YerRopes

I preferred the old format, but to be honest the SS still gives all the latest news and results...which is the reason why I buy it, so not overly bothered.. Having said that, I too would still like the results done by league - I read the Adam Ellis article and then had to plough through all the Leagues just to see a couple of his scores. I would also like to see all team's riders averages asap - I believe this is still yet to appear this season - although my copy didn't arrive today as it should have. As for the team articles, I usually have already read the Swindon ones (seemingly word for word) - they appear to be repeats. Having said all this, I do appreciate that the guys/girls at SS do a great job in getting the publication out each week and I enjoyed reading the interviews with Scott Nichols and the brief revisit to previous British finals in last weeks issue Keep on keeping on...

Sorry, haven't read this thread, so apologies (if repeating).. Read the Scott Nicholls interview in the Star and agree with everything he says, credit to him for being ever so diplomatic and restrained too ! Quite rightly he points out that the EL has been reduced from 2 x Home and 2 x Away meetings and lost the KO Cup too, the result being for riders (and supporters alike) is a reduction from 40+ meetings per season to 28 - which obviously costs the riders financially ! This probably explains Ed Kennett's temp move to Berwick (mad given his this season's EL average). Anyway back to Scott and the fact that British riders are not allowed to compete in the (UEM ?) meeting whilst Hans and others are allowed to 'line their pockets' . The BSPA should be supporting British riders like Scott (and #Rico) and allow them to make a living whilst 'encouraging' such riders to represent (England) Team GB at international level, rather than doing the opposite. Sadly speedway in the UK seems to exist despite (rather than because of) the efforts of the BSPA ..

Lasse Bjerre couldn't get a flight in and then out again tomorrow so R/R for him. Kauko mild concussion in the 2nd re-run of heat 1 so he withdrew. All the Lions gave it a go but got well tonked 62-32 with Nick, Jason and Josh unbeaten by an opponent. Branford 1 point from 5 rides but got better as the meeting went on. Plenty of passing but at two and a quarter hours on a cold night - a lengthy and drawn out meeting !

I'd expand this even further and introduce the conical 'D' for 'Dunce' hat (mostly for Darcy of course) and I wouldn't want him standing anywhere near my steps either, thank you very much... If Poole are slow on this particular production line, just let Darcy borrow Middlo's...

It's not just the rain at the moment though is it.. It is supposed to be dry all week in Wiltshire with now a balmy 6 degrees forecast for Thursday, however that is tempered with the windchill which is supposed to make it feel -3 during the day and that is the temperature forecast overnight (without the windchill factor). Bear in mind that Blunsdon has a climate more akin to Scandinavia than Southern England too.. Working outside these days, doesn't help me much either. I'm looking forward to my first meeting of the season but it won't be this week if the above proves to be close to true - I'm far too much of a 'wimp' to pay good money and put myself through that..

Good post No 5... I'm just grateful that the GP's are and have been available on TV. There's not that many commentators in any sport that I especially like, but then I always have the option to press the Mute button should I wish - haven't done that yet mind.

So you like your Winter Sports...so very happy for you.. That footballing PL is much worse than in previous years - a very weak Man U team is winning everything in sight and many supporters of 'the beautiful game' have lost interest I would like to see the EL remain on Sky, if you don't want to watch it - then don't...

So are you saying Ole Olsen is in-fact a woman ?

Good post Skidder (finally)... Anyway, I'm off to score some dope and buy copious amounts of alcohol for my kids.... Will try and post later..

It's 'Amazing' Starman.. Personally my opinion hasn't changed, though I don't think it does any harm to give credit, where credit is due. Matt Ford, (if he wasn't misquoted) gave a most reasoned response to recent events a la young Darcy and despite the fact he, MF sometimes gets bad press (we all know why), I think it only reasonable to acknowledge things when he does them right.. To finish I do hope that Darcy can sort himself out as I struggle to think of a more talented rider at his young age, at the end of the day though, it's up-to-him. Having said that, someone posted earlier that the Pawlicki's could replace Darcy and Howarth - if I were a Poole fan, I'd go for that, especially as things are right now..

I don't think anyone anywhere would think that

Sorry, that just doesn't ring true. If i had been wronged in the press as you claim Middleditch has been, then I would make a statement to that effect and demand an apology from said newspaper - none of this has happened though has it. As I mentioned earlier on this thread, credit to Matt Ford for his reasoned comments though..

The first half of that post made sense Starman... Surely we would be reading articles everywhere emanating from Middleditch that he had been mis-quoted if that was actually the case Unfortunately not though...(read into that what you will) Having said that, I understand that he did make some cryptic twitter comment about horses which is obviously very topical at the moment, but does not help much..

Good to finally read a sensible and reasoned response from the Poole camp...

I wouldn't stick up for anyone from anywhere who makes unfounded statements suggesting that my kids run around on un-taxed and uninsured motorbikes whilst 'drinking heavily' and 'smoking marijuana'. Such comments are totally offensive and irresponsible After last year's shenanigans and the grief it caused it me explaining it all to my youngest, which I shouldn't have had to do - I am not going to go through that again. I would suggest it would be better for the sport if Darcy did not return to the UK next year and Middleditch stood down from all his speedway roles immediately. And if Poole want Troy, so what - very little enthusiasm left personally..

I have a DVD copy of 'Bristol Speedway' by 1st-Take which includes the Bob Coles crash and can remember vividly all the publicity it got at the time. I used to go regularly to watch the Bulldogs, on foot from St Andrews, but missed that particular meeting. Eastville used to get huge crowds for speedway (8K+) despite the track being crap and the pubs en route were always full as people gradually made their way down there The racing despite a lack of passing appeared super-fast as there was no greyhound track in the way - well, they were racing on it. I remember Michael Lee flying round the outside just a few inches from where I stood - most scary and appeared far faster that anywhere else I've been before or since. Steve Gresham is the 'dirtiest' rider I've ever seen - a hero to the Bulldog fans mind - and even won over Swindon fans eventually... Best of luck to Bristol Speedway - if Bristol can't make a go of it, no one will..

I would add to this already very long and relevant list such things as :- Video, DVD, loads of sport on TV (Sky etc), sport in pubs (open all day), the internet, social media sites etc.. Add to that the cost and a complete lack of decent PR - when I first went, speedway, football and the cinema were all roughly the same price but football continues to go from strength to strength - in the same vein you rarely see kids playing football/cricket outside these days and that's what I used to do - day in day out as a youngster.. Having said all that, with the BBC having no sport whatsoever, surely it should be a challenge to the powers that be, to go out and entice the BBC to make Speedway a relevant sport again as much for their own benefit - in the 70's I believe Speedway was the 2nd biggest spectator sport in the country..

That's about £240 too much then... Seriously though, you make a very valid point.

Naughty naughty WK.... You must have a very delicate disposition - there is nothing racist on this thread... BTW...I don't believe The Undertones were racist either...

Have to agree with most of what Mr Shovlar says here.. I just wish there was the time and good enough weather to have a 5 match series, too much of a fixture backlog for that to even be considered though. Anyway well done to Poole for arranging this, it will no doubt bring the punters in and as mentioned many newbies will be in attendance too. Also agree - it should also be England Vs Australia (not the ridiculous Team GB crap) As for that sad loser Mr Murray - only one person I know wanted him to beat Federer and he's Welsh... Having said all this - the Euro League does remain a bit of a joke as the EL teams (even Poole) cannot compete with the top Polish and Swedish clubs

What a sad and bitter post.... Is it any wonder that apart from the Daily Express/Mail readers that very few people in God's Own Country wanted that 'twunt' Murray to win on Sunday (a great description and thanks to whoever for that).. Seems to me to be a typical well balanced 'Pants' post (predictive text on) - chips on both shoulders... It was a brilliant meeting and provided great entertainment to most (not everyone obviously) who watched it...

Think you've been proved incredibly wrong once this season already...

Congratulations to the Aussies, they won as expected but were given a bit of a fright by the GB boys, shame about the engine problems otherwise we may have just sneaked it... As for Noddy being World Champion, too ugly - would put the sport back years....