why is that? That doesn’t sound like they have much business acumen to me! Every year we have the same problems, the same arguments and its the promoters that are the problem. They have failed to move the sport with the times and think it’s acceptable to watch a professional sport with 21st century equipment whilst held in 1970’s stadia. Do you think football would be as popular if it were held in stadia and the pitches were similar to those in the 1970’s. Rugby league adapted. It couldn’t compete with football. They needed to change. So they moved it’s season to accommodate Sky, have a Magic Weekend, play on lovely pitches and it’s a fast paced sport. Far better than the crap that filled up Grandstand’s schedule from 15.55 - 16.40 when I was a boy in the 70’s when it was pouring with rain and Bradford Northern beat Featherstone 4-2 in a absolute hummdinger. Darts is another sport that was dying on its arse but has made a comeback. The issue lies squarely with the promoters but speedway has gone too far now. It’s dead in the water and there is no turning back. There is no infrastructure or thought process of where they are going or what they want to do. It’s hand to mouth every season with the promise of a new dawn. Its the promoters that have done everything on a fag packet not Orion.

In answer to your question:- 1. I have barely missed a Swindon speedway fixture, except a couple of mid season holidays, since I gave up Thursday night cricket 12 years ago to return to speedway. 2. I am an Essex fan. The tickets last week were purchased for my dad for his birthday as he as Middlesex fan. Although I work in Bristol I have no affinity with Gloucester, although, I enjoy cricket full stop and will watch any team e.g I went to Guildford earlier this season to watch Surrey v Zummerset. 3. I worked from home last Thursday. The thought of having to leave at 3.30 to travel 40 miles get in to Bristol for a 18.30 start was not very appealing tbh. I have played cricket for many years and only gave up playing Saturday’s as my club folded. I still play Thursdays when speedway is not on but both the playing and watching is a social thing. As top class cricket is not on my door step and Gloucester are not my team the decision was fairly easy.

A superb effort from the Aces. On the gas from the get go and deservedly picking up the four on offer. A good team effort. The Robins were slow to gate, with the exception of Troy and later on Alpen and looking mightily slow in behind, whereas The Aces were right in the mix even when missing the gate. Some serious words need to be fired in to a few riders after that woeful performance.

So, how many 20/20 matches have you been to? What cricket did, and many other sports for that matter, realised that this is a new age and that you need to move with the times. I went to Bristol last Thursday to watch Gloucester v Middlesex (I would have been there tonight had the Swindon match not been re-arranged) as there was no speedway and saw best part of 400 runs. Ball smacked around, clearing the ropes, a century scored and people generally having a good time. There was a fair number of children in the crowd and enjoying the experience. The local radio station were there and offered a sofa to watch the cricket from inside the hoardings. Each innings is 1 hour 15 minutes, and if you don't adhere to the rules, you are penalised 5 runs for every over not bowled in the time frame. Music was a mix of modern and old songs, most of which were mentioned by a previous poster and created a loud and excited crowd, all played out in a vastly improved stadia. No drunken idiots spoiling the game for anyone. Now lets compare that with speedway (I will use Swindon as I frequent there). Music from the 70's and 80's. Tractor racing every 2 or 3 heats. Poor track preparation resulting in a less than exciting match. Rules applied inconsistently by referees from week to week. Hardly any children in attendance and full of people ready for God's waiting room. No media interest, apart from a couple of paragraphs in the local paper. All played out in a stadium that is outdated for the needs of the event. THAT IS A SNORE FEST. Your entitled to your opinion, however, your opinion about cricket is no different to the vast majority of people saying 'speedway - first out of the gate wins'!

I am guessing that Matt Ford has incurred the wrath of the Lord and that further plagues are on their way. 1. Oil 2. Water 2 down. 8 to go. What’s next week?

Nearly? So they didn’t then....

Didn’t need to ride in the semi. Open goal for the Robins....

Brilliant enough to have a league winners medal in the cabinet....

Christmas is coming, see if you can get the Mrs to buy you a half full glass this year.

Thank you RR.

What is the meeting that is purportedly being shown on Freesports @ 18.30?

3 titles in 8 years suggests otherwise.

Well done to the Rebels as you can only beat what is in front of you, however, that is truly a wretched performance from the Robins.

Agreed, there are definite signs of improvement. He has shown on more than one occasion that he can gate, however, more often than not gets beaten up in the first bend and is then playing catch up. I don't know what the alternatives are and, in hindsight, we would appear to have missed out on Mountain and Bacon. The lad's young, and has found the step up, through no fault of his own, difficult. This season will develop him and there have been a number of riders that have improved significantly from riding at reserve for the Robins including Steve Worrall, Chas Wright and Zak. Hopefully Smith will be added to that list. Of course, its very difficult to comment on riders and the progress they are making when you don't go to speedway, sit in your bedroom all on your own relying on speedway updates or the Adver updates in between playing doctors and nurses with your Action Man.

Yes, Wolves ‘Rinder of the night’?