Steve55

Talking of Bank Holidays it's a pity Rob doesn't organise the 'Christmas Cracker' meetings any more like he did a few years ago. Suppose it's weather dependant, but I don't remember any being cancelled. Tuesday 27th December would have been ideal this year. Having said that not seen the forecast yet!

What second halves? I take it there's a note of sarcasm in that post!

But a better rider on a lot of the away tracks, as good as Kevin is!

This appears to be a very competetive Bears team, look forward to coming up to the STMP for the meetings next year. Well done to the Redcar promotion. Sad to see about Hugh Skidmore not coming back.

Yes the powers that be have taken it away from a venue central to the nation and put it as far north as they could Hope you get a good turn out for the contest!

Agree with Spinny, do believe that Josh will come to the fore next year, although he wants away from Sheffield (his words not mine), but even now without naming the last two we have strength in depth. Do believe Rob Branford will be at 6 and he will get the way of riding Owlerton, even if he's not the best JPB will do the honours there and Rob will give us a leg up at a lot of the more 'technical' away tracks. If it is him he'll be a good acquisition for next year. Glasgow would appear to have a very strong top 3. They will do well at Glasgow, but dependant on the full team can't see them being so strong away from Ashfield. (not seen the full team yet so I reserve my opinion, respecfully.)

Just be patient all will be revealed.

We've already got him - Josh Bates!

With Josh G, Kyle Howrth and Lasse Bjerre why do we need another heat leader?

Joe Screen did the same with Sheffield, did ok IMO, had to be better than the retired police man that did it the year before. Think Simon will do ok, he knows Sheffield inside out so should be able to pass some of his experience on. (Knows all the other tracks too so lets see what he can do for the team, glad to see him still involved at Sheffield.)

Sorry Norman but it sounds about right! You're getting me worried now though about this hole I'm supposed to be digging. I'll be keeping an eye out for you at Owlerton next year, still you shouldn't be too hard to spot in your dress, cardigan and wig, oh and that large knife!

If you know so much (100%) about what's been happening at Sheffield Speedway over the last two or three years and are so obviously defensive over Josh and the promotion, I can only conclude that you are one of the Bates clan. I am so glad that I didn't acquiesce to your SMS request to meet you last year, as I fear that you may be that psycho Norman. How is your mother by the way?

I thought it was the £ to Euro conversion rate, could be relevant especially if your buying a house in euro's and getting some of your pay in £'s.

Well I believe one will be Rob Branford, the other perm any one from about 4!

As I remember Adam had 'indifferent start' to the season, Ty Proctor was spannering for Josh Bates and the Bates clan decided to sack Adam and bring in Proctor. Bit of a same as, same as change really. Adam took it on the chin publicly, but privately was quite upset - to put it mildly!

What when they sacked him two months into the season!

Think Rob Branford has already been pencilled in at no. 6, Roynon won't come back after the way the promotion treated him a few seasons ago, unless they offer him a really good deal. Heeps is a possibility, but there's more points available that could perhaps find a rider with a higher average. Joe Jacobs isn't going back to Ipswich, wonder if he's under consideration, goes well around Owlerton, but his form did dip a little at the end of the season.

Even more interesting! He'll have to have words with Mr. Hunter - probably one of the best ever sponsors of a speedway team in GB. Sheffield have a great supporter in him. It gets better all the time - great team building this year, well for next year that is!

Seen on another thread that Rob Branford is being tipped to come to Sheffield - could he be this 'solid reserve' Bates is talking about? Don't think he's very good around Owlerton, but he could be useful around some of the opposition tracks. Put in a decent display guesting for us in the playoffs. On 4.60 that'd leave 14.56 for a number 1 and second string, interesting!

How I and others would love to see him prove us wrong - only time will tell. I wonder if he's going to be the 'solid reserve' that Damien Bates was referring to in last weeks piece in the S - Star? Still have 19.16 points to play with so it's possible he could be that guy. Think Lasse Bjerre is going to be the 2017 signing of the season on that average though, see he's going to be riding at Coventry along with Bates, hope they get on ok. I didn't know that, where's the article that refers to this?

No surprise there then! How lucky we are to have him again, after all every other team in the Championship wanted to sign him - according to..... his uncle.

Let's hope it's the number one, or the other 'solid reserve' that Damien Bates was alluding to in last weeks Speedway Star. But I think we all know who it's going to be.

He might have got some guts and passion, plus you can't fault him for his effort, but how has he progressed and got better this year? He is still making big mistakes on his 'home' track (Sheffield) and has dropped .24 off his starting average this year. Think we've had this exchange of views in the past!

It'll be Josh Bates returns to Sheffield for another season 'shock announcement'!

My thoughts exactly.