stratton

I believe the SKY money has saved clubs from closure? what is it 60,000???(only a guess).That is why i thought clubs by now would of cut there cloth accordingly just in case sky pulled out the play/offs money ( whoever gets it ?) helps of course but that does not pay for the season.

I loved both as riders different styles god both terrific over a long period Eric for me straight as a dye no nonsense.I would love him to be involved now with speedway how to move it forward as he has always had a modern way of thinking both Legends for me.

On the Eric Boocock interview on the Halifax DVD and it was brilliant by the way, Eric cracked me up i creased up laughing.They were close as Brothers they had there moments like everybody else but Eric said Nigel once asked how did you do little Un! this was after Eric had won the 74 British Championship(both qualified). Nigel said that was good then that was it Eric said but he expected no more,what a rider he was he rode in any conditions and give everything would of loved to see him in his match races for the helmet against Ove. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JY_xq1xJPA0 Love the video a top man.

With all your posts and as usual you have put a good case, ( You could try not to come across as quite as superior as the rest of us that would would help).But you have still not convinced me over a whole season that the crowds are any bigger and as i have said endless times the sport would survive without the play/offs.

That is why Ivan was a GREAT champion, he dusted himself down came back and won another two titles.I was a massive Briggo fan but i admired Ivan so much what a man and champion to see him ride was a treat believe me.

Nigel a great rider what a entertainer.

Like myself GATER and i wish we could have those days back.

Addio i think you are the only person who has said Ivan maybe was lucky in 79? others i have spoke to about it have never really considered it.In 1972 me with my bias Briggo head on believes he should of won it, but there was always that niggle in my mind that OLE could of been the best man on the night. He was very unlucky but it was his riding error though that made him in fall could Briggo have scored 14 ? would that have been anough.? It really has riled me over the years that Barry could of equaled Ove's record he deserved that in my book but it was not to be Eh!!

Reason??

Did i ever say get rid? still don't mean they are right though does it ? get Ward in the crowds are not that much better also paying paying his wages reach the SEMI and a very poor home crowd.You ent convinced me Orion, you have not sold the play/offs to me and that is after signing one of the best riders in the world who believe me was not cheap.

NOT crazy just my opinion,you keep telling me the play/offs are great also they are not a new thing they have been here for a while now maybe SKY have a massive input in this.???I have told you endless times i except they are here to stay, but you make out they keep speedway going far from it speedway survived before it will survive again.Last year at Swindon Darcy rode against Poole( on sky at home) v King'sLynn, v Lakeside the gate was ok against Poole the other two were pretty average.Also against Belle Vue at home in the semi that was a very poor gate so the three meetings Darcy rode at home bearing in mind his wages the club would not of made alot the Belle Vue home crowd was so poor.The play/offs don't keep the sport going you admitted that, as i have said before the play/offs are ok but are hardly the SAVIOUR of the sport.

Your answer EVENTUALLY says it or for me,the sport would SURVIVE it has before the crowds even with the play/offs are not great dont you get that.?

I did ask you if the play/offs were omitted say tomorrow from the rules, would it be business as usual for most clubs a pretty simple question a YES or a NO my humble opinion says clubs would survive.

I am as modern as you WH easily, but only for the better, ok me, WK, Vincent , don't agree to the play/offs more so because ie) it is not FAIR and because you have not proved to me the crowds are better.I have asked Orion about two times no reply so far, you agree with him so i will ask YOU if the Play/offs were scrapped tomorrow would the sport continue would regular clubs stay in business.?

A very interesting subject Steve, i have changed my mind over the years i was not in favour of fixed gates but now i am.I used to go to Reading every week from 1984 to 89 as i followed Malc Holloway when he was paired with Jan Andersson Jan used to mainly get the best gates they both liked the inside gates.That used to really annoy me,but it was the norm then with Olsen,Mauger,Briggo,Nielsen (ect) always getting the cream of the gates.Would those great riders Mauger(ect) have got those great inflated averages in today's format?. i have my doubts but the likes of those four named were generally great off any gate anyway.So i think the fixed gates are the way to go fairer for everybody what is your take on it Steve.?

Most of the fans who go now went 20 years ago!! whether the play/offs are a success or not would speedway crumble? without them YES or NO i think the answer is no only my opinion though.

So Ivan made a bad error and paid badly for it but that was not Jerzys fault.The only thing i would say is the pole did get away with some terrible rolling starts Ivan was unlucky but was he lucky in 72?and maybe 79.?

If i was a bookie Witcher would be 1/50 on, Orion 1/20 on and Oldass 1/10 on to be the blokes you are on about only guessing mind!!!

Also some of the Better European riders over the years, never ever got there best aquipment here to ride on often they rode on inferior aquipment. Awarded? he won it on merit.

Who is this muppet who made this comment,? Dandelion show up tell us who you are and your point.!!!

Addio take a deep breath!! Jerzy was not RUBBISH he won the TITLE in 73 on merit Ivan made a mistake take that back Addio Jerzy was not rubbish believe me.

No the matches you mention would of been lower, but those crowds were not great anyway with Ward riding( paying his wages)..?

Yes but how much did DARCY earn?? a great rider he deserves his money, even with Darcy riding home v Lakeside, v Poole (on TV) v King's Lynn the gates were not great he was not paid peanuts was he.?.

A simple question to you,if there was no play/offs would speedway at Swindon survive?Does the play/offs ensure that speedway continues at Swindon? i don't see that the gates are any better over a period to be honest i recon the up front sky revenue covers over the cracks without sky the play/offs would not HAVE to be in place.

That track was awful the dust was a joke,PC was in with a great shout before the watering.Always felt Ole would win it i thought Autrey could win in 78 and in 1981 did Silver prepare Wembley??that Wembley surface was decent.