mikebv

I think it was Chris Holder who did a Q and A and got asked how much he made... This was a few years ago so cannot remember if he was world champ at the time... He said he earned around 1500 a match in Britain but could earn up to ten times that in Poland... (I think it was double - treble the British money in Sweden) I seem to remember Emil saying he was owed over 250k in Poland so big money is definitely on the agenda out there..

If my dad was not in a good way, I would request leave to focus on him and getting my own head together... Nothing wrong with that I would suggest.... Where, in this instance, the fans seem to lack compassion is not about North I would suggest but more about a real unease at Poole's liberal historical use of the rules to their advantage... Maybe this situation is/was 100% genuine, and if so best wishes to the North family, however there now is a little bit of 'the boy who cried wolf' about the Pirates which leaves an uneasy taste in many fans' mouths... To be fair to any team though, if you can get away with anything that gives you an advantage because a toothless governing body allows you to do it, then why not try it....?

To be fair I dont see many (any?) riders singing their National Anthem.... And personally I couldnt give a flying kcuf!!!! The kid is a phenomenal speedway rider... I'll judge him against that....

Well done Tai!!!! (again).... A truly World Class British Sportsman.....

Correct on many points... The issue that British Speedway has is that it is a 'halfway house'... Not big enough to dictate to the 'stars' and just big enough to attract the 'next tier down riders' (who then go on to be 'stars') and consequently start to want everything tailor made for themselves.. A vicious circle.. Its time for British Speedway to say, 'This is our business model, this is how much we will spend,and this is when you will race"....... Take it or leave it... And then decide on the league strengths only when they know who wants to come.... The 'tail is wagging the dog' and those in charge need to grow a pair and do something about it..

It does amaze me that so many fans in this country talk of 'loyalty' of the riders... These guys are self employed people who have several 'jobs on the go'.... Their loyalty is to no one but themselves and their families, like any of us.. If I was self employed and had a contract with someone which meant I worked 3 - 4 times a week, and then someone came along with an offer that meant I worked just one day a week (but for several more times the cash I was earning in my original role) I would rip their hands off and say 'sorry' to the original 'employer' without a moments hesitation..... All the EL can offer these top guys is more work for less money than can be earned elsewhere... And then be surprised when so many turn down their offer!!! As some have said, its time for British Speedway to realise it is the 'Div 3'' of World Speedway and cut its cloth accordingly... You dont need world class riders to deliver great speedway, you do though need fans to be able to afford the product you are delivering and rate it as 'value for money'... The sport no longer starts and finishes at Dover... Time for those in charge to face up to it and deliver a League that is competitive but also affordable for both themselves and the fans... And be as radical as they need to be in delivering it....

Interesting to hear how "Even though they have already won. Poole are going for every point to send a clear message to Belle Vue" according to Mr Shouty Crackers.. Yet the Aces being the only team to win both legs of the play offs haven't sent out any message at all...!

Watching on the TV is not too enjoyable either with one race finishing and another starting immediately, often with no line ups announced as the tapes have risen as soon as they have gone back to the other track.. No real time for any interviews or analysis either, trying to listen to an interview on the left hand side of the screen whilst watching the riders get ready for the race at the other track on the right hand side of the screen is a nightmare.. Ironically for the TV viewer, as opposed to being at the track, too much is happening in a short space of time.. For me. The two meetings didn't really come across well if you were a casual observer... Time I think for separate nights..

How cynical of you.... Poole would never contrive a 'mystery illness/injury' for a rider who struggles at a circuit and get him replaced by one who rides that circuit well.. Honestly. Some people eh?? If Poole win. I am sure that they will do it fairly, squarely and with a solemn integrity befitting the Elite League... Blimey that lagers good... (Now we just need to give Matej a bell and tell him to book a hospital appointment for Monday)...

Is a fair comment..... Cannot be any team spirit in the Robins' camp..... Very poor.....

now, now.... Batch had engine issues....... How easily people forget.....

True... The first meeting was a 'stand alone' one.... His team didnt do very well there either did they??

He does ride Belle Vue very well.....

Batch got 'ignition problems' again..... (think someone better tell him, no need tonight)....

Has Ronnie prepared this track???

Ten years ago? How time flies.... To be honest not bothered about the details. The point I was trying to make is that all teams try and flout the rules to their favour simply because the sport is a rudderless ship... The MC make decisions (rightly or wrongly) and simply teams often then contest the decision using whatever leverage they feel is required... So many promoters leave the MC bemoaning the pressure they get put under... However, you cannot blame any team taking the urine when they are all allowed to do so... Every time the play offs come around there always seems to be a 'story' which professional sports simply wouldnt accept.. Anyhow, come on the Aces, (and Cov )

No high ground being sought... It is all wrong.... Ultimately it begs the question. Why bother attending any competition that has such zero integrity.. Anyone found flouting the laws are usually reprimanded. In speedway you are encouraged to do so given the lack of capability of its 'self policing' regulations..

Is this the same Cov team complaining now, that a few years ago ended up as EL Champions because their owner, (at that time) threatened to 'tarmac the circuit' if they couldn't replace a rider during the season with the one they wanted even though they had been told the replacement "wasn't legal"? And the crowds continue to decrease in the sport? Who would have thought?? #theyalldoitasandwhenitsuitsbecauseno-oneisincharge...

We benefit (for once) but it definitely is wrong really isn't it? You cannot have more than one job and keep 'ringing in sick' for only one of your jobs whilst still working elsewhere... As someone has already said. Cannot blame any team for taking the p1ss when such a week administrative system actively allows it through its complete lack of consistency, integrity and consequence...

Made a huge difference to the sport those deflectors haven't they? Certainly keeps all that dust on the track.... .

Crowds were bigger in the 'olden days' and we did have guests, agreed.... However this was, in the main, accepted as a 'necessary evil' and was used almost as a 'last resort' and you simply didnt have the amount of 'select teams' around that we have today. Nowadays it appears to be part of an almost 'sharp practice' business plan as teams arrange meetings knowing riders will be missing and therefore have the opportunity to cherry pick, in many instances better quality replacements.. Also, in those days no social media existed therefore many fans turned up regardless of the team compilations as they simply had no idea who was or wasnt there till they had paid their cash... Nowadays this here interwebnet thingy tells you (for example) that Lakeside will this Friday be racing against Belle Vue (allied with Wolves/Coventry and Leicester etc). You have to believe that this info severely impacts the crowds decision to attend especially when other factors such as potential poor weather are thrown into the equation. (Again you can see this info immediately and up to the minute which must influence whether to bother or not) Modern comms. have opened up the world to everyone and therefore people now question much more what goes on.. This has meant that we nowadays have certain greater expectations and for me 'guest riders' do not fit within a framework for running a professional sport with integrity.... Maybe it doesnt effect Swedens crowds positively having no guests, but I would suggest it wont do them any harm when it comes to the credibility of their League, which can only benefit it in some way....

Don't know what they have got but know what they haven't... GUESTS!.... Wonder if being a credible professional sport in the eyes of the sports watching public makes a positive difference to the attendance levels?

I saw him stood with Rosco in the pits after the meeting.... Bless him, the poor little fella was bawling his eyes out and screaming to anyone that would listen something along the lines that it wasnt fair and that Belle Vue were cheats and that he was never going to a speedway meeting again. I felt really sorry for him so I had to go over and have a word to try and console him..... Whilst there, I had a chat with the little lad at the same time and he said he had really enjoyed it!! WAHEY!!! Brrrrummmmmmmm Tisssssshhhhhhhhhhh! I'm here all week.....

?? Not seen too many Aces fans moaning about bad luck... Seems to the general consensus that the ref was about right and we are all very pleased with a 14 point lead... As for KL, injuries as always, plays a part and can be down simply to bad luck, however keeping Bjerre when he plainly wasnt delivering was a self inflicted wound and maybe just fixing that would have delivered the 3 points you needed?

Bomber can guest for Matej, AJ can guest for Matej, but AJ cannot guest for Bomber as average 'too high'! I hope nothing happens to Magic as if AJ replaces him it could make the sport in this country look a tad unprofessional couldnt it?? Hee Hee!!!!!