foamfence

That has been common practice for low end riders for many years, even draft riders were on a guaranteed minimum.

Why not, they've never had one before?

Most of the clubs you mention do actually know their line-ups but have various reasons for staggering the declaration, Redcar for instance have known their line-up for months but only declare a limited number of names at each of their fund raising nights, the theory being that it'll attract more fans to these events. When Ellis Perks declares that he hasn't got a club with whom to start the season, he does actually know that.

Because those 'foreign riders' often come from countries that protect their own. It is supposed to be BRITISH speedway but according to you we should just exist as a training ground for foreign youngsters or those who just use us as an easy meal ticket. Fair enough, if that's what you want, it isn't what I want though and I would suspect that the majority of fans would support prioritising our own riders or at least having a set minimum number in each side.

I see he has announced his retirement on Twitter. Assuming this isn't another Josh Bates style incident, then it's certainly a shame. There is something very wrong when our own riders can't get a place or can't double-up, yet quite a few untried or low grade overseas riders will be in the starting line-ups and plenty of overseas riders will be doubling-up. Priority should be with all home riders until they all have a place.

I wasn't aware that he was even interested in coming back, there is no indication on his Facebook.

Hasn't ridden for years, he's a long distance lorry driver in Aussie, he might even face prosecution if he came back here.

I wouldn't! Apart from his history with the club, he isn't exactly known for his confidence or fortitude.

"Could of went"

Not eligible.

Certainly at home, Morley and Clegg could be strugglers at some tracks.

It certainly has sunk, I can remember the day when some clubs closed down because they only attracted a few thousand spectators, I can't understand how the majority of clubs are surviving now. It's probably better off not being on TV, at least we wont be embarrassed by empty stadiums, riders waving to empty terraces, or the crowd squashed into one small corner to make it look full.

They'd best not sign Kus then.

Yes Archie!

It's just the other five that might rain on your parade.

Surely you mean 'HAVE' not 'OF'?

There was no mention of retrospective exclusions.

It was in the reports after the AGM, the warnings have been scrapped as well.

People will have their own ideas about how the sport is run. The problem as I see it, is that the sport is accommodating too many lame duck clubs and therefore has to lower it's aspirations in order to keep them in the mix. A lower number of wealthier clubs could probably have a more stable and successful league, while any remainers could go amateur. I expect criticism for saying this but currently it's a great mystery to me how some clubs are managing to keep going in the current framework, even though it has been scaled down.

It'll make a change from giving them to the air head.

And a rather pathetic attention seeker.

Dads army with a sickly child to mind at 6

The only way to prove that, would be to transport him back to the days of Parker and Duggan, different tracks, different bikes etc. It can't be done so this isn't an exact science, whenever it starts and finishes.

Personal recollections, opinions and preferences are rightly evident here, the list can never be set in stone. Interesting is that riders also have very different opinions, Briggo once said Brian Crutcher was probably the best rider he saw, when I asked Eric Boothroyd he replied instantly, Alan Hunt.