Hamish McRaker

More volunteers than paying spectators?

Isn't this one of the purposes of Speedway Futures Ltd? Creating a central marketing budget which, had the Sky money been used sensibly, would have accrued value by now.

But at all levels of organised sport, you're going to get a large and probably growing contingent amongst the owners, directors, sponsors, benefactors etc who do it to help fulfil their own ego and vanity, and/or have vested, personal interests as their main motivation such as the promotion of their own business interests. Being able to brag at their golf club on on expensive holidays about how much money they're putting into whatever sport club as way of saying "look how rich i am, aren't I wonderful". I don't know if these come into the category of "hobbyists" (or vice-versa). Is it actually possible to have these kind on involvements whilst being entirely altruistic and its probably impossible to differentiate - motivation for involvement differing vastly. So in terms of the owners of UK speedway clubs, is it more a case of those who behave primarily with a narrow-focus, versus those who are more "bigger picture" oriented, irrespective of whether they could be classified as "hobbyists" or "business focussed", or whatever?

Just to clarify please flagrag - slightly confusing use of "negatives" in your post - are you basically saying that clubs declined the YT opportunity despite low cost and the advantages? (as a rather old analogue person this stuff can baffle me a bit!). Thanks

I suspect that gravity has taken it's toll by now, as it does with all of us!

So in your opinion, which clubs are being run by hobbyists?

The response to the final statement should be "No. We're not doing that. We're forming our own company, ta ta". But i doubt there'd be enough either numerically or brave enough

Fricke, Bewley, Kurtz and J.Holder should all average around 11 this season. Then a wide gap down to 8.

Or the microwave doesnt work!

It's an oven-ready meal (or soon will be)

More like Lord Lemon, Captain Buster and Fabulous Phil! And hats off to them and any others involved in the venture. Leicester's existence today owes much to Chapman's rescue act after the Hemsley train-crash when he cleared the debts so that Bates and Machin could come in and take over a cleaned-up mess. Lemon's may be the only name appearing on the Companies House records as Director of NS Ltd, but i'd bet Chapman and Morris are "ipso facto" directors and raised the money to fund the setting up and initial operating costs. They'll be looking to sell asap, get their money back, and exit stage left. The Promoters are in place to fulfil requirements of SCB/ACU and when new owners and directors of NS Ltd take over (whenever that is, but probably soon as possible after the season starts), they'll either disappear back off and be replaced, but more likely stay to provide continuity.

As things slowly emerge, for me they seem to confirm the "consortium" are looking to sell it on asap after the start and recoup their financial outlay. Possibly already is a party waiting in the wings. Hence minimal marketing and promotion, likewise budget team. As for the bizarre choice of Foxes for the team name, maybe Harry Redknapp has worked his contacts book a bit more by lining up Samantha Fox to front-up the "grand opening" on the 30th, perhaps with Linda Lusardi making it a twosome (or foursome)

Northampton Speedway Ltd company formed on 20 March 2026. Only one Director listed : Mark Lemon

Zagar must have dropped his pay rates by quite a lot, to be affordable. (compared to what he was rumoured to be on at BV)

Might depend on how old you are. In amateur era the local enemy used to be Coventry, but i know from mid 1990's in the professional era it's been Northampton (i still know many active Tigers supporters).