albyhere

Gawd. What an arrogant presumptious shower on here. Everybody knows your conversations and have the nerve to come out and call complete strangers " liars. " Not for me thanks. I'm off. Ta ta. Enjoy your prejudices.

What the heck are you on mate ? I have no need to copy anything. I am intelligent and articulate enough to compose my own posts of my own opinions, and if you care to look I am a very infrequent user of this site. I have no clue as to what you referring to in the "copy and paste " jibe. I suggest you have an inordinately high opinion of your abilities to see things others don't. .

Astonishing. There you are in your omnipresence, not knowing me from Adam, or where I live, or who my friends are, can state quite categorically that I didn't have the conversation I quoted. You call me a liar online. I have reported this to the moderators.

So. You are calling me a liar ?

To those who responded to my original post and actually read the thing, and actually got the point, I thank you. To the rest who goodness knows where in left field they reside, with their personal and sarcastic non sequiturs, let me put it in simple terms, just for those who may be a wee bit hard of thinking. I was referring to TEAM riding. Not individuals. Each rider can and does take bookings where he can get them, and good luck to them. I was talking about how a rider could turn out for one TEAM one night ( or day, ) then the very next night, turn out for another TEAM, in a different lLEAGUE. Then the very next night, turn out for yet another TEAM in, incredibly, another COUNTRY altogether. Now translate that to a footballer or whatever in your TEAM and ask yourself how it would look. As stated originally, if perhaps say, Rooney turned out for Man. U. one game, then another night for Reading, then another day for Galatasary. A farce no ? My point was that it loses our sport credibility in the eyes of the general sporting public. There is, despite certain isolated cases quoted here, NO other sport where this happens to the extent that it does in speedway. Be it football, used here as an EXAMPLE, or rugby, or any TEAM sport you can think of. I totally agree with the comments that it is one of the reasons why we have a dearth of home grown talent. Promoters just take anyone almost who can ride a bike to a certain degree of competence, rather than risk nurturing a young BRITISH rider. And unfortunately, this is with the blessing of the ruling body of the sport. Oh and by the way, I was asked how it works.

I recently had a chat with an old friend who is sports mad, like me. We got around to speedway as is my way, and although he has been to meetings, he isn't a supporter as such. When we got round to who rides for who ( whom ? ) etc he laughed out loud when I tried to explain the way riders can ride for two different teams, in two different leagues, at the same time. To compound the matter even further, when I said riders can also ride for different teams in DIFFERENT countries....at the same time, he nearly fell out his seat. I heard later he had passed the information around and got the same response from everyone. " You must be joking. " You know what, when you look at it like that, he has a point. It IS farcical. What other sport in the world allows that to happen? Imagine footballers say, one plays for Man. Utd. AND plays for Reading Town AND plays for Galatasary. And he's not alone, not by a long chalk. It looks utterly preposterous. It's little wonder we don't get the credo we actually richly deserve. To those of us who are supporters, we see nothing wrong with that, but to outsiders, we must look like the provincial aunt Sallies who are just playing at being " a sport " in the accepted sense. We have little credibility. What to do about it ? Not a lot I fear. Being the dangerous sport it is there's not a lot of riders to go round, hence the current setup, but my goodness, it does look plain daft.

Yess! Result! II said a wee while ago if we signed Theo and Anders I'd be happy. I rate these two guys highly. Well done promoters, and welcome back Theo. Now the Pijper must be paid, and I'm happy to pay my share via the turnstile.

" So out of the new faces last year, who let us down? " Eh, Harley Horwood. James wright. And sorry to say, young Joe. I'm sorry mate but I really don't understand this antipathy towards a rider of Theo's indisputable calibre just because he's not ' new.' I honestly believe we've had enough of ' new ' untested riders. At least for now. Perhaps in another few years. The bottom line is, the Tigers performance last year was in the main a damned disgrace. We need to get back some credibility in the sport now and we'll only do that on the track. With riders who can score, irrespective of who they are and what their past is. Crikey I'd even consider a certain American who also rode for the Eastern side. Jeez. I don't believe I said that.

Amazing. You've forgotten already all the "new faces " we brought in last year ? Look where we ended up.

Que ? You serious ? I suppose the fact that as you state, he was at reserve means that since then, every time he came back with the Monarchs, or anything else, he was at times unbeatable doesn't count. Wearing I may add his TIGERS outfit. If memory serves me right, he scored 15 points last time. This is NOW. That was THEN. Move on.

What the heck is going on ? Read this. Taken from The Monarch's website THEO PIJPER TO MOVE ON Sunday 1 December 2013, 12:48 UK BY MIKE HUNTER The Scotwaste Monarchs have told Theo Pijper that he won’t be in their side for the 2014 season, and so the Dutchman who first rode for us in 2002 will be looking for another club. It was obviously with considerable regret that Monarchs have taken this step, but under the rules no club can have every rider they would like even from amongst their own assets. Theo said this morning “The important thing for me was that the club were able to tell me one way or another, and I’m grateful that they have, it was becoming a bit worrying. “I’ll need to sit down now and work out what my plans will be for the new season. At the moment I am not doing the Longtrack, I would like to get a wildcard in that but because I rode for Edinburgh at Workington rather than doing the Long Track Challenge at the end of last year, that might count against me. “I am sure we will still be along at Armadale on Friday nights.” .............. Now correct me if I' m wrong but are we or are we not looking for riders ? Is Theo available ? Is he an extremely popular rider who clearly loves it at Ashfield ? Is he heat leader quality and is local ( I believe. ) If the answer to all of this is YES, which it is, then what in the name of the wee man are the promotion doing about signing him ?

Whilst it's fun to speculate, and for some to illustrate their impressive knowledge of who's all out there at this time of the year, the fact is it's a bit like asking how long a piece of string is. Too many imponderables. For me the fact that we have signed young Anders Thomsen is reason enough to confirm an interest in next season. I have said before, I rate this young lad highly, and all being well, he could be a top rider in the not too distant future. Now if we could re-sign Theo Pijper too I really wouldn't bother who else comes to us. Whoever they are, they will either become favourites, or at worst, shown the superb loyalty Tigers fans show to every rider who dons the famous stripes. It's what we do.

".....I think the directors have failed in their remit. Advertising and "promoting" this final meeting, only to then pull the plug with a somewhat feeble excuse of certain riders being required elsewhere seems about par for their course. " Crescent Girl. Amazingly yesterday's ( Saturday's )Scottish Sun and Daily Record had today's ( Sunday ) meeting, the Fence Fund, Glasgow Tigers Select v Rest of the World Select, still advertised as being on. Now that is just plain wrong. It shows a total inability of the owners to keep the newspapers up to date with what's going on, AND the paying public who aren't familiar with what is going on in the background, with the runnings of this club. Two points from that. The papers won't like being left out of the loop and made to look stupid, plus any poor sod who turned up to watch that match, only to find nobody there, will be very reluctant to ever come back again. A shambles all round.

"......It will be an absolute disgrace if James Grieves does not get his Farewell Meeting. " The meeting referred to was meant to be first and foremost a fundraiser for an air fence. The promotion decided, I believe at the last minute, to also hail the great JG's achievements at the same time. I am sure James would be the first to admit he's had a fair number of 'farewells' to and from his fans, all richly deserved. The only disgrace here is the way the owners have gone about their business to round off this year. No Ashfield Classic. No Heathersfield Helmet and now no final meeting to raise fence funds. There's three meetings, at least, where I am sure a fair bit of dosh could have been raised. Quite apart from depriving us fans of our speedway. May I also remind everyone? 2013 League. Matches raced 24. Points won 9. That's just plain embarrassing. My point ? Blunt I know, but I don't believe in beating about the bush. Are they up to it ?

Folks. I am astonished that nobody has picked up on the significance of this decision not to hold the last meeting. Remember this meeting, as well as a farewell to the great JG, was also to raise funds for the air fence which MUST BE IN PLACE by the start of the next season. Now if the promotion have already lost £50 K from this season, are we really to assume that they are now going to cough up the needful for the new fence out of their own pockets ? £25 k I believe. I am afraid for me at any rate, the alarm bells are ringing loud and clear. I acknowledge there will be fundraising throughout the close season but what guarantees they will hit the target? Remember, the owners HAVE to promise to have that fence in place at the beginning of the season, or they will NOT GET A LICENCE to race. Unless I am very much mistaken. That brings us back to the initial question. Are they, the owners, willing to cover the cost from their own resources ? We are hearing precious little on that front. It is to my mind, highly unlikely, given the tone of the announcement on the official website. The begging bowl is definitely being rattled already. But, given the number of blank weeks we've had over the course of the season, several opportunities have already been missed to raise funds, and now we won't even get the one meeting dedicated specifically to doing just that, raising air fence funds. Cancelled. I hate to say this, and I hope to goodness I am so wrong and will happily eat humble pie if so, but I think we're going down. I think they're looking for a way out, or a new buyer. Otherwise....... We need to hear what the intentions are from the owners. Are they wanting out ? Can they find the cash, not just to start next season WITH an air fence, but also have enough to get through the year ? Just where do we, the fans, stand before we cough up our own hard earned cash towards the fund ? Right now there's too many questions and precious few answers.

I am really really torn here. I have a policy of only criticising in a constructive ( hopefully ) manner which can be more productive than slavish admiration. However I read the above statement from the promoters with mixed feelings. I am on record on another forum as saying that the new guys came in with high expectations and much enthusiasm, but lacking in professionalism. They also didn't have either deep enough pockets to do the job, or perhaps not long enough arms. Much more money than they bargained for was and is needed. This to me was the biggest factor in where they find themselves. I really didn't care for this " bring a friend " approach and again the promoters offend us with the above comment " We said in May we needed you, the supporters to help us via a bring a friend campaign.Unfortunately very few of you did. " That frankly is offensive. I've said before on this, I personally did pester friends and family to go along and I know lots of others did. To then blame us for not being successful is out of order. Yes we thank the new people for keeping it going but they made lots of mistakes and the biggest one in my view was an unrealistic vision and grasp of the hard dosh needed. A lack of due diligence to use the business lingo. It is first and foremost a sport but all sports nowadays need money, cash, financial backing, lots of it, and I regret to say they don't have enough. It was perhaps naive to think they could do it with what they had. It's hard out there and I can only hope they find more dosh to continue. Having no Tigers is unconceivable. The hard core of supporters can do no more than they already do.

Can anyone confirm for me that Anders Thomsen said he was coming back next year? I admittedly am a bit mutt'n'jeff, plus the PA system is mince and I didn't make him out clearly. If so I am absolutely chuffed. I think I know a star of the future when I see one and he certainly comes into that category. I predict a top future for that young man. Even better if he can get a better bike. James not got one for sale? Henning's coming back too? I did hear Joey R. saying he wanted to come back. Good news if so. Those apart, where in the name of the wee man are we going to get a team together for next year? Especially given the new promotion's preference for em, how can one say ? Not too expensive would be the most diplomatic way of saying it. This is going to be VERY interesting.

Irrespective of the ins and outs of what referee is required, in my previous posts on this particular match I expressed astonishment that it wasn't called off much earlier. Common sense should have kicked in here. Yes the rain seemed to go off, but where I was, there were two very heavy showers, at 4.00 and 5.00, right in the middle of race time. Even if the track was rideable, and munchkin has said it was " like a ploughed field, " the really strong wind in itself was a safety factor. It was dangerous. End of. In that respect I am sorry to say, the promotion seems to have been willing to take the chance and start proceedings. They were wrong. Plain and simple.

I am HUGELY unimpressed by this. Thankfully I made no effort to go myself due to conditions, but what of those who have? Are the promotion THAT desperate for cash they took this gamble and have cost probably a lot of people a fair amount of money and inconvenience getting there ? It was the referee's decision that it was "unsafe. " Yet the owners were willing to try and get people in, take their dough, then as Mr Blobby said, close the meeting. I repeat, I am HUGELY unimpressed.

Follow the gater? Last week when it was much drier than today, even good riders were going round wheels in line. I don't know what to make of this. If this meeting goes ahead I'll take the flak, but if it's actually SPEEDWAY RACING It'll be a bloody miracle of track preparation. I know it's the last meeting etc etc, and the guys come all the way from Plymouth, but two things come to mind. Firstly rider safety, and secondly cost to the punters. It looks like a fingers crossed gamble to me by the promotion.

I too just got the email from the promotion that it is ON. Frankly, I'll be astonished if it is. It is pouring where I am and has been for hours plus the weather forecast is for gale force winds and heavy rain. Yet they say they've contacted the weather people who say all will be well. I'm confused .

Perhaps I should have included civil servants in the Mr Blobby suits too.

As seems certain now, I believe, there will be some tracks who are going down with the expense of these air fences. I have what may seem to be a silly question ( I'm known for them .) Given that air fences are not really that safe ( riders can get hurt still bouncing off them , and can go under or over them ) why does it HAVE to be air fences ? is there really no alternative ? Has anyone tried alternatives ? Has anyone offered them ? Yes it's comparatively high tech, but has anyone tried old tyres ? They're still used in go karts. Or hay bales, packed looser ? A combination of the two ? Or similar ? Rubber or foam fillings would be better than air. Are air fences the be all and end all, especially when they're so bloody expensive they can shut your local track down ? Surely some lateral thinking could save the day here, and not just rely on ' technology .' Personally, and this is just my opinion, I'd have politicians lined up all round the track in Mr Blobby suits ( especially Labour ones. ) At least if a rider hits one he might still get hurt but he'd be doing the country some good. Just a thought .

I don't usually comment on blokes who retire as it's a common enough event but for a superb rider like Joe Screen, I'd make an exception any day of the week. Joe you are quite simply one of the best riders I have EVER had the privilege of watching in my almost 70 years. I can't think of another rider who was so 'planted ' on the track you looked as if even a bomb couldn't shift you when you were flying round. I wish you every happiness in your retirement and thank you for the pleasure of seeing a magnificent sportsman on top of his game and excitement personified. All the best big man.

I am completely flummoxed ( good word that. ) Why so you say ? I say because I'm completely flummoxed. Why so.....aw shut up. I was watching today's match with mixed emoticons. ( Mixed emoticons. ) I am a long standing, indeed sitting at times, fan of the Tigers but am confuddled as to whether to so be from here on in. They couldnae beat an egg these days. I recall spouting about grabbing Santa Claus Vissing when he was availabubble at the start of the season and look who grabbed him, and look how good he is. We went for cheap and cheerful ( not sure it was cheap either wi' the Aussies. Big mistake. We went in search of somebody, anybody to fill the gaps, and we may have found one in the young Dane, but we are looking desperate even for next season again when Joe and James retire.. The new guys have made a bit of a Horlicks of things I regret to say. There is something else missing this term. I've said before I don't mind if we get scrambled as long as the racing's good. Well the racing's quite good but there's still something missing. I have to confess here, and I don't believe my own fingers are typing this, but I am, whisper it.....bored.. Bored bored bored. There. I've said it ( three times too. ) Or is it four ? There is a definitive lack of sumthin. I could possibly go on but it wid take too long. Fact is, apart from Cookie quite rightly throwing a tan trum at that idiotic referee ( what the hell was HE watching ? ) I can't tell you the last time I threw a tan trum mesel ....with excitement. Long time ago noo I think. And that's the problem. No excitement. Good racing... at times, Fairly good presentation....at times, but nae jump oot yer seat yelling yer daft lungs oot excitement. Sorry, but it's twoo it's twoo ( that's a direct quote from Blazing Saddles. ) We fans are a loyal bunch ( so are some of the big wans ) but there is a limit and I for one me myself personally I have mayhaps reached mine. I don't know whether it's my oldness or what, but the old speedway lark is definitely losing some of it's magic. I want to jump up and shout, yes even at my exalted age, not ho hum it's another three all. Three for them and two and one for us. Perhaps I should buy that big box of jigsaws I saw on eBay and just reminisce. ( Another good word that to finish with. )