luluthetiger

How ever Sean sets out his stall, somone will complain! Much might depend on which of the Aussies adapts quickest to Ashfield. But surely Joe Jacobs will be at 6, not 7.

100% correct, George and Freddy. The last few years saw the Tigers seemingly on a death wish (sun-off dramas and the horror of 4/6/10) in attempting to destroy the sense and sensibility of local derby rivalry, with the financial benefit it automatically brings when handled properly. Hopefully, the new Ashfield outfit recognise their absolute need for a healthy Edinburgh, and the clubs will cross-pollenate support, as used to happen.

Absolutely nothing to do with speedway this time. BSPA would have agreed Sam's situation right away, it is just the snail-like progress of the two governmental bodies to blame. Workington's Mason Campton is also hung up over in Australia just now. Matty Wethers had a long wait for his visa last winter, I think it was.

According to his Facebook messaging, Sam Masters won't be here for the P+P............

Really on the wrong track's thread here, but he was fantastic at Shawfield in 1988. Glasgow owe him an awful lot. He's been on radio on a Sunday for over thirty years, and has already admitted he had been approached about taking over on the infield at Ashfield this year, but declined.

OK, let's discuss your valid point, well-stated. You suggest a newer, fresher, modern approach -- but what is that going to be?

Discussions on the Berwick thread about new Glasgow centre-green presenter. Apparently he was at the BenFund meeting, and was talking with Dick Barrie after the meeting. Presumably about presentation.......

Nae luck then - Dick will smile if he learns of your horror. He was pretty good on Saturday, I thought -- still knows so much, never uses notes or carries a clipboard. His shoes will take some filling. The DJ you mention was in the announcer's box, did a fair job for a first-timer.

I'm told that he's already in Berwick, will be (spectating) at the BenFund event

You mean, there'll be no problem about Glasgow seeing the colour of Mr Patchett's money? Well, that would be nice, but I think it is pretty clear the rider now won't be released until the cash hits the barrelhead.

Respect for Hans. The other GP-class riders need to take a long hard look at themselves.

All correct, but even if your boy wants to go to Swindon (and double down to Somerset, who are a bit unlucky here but did presumably believe what Mr Patchett was saying, which might have been a little naive) if the Swindon promotion are unable/unwilling to stump up promised cash then it is clear he can go anywhere he wants except Blunsdon! After this affair, are Glasgow likely to agree to trust Swindon on any deal?

Beatons? Dicksons?

People within speedway were aware of the problem, it is to the old Glasgow promotion's credit they kept quiet until now. Swindon, it seems, have no credit anywhere. Especially at the bank! If another club -- in either league -- approaches Glasgow with ready money, Nick Morris will be there, and it might not suit a purchaser to then loan him on to the Rebels. Certainly, if they really want him at the OTA, they will have to talk to Glasgow about buying him -- as he is an asset of the old Glasgow company, they have no interest in any loan deal. They need the cash! As we are all aware, speedway is dangerous, and if a rider is injured early doors, Nick might well get a gig at almost any track. Somerset are unlucky in this deal, as it has to be assumed they didn't know Swindon didn't own the rider.

Leaving punctuation aside, and hopefully moving into a new season with new and better presentation than Tigers have ever had at Ashfield, what about the Nick Morris situation? He is back as a Glasgow asset, and as Swindon seem a bit untrustworthy, is there any situation which might see Nick back as a Tiger?

As always, Berwick seem prepared to move on, fine-tune an already good product rather than standing still. Adding the local guy makes sense if he's a DJ, it will let the Bandits explore different things in presentation. This now adds up, when I remember a conversation involving Dick Barrie after Jason Lyons Testimonial last year. He said he was hoping to step back from regular announcing "before the men in white coats arrive to take me away". If he is going to offload some of the work at the meetings, while continuing to give Berwick the benefit of his vast experience, it seems that's a win-win situation.

With Steady likely to be winning, or at least contesting at the front of his races, whoever gets the short straw and rides at No 2 will have a tough time scoring big points. When a team has a big-hitting No 1, the No 2 tends to be fighting over scraps. Expect a revolving door between that race-jacket and the reserve positions, especially as the riders involved (Knight, Albin and Koppe) have no rolling averages to cushion them, and all three will quickly revert to actual scores.

Commercial/Marketing manager is Julie Newton (julie@berwickbandits.co) Press/Media Officer is Lawrence Heppell (lawrence_heppell@hotmail.com) If you're talking Saturday night meeting presentation, that would be Dick Barrie (dick@berwickbandits.co)

Who did you write to?

Interesting times at Glasgow. Fresh ideas from new promotion. Michael Max certainly "retired" at the end of term. and whether he jumped or was pushed, won't be back. Suggestions of a return by Dick Barrie (clearly well-thought-of by the new guys) are incorrect. He has admitted he was approached a while back, but declined the role. So stand by for a fresh face, and new voice on Easter Sunday!

Before everyone gets too nit-picky, remember that it wasn't too long ago bonus points were included in CMA figures. Hence, it is now harder to achieve a higher average, even when scoring the equivilent number of points. Let's get on, season starts (for northern folk) in four weeks time..............

Pot. Kettle.

Fricke, Ringwood, Koppe, Horwood and Douglas. That's four? Don't disagree, but sadly too many of the other "foreigners" are EC citizens and, until Mr Cameron's promised referendum, they can flood in here to work (or race) willy-nilly. Even more intriguingly, if Alex Salmond's referendum next year splits Scotland away from England and one side or the other is rendered as outwith the EC.............

If the process is that clear-cut, can you explain Tyson Nelson and Travis McGowan's not reaching these shores last season?

So Joey Ringwood has also now been approved. So why did three other rookies get in first time, but the two Tigers had to go to appeals?