g13webb

Done.

When our friends from Poland sees what averages they are on here , it must show them, when it come to running a competitive Speedway League, we haven't got a clue... And people wonder why the fans don't come anymore....

Why would they want to bin them off, Both riders are way better than their out of date averages and will each, easily put 2 points on their score. This situation could only happen in this country. where out of date averages are accepted as the norm... The issues this practise creates, is that it give the fortunate clubs who get them, a massive advantage when assembling their team. It is not known whether Poole would have selected the 2 Poles, had they been on a accessed 6 average, but if they had, they would not have been able to include Sundstrom in their side.,. It has the same effect as giving Poole 4 extra points to play with.... The mind boggles........

I always felt the Australians have a bond of togetherness, not always evident from other countries. Probably because they are a long way from home and cant just pop back when they want, for whatever reason this togetherness stretches back years.... When considering their small population, I am amazed at the number of quality sportspeople they have. It doesn't matter what sport we talk of their percentage of high quality far out weighs other countries. We at Lynn have been really fortunate seeing some wonderful talent, first stopping here to further their careers. Just a pity many only used it as a stop gap before moving on. To many, Darcy Ward stands out of an impressive list, but to me Phil Crump was head and shoulders above them all. Back in 1972, there wasn't the influx of top riders as there are these day, Maury Littlechild, who was also in charge of Crewe as well as Lynn , introduced Phil into the Stars line up to compliment the Betts, Simmo and Cole heat leader partnership. in a hope of bringing that long awaited league success . The effect was immediate. he was outscoring the more established stars from the oft. In only his first or second meeting he score a 15pt max his talent was there for all to see. Unfortunately he didn't stay very long, Neil Street, helped by his daughter, persuaded him to join Newport the following year. Out of sight probably, but never out of mind. He had a tremendous talent that was complimented by the relationship of future 'father-in-law' Neil Street, Crumpy went from strength to strength. I know he didn't win that world Championship, but he was always there or there abouts. When Jason came on the scene it was only fitting that he continued the Crump and Street upbringing, to bring home the big one. Seeing Jason riding them boards was so remmonissant of his dad all them years ago.... Remembering these wonderful times, really does gives me a warm feeling

I wish I had the same feelings as you all, for I too thought Brandon was a special place and iconic to our sport. But forgive me for being cynical, but whatever chance the stadium had, of carrying on Speedway and StockCars, has long gone. From my experience years, when you see situations like this, all the hopes have been extinguished before the project even started. I am in no doubt Brandon Estates had everything in place before they brought the stadium. We're talking big money developments, developments that will gross massive profits. They wouldn't be speculating unless they were assured of the final outcome. Be it from back-handers, illegal payments or even blackmail , they wouldn't be spending hundreds and thousands of pounds on plans and professional people unless they had the reassurances in place before it even started. That's the ways top businesses work. They will be expected the objection process to show up, but for it to change anything, the battle has to be fought along similar lines as they have done. with high profile and name and shame those who are benefitting. Make the public aware of the underhanded goings on. Its probably too late for that now.... Its such a pity, that when the BSPA received that television money from Sky, they didn't use it for more creditably and purchase somewhere like Brandon that they could call their own.. My first visit to Brandon was in 1970 . Compared to the wooden run-down premises we had at Lynn at that time, this was the pinnacle of our sport. But time has really taken its toll. These last few years it is embarrassing how little work had been done and it has been left to decay, its now only a sad reflection of the place it once was. Cant help thinking this has played right into the Developers hands..... Really sorry for these bad thoughts !!!

Even if the BSPA done 'Common Sense ' because of the numbers involved, Premiership clubs are of secondary importance. Our sport is now ruled by the Second division and they wont imply any rules that are detriment to their operation. What a Joke......

Agree, they're are 6 points per race but the better riders would score more of them and the lesser rider would lose out, So you cant look at the CMA to evaluate a stronger or weaker league...

If the quality of riders was higher then the averages would become lower as the points would be more difficult to attain... I agree most teams appear to be more closely matched, but the difference between the top and bottom are still too far apart....

Not wishing to insult the posters or person who opened this thread, but looking at averages to equate a team's strength is not compelling enough to access its strength. Individually averages goes up and down and are dependant on the competition of which he races. So to answer the thread title, asking is this the league stronger the answer is a definite NO. To evaluate the strength we need to look at the quality of the riders, and like the years before, this year we have seen a decline of the very top stars that grace our sport. In a sport, governed by personal gain rather than common sense, our league will continue to weaken until the people in charge, starts puts the sport first...

Its unusual for Shovlar and I to have similar ideas. but looking at each's predictions, it seem we may have something in common.. I could've said great minds think alike, buy didn't want to leave myself open to personal abuse.....

All these comparisons between 2 top riders is superficial. For years we have been thinking of ways to induce more quality riders to race here, and now we invent rules to stop them from doing the one thing we have always craved them to do. The fixed race nights would have opened the doors for some them top riders, but the short-sightedness of the BSPA introducing this '1over8' rule has in fact closed any doors that may have been ajar.... Crazy........ Without that '1over8' rule, we could have had more GP ridesr than we have had for years.....

1 , Poole Everything that is wrong with our average system is highlighted in this team. Ford’s astuteness to assemble his team using out of date figures has placed Poole on a pedestal few can match. Out of date figures have always been the wrath of team building but the BSPA do nothing to remedy it. This league victory will be a walk in the park … 2, Leicester One has to appreciate the strides the Lions have made in their quest to assembly a strong Team. Spear-headed by a GP rider, coupled with 3 more heat leader quality riders makes them a formidable team. Pleased that Bates changed his mind that will only add strength lower down. Getting Simon Stead as Team manager was an impressive coup… They should reach the PO without too much trouble. 3 Belle Vue I feel disappointed they haven’t won the league recently. They have been super strong all season only to lose out in the play-offs. Led by strong heat leaders they will score most over their rivals with their young class reserves. Losing KB will be a big loss but no doubt Tungate will step up. A dead cert PO position but I feel they will miss out again. 4, Swindon Losing Doyle could have been a bigger lost than it has been, but Morris is a readymade No1. Adding the selfish Batchelor to the solid team could be a master stroke or a mistake, but either way they will have too much strength not to reach the PO. 5. Wolves This 1 over 8 rule has cost Wolves more than most. Losing Freddie is a massive lost that other members will find hard to cover. When meetings were close it was always Freddie to the rescue. Thorsell, Masters and Rory should hold their own, but it is lower down I feel they will struggle. Although they have an able leader in Adams, I feel victory this year, the league will be too much, even for him. 6. Rye House They have 2 areas of confidence that will really helps them. The first is the massive home advantage gained from their tight track, and secondly the experience from their elder riders. Both these issues make them far stronger then would normally be seen and will provide enough strength to be very competitive. I think the PO will be a step too far. 7. Kings Lynn I rate Niels very highly, equally as important to Michael Lee back in his prime. Mr Reliable himself. To have him back on board is wonderful. I wish I could be more confident with the team we have assembled. For us to have a chance of the PO every rider has to up his game. Lambert and Jorgensen have to become solid heat leaders, and new boys Proctor and Andersen have to hit the ground running. It’s a big ask . I will be there supporting them whatever the outcome. If the track is in first class condition and the racing is good, I’ll be more than happy with that… 8. Summerset Such is the competition this year it will be no disgrace to come bottom. The bottom 4 are all of similar quality and could finish in any order. Doyle is the master when results are close and could be a deciding factor. But like Lynn, Somerset could suffer as most opposition like to come ride on a decent tracks, the home advantage disappears. Hope they do well but I feel the competition is too strong. Conclusions: I fear Poole are way too strong. They have no weak links and will win by a distant. The next 3 teams are all solid and competent enough to make the PO. The bottom 4 again a competitive group that could finish in any of those positions, but I will be very surprised if one manages to jump into another grouping.,.,

That just about sums up your mentality. You come on here rubbishing posters who dare to offer an opinion, that contravenes yours. You call people names , and bludgeon them with your shallow vision. I went to the meeting last night, as I regularly do , and take on board that was said. I wont bother you with my feelings, either the good ones nor the bad. I spoke with Buster and he had no problems with some of the points I aired.. He actually agreed with one or 2 things and said he valued input from people who can see beyond the obvious. There are seasoned posters here this morning who see things different than you, Because they can see, both good and bad of situations , their opinion are far more valuable than those who only see one way. I suggest you get off that box , stop judging people and see them for who they are. Our team may not be good enough to win the league, but there's nothing more off putting than being dictated to, by menials

Many times I am of the impression I have to justify my comments, because fellow posters don't like my opinions. Its not the case pf picking holes with anybody, merely having a different view, and not afraid to post it. When a person agrees with everything, their opinion loses its value. An opinion can only be one person's view There are posters on here who agree with everything the Stars do and say, they will not hear a word said about them.. The same can be said about certain riders, I'm pleased I am not one of those people. I support the team every year, through thick and thin, I will still be there most meetings. I believe my support deserves an opinion. Just because I voice a dissatisfaction, only highlights my strong feelings. .......... I don't apologise for voicing how I feel, If it didn't bother me, that would be the time to be concerned....

I have a terrific relationship with our 13 yr old grandson, who likes nothing more than to share time with his dotting granddad. He's a real dialled-in young man, obviously been spoilt, but he embraces many pastimes. His first love would be snowboarding, The point I'm trying to make here, he has been fortunate going to various events, MotoX Grass Track, MotoGP; Cardiff GP plus Lynn speedway , but speedway at Lynn would come bottom of his list. He says the racing is poor, the noise is too quite and the night goes on too long. Last year, he said Would I mind if he didn't go , cause not son...... so I reluctantly went alone.. . If the speedway is that poor, a 13yr loses interest , there has to be something drastically wrong with sport.

Surely you know the score by now. One meeting in June; 2 in July ; probably 6 in August and remaining 10 the first week in Sept.

Is that really important to you ?? It appears you have difficulty in separating opinions to actually moaning. On another thread of this forum where posters are making predictions the majority are saying Lynn are weak.. , but don't let that worry you. My philosophy has always been, speak as you find, and if that offends you, that's unfortunate.., But I don't hunt in packs.......

Any thoughts of competing in the Premier League without a proper No 1 would be madness . Running the usual program, a top rider is essential come the last few heats of the match, coupled with decent reserves in the protected races. Most people think our team is weak as it is, without Niels or similar we would be cannon fodder. If Buster was thinking along them lines, then we should have gone in the 2nd Division. ......

If a club is relying on away support to make ends met they are on the road to disaster.. We have travelled to most venues, and on those occasions the supporter who bothers stand out like a sore thumb. We're talking very small numbers... It is because of this I suggested a scheme where away fans should go free. Any promotion that creates interest and gets fans through the door should be considered... A club would always benefit from away fans by the extras they would buy... Having a free entry could make the difference of whether they go or not.... Having a meeting in a full stadium is far better than one half empty.... It would be a win-win situation......

Probably, there might be a extra few,. The point is, only speedway supporters know of speedway riders, whereas in football players are more widely known. If our team was destined to lose the appeal is much less, then one who stands a chance, regardless of who they are riding against....

Trying to compare football to speedway is beyond belief. they are a world apart. Even comparisons between the same sports, say between the Premier league and the old 4th division is difficult where they are run on entirely different structures and costs. You say the bottom teams attendances benefit when playing top teams, but this is more to do with top players rather than the actual team. No way does Speedway riders hold the same appeal, Most supporters want to see their team , hoping for competitive racing and in with a chance of winning. If anything, riding against a super strong team, and not a hope of success would be a bigger turn-off than anything....

I for one think both Poles are quality riders, with previous knowledge of most tracks they will ride. I do not see any of the risk you talk of, and will forecast both will attain averages nearer to 7's than 6's . For this reason alone, I see this years league battle as a walk in the park for the strong Pirates side...

I find it very difficult to discuss speedway matters with Poole supporters, as most are blinded to the spirit of the sport and are only concerned about Poole Pirates. I hope you are not in that bracket. My concern was not directed as a battle between Buster and Matt Ford, but for the state of the sport in general.. I admire your admiration towards your boss Ford, but for you to think he is the only one putting in hours of work would be senseless. Once the sport was fought out on the track, when winning or losing was everything, but not anymore. Teams are not equal and result are predicable. That may be good for some teams, but for the sport in general its a big turnoff. The rules on assessment and out of date averages is the biggest problem of all. They appear to be altered to suit. I cannot believe there is a worse run organisation than British speedway. I have long advocated for the rules to be set in stone, illuminating these senseless yearly changes. but since when do the BSPA do anything constructive,,

Whilst I admire the ruthlessness of Matt Ford, I cant help but think he has some form of leverage over the other promoters. They must be so gullible to allow him to use so many loop holes in the rules and do nothing about it. When Ford signed Woryna, I immediately thought this was a good buy, but thought he would never be allowed to use him on an average so out of date, but it appears Matt Ford can do whatever he wants. I wait with laughter, at the average he will acquire Sundstrom on. Bearing in mind he hasn't rode here for 5yrs, he'll probably get him on something ridiculous like a 5 It's always been my belief the disparity of team strength has been the biggest turnoff in our sport for years. Talking with many old supporters who packed up going, this was the reason most used when asked about their dwindling interest. I'm sure the BSPA will acknowledge this, but appear nonchalant to do anything about it... I'm alright Jack !!!!!!

Probably I should've said his averages are too good to be fitted in at reserve