dontforgetthefueltapsbruv

Well the Play Off Final attendance covered it on its own! Will be a big blow for the Benevolent Fund too.....

To be fair it's the only chance they have

I don't agree with Dean on much of what's said about the current situation bit its unfair to turn on him personally He does have a greater insight that the vast majority having literally been there, done that and worn the t-shirt He is an expert of the NDL, lower Championship level that we now will be left with having lived it

WEF , one world government ,digital currency, social credit score , 15 minute cities

I had you down for being older than 12 Iain - more someone that may remember the great top flight double winning Witches sides of the 70s and 80s , oh and 90s........

I reckon there's a possibility that only 2 need to be integrated - which perversely may help the situation!!

Perhaps it's quite apt that on the same day as the start of the Ashes British Speedway has potentially burnt its bridges to aspiring to be the best

Some words from Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches promoter Chris Louis as he announces that he will stepping down and selling the club. “It is with a very heavy heart that I have to inform our fans that I will be stepping down from the club ahead of the 2026 season. Following a meeting on Thursday I have informed my fellow Premiership promoters of my intention to sell the club. “The Ipswich Witches have been a part of my entire life, from running around the trees on the terraces with a Coke can on my left foot, to being a proud member of the side including winning the title in 98, through to promoting the side and another title in 2025. Through the great times and the tough times, the riders, fans, sponsors, staff and my wife Julie have been right behind me. There are too many to name here, but we did it together and that’s what has made my time with the Witches so very special. Every conversation that I have had to inform those people in the club of my decision, has been with a tear in my eye. They have all been so supportive and I consider each and every one a friend. I will be working tirelessly over the coming months to ensure that I leave the club in safe hands. “Dad and I have put in 77 years between us, and it has been a privilege to continue the Tiger’s legacy. I hope, perhaps, through the Tiger’s Academy I can continue in the sport in the future. I want to thank every rider that has represented the Witches in my time, either riding with, or for me. There have been so many of you that have given your all for the club, but I have to mention Danny (King) and Ritchie (Hawkins), who have gone above and beyond and supported me throughout. Ritchie will also be stepping aside but he has asked me to thank you all for your support and he will be sending his own message soon. “Every sponsor that has been so loyal, not only to the club, but to me personally. You have all played such a big part and I have to give another special mention to Guy Nicholls not only for his support through the Tru7 Group but also his help and advice, you will never know what a big part he has played in our most recent success. Thank you to everyone that has put so many hours in to making our club what it is. I wish I could mention you all by name and I will endeavour to add more detail in the coming weeks. Some things no longer align for me, and unfortunately it is time to step aside, but I leave the club and the sport with so many great memories that will last forever. Thank you.”

Is it an attempt at brinkmanship? I hope so but I fear not

I'm expecting 2026 to be very much as you were with the 5 remaining Premiership teams going with that and the Championshio carrying on with 9 as planned. If there is a last minute 6th Premiership team I'd not expect it to come from within the 9 Championship teams I actually think that's the best way forward at this stage What is imperative though is that the details for 2027 (and surely it will then be the radical change) is agreed and set in stone prior to 2026 starting Ideally that plan should also be made public

You may as well add Lord Lucan to your list and make it 152 - he would be as useful as half the names on there towards making a viable league

Spot on but the principle stands I see Dan has signed for Lodz in Extraliga 2 which adds some pressure to his travel arrangements

It is if the one left without a team is potentially GBs most promising prospect Pickering should not be allowed to drop back down to the Championship if it means a Brit misses out on a place

Scandal,corruption,blackmail,violence and lots of dust

Surely Speedway Futures Ltd must own the marketing right to 'Speedway' Belle Vue know some good lawyers - time to sue

If its a straight majority vote then it only takes 3 Championship clubs to join the 4 remaining Premiership clubs to turn the request down....

With no Premiership there is no viable level for the Championshio either Rider numbers and costs are only possible in the Championship due to subsidy from Premiership funding

If they are all in it together, and as is obviously proven keeping the 2 tier structure benefits all, then any financial compensation should surely be split across ALL clubs Not necessarily as a straight split but ALL are responsible in some way

Turned down by the Championship clubs?

Perhaps if there is a complete breakdown the current Premiership clubs should accept the loss of the top line/Polish bound riders and use the cash saved to offer the likes of Lawson,Wright,King,Harris,Nicholls Thompson etc exclusive non doubling up contracts..... It's certainly possible - at least for 1 season anyway if a point of principle needed to be forced Ridiculous? Yes! But no more so than whats already being played out!

I'd wager that for a number of away matches even in the last few years they have taken greater numbers than the total standard attendance at say Scunny,Plymouth and Workington......

Why should the current Championshio 9 get the first 9? It would defacto become GBs top league and so it should be the 9 top clubs Your solution for example would/could see the current Champions who attracted an attendance of over 6000 to the play off final and regularly attract 2000 told they have to run at NDL level There is not a single other club in the whole of the land that can even accommodate that number let alone attract it - the vast majority couldn't even accommodate the lower figure! And it's the Premiership clubs being selfish they say......

That is not too far off as it stands but would change dramatically if there is no 2 tier set up unless you are happy for 4-5 clubs to close So which 4-5 go? If not the set up is hugely watered down to a Champioship lite/NDL+ level but still with potentially increased costs for all current Championship clubs

Are you also fine with paying £23-25 for it?

So the only option then is one big league with 5 man teams and a limit set around 24/25