Baldy

You beat me to it Vog. With the type of reserves you speak of it could be a competitive side in the NL. Wilson will be a top rider in this league but his 10. something compared to a 7. something for Steve Worrell is a big difference for riders I expect to be on similar averages by end of year. Need 3 pointers to be improvers to make this in to a top four side. Average keepers on 3 will see Stoke in the bottom half. Feeling one will be Tedham and for all his effort; I cannot see much beyond a 3.5 for him this year.

Quite right Vog. For many many years I have waited with eager anticipation for the riders to be announced and working the the combinations of positions in the team etc, but that motivation is gone now and unless speedway in general changes (how we can have some riders who were average to good National riders going into the Elite to "improve" the standard is beyond me) and Stoke dramatically change their outlook towards the public and the teams they put out then the flame will have gone. Of course with less people going then they have to cut the cloth accordingly; the cloth is looking threadbare and extremely small at present.

Spot on. Not the reason I don't go anymore but spot on.

Unfortunately, trying to put together possible teams is the most exciting thing in speedway these days.

Whilst agreeing with you, with so little speedway, the thought is to spread it out as it could be over by early/mid June and then what to you do.?? If the weather is poor towards the end then you are stuffed. I expect the fixtures were set early in the year then had to be moved a few times due to the weather. Still should not run out of dates though even counting in the other meetings taking place as to say there was only 7 meetings is a little misleading. More like 16 out of 30 weeks, which is still poor.

Spot on. The lad Ellis only rode a few times I think the year before but everyone could see the lad is a special talent, and was a overwhelming pick in "fantasy teams" i would of thought for a 3.00 in the Premier!!. Would of been very difficult to give any other average under current rules to give anything but a 3, but averages need to be brought into line to the riders ability as soon as possible because with so few matches and riders at times picked to race meetings (did not Robert Lambert just race home meetings for a while; may be wrong on that) the "strong" reserves can deliver titles without much of a step outside the reserve berth. The reason was on just a few laps on a speedway bike in 2012 he was beating far higher averaged riders by a margin. "3" point riders do not do this. I imagine every promoter was chasing him if they thought they had a chance to get him because of the 3 tag.....in the premier. Anybody who saw him or his scores would of taken him on the 3; knowing they had a possible league winner on their hands. Did he not score 20 or so on his debut or close to the start of his racing ? Did you think of him as a 3 pointer that may hold his average or increase to a 4-5 points per meeting during the season? If so I think you may of been in the minority. I hope the lad goes from strength to strength this year with the obvious talent he has.

Is that a possibility; that clubs would have to track 3.00 riders at reserve? That for me would mean another season at least of no speedway as it would mean more points to stretch the gap between the best riders and the not the best. I would much prefer to watch seven riders who are around the 5 point area race than a nine point man finishing 1/2 a ;lap or more in front of a lad fresh into the sport on a three. I remember a late season match in 2012 at Stoke where Tom Perry was winning by the length of the straight plus, no racing just procession. I have no problem with Tom Perry racing in the league as long as he is racing against similar standard racers, Some say that racing against better riders helps improve lesser riders; that is true to a degree but you have to be on the pace or could easily go the other way with a loss of confidence due to the distance they are beaten by.Forcing teams to track riders due to their apparent ability and not on their true ability is a recipe for disaster. It could be said that is the way speedway has been for many years and that would be true and I stood it for many years but for me that is why speedway is a poor watch now. Three to four good races an evening is never good value, as the top boys in teams when up against the reserves from the others just wipe them out. You could point to Ellis or Lambert last year being 3.00s but everyone knew that they were not 3.00s before a wheel was turned and they were always going to be more than competitive against anybody in the league. My problem is with real 3.00's who are going to struggle all year in most of their races against the big boy's. Riders should come into league racing when their standard dictates. Realize my thoughts will not be very popular but just cannot watch anymore strung out races waiting for it to change. Look at any meeting and the updates generally say "FTG".

I fear the worse for the Potters and think that a return to the Premier is a thought that will not be in the promoters minds for a long time. I hope though for those that want a nearby speedway fix that Stoke can keep going next year. The inability to fulfill their fixtures must be a concern to them for lost revenue (unless they were losing even more by running a meeting),but must be a bigger concern for those running the sport. That said; I'm one of the ones that have caused the low crowds as after one meeting this year I have not returned and to be honest i really have not missed it and until we get same standard racers going against each other I will not be returning, so more a reacting to speedway than Stoke. Various reasons for the drop, a non competitive side, weeks on end without a meeting; people need to build a habit of going every Saturday not once a month. There is a Premier football team along with a team in the north of the city doing ok; all this in an area that is well known for the worst wages in the UK, you only have so many beer vouchers and the other attactions are more attactive at present; although Stoke City has had a slight drop in attendances this year. It is tough for the speedway team at present. Not sure how it will all pan out.

Too right. I stopped going to Stoke after he came back mid/late season. Went to one meeting early season this year and thought that this league is clogged with riders that should not be in the league at both ends of teams and stopped going. Revolution in working out averages and of ability of riders racing each other to get me back into a sport I dearly miss. Too many races with the last finishing rider(s) 1/2 - 3/4 a lap behind the winner. I would pay to watch racing but not procession in 90% of races.

Another reason that I don't go to speedway or football anymore. How do I know what Stark did if I did't go?. I don't but as you say it happens many times elsewhere and regardless of how "important" the meeting is, it should not be allowed. I don't accept the fact that these things are part and parcel of any sport. If cheating is seen at any level by the ref then it has to be stamped on and punished. When we accept it then all credibility for achievements done from it are lost. Really surprised by Halifax comments that we would all do the same, I have always respected his views but We are not all the same and must not accept these things. Most seem to feel; "if you can get away with cheating then it is ok" . Not sorry I don't accept that.

I'm sure Kyle has said that if selected, he would not ride because He felt he was not riding well enough. Sure I read it somewhere but maybe wrong. The sixteen best riders would give the best meeting but I believe we need to have riders and more importantly supporters from every side together and having a great day out shouting on their rider. On the best riders in meeting thoughts; if speedway ever get their act together and get teams packed with similar standard riders riding in the teams, i may return. At present teams are forced to field riders who are not up to it just to get within limits. Three good heats a meeting is not good value.

Stoke track takes the hammer from everybody when it's "prepared", so after a stocks meeting it should not make that much difference because someone will always be on here complaining about something at Stoke....cup of tea is too hot or the wind was blowing in the wrong direction.

Whilst all Buxton supporters must of been disappointed with the results at weekend and to lose to Stoke must of been hard but the 12+1 from the number one is a result that would of been expected from your number one. Ben Reade is logged as number one for Stoke and a fit and normal Ben could of matched that score from Dan. This year has not been Ben's and people could say that he would in all probability not of got that score;but if the scores of every rider could be as predicable as that we may as well sit at home and fill in the race card there; saves getting cold and money on bovril. Ben has and could still knock in the big scores and whilst I agree the score could of been different, I think we differ on that Stoke could of easily got to the mid 50 point mark with the form of Ben and Tom from last year. After all, with the stupid way that speedway averages are worked out that is what they should be getting.

Good to see Steve W in the points. All the best to the young man injured and a speedy recovery as he was really coming together this year. Not sure where Stoke go from the season they have had. Long winter I feel, although speedway as a whole has to change in the way it is put together to get me back to tracks which will never happen,

Liam is riding for Buxton.

If you are right and no reason to believe you are not, that is a very big worry for Stokes future if they cannot pay a young lad for riding. I know big distances traveled by Liam but in speedway that is the nature of the beast and also Buxton have picked up the tab on him now, which is similar distance from his home.

Like your post greyhound and agree with all you say although with Liam; I don't know of any Stoke supporter who didn't say that he should of been the first on the sheet this year so not quite hindsight, more of not foresight by some in higher positions. Although for me, it will take more than just Stoke to turn themselves around ; before I return; want to see a concerted effort by speedway in general to get good racing on the track before I return. Three good races a night isn't good enough for me.

Going to be very hard for Stoke now. Lee Smart was a decent rider; unfortunately Stoke were gambling on him returning to his old form which has only been shown in flashes. Ben looks like he may of reached his level and may be even drop a bit on his average which is a pity with all the effort he puts in, of course now on the side lines with injury. Kyle is going to need a massive injection of cash to get bikes to race, not sure that will happen. Luke was going to be the supporting rider that he has always been but that in recent weeks has faded. Lee Payne was showing up wonderfully well until the rib injury. Shaun was always going to be a steep learning curve and not much can be laid at his door and unfortunately the fast starting number two hasn't and of course in hind sight, Liam was the pick for that spot. Where do they go from here?

If there was enough supporters at Stoke it would make a big difference, support is dropping so quickly, it can only be a matter of time if the trend continues before it goes. It is supporters like you that makes the riders realize that they are important and thought of by the paying public and I think it is great that you have sponsered. I'm a strange one in that I put up with an awful lot and then just give up on the thing. Been watching at Loomer Rd since 1977 and for many years traveled to away meetings but what I have known but put to the back of my mind is that speedway no longer "does" it for me. I was helping a friend with a new caravan at Overstrand in the week and took the chance to call in at the track to see the Potters at Kings Lynn. Lambert was just way to good for the rest and so where the rest of his pals. Unfortunately there was little or no racing at all and until speedway gets to having equally crafted riders on the track I cannot see me going back. Last year riders at Stoke were finishing 1/2 to 3/4 of a lap in front of others and has continued in to this year and I not willing to go and stand and watch one maybe two reasonable races a night. I want to see Lambert race....but against riders of his standard. I would pay to watch riders of Tedham stand; but against riders of his ability. I know at 15 Robert is too young to ride Premier or Elite; not sure the reasoning behind it as he is going against lads of all ages in this league as he would in the other leagues. Just the the 20 odd age in this league are not as good and he ends up miles in front riding solo. No fun for me. Really do hope that Stoke get it together and that all that go will be able to carry on their enjoyment but sorry, it's not for me. People will say you must carry on or it will fold; I have even said it myself in the past but this at present (speedway in general and Stoke in particular) are too boring and painful to watch.

First home meeting I have missed since......not sure where Stoke go from this. Kyle has no bikes as he has blown his engines; pity as the best rider Stoke have by far on good bikes. Time will tell if he has the finance or the willingness to put the money into speedway as it seems to be smacking him in the teeth. IF the promotion sold up, there isn't the riders about to re-build now. A few have shown promise this year but no matter what sport you are in, if you get stuffed a few times, it takes the edge off you. Long hard season left for the Potters.

Not the right time to reply to this having travelled all day yesterday to Overstrand to help someone set up a new caravan then hung around for the racing to start knowing full well that Stoke would get stuffed but just to watch lambert race then journey home, solo to start working in the morning; but that is going to be the last meeting I think I will attend; nearly said racing there and that is the main trouble for me....no racing. I have seen too many were nothing happens. You will say that to watch Lambert racing was great......he didn't race, he rode as there was nobody anywhere near him to get excited about. Far too good for this league and for me no benefit as he was just riding solo. Speedway has got to get it's act together to get riders of the same standard riding against each other, then may be people will return....well may be this person will return. Saving my money up now for start of the Union season. Bigger point for me is why don't chip shops in Norfolk sell breadcrumb fish???? Tried Cromer and Sherringham and they looked at me as though I had two heads!! Join the modern world

Well done to Young Liam, he was a revelation for the Potters last year and ignoring the points he scored today ( I know you can't really) he should of been the first name on the Stoke team sheet this year. This league is about many things, including fielding a young,competitive and improving side; Liam would of ticked all the boxes on that score. Hope he goes from strength to strength. Any news on the lads who have taken a tumble today?. Never nice to see lads going over onto the track. I would like to say a big thank you to Tony for the many years of service and enjoyment that he has given to the sport, a wonderful example to young lads setting out; similar to Dean Felton in that as the time rolled on their enthusiasm did not wane. Whilst I'm at it; what a pleasant surprise that mister Payne has been to Stoke followers.

Well said G the Bee; I cannot believe the sort of garbage that some spout to "justify" their watching of something that they know they are not entitled to watch. Get your money out and pay for it or go without. Cue the type of people who appear on "Skint" to appear. We all have a choice on where to spend our money, make your choice and live with it.