The White Knight

On the matter of the Sunderland Speedway Website. I would like to point out the neither scarletrider, or myself have any involvement in this Site. All of the input on the Website is ours, and the Site was designed by Madweb Design who were brilliant. We closed the Site down, through Madweb Design, a few years ago now. About a year went by and it suddenly reappeared. We have absolutely no idea how this happened and neither does Madweb. We do not know who resurrected the Site or who is keeping it on the Internet. It certainly is not us. Very, very curious indeed. I will though continue to use it for reference. Please Note: I have Posted this on both Threads to prevent confusion.

Let's hope not orion. You support Swindon, I think. I am keeping my fingers crossed that things will be OK.

Very sad to hear this. Is there no further official News on the situation regarding the new Track and Stadium?

I have quoted myself again: On the matter of the Sunderland Speedway Website. I would like to point out the neither scarletrider, or myself have any involvement in this Site. All of the input on the Website is ours, and the Site was designed by Madweb Design who were brilliant. We closed the Site down, through Madweb Design, a few years ago now. About a year went by and it suddenly reappeared. We have absolutely no idea how this happened and neither does Madweb. We do not know who resurrected the Site or who is keeping it on the Internet. It certainly is not us. Very, very curious indeed. I will though continue to use it for reference.

To answer your question directly. Sunderland was a new Track. Wolverhampton and Newcastle were well established long running Speedway Teams. Sunderland was set up with a rag tag set of Riders. We were really not that competitive even at Home. Ken Sharples was then brought in to shore up what was basically a pretty weak Team at the very start of of operations at Sunderland. Everybody knows that if you are starting a new venture it is probably wise to give your hoped for Supporters a Team that is capable of winning well at Home. That didn't happen with us. But crucially the Crowds turned up even on damp evenings. As to the reason why they favoured Wolverhampton and Newcastle, as I stated earlier, they were long established Teams, crucially with long established Support. Both Wolverhampton and Newcastle had built up their support over many years - we were given 9 Meetings in one single Season to build our support. The Sunderland Echo reported that there were 8,500 people at our penultimate Meeting - not too bad, I think you will agree. I don't know how many attendees there were at the last Meeting but there were a lot, I know, because again I was there. (I saw all 9 Meetings in 1964). Bridgett and Parker favoured Newcastle and Wolverhampton because they were so long established they made a lot of money. Sunderland, to my mind was sacrificed because Wolverhampton's Gates were down as they were near the bottom of the League and the only way they could recover their position near the top was to poach our Riders. As stated earlier Newcastle got Ken Sharples. But Wolverhampton got the following Riders from Sunderland: Jim Airey Gordon Guasco Colin McKee (All three were, or became great Riders - and all had their first Rides in England at Sunderland). The improvement in the Wolverhampton Team was immediate. THAT, my friend, is the Case for the Prosecution.

It is very cold then............................... :unsure:

All I will say is that there were 8,000 people at the penultimate Meeting. I was there. Remember, we only had 9 Home Meetings before they shut us down. Hardly a fair run to accurately judge support levels I think. Bridgett particularly needed our Riders as Wolves were near the bottom of the League - they eventually finished third, with a number of ex Sunderland Riders in the Team, if my memory serves me right. Meanwhile Newcastle got Sharples who was instrumental in them winning the League that year. So it was definitely about Riders and nothing to do with attendances. I spoke to a Wolves Supporter who agreed with my analysis of the situation. Granted the weather was not great over that period. But we never had a Meeting rained off and the Summer was on the way. We were shafted by the Promoters in my opinion. I have held that opinion for over 50 years and still feel that way today.

Sunderland was closed by Mike Parker and Bill Bridgett so that they could take our (Sunderland) Riders and put them in to the Newcastle and Wolverhampton Teams in order to improve them. That is the only reason that Sunderland closed. All is laid out here. See below: http://www.sunderlandspeedway.co.uk/stats/1964/1964_Season.html

Do you not think it is already too late?

That makes sense.

I couldn't agree more steve. I admired him too. Very forward thinking for his time, he could see things in Speedway that others couldn't. Had he been listened to by 'the powers that be' all of those years ago - Speedway would probably be in a much healthier state than it is now.

I don't normally quote myself - but - I forgot to mention Bill Bridgett, Parkers partner in crime when it came to Sunderland. My comments apply to both.

Can you expand on that satatement The Dean Machine? I will totally understand if you can't.

I find this really concerning.......... You are definitely right about the state of things if that is the case. How can Supporters get a habit of going to the Speedway regularly if there is only Meetings something like once a month?

I wish Cradley Supporters all the luck in the World. You have certainly fought long and hard for it to happen.

I never met him - but I didn't like him. Why? For what he did to the Sunderland 'Saints' back in 1964. I have a lot of respect for Len Silver.

if there's no riding - doesn't seem much point to me. :D

Rider Control?

Ooops. That's my fault leander. I should have stated: Post 266 by waytogo28 In the Bt Coverage Thread under Speedway News & Discussions. Sorry about that leander and Dandelion.

It was far, far easier to recognise Riders by the personal style of riding, sitting on the Bike and Race Jackets than it is these days. The Riders all look the bloody same, both on the Bike and off it. The Bikes look all the same. There is no room for a bit of individuality any more unfortunately. Yet more reasons why Speedway is suffering, in my opinion.

Sounds great to me. If there is cost involved I can't see it happenng though. I used to enjoy International Meeting years ago too. I suppose the Promoters would have to ask themselves whether or not folk would turn out to watch Internationals, when lots of Tracks are having trouble getting people to turn out for their Home Club Meetings. If they think they won't turn up well they are probably right not to run them. A great shame though.

Hi Dandelion. Regarding Manzares - I would just draw your attention to Post Number: 266 by waytogo28 on the subject. Just thought you may be interested.

Fair comment Gemini. I just wish we could hear some good news for a change. Allowing Travellers to settle at Brandon can only bring further destruction to the Stadium on top of that already committed by others.

You couldn't make it any clearer than what you stated above jenga. As Speedway is possibly in it's last chance saloon regarding Television coverage - it was rather a stupid thing to say. I have replied to his original Post NW42.

Well I'm still hoping so.