The Voice Of Reason

Do what Lakeside do. Spend a tenner on cable-ties, and patch up airbags that are 10+ years past their expiry date. Refs will never give a toss....because they don't even know what they are looking at. Why? Simply because the SCB has no meaningful directive, within their regulations, as to what referees should even be checking for! Dispute this? I challenge the SCB to show me within their regulations where I am wrong. Cheers (Ex-Machine Examiner and Clerk of the Course, Lakeside Speedway).

Concrete starting grids at the gate to (as already mentioned) stop riders forever poncing around gardening. Tape-touching brought back - instead of this supposed sit still, and don't jump the gate 'time-saving initiative'.......sometimes now resulting in having two re-starts. If there is a re-start, straight back to the tapes unaided - instead of 3 or 4 mechanics fighting over who is going to adjust the clutch by 1mm. Who knows, with all the time saved, promoters may have to put on a second half; and give supporters value for money.

The 'Happy Clappies' are clearly ecstatic; as they probably would be if Jon Cook climbed up a 20 foot ladder and emptied his bowels over them. Clealry, no reason given why we failed to deliver the 14 promised meetings; withdrew from the K.O. Cup nor any updates on the new stadium location. But hey.........the clappies were clearly seduced by the 'finger buffet'. So who honesly gives a toss about the utter BS and lies.

It's a tad frustraring, as ex-track staff, how irrespective of the debate around best/ worse race nights, it's just automatically taken for granted that track helpers, machine examiners, etc. can just drop everything in their personal lives; and automatically turn up to meet the needs of riders. The fact is, without people performing these voluntary roles, then fans wouldn't be watching Speedway; nor riders actually racing it. Never once have I known a rider to even realise this fact. I used to do it for the love of the club - and because I didn't have work on Saturday Mornings. But as I used fo be on the road by 4am Weekdays, I'm sodded if I'd have been lumping away fences and air-bags in the peeing rain come Midnight Sunday to Thursday. Track Staff are a key component at any club - but particularly at Lakeside where the track has to be built and subsequently dismantled for EVERY meeting. And before anyone believes there'll always be a raft of volunteers, let me tell you that there wouldn't be. I've seen more people give up after their first week than stay for a season. It's dirty, tiring, physical work. But hey, you get a line of thanks in the programme at the end of the year.......sometimes!

Wasn't you a member of Kev's forum once Liam - until you threw your toys out the pram one day: because you didn't agree with the point of view expressed by others?

I would suggest that Nigel Pearson (and maybe some others) need to check out accounts held by Companies House then Liam. It's all in the public domain; and (one would hope) a tad more accurate than 'tweets' made by Lord Shoutalot.

How do you know that Lakeside doesn't make money Liam?

I thought they were sourcing a site for a new track; should Arena Essex sell-up. That should be an interesting update (at the 14th Home Meeting).

Because I won't be in the UK on 27th October.

Why should I bother contacting the club via email? - At the end of the day, I'm not the promoter. - At the end of the day, I'm not the guy who still hasn't given a valid reasen for Lakeside's withdrawl from the K.O. Cup. - At the end of the day, Jon Cook is the guy who has criticised Friday racing - yet continues to primary run on errr.........Fridays. - I'm not the guy who had previously committed to 14 meetings, yet delivered only 13. - I'm not the guy who double-tags himself a 'Manager', yet only turns up at away fixtures that purely suit himself. - I'm not the liar that has said he is looking for an alternative location when, in reality, he's probably done absolutely sod all to identify an alternative track. So, far be it from me to email the club. How about, for once, Jon Cook comes on HERE and answer the points that I have raised?

But still no doubt the 'happy clappies' will continue to support Mr. Cook. Not to mention subsequntly attend anothe fans forum at some Essex hotel function room; and hang on to every word of further lies and bullsh!t that's going to be spun them. By the way, not having social media myself, can someone ask the club about the 14th home meeting that hasn't been delivered?

Nearly a week after the anihilation of Lakeside in Manchester; and still no comment from Jon Cook. Last message on the club's website, was on 6th Oct, from Tatum - who was also a 'no show' at Belle Vue last week. No mention either of the 'at least 14 home meetings' when only 13 have been delivered. When is the 14th Meeting Jon? And he really believes a return to the top flight will see supporters rushing back? Truthfulness, trust and LOYALTY, in my experience, HAS to work both ways.

So any news yet of the 14th Home Meeting then? Since Kelvin Tatum's note on the website last Friday (which allludes to the fact that the season is now over), Jon Cook seems very quiet. Whilst I know that he couldn't be bothered going to Belle Vue (despite being Lakeside's Promoter) you'd at least think he'd find time to communicate via the clubs' website - or indeed its' wonderful social media?

So Lakeside don't make the final. Therefore, I wonder what the minimum 14th Home Meeting (as promised by the Promotion pre-season) is going to be? Over to you Jon Cook and Kelvin Tatum. P.S. Has anyone got Facebook, etc. to ask them?

So Lakeside don't make the final. Therefore, I wonder what the minimum 14th Home Meeting (as promised by the Promotion pre-season) is going to be? Over to you Jon Cook.

Superb race track - as you'd expect at Monmore. I can only assume they kept Ronnie Russell, well away from it. People can blame Chris Harris - but do you honestly believe that they didn't ALL give it their best shot? The days of certain top riders regularly scoring 3,3,3,3 are long gone. Wolves were obviously weakened by Jacob and Freddie being injured - and clearly, we all wish them well for a full, speedy recovery. But, if I'm honest, Bjerre was wrongly excluded from the incident at Belle Vue anyway; so to this end, there was some element of luck that Wolves even progressed to the final. So well done Swindon; particularly as you actually finished top of the league at the end of the season. So despite Wolves' unfortunate injuries and battling qualities, you truly were the deserved Champions for 2017.

Highlight of last night's tv showing was hearing Barry Briggs talk more sense in 90 seconds, than Tatum and Pearson managed in over 2 hours.

How can you just drop riders and bring in replacements at this stage? Jeeeeezus.....what a two-bob league.

Gutted for Jacob T. He's a very exciting, gritty (but fair) rider to watch; and has improved brilliantly over the past few seasons. Also, unlike a lot of riders, is totally loyal to his UK club. And again (unlike some) comes over as a genuinely nice guy. Not big-headed, mouthy nor throwing his toys out of the pram when the spotlight is on him. Just a decent, hard-working rider that always turns up and puts a shift in. From a neutral, I wish him every success for a full recovery.

Nobody (including ALL Speedway fans) wants Lakeside to fold. Obvioulsy. All some of us want is Jon Cook to get a job commensurate to his ability. As I've alluded to before, stacking shelves in Lidl should suffice.

Leicester: "Oh no, we've lost the play-offs and, according to BSPA/SCB rules, we are now getting relegated to the Championship!" BSPA/SCB: "Yep, that's the rules." Leicester: "But we don't want to drop a league.....we want to stay in the Prem". BSPA/SCB: "Sorry, they are the rules. We never deviate from the rules." KNOCK KNOCK Buster Chapman: "Who the f#k is that at the door?" Doorman: "It's that miserable git who never smiles, never completes all his fixtures or wins anything." Buster Chapman: "Tell Chris Holder he's still f#kin sacked." Doorman: "Nah guv, it's Jon Cook. He said please let him in, only he's not travelled as far North as Rugby for years." Buster Chapman: "Oh gawd alrite then. Hello Cookie, what'dya wonna say?" Rest of BSPA/SCB: "Please don't give him the mic buster, we'll be here listening to his b@llox all nite." Jon Cook: "Said it all already in The Speedway Star". BSPA/SCB: "Eh, the what?" Jon Cook: "Yeah, like er look, yeh I wonna come rite back into the Premier. Well, to be honest I don't. But I've errrrrrr, basically run out of BS to give my remaining supporters. We're good to errr go. Kelv and me have found a new site if Arena Essex shuts. It's the car park of Tilbury Power Station. Sh!te location, freezing cold and no atmosphere at the moment and woefully lacking in 21st Century facilities". BSPA/SCB: "Yeah, we know.....but what about the car park at Tilbury Power Station?" Jon Cook: "I was talking about the......nevermind. Look, I now realise that I was right all along. Lakeside in the National League has been an absolute disaster. I should never have listened to the fans. They wanted this 'forever end up on your @rse league'. They've turned me over big time. I give them what they wanted - NL racing, regular monthly meetings, Rider Replacement and Guests, an alternative to Friday night racing on errrrr, Friday Nights and what do they do? Sod off to Rye House for fish & chips! What's Rye House got that we haven't - apart from seats, roofs, a better race night, better facilities, a decent team, exciting racing, a friendly promotion that communicates regularly to their fans"? SCB/BSPA: "Plus they don't pull out of cup competitions for no reason, fulfil their fixture list, etc?" Jon Cook: "Er yeaaaa, well that's my supporters fault as well. I would have been 50% down in attendances - as 8 of them were going on a British Legion day trip to Bridlington". SCB/BSPA: "What competitive team would you put out"? Jon Cook: "Old hands to steady the ship. I hear Martin Goodwin wants to make a comeback. Then there's youngsters like errrrm, Paul Hurry. And I hear Lewis Bridger wants to be given his 119th final last chance to prove himself." BSPA: (Privately conferring) "Sounds a half decent team to be honest." Leicester: "Spose you'll want Kim Nilsson back"! Jon Cook: "Who"? BSPA: "Well on the basis that year on year, Lakeside are utter garbage outside of Essex, and we can always guarantee a 3 point home win - accepted". Leicester: "So what about us? He can turn up with 'his previous' and jump two leagues, and we get relegated......against our wishes"! BSPA/SCB: "Rules are the rules. Jon held a position on the BSPA. Didn't achieve sod all to be honest - but he's one of the old boys network. Plus think of your fans. Lions supporters won't have to endure at least one trip down to that godforesaken dive called Essex. Plus for televised meetings, you won't ever again get Ronnie Russell screwing up your track prep" Leicester: "Can't argue with any of that"!

Far too young to make a comeback. What's Alan Sage doing these days?

But despite Friday traffic previously entering the 'reasoning' for switching to the NL, Lakeside have still primarily continued to race on Friday nights (for 7 of their 12 Meetings); including the usual busy Aug Bank Holiday weekend! Just to add again that 14 Meetings were promised to Season Ticket holders. If Lakeside do not reach both semi and final play-offs, how are the outstanding 2 meetings going to be filled?

Riders never have a bad meeting, do they Steve. How long have you been watching Speedway again? Fact is, without Lahti, Poole would very likely not even have been in the play-offs. As for the track, which Tatum kept on about. Personally, I thought it was good to see a track that actually had two racing lines! Even Monmore has served up 'gate and go' tripe this season. It delivered some close, exciting racing - possibly the best that's been televised this year. Swindon were deserved winners - there was just too much inconsistency from Poole riders - such as Kennett and Holder. Only gripe, yet again, is with BT - do their camera guys really have to keep focussing on the bloke in front - when often yet again tonight, the closest battles were in the 3rd and 4th positions? You certainly can't write off Poole - even if one of their most vociferous supporters on here displays such contempt for one of their own riders.

Maybe it is different with sport. Maybe you have a point Liam. Because, along with Kev, my heart will always be at Waterden Road, Stratford E15. Nothing comes close to the racing I witnessed at that track; nor some of the characters we had (including Uncle Len Silver). But here's the difference. These days, it's an ever-increasing and rare occurrence to see your actual team of 7 riders. Guests are, more often than not, relied upon. Add into the mix the intermittent fixture list. There are weeks without any Home Meetings. At Hackney, you'd make it a date, Friday at 8, throughout the entire Season. Riders attitudes seem different as well. Many appear to be so far up their own backside - with a raft of mechanics, etc. You see it now after a false start - they ride back and have 3 blokes standing ready simply to adjust a poxy clutch! Perhaps if they hadn't been poncing around and gardening at the tapes for 5 minutes, it wouldn't need adjusting! Out on track, I rarely see team riding these days. Most riders don't even bother looking around for their partner. It isn't a team; it appears more often than not, a group of individuals who happen to be wearing the same racing colours. I've been to all Midlands tracks since moving up here; but can't get into supporting any of them. My actual passion for Speedway has been killed off if I'm totally honest; and I used to go to 3-4 meetings each week throughout the 1980's/90's - because I could watch any team and enjoy the racing. This season, it's often a chore even bothering to watch it on BT.