Hamish McRaker

Perhaps because the failure in that scenario was actually Mr Chapman's, he knows it, and doesn't want Chris Holder back as an employee, who he failed to manage?

Was he suitable for the job? Dealing with riders, who can sometimes be bolshy, has to be an essential ability. Presumably K.Chapman appointed him and, had he not unfortunately been taken ill, may have needed to be removed from the position. All of that would have added up to "management failure" and been Mr Chapman's ultimate responsibility, wouldn't it?

Who was the KL team manager?

Just purely as a matter of interest, what is worse out of declining to go out and ride, or going out to the tapes but then just pootling round at the back, maybe dropping out after a couple of laps? Seen many instances of the latter, but the former will get the headlines and reaction, even though it may be called a more honest approach.

Has Mr Tomalin's application for a promoter's license been approved yet? Until that has been sorted out, and despite his financial input as a sponsor, his power is surely restricted compared to Mr Chapman. Relations between major sponsors and club owners can become rather strained when it comes to who holds the balance of power in all sports, especially in matters concerning decisions which could commit the club to outlay. Sponsors can walk away at any time, owners can't.

Ipswich and Peterborough have agreed to operate a joint squad system for this season whereby a pool of riders will be available for both clubs to select from on a weekly basis. It is expected that the squad will be added-to from month-to-month according to riders availability. Teams selected will need to confirm to the league points limit, and for matches between the clubs, 14 riders will be chosen, with actual sides being picked before the start of the match using the alternate pick method.

Trying to get sponsorship from the manufacturer of Gaviscon I suspect?

Do what Leicester did. Get planning permission over the larger area of land for multiple uses. Raise money by charging for commercial dumping of earth and crushed rubble (with the Council turning a blind eye to it). Instal temporary seating (which becomes permanent) and hey presto, popup speedway stadium

New look, maybe new mindset, so now just needs a new team to go with them. Probably won't have to wait too long into the season until he gets a chance. Him and Dan Thompson vying for first dibs. Who will be first to get the call out of those two?

I think the laddie needs to stop wearing upside down plant pots on his head, get a haircut, toughen up a bit and spend less time on producing calenders etc. Seems to be a case of more style than substance (of the right sort)

Would Troy Batchelor spanner for Tungate? Or would the spanner be more likely to become embedded in someone's skull?

Would the matter of having the necessary permissions for the land earmarked for the new stadium (which presumably would be dual use for Mr Tomalin's business), and it's purchase, need to be completed before Peterborough speedway's ownership is bought by Mr Tomalin? Until then, maybe becoming a co-promoter is as far as he can go, and I'm not sure if his application has been approved yet? Perhaps this is what is delaying C. Holder from signing a contract, because change of club ownership may be some way away from happening.

People will always get behind an over-achieving underdog. The problem is with an under-achieving "overdog". Always better to try to be the former in my view but also runs the risk of falling a over t.

"Proven number 1" could include having been a No.1 at some point/s in the past at top league level, whilst not necessarily starting the forthcoming season at that position in the team.

Maybe when saying "No.1" he is meaning a rider who won't, at least from the start of season, actually be wearing the No 1 on his back, but whose status in the sport (such as being a former world champion) is of such a level (in his opinion, of course!).

Count your blessings - Peterborough still haven't named most of their team !

Possibly Mr C Holder (and possibly others) makes provisional agreement with Peterborough but, also makes one with Ipswich. This would be known by both clubs. However, his full commitment to Peterborough would possibly have been contingent upon Mr K Chapman no longer being owner of the club, the two of them having had their differences in the past and those differences are not reconcilable. Now, with the recent statement from Peterborough, it seems that K. Chapman is still owner of the club, and the rumoured sale to Mr Tomalin has not been done, at least not yet, anyway. Mr Holder therefore invokes his right to commit himself elsewhere, or perhaps even decides to give the UK a complete thumbs down for a further season.

I predict a fry-up

Could it be the case that certain riders being mentioned, had been awaiting fixtures to be confirmed before being able to commit sufficiently, or to say no can do?

Too many bangs to the head, he should consider his long term health

Magic mushrooms?

Probably the best selections. Mountain should be a shoe-in for 2024.

Zagar?.....As Groucho Marx once said - "those are my principles, and if you don't like them, well, I have others..."

Things have gone quiet on the Leicester team completion front. Is Connor Mountain in or not? Is he good enough and ready enough to step up to being a No 6? He seems like a six and a half to me. Is that good enough to carry the extra points scoring responsibility with a very inexperienced No.7 under his wing? He's got an ideal chance now to really kick on in the CL, and if so could get plenty of guest bookings in that league.

Utter nonsense calling that place "National speedway stadium" it is nothing of the sort, would have been better calling it Craven Stadium, or Collins Stadium, or Ace Arena