Speedball

That's what I'm hoping for

On the Coventry website Mike "A NEW date has been agreed for the Buildbase Bees' Elite League 'A' fixture at home to King's Lynn. The meeting, which was to take place on Friday April 8, will now be staged at Brandon on Monday April 11 (7.30pm). Additionally, the Bees Elite League 'B' visit to the Adrian Flux Arena, which was scheduled for Thursday June 16, will now take place on Wednesday June 22." News is a mixed bag for me. Was planning to do the away fixture on the 8th but can't do the 11th. On the plus side, I'll be in Lens for the England v Wales game on the 16th so chuffed the home fixture has been moved to the 22nd.

Like Wilko so wouldn't be unhappy with that change

Thinking of going to this for the first time. Is there normally a collectors fayre as part of the day?

Considering Dale Allitt tweeted Crumpy this morning asking if he fancied a comeback, it's safe to say it's highly unlikely he's returning - https://twitter.com/daleallitt/status/694488473231847425 The one thing I would say was IF Crumpy did fancy a comeback, you know it would be because he would be competitive. He wouldn't be happy with going through the motions. Just can't see it happening but wouldn't be the first time I was wrong. Would certainly add some interest!

The T8 boxes that are mentioned above, are they the ones from Droidbox?

Zengota's one of those asking for mega bucks. Think he's pricing himself out of British speedway. To a degree I understand why, he's in demand and there's not much supply plus he knows he's not going to score big points from No 1.

I'd change tact totally and have some fun. Set up a shell holding company and make Matt Ford an offer he couldn't refuse. Then appoint a dream team of Dave Helmsley (track & team) and Len Silver (entertainment). Then set back and watch the carnage unfold from the Maldives ;-)

Let's face it, there isn't a big signing just waiting to be announced. Nothing to be gained from keeping it secret as sure they are well aware of the current mood amongst the fans. We're probably on Plan Q by now, desperately hoping someone will have a change of heart or a situation changes at another track. Good job the NL team looks good on paper this year

On my lunch break so having to rush these thoughts down. Premier League promoters have been equally culpable as those in the Elite League in employing poor foreign riders to the detriment of British riders. Probably hoping to uncover the next Hans Nielsen but 9 times out of 10 getting a Simon Nielsen instead. I do accept that there is a lack of riders of quality British riders available and like that the EDR scheme is trying to tackle this. However. in my mind, the FTR/EDR scheme should have been implemented in the Premier League first not the Elite League. From what I understand the Premier League promoters were not willing to do so. To my mind there should be a clear progression from National League to Premier League and then onto Elite League. If you are good enough i.e. a Robert Lambert then of course you can make the jump up but for most, it should be about gradual progression. Riders such as Kerr, Garrity and Newman have undoubtedly progressed but on the main they are racing against riders they are facing in the PL. Riders like those should be taking the Number 7 positions and riders such as Rose, Clegg etc continue their progression in the Premier League. The Elite League shouldn't be full of 4 or 5 point PL riders, the riders moving up should be of Premier League heat leader standard. Premier League teams should start the season with two British reserves, one of which should be under 21. Each EL team having to include a minimum of two or three British riders and at least one under the age of 23. As I said at the start, this is my quick thoughts so not had chance to work through figures/ages of current EDR riders etc so sure this will get plenty of holes picked in it. My overall point is that until all leagues start pulling in the same direction and giving British riders a clear progression path, we'll never solve the problem with 2/3 year sticking plasters. Sweden and Poland seem to manage to be able to bring on young talent without having to go through such complicated and controversial procedures.

Never saw this one coming Stars sign No Wan Little known Chinese prospect Foo-Kin No Wan has been signed to lead the Stars in the 2016 Elite League season. No Wan will start the season on a 8.00 average and will take the No 1 position which team boss Rob Lyon admits will raise some eyebrows. Lyon said: “This is another major coup for King's Lynn speedway as far as I am concerned. Leicester were interested but once he'd read the TripAdvisor reviews for Pearl River, King's Lynn was the only place he wanted to be." “Numerous other clubs have tried to tempt Foo-Kin No Wan back into British speedway, but we have managed it." “It is a hugely exciting signing and should also ensure we sell thousands of horrible polyester replica shirts to the Far Eastern market." Foo-Kin No Wan was available for comment at this time (same old story)

I'm lead to believe there is a BSPA meeting this month.

I'd take a committed Emil at No 1 in a heartbeat. Really would be something else at Lynn week in, week out. Can't agree on Millsy at 6 though (besides the fact he's retired now). Needs to be a competitive reserve. Lewis Blackbird (if riding) would be the best option. After that it's surely a straight choice between Simon Lambert and Adam Roynon. Like both of those but both fill me with concerns. Simon would be good at Lynn but often struggles away. Adam would properly be the better all rounder home and away but his injury record speaks for itself. Good to see you taking an interest again though JC. Merry Xmas to all the Stars fans out there and of course all speedway fans. Looking forward to seeing what 2016 has to offer

Oh I don't know, It's pretty bloody good being one today Think Steve got it right earlier. The club gets criticised for saying nothing so released a statement and still get criticised. I don't think everything is rosy but don't believe in giving unnecessary criticism. Seemingly can't win at the moment.

Think it's a bad case of Chinese whispers. Not seen anything that said there was an announcement due tonight!

Was about to post the very same. Think the asset system should be abolished and couldn't ever see it standing up in a court of law. That said, if it does remain, there should be a time limit (2 years sounds reasonable) and a maximum number limit of retained assets (say 15 to 20). To me it seems ridiculous that a rider could do 12 meetings for a team in 2010, receive no payment/employment in subsequent years yet a promotion retains a hold over his UK registration.

Thought it was after but can't be sure. But with Sweden, Denmark, Poland, SGP and SEC I can't see him changing his mind. Sundstrom would be 7.22 (from Coventry in 2013). Has certainly done well at Lynn previously. Seem to remember him getting a maximum for Peterborough. Agreed. Would much rather watch Mads and Robert than Bjerre and Porsing. Can't see either figuring in the 2016 team now. Agreed mate Sorry, you're right. Forgot about his spell with Peterborough in 2013. Think it's safe to say Mads will feel more at home at Lynn than Leicester. For a start Mads isn't the best gater in the world but isn't scared to mix it. Think it's pretty well documented most people's thoughts about the Leicester track. He's excellent at Lynn. Plus Norrie Allen will never go down as the greatest motivator in the world. Still not forgiven him for his role in moving Mark Loram away from the Stars

Had forgotten about Larsen. Think he will be on 6.57 (from 2012 with Coventry). The point I was trying to make though is that's it's high likely we will be well under the points limit and I imagine Leicester even more so.

As has already been pointed out, the points limit is probably too high for the riders available. We now have a Niels sized hole with no Niels to fill it. Now Nicki has ruled himself out, only options I can see are Zengota (7.79), MJJ (6.54), Michelsen (5.67) or persuade a newcomer to come across such as Vaculik, Dudek or Przedpelski. Can't see the likes of Woffinden, Hancock, Sayfutdinov or both the Pawlicki's rushing back to British speedway. I reckon Zengota could come in to the mix but that would be a worry as he struggled once up into the heat leader spots and he'd be our No 1.

Personally think we're still looking. We were in for Bjarne Pedersen but he chose Lakeside instead. Sure various options are being looked at. Shame Nicki has ruled himself out. He would fit perfectly on 8.61, leaving 3.20 for final reserve. The last two signings will really make the difference on whether it's a season of struggle or challenging for the play-offs. IF we can get a decent number 1, think we look solid throughout the top order.

Seems like Adam Roynon isn't in the mix to replace Lewis judging by his reaction when asked on Twitter this evening. https://twitter.com/ad_royno4/status/674336351861522432

Can easily see 5 of the 7 increasing their starting average which is promising. Looking forward to seeing how they progress.

He'd be great at 6 :-p

Another signing announced this week according to Twitter. The list above makes pretty grim reading though perhaps shows how underestimated Rory is by some. For the final 3 main team places I guess perm 3 from Schlein, Bjerre, Porsing, Zengota, Korneliussen, PK, Pedersen and Michelsen. Edit: Forgot about MJJ My choices would be Rory, Mads and Michelsen but with a question mark over Rory's fitness I wonder if it will be Bjerre instead? Nurse.....

NKI springs to mind and we know what country he's dropped.