Baldy

Will be quite interesting at the challenge tomorrow. If he rides, I wiil be very surprised if he doesn't double at least what Dan Berwick scores. Feel sorry for Dan Berwick really as it sounds like he has good pedigree in other bike events and is a good chap. I know which Dan I will be shouting on but feel he may need a bit more than me shouting to score points. At em Potters!!!

Hope I'm wrong; normally am, but I think we have missed a trick not signing Danny Stoneman instead of Dan Berwick. On the one race between them on the try out. Dan B got out the gate first but Dan S went past him very quickly and was pulling away before he fell. Track was very dry and dusty but Dan B looked too slow for NL times. Like I say I hope I'm wrong as nobody has really turned a wheel in a race. Any news from the Wednesday practice and meet up last night. Everybody wants to know where Adam fits in all this.

You have it bang on the head. What a sport that forces better riders to sit on the sidelines and someone of a lesser (av) takes there place.

This situation is going to place a shed full of pressure on to young Ben. I would think that he will take one of the reserve berths with the one of the lads and the second being hidden in the number 2 slot. Ben will then be taking at least six rides every week, draining on energy and machinery; so I hope both are up to scratch. Looks like Dan and Ross have been around the seen for a while without showing a great deal; maybe this Tom Woolley (how old is he) and Dan would be the best bet. One thing that Stoke have to be careful of is putting two riders in who have no real chance of scoring unless someone else falls off or has eng fail as the public will no put up with that. I'm all for seeing lads develope but the two who finished after Oliver don't seem to have been developing in the last few years. Interesting few days ahead.

Saw Oliver, Ross and Dan ride before I left and to be honest I don't think Ross or Dan are upto the racing in the NL. Very worrying for Stoke if we have to go with the two lads. Last year I saw Ben and Mcbain ( can't think of his first name) and both looked acceptable at the "trial" for the place on offer. Dan Stoneman was one I thought was going to emerge from the day; just hope he is ok after that early fall. Did he ride later in the day?

I left quite early from the "race off". The fault of no one but after 1 1/2 hours we had seen very little of any riders due to falls etc and the need for ambulances. Only Dan Stoneman; who got hurt and Oliver Greenwood, who is racing for Scunthorpe I think this year were anywhere near the standard to go into the NL. Who were the final two riders to get the spots?. Only saw one race with Tom Woolley( I think thats his name) who was highly spoke off, but his bike was not going well although he pulled off a loop de loop on the way back to the pits. Looks like from Heathen 1984 we will be like a Manx cat this year....(no tail at all if you need the help)

Seems we lost a few posts. Has anybody reveled how and why Adam is in for the first month or so. Hope we have Richie is riding; what a start to the season with Newcastle with times to match the best.

Quite right; must admit didn't it much thought but if thought worthy then Mal would of given him one of the empty slots. Just found a bit of one of his races for the Potters on youtube. Hard to say on that if he will be ok or not. Did not like the way he was brought in for Ben. To me shows the man that Ben is to come back just a few weeks later and perform as he did. Not long now. Will get to the "trial" if possible.

What has happened to Tim Nobes?. Is he still about and going to have a go on the Saturday?. Think he turned up without a speedway bike when he rode his match for the Potters; was away on holiday so did not see him.

Surprised nobody has commented on your comments yet. It is true that riders are forced to sit out at best and retire at the extreme by the way that averages are arrived at. I loved the year at Stoke last year watching the riders improving but some races were a complete mismatch. Stoke like most teams has had to be broken up due to "fitting" riders in to a points system with averages that in some cases are not a true reflection on the riders ability. Most have untried riders at reserve (I know the lads need to race, but race against similar standard riders), which means that you get some tailed off at the back which is not entertaining at all. In all sports people find their level, in ours the teams are forced together with most on a merry-go-round every year to scramble for a team place. Sounds like I'm against young lads racing, not at all put race against similar standard and move up to race against the better riders as you get better. Not enough teams I know and some will get left out but let the better racers race.

Quite true he has signed for Ipswich. Didn't explain myself and should of, although my talk of Stoke may have given my team away. I'm also a Proud Potter, not THE, but another, and the track closest is Leciester in the Prem (although Sheffield must run that close, though I used to work for a Sheffield company that made me redundant so I never think of making the trip to see the Tigers!!!). He should do well at Ipswich and I think the speedway world will watch his performances with interest.

Is there a realistic chance that Cam will be riding for Mildenhall this year?. Would love to see him ride again, although much prefer to see him in the Premier at Leicester where he would be riding against riders of similar standard than at NL where he seems to finish way in front of most riders. Love watching speedway but enjoy most when you have four evenly match riders on the track. Looks like Mildenhall are putting together a decent side again and look forward to their return to Stoke. Roll on the season. O and I agree with Malc on that previous experience should be taken into account when handing out averages, after all it supposed to represent their potential of scoring in a match. I know all teams have at one time or another had a rider in their team on a "false" average but don't make it right.

Well said, this way of calculating a meaningful average is so far off the mark its laughable. What do I suggest, all said in a previous post.

We certainly had problems with power and the medics last year; although once with the medic not turning up was to do with a major smash on the M6 with at least one person losing their life. Not quite so funny then is it.? Still hope that things go smoother next year as Stoke supporters get as naffed off as everyone else when a meeting is called off.

He really impressed me too and was very surprised that Stoke did not make an offer for him again for 2012. I don't know anything of the behind the scenes going on's and don't want to; just hope that a promising rider is not derailed by off the track antics.

Quite true that it was not quite the best of meetings and you are probably right that Stoke would not of won with Simon and Gareth in the team but It would of brought the scores closer to extend the interest in the meeting and might of also brought the most unlikely of wins off. Not sure that Mildenhall can turn it around this afternoon; probably as likely as Stoke winning last night; as for me Scunsheff or whatever you want to call them are by far the best team in the league when they can select the team they want, with the success of their riders this season rewarding them with Premier rides, it has left them short in some meetings. Well done to Mildenhall, well deserving of their win and if we can take any consolation from this year it's the developement of the younger riders in the team, the riding of the experienced riders; the pairs and we did finish top of the league regardless of the money spinning roundabout "playoffs" to decide the "winners" of a league. Good luck to all the riders in the meeting this afternoon and looking forward to next season already.

Firstly, well done to the Tigers on their win tonight; thoroughly deserved on the night. With that I would like to say well done to the Potters on the season and the enjoyment they have given during the season and such a pity that in the most important meeting that they were without two of the riders who have put on the Potters jacket for most of the season. It's been a long time since a Stoke side have been in contention at this time of the year. I assume it will be National league next year and you will not find me complaining if it is. See all the Potters fans next year and hope the Fen riders/supporters have a safe journey home.

Exactly what I was going to say, so I won't bother. Hope I'm wrong...usually am!!

This is the most interesting thread that I've read in ages. I know nothing about engines etc but by reducing your outgoings with the work put in that you say then that would allow more riders to give it ago and increase the pool of riders available with a possible increase in tracks competing. I've watched you over the years and it is interesting to hear your views. Only slightly tongue in cheek but you should start a master class on bike prep over the winter, would pay dividends for the lads; although the new iphone is out so that's put paid to that.

This season has been a great success. Quite a few said that they would not go to see national league speedway. they have missed a great deal. The reason Stoke have table topped is because of the improvements in Jamie, James, Tim and Ben. Of course the performances of Simon (third in averages I think) and Tony have been a great help!!. Gareth is a Stoke man through and through, and deserved his chance to ride for us this year. I know that a few( may be loads) say that Simon should not of been in the league but teams in all divisions that are sucessful need their 9-10 men at the lead. Well done Stoke and all those teams that have come to entertain us during the season. More of the same next year please.

Not going to add anything of interest here; just want to register my regards to Mildenhall on the victory and this sets up a very competitive final. Good luck to both sides and ride well.

I quite like the playoffs in respect that it takes the interest,if only for the four in it,beyond the final meetings; unfortuately not all the meetings have been ridden. This would not make any difference to the four that are there but would make a differnce to who finishes at the top. I do think though that this should be in addition to the League Champs Status,which should be the team that at the end of a league season, finish at the top. You see that "League Champs" goes with who finishes at the top of the "League". This, what we have is really just a shortened Knockout comp. Winner of this could be the "........." (Just think of a good title and put in there). Not really "League Champs" because who wins has not always finished at the top of the League.

Well done and a very well deserved win by Mildenhall. Thought their riders rode with their heads and although it isn't all over, it will take a major improvement by the Stoke lads to get this one. Really please that Ben got some points although thought he should of been excluded in the incident mentioned elsewhere; unfortuately this is where my report begins. I have never been abused by my own supporters before; I have always been one for applauding The Stoke riders well but also the away riders too, may be not quite so loud but come on boys and girls; this is a sport, it's not a matter of live and death. I gave Heeps a clap as he came past and was surprised beyond belief when a few of the crowd said "How can you clap that Aussie ******, you want to make your mind up who you are supporting", that contiued for most of the evening without boring you with the language as it got worse. Not sure I want that every week, gives me something to think about over the off season as I'll miss the next meeting with Mildenhall and if they do get through not sure I want to return just yet. It's a sport lets just remember, and if one one the "True" Stoke supporters are on the forum, I'd like to inform you that I have passion in plenty for the team.

My slick "Joke" was more of a play on the Stoke riders not getting to "grip" with the Mildenhall track than any reference to the state of the track. Poor attempt at a joke but it keeps me going through the day. I've never seen it(Mildenhalls track) and probably never will. True the Stoke track does not live up to it's reputation.I think it was the team manager from Scunthorpe that said he thought the straights are too long for the bends,what do people think of that. Thats not a gripe at the chap; just asking what others think of the comments. Is it Vojens that is built on the lines of Stokes track?; might be the other way round, not sure. Plenty of good racing there in Denmark on that track. Just looking forward to the meeting tommorrow and a close meeting between two very good sides.

I think Mildenhall could just make this over the two legs. Too many of our riders can't get to grip of the Mildenhall track; not saying it's slick because I have no idea but you cannot go to a place too often and get away with what we did last week. Was impressed with Mildenhall earlier in the year and they seem to go well at our place. The track at our place hasn't been too bad this year, certainly not as good as in past years but racable most weeks so to say "for once" is a little harsh. Good to see Ben back and regardless of his scores he should of seen the season out in the team. To expect Tim to come in and score was too much to ask and at this stage of the season. I assume he must be injuried with Ben in. Looking forward to the weekend and regardless of outcome of the meetings it has been a good year for the Potters. Hope the loon pots stay away and we get good racing from both sides.