The White Knight

A very praiseworthy effort from Lakeside - wouldn't it be good if all the other Promoters followed suit.

I think it has already achieved that particular goal. :sad:

Won't cost him much. :shock:

........................... and conversely - if you spend money you haven't got - you go BUST!! :rolleyes:

Has René Bach actually indicated he wants to come to Newcastle - it might be a nice idea - but you can't go round pinching other Team's Riders.

A VERY fair point 500cc.

I would even volunteer to come down from Sunderland to set fire to the bl**dy thing. :mad: It appears that there is someone in Speedway, after all, who recognises how unpopular the Tactical Ride is among swathes of Supporters throughout Speedway. :approve:

Hear, hear!! Well said SCB.

Not a lot afterwards either.

If they DID come along wanting to change things after the AGM - they should be told to s*d off!! The Sport of Speedway is far more important to Supporters of Speedway than ANY Television Company. Spot on BP.

I'm glad you at least acknowledge the FACT Skidder1.

Very true. Doesn't alter the fact that I am right though.

A well reasoned Post 1 valve. To answer your questions directly: I) Play Offs ii) Double Points iii) Yellow Helmet Cover The last one isn't that important - but crucially - I personally have a problem telling White from Yellow under lights. I would prefer the Yellow/Black Cover back.. IF they continue with the Double Points Ride - they could use a Green Helmet Cover for that. My views on i and ii are pretty well know and I have no need to elaborate. So - there are three ways SKY have spoiled the Sport for me. I have tried to answer your question as honestly as I can. I hope that you at least understand my stance.

In name only. :mad:

They (SKY) gave up on the GPs. They gave loads of money to the Elite League, very little to the Premier League and, as far as I know, none at all to the National League where we are supposed to try and develop our young Riders. Perhaps it is the Promoter's fault and they should have spread the riches around a bit - but - to be totally honest SKY has done absolutely nothing for the Premier/National Leagues. These two Leagues are getting through a very difficult financial Recession without any help from SKY - so, why should we be grateful to them? I can see if you are an Elite League Supporter why you may be a bit peeved at the current state of things - but crucially - the Premier/National League have absolutely NOTHING to do with the predicament in which the Elite League finds itself. It HAD the money, almost all of it. It spent beyond it's means. It needs to sort itself out and NOT rely on the other Leagues for help. If, as you say - "although clearly such comments will hardly help keep them (SKY) interested in the sport will they"? - I am NOT going to tailor my remarks around what SKY do or don't like. Frankly I couldn't care less - I support a prudent Premier League Club.

Not keen on that bit Dave. I think SKY have mucked up our Sport far too much already. I agree with everything else in your Post.

Perhaps you are right - but crucially - we don't want failed Elite League Clubs entering the Premier League and expecting to rule the roost - it has happened before. As I said - SKY money has not really affected the Premier League to any great extent so the Clubs in the lower League are used to working to tight Budgets - former Elite League Clubs patently obviously - aren't. They (the Elite League) need to put their own house in order. I realise you will not agree with me orion. Sorry.

What an arrogant Post. I believe that the Elite League is a failed Product. Promoters paying Riders far more than they can reasonably afford. Elite League Finances are in a mess with the odd exception. I hope that the Premier League Promoters look very carefully at any deal with the so called Elite League. The Elite League has been in trouble for years and that is with the SKY money. They will be in penury without it. We don't want them bringing their same problems to the Premier League. There is an old saying - "if it ain't broke - don't try to fix it" - the Premier League ain't broke - so LEAVE IT ALONE!!! The Premier League is working reasonably well at present - I would not like the Elite League Clubs coming in and ruining what is a very decent League. THEY must sort their own problems out. They were happy to take most of the SKY money during the good times - now let them try to manage without it.

I still think that Speedway on SKY Television is very much a double edged sword. On the one hand - it is very nice to have Speedway on Television - BUT - on the other hand, are the things that Speedway has had to do to fit in with the Television requirements. To my mind SKY Television has had far too much input in to the way the Sport is run in this Country. NOT for the better either. My views on the Play Offs, Double Points etc. are well known on here and I have no need to repeat them. The Sport, myself and I know others, believe has certainly lost something since the advent of SKY. More importantly it has lost Spectators too. In the Sport/Entertainment business - that is NOT good News. As Moxey63 states above - he may have to go to a few Meetings if SKY do not renew their Speedway Contract. Hopefully there will be quite a lot like him, because personally I don't believe the Sport of Speedway should be 'in hock' to ANY Television Company, or any other Business for that matter. On balance I think that Speedway can do without Television for the League Meetings. The GPs are still available for those who won't go to their local Track. I would just urge people who, for whatever reason, have stopped attending Meetings to go and support their Local Track - it may NOT be there much longer if you don't.

Me too Mike - me too. Totally agree about 'Laydowns' - 'Uprights' were a LOT safer too.

I was at the Dinner where Erik Gundersen made his superb offer. He actually offered to do the job for free, Expenses only to try to put British Speedway back in shape by bringing on the youngsters. Nobody took him up on it - sadly.

Yes - I remember him too. Went on to do GREAT things. Still one of my Heroes.

Very best wishes for that. I remember Tony Childs well.

NO!! I would rather see the Heat Leaders Second Strings take their allotted Rides and if one of those were injured or off form the could be replaced by a Reserve. I thought that is what the word 'Reserve' meant. No Fiddling with Scores, Gate Positions, Double Points etc. Reserves used as replacements as and when required (doesn't matter how far ahead or behind the opposition are). THEN the Team Manager really DOES have to Manage his Team. We need to get rid of the Fiddling and the Time Wasting in Speedway.

Football Owners/Chairmen most definitely DO get stick from the Supporters. You need to look no further than the Club up the road from me in Sunderland to see that. Mike Ashley (Owner) is vilified in Newcastle.............................