The Voice Of Reason

So did we mate! Last time there was a clash, our promoters let him ride (at his own request) for Ipswich. Not sure about why they get priority this time around. But you know us mate - we're Lakeside; the team that lets other promoters, riders, refs and even medical officials shaft us easier than a brass with a crack-cocaine habit.

Blimey mate, you've got more confidence than many of us Lakeside fans. We've got Kyle Newman in for Kim Nilsson, and Paul Starke in for Adam Ellis. In other words, were heading to one of our main play-off contenders with, let's be blunt, THREE 'Fast Track' reserves. So having had Bechy away with domestic fixtures, now Kim is absent. And Ellis has to turn-out for his PL side as Ipswich take on the might of Rye House. Does an EL team in England EVER get first place in the pecking-order with these blokes? What an utter farce this League has become.

Fair point mate - but we can't all hit 4+1 from five rides, at home, like the World Champ.

7+1 at home against Eastbourne, and 6+3 at Monmore Green, when we recently beat you Steve. Not bad - and a few more points than PK returned the other night mate!

Not sure where the Tai-hating comes from or whether people are just stating an opinion. That said, everyone is entitled to their own point of view. To be fair, I can understand where Sky are coming from with the interviews. He IS the current World Champion. Moreover, it has to be recognised that some riders do not want to be interviewed; sometimes because of their limited English and/or they want to focus upon their racing, revising set-ups for their next race, etc.; and simply perceive interviews as unwanted distractions. That said, I'd really like to hear, just for once, Chris Louis actually begin a sentence without the word "yeeeeeah"! I personally admire Tai's achievements and he's the best role model for years for British youngsters to aspire to. Commitment and hard work achieve results, and Tai is testament to this. That said, he has his weaknesses. Sometimes, he really needs to engage his brain before he makes comments - the statement tonight that 'all refs need to be ex-riders' would have had me simply asking him "well, what's stopping them"? However, despite my admiration for him, I do think he currently warrants a severe kick up the arse by Peter Adams/CVS; and a man to man talk about where his loyalty lies. Currently, he's short-changing his employer, and his fans. And that is totally unacceptable.

Whaaaaat? Monmore Green is the best-prepared race track in Elite League Speedway mate. There was more grip on that track tonight than I've seen at any other track this season.........combined! No leeway at Wolves if you don't gate. Really? Tell that to Darcy Ward.

No doubt Poole have........he's got a 'Z' in his name. Z's and K's appear to take priority in Dorset.

Is Holder riding for Poole tonight then? Nothing would surprise me with that lot. After all, they've still got Lee Smart riding in their main team, according to their 'new super-dooper' website that Shovlar waxed so lyrical about. Best of luck PK. Hope you have a stormer mate and regain your form back in the gold and black.

Or, to be brutally honest, not so much about money - more a case of 'money owed'! And just to add - NEVER PAID!

Interesting reading about people's perception of tracks, Speedway racing then and now, etc. Suffice to say that, I'm being TOTALLY unbiased here guys. But nowhere, repeat NOWHERE, beat Waterden Road for close racing and overtaking - a point maybe substantiated by a myriad of various riders (in the 70's and 80's) stating in Speedway Mail & Star that Hackney was their favourite track. Maybe the high banking on the bends, coupled with layer after layer of fresh shale, had something to do with this? Suffice to say that at many tracks these days, I watch this sport and know only too well why the sport is dying on it's arse.

Much more reliable fuse box at Leicester though!

I wasn't equating the Belle Vue abandonment to regulation 16.1.2 I was just referring to the Kirky Lane debacle as yet another example of how your Promoter rides roughshod over rules and regulations; due to his 'win at all costs' mentality. I could quote more but this isn't the time nor the place. Plus I'm going for a pint at half eight. It's just yet another incident, in the raft of despicable actions, orchestrated by your management. And if you condone their indefensible actions, then quite honestly, there is no point discussing the issue further. On the matter of the Cov postponement. It's difficult to call but I certainly would not have attended, as a neutral spectator, with so many absentees if I'm honest. And whilst I recognise people's dissatisfaction, this really was a no-win scenario for their promotion. That said, fair play to Wolves on agreeing with the request. Meetings aren't won on paper but it's fair to say that Wolverhampton had an excellent opportunity to amass valuable league points for their play-off aspirations. Suffice to say, if Mr. Ford had instrumented a similar process (as per the regulations) and behaved like a fair-minded guy instead of a selfish, spoilt brat, then maybe he'd be viewed by many of us in an entirely different light.

16.1.2 It is the duty of the Staging Promotion to ensure that all Fixtures are completed and in the event of it being necessary to re-arrange a Team Fixture, the Promoter(s) shall mutually agree a re-staging date. Jon Cook did not agree to the cancellation of the meeting; nor mutually agree any re-staging date at the time of your Promoter pulling his stroke. 16.1.3 In all Events that count towards a Championship, the Regulations must be adhered to and any Team or Individual found in breach of the Regulations will be liable to a penalty including the loss of League Points or removal from a Competition. 16.1.4 If a Team resigns, withdraws or is expelled from a Competition the SCB will declare all results involving that Team as null and void. Suffice to say that if these regulations had been adhered to, you would not have stolen the league title in 2013. The point is I don't believe Lakeside created enough havoc over this utter farce to force the SCB's arm into doing something. We basically rolled over and let Fraud tickle our tummy. But to answer your question - your Promoter did NOT adhere to the SCB regulations. And Poole supporters that don't want to recognise any wrongdoing are a constant source of embarrassment to the sport. Apologies for taking this thread off-track but it's an issue that should never be forgotten (not to mention the debacle when Poole were at Belle Vue) and more importantly, never repeated. Albeit, if it is, I'm sure that I'm not the only supporter that would love to see Fraud 'fall on the sword of Damocles'.

One that has still gone unpunished by the utterly incompetent Numpties, otherwise known as the SCB. And as pure an example of cheating that anyone could imagine; which subsequently contributed towards Poole's qualification into the Top 4; and their ultimate hollow league championship victory that had the depth of a grain of sand. Just to add it's such a great pity that Coventry aren't riding against Poole on August 8th. Mr. Horton cancelling said fixture would have been justice personified.

For people suggesting Bech rides as a guest. Just one ever so slight problem with that suggestion. We are at home ourselves.....against Poole. To this end, and given the potentially decimated Cov team, I may just be making the long trip down to Essex instead.

Did he include the term 'No question'.........he generally does in every other sentence that he mutters.

I can't argue with that. Personally, despite the fact our promotion said we couldn't do anything about it, I'd have turned up with my team, ready to race at Poole, and caused Ford as much grief as possible. If the SCB had let the situation fly past without penalty, they'd have set a dangerous precedence. We could have forced their arm into doing something; or threatened to cause embarrassment to the sport by contacting Sky, local media, etc. As you infer, Ford got away with it; his team scraped into the play-offs through cheating and the rest is history.

First and foremost, I'm a Speedway Supporter. Secondly, Lakeside is the team that I support. Thirdly, the Hackney Hawks are in my heart; from this day until the day I die - and with no disrespect intended, more than Lakeside will ever be. Notwithstanding this, I'd like you to clarify your inane comment that Jon Cook is 'a whinger'. Jon Cook is possibly the ONLY promoter that wears his heart on on his sleeve; and possibly states publicly what the majority of decent, level-headed speedway fans are to thinking. As for Rob Lyon, as I've said elsewhere, and with NO disrespect to Kings Lynn riders nor their supporters, the guys is not my favourite person.

24/7 free security at the full expense of the British tax-payer? He's an accountant mate - not a member of the royal family.

I suggest that you get your facts right old chap. Osborne and the Tories had borrowed more in their first three years (and this has continued) than Labour did in thirteen. Meanwhile, the National Debt for the UK has increased; whilst economic output has declined. I can refer you towards the relevant information (provided via the impartial Office for National Statistics if required).

I find it truly incredulous that anyone would ever consider employing Mr. Philips' apparent skills as an accountant when one of his own businesses has basically gone bankrupt; with considerable debts outstanding. I think I'd rather take financial advice from George Osborne. Then again, perhaps not.

The sport has been in decline for decades, and nothing will convince me otherwise that it will continue in this vein for a few years to come. To my mind, Sky do absolutely nothing to increase fans into the sport. I remember only too well being in my local on many a Monday night; people may watch Speedway with a passing interest but they aren't likely to be seduced into attending their local club. I would guess that many watching at home would take the same stance. And if anyone thinks otherwise, then my only question would be despite the Sky coverage, why are attendances dwindling? So what's the alternative? Well, if a seasoned promoter like Barry Hearn can turn darts into such a popular spectacle, with sell-out attendances, then I certainly don't think all hope is lost. However, the sport needs some fresh life being breathed into it by somebody who is successful in what they do - i.e. PROMOTE. Unfortunately, many Speedway Promoters do not appear to be living up to their job title. Lack of local advertising, poor local media partnerships being just two things that spring instantly to mind. And as I said in another post quite recently, I truly believe that the product is over-priced. In times of austerity and consumers being more 'value for money' orientated than for many years, it simply is too expensive. For example, Hackney Speedway in 1982 cost around £2.50. If we compare, with inflation the worth of £2.50 today, it's value is £7.71. That's less than half what admission generally costs today (Elite League costs around £17). So is there a viable market for the sport? Well, having gone to Birmingham last year when they were giving free admission, the place was absolutely packed. The same can be said of Lakeside a few years back for our televised Sky Meeting. So YES, there IS significant interest for the sport BUT this can only be realised IF admission prices are affordable. And worryingly, many of us die-hards also appear to be dwindling away. We have been brought up watching the very top names in the sport; but the GP Series has basically decimated where we were back in the days of The British League. Just my points of view - don't shoot me for it.

Who will qualify/win the league? My cynical head says it will be dependent upon how many points the inevitable R/R's produce, coupled with whether the respective guests perform to their potential! Anyway, for qualification, I believe it will be the following: Kings Lynn Lakeside Coventry Poole Then it's fully dependent upon who chooses whom. Lakeside - (obviously my team) to be the usual bridesmaid and get knocked out in the semis. I'm just fearing the inevitable heat-leader injury, that we generally get served up, to happen around late August. Poole (with their current squad) to join us on the bench. I say with their 'current squad' because who knows what 'the master of deviousness & deception' has up his wizards sleeve? As mentioned above, it wouldn't surprise me to see Mr Hancock reintroduced towards the latter stages due to the 'win at all costs' mentality down on the South Coast. Coventry - a dark horse that's been coming up the rails in the past few weeks. If Golden Bollox and Kenneth Hansen can consistently ride to their potential, with Garritty at reserve, they will be untouchable. Kings Lynn - obviously, the team that deserve it given their performances this season. That said, it only takes one poor meeting (at either the home or away leg) and their dreams could be shattered. My gut-feel tells me Coventry could do it. However, if there is any justice in this. World, then Kings Lynn deserve; particularly for their fans (irrespective of the fact that I think Lyon is a dick).

Dear oh dear - 'guesty 1992s' initial post appears to have vanished from this thread? So pleased that I've quoted it, for austerity, and all that. Never mind: hopefully despite Tom's 2 points from 3 rides, it hasn't had a negative impact upon his 'positive mood' and despite 'giving it 100%' he realises that it was a 'tough test'. By the way, before anyone gives me stick, all I can say in my defence is that Karl Pilkington as Bullsh*t Man is one of my all time heroes.

So let's see Rob Lyon from another perspective, just for a moment. A Team Manager that inspects Lakeside's Safety Fences before a meeting, and goes bleating (like a spoilt schoolboy) to the referee prior to a meeting with his views; despite the fact that a SCB Accredited Referee has previously inspected/passed the track. Really? Surely not! I have nothing whatsoever against The Stars NOR Kings Lynn Supporters; and I wish you every ounce of good luck this season. However, let me be brutally honest about your Team Manager. To coin a phrase I've learnt since moving up here to The Midlands, the Geeza is an 'Utter Tw@t'!