Steve55

Know what you mean, but it's a bit late now what with Scunthorpe's answer to Bertie Smalls (aka Neckbrace Tony) blabbing! Bet Proctors name isn't on that form that has to go to the SCB!

Like the rest of us on here your opinion doesn't count for much in the great scheme of things and with the number of posts you've authored I can see why someone putting their own money into the sport might have taken umbrage with you when you'd caused them a few 'tears'. I think the UKVI have been concerned with the quality of the non-EU riders being employed here over the last few years (at least) and the fact that quite a few haven't met the set criteria. Don't think they'll have their spies out at all the practice sessions making sure that no one without a current work visa is having a 'baz round' round on a mates bike! However if they kick him out of the country for it I'll bow to your superior knowledge. As for any legal action against Somerset I know nothing about. Bet you'd have been peeved if someone offered you a job with a decent wage and then changed their mind a few weeks before you started. I would have.

This wasn't an after meeting ride - it was a PRIVATE practice session paid for by the riders or whoever for them. Proctor (on somebody else's equipment) wasn't earning anything or performing for anyone. Think there's a big difference there.

How can you liken this situation with what Darcy Ward did? Any way if you're going to get all legal about it where's the hard evidence? Just sounds like hearsay to me!

Thought professional speedway riders were paid appearance money and for points scored. If so who'd be paying him during that private practice session, where there was no paying public to watch that appearance and how many points did he score that he was paid for? See this for what it was, a spin on a mates bike, for goodness sake talk about pedantic!

Who's arguing? It's something positive his sponsor could put on his visa application. Like I said I like the kid and think he's exiting to watch. I also think his inclusion in the premier league gives something for our riders of a similar age to measure themselves against.

Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Gino Manzares represent Team USA in the Speedway World Cup in 2014. If so doesn't that make him one of the best four riders in the USA? I liked watching him ride last year so perhaps that makes me biased!

Bates says on the official site that there is no news at present regarding the replacement for Poole, but that they are considering riders for the team place and that they are taking their time as they want to get the right man. No mention of Proctor so could be that his visa is sorted, hopefully!!!!

But would/could they keep going for 25 years + to get 'JUSTICE'!

Could be a connection as the meeting between the UKVI and BSPA was held in Sheffield! But the thing that really has me puzzled in all of this is Why is the United Kingdom Visa & Immigration processing centre located in Manilla, Philippines?????????

Announcement on the Club website stating that Proctor & Poole will both have to re-apply for their visa's after the promotion have sorted things with the UKVI. Bates says that although this is unfortunate as the start of the season approaches, they are hoping to have things sorted prior to the commencement of the fixtures. So no need for panic at this time!

Think one or two on here need to stop playing politics with this and looking to blame a certain Party (UKIP). Think their aim (UKIP) is to take us out of the EU to stop our borders being open to the EU migrants who come here claiming Unemployment, child & all the other benefits they can claim. Never mind the strain on the NHS & Education system. And lastly to stop all the billions paid into the EU every year. Speedway riders come here to entertain us & earn a decent living for doing so and it appears that the BSPA have taken their eye off the ball, but are being educated in how to correct what they have allowed to creep in. Hopefully once this has been done all will be ok. Lets not look to BLAME somebody because it makes us feel better, but look to the solution that'll put things back on track, as it were. :]

I'm on about the posts stating that he should be allowed to resume his previous career as a very well paid sports person, in the public eye and as a role model to aspiring young men and boys. That's what matters here. His actions were underhand & devious and he was found 'guilty' of a very serious crime. As a convicted rapist he shouldn't be able to return to his previous fortune & fame as he is not a good example to the rest of society! As for the other ne'er-do-well involved in the offence well he got off. However for one reason or another his career hasn't really progressed, either nobody is interested in him or he's not very good at football. Tell you what though if by some miracle Sheffield United had made it back into the Premiership in the interim whilst Evans was inside I believe none of this would be in the news, because they wouldn't have given any thought what so ever in re-signing him. Also without his girl friend and her rich daddy I don't think he'd be able to afford the new legal team in his current attempt to 'prove himself innocent'. That's always a possibility too. How many times have the 'Guilty' gone free because of some technicality, because the judge used the wrong words when summing up or the prosecution failed to disclose some really un-important material. They'll be going through everything with a fine tooth comb, why because they think he's innocent or because they are being paid very well?

Can't believe some of the posts I've read on here! I'm totally behind Charlie Webster & Jess Ennis on this. How can anybody defend what this man Evans has been found 'guilty' of. The Court/jury found him 'guilty' as charged. The evidence is quite clear as outlined in the previous pages. Don't care what any of you say, why should he go back to what he had before, 5k a week (or whatever) and a privelidged life style. This bloke has a good looking girl friend (with a millionaire father) why does he react to a text from one of his mates, allegedly saying "got the girl", by going straight to the hotel, entering deviously and leaving anonymously, after having sex with a totally unknown girl! All this he's paid the price for his misdemeanour is rubbish. He's served half his sentence, not because he's shown remorse, but because he's behaved inside. His PR video is about as genuine as a plastic gold medal, with his upset girlfriend along side him, what is she all about? What has she got to be forgiving for? He must have got her wrapped around his little finger as has she with her dad! Well he's got another appeal on the go and to have got that he must have produced 'new evidence' for this. Hope it's good and not one of his mates coming out with something he's heard! But let's wait and see, he's got the best defence team money can buy, but he also had that for his PR stunt - which wasn't very good, was it?

The word at Sheffield at the end of the season was that he was struggling with his engines, which was quite obvious as he was definitely under preforming most of the time. Although in one meeting he was flying and looked unbeatable - made everyone think it was deliberate to get him back on a low average next year! If he starts off riding like he can, think you will be quite happy with him, he's definitely entertaining when his equipment is right!

For me it's Poole at 2 and Birks at 4. Proctor at 5 - if he's up to it in March, if not Bellago until he gets some kind of form. A bit like last season really, he wasn't up to riding at 5 when he first came into the team and was under too much pressure to perform, IMO. That's how I'd start off and see how things progress after the first half dozen meetings or so. Sure that Mr. Lee will have his own ideas and he's the man who has the final say.

Not sure that Andre will ride again after the bad spill he had this year, pity as he was really hitting a purple patch on home shale. As for Ben when he got the gate and hit the front their weren't many that managed to pass him in the four laps that followed. Both on a decent average for team building purposes as IMO they could both add to them.

Totally agree with that, but why the 'unexpected' on the end of his tweet. Unless you're right and they've added him as an asset. Think he's big buddies with the Bates family!

Thought I heard or saw somewhere that he was sorting his visa/work permit out a week last Wednesday (3/12), hope there's no problems with that. The thing about him sharing a workshop with Bates & Sissis is because they're all in the same area - well South Yorkshire, so he could be riding else where, but living in the area sharing a workshop. His average would suit Sheffield perfectly to fit inside the points limit and he does have the potential to be number five in the team as he did demonstrate on a couple of occasions prior to hitting the fence and injuring himself again. With the potential of putting two points on his present average think he must be in demand by a few teams who are still building their sevens.

Have to agree with NYbear & Htiger, this could be a play off team with any one of four riders being at reserve at one time or another. Covatti with the right engines and correct set ups can be a match winner at most tracks. Stephan is a strong rider who doesn't give up and has the will to win every time he goes out, wether first or fenced in his previous race. A strong number one and what appears strength in depth, could surprise a few next year.

Hope you're right. Know he can ride Sheffield, impressed with his performances over last two years.

Thanks for that Andrew, knew he'd been over 9 at some time recently (two years is recent for me!)I'd settle for him finishing with 8.3 next year - if he is Sheffields' seventh rider that is!

At the start of 2014 Proctor had an average of over 9 didn't he? That being the case with a bit of confidence he should at least put a point and a half on what he has now. Bellego should be quite good at home, but from what the Berwick fans are saying - suspect away on the smaller tracks. Birks again is another who is good around Owlerton and if he gets back to his best should also increase his average by anything up to two points. He has before! On the subject of a team manager wouldn't mind seeing Eric Boocock back. Knows the job, had some input on track creation at the backend of this year and if nothing else was entertaining in the pits with his basic advice, usually given in colourful language!

Didn't do too bad this year, but then a lot of away riders did ok with us having a patched up, injured team. Plus his average would have made it difficult to fit in the riders that most Sheffield fans want in the team for next year. That's the main reason I'd like to think we didn't want him, he's not a bad rider is he!

Who really cares about the money at this time of the year. Looking at the six you've got, with 8 points left for your seventh rider and one of the best young Brits' as one of your reserves, Glasgow fans must really be looking forward to next year. Will be a side thats' invincible at home and more than capable on the road, with 'racers' throughout should be entertaining where ever they are riding. Expect them to be competitive at Sheffield especially if they do sign Summers!