Steve55

Right from the off there has been a certain curtain of mystery surrounding the "new consortium" who have taken over at Sheffield. Then after quite an amount of speculation Damien Bates was announced followed by the naming of Peter Mole & Simon Parker. A strange trio one might think, but each one has something to offer towards the running of a speedway club/team as did Dave Hoggard, who however much he was involved was never identified as one of the consortium!. Before they were named there was 'much a do' over team building and how it was difficult to negotiate deals with riders whilst the take over was not completed, yet two riders were named quite early on, a third was talking about his new kevlars and how he couldn't wait for the new season just after christmas and a fourth taken from Swindons Elite league team - but that was nothing to do with the new owners as I was told on this very thread. Well like a lot of others I think there is more to our new consortium than they are letting on (see my post 1189), but as another has already told me on here, let's wait and see!

Looking at the statement put out by the Club you can read into it what you like, but somewhere along the line the members of the consortium (the three that have been named) and Hoggy don't seem to agree on the direction that they wanted to take the Club. Like the previous posters I think this is not good for the club at this time, with vast knowledge and experience they are losing. To add to that on Wednesday night Neil Machin vowed to 'stick around' to advise and assist where necessary, I just hope that is in a positive way and we don't see any of the negativity of the last two years!

Like everyone else there last night was surprised by Hoggy's absence. He didn't give Reg Wilson an early lift home did he? Although it was a good turn out there were others (known to me) that disappointed me by not showing up! I understand that over 2k was raised last night, brilliant, well done to all those who showed up and were thoroughly entertained by Nigel Pearson's interviews with our heroes of the past & present!

Sheffield had two team managers 'cos (IMO) one of them was a retired Police Inspector who hadn't a clue about Speedway! Getting Joe Screen in will be a master stroke for the coming season - I hope!

Apparently the length of the track is measured one metre out from the inside kerb. Therefore if the centre green has been lessened by widening the corners on the inside, it follows that the length of the track will have been shortened! The SCB man/men will have to bring their little wheel measure to do an official distance of the track. If it is an official new track length you will have new track records! (For what it's worth!)

I agree with what you're saying, but also for the reason that there are four riders on the track at any one time, god forbid, there being a serious incident involving all four, one ambulance is not enough. It wouldn't make a lot of difference at Sheffield though (don't know about other tracks), but as someone's already stated, they have to wait for the doctor to be back on station before the meeting can continue. Also I've seen instances where it's taken an age to repair/replace the air fence after an incident.

Give him a chance. Started last season like he could have easily put at least 1.5 points on his average until he got injured. Then unfortunately he became his usual self. Be optimistic is all I'd say! It's all you can be I'm afraid.

So opening night (27th March) is the 'Air Fence Bonanza'. Steady, Ash Birks and Rory Schlein first three confirmed riders in the individual meeting. Can't wait for the season to get started!

On web site today - new management hoping to stage a minimum of 25 meetings this year which makes a £300 season ticket look like a worthy investment! BTW not seen it mentioned anywhere, but Taylor Poole tweeted earlier in the week that he's got his visa - good news eh!

Last year was he second year and he was same for both. He did struggle a little with the track in his first term, but when they made it ultra-slick on the inside he was ok. Like I stated he was our best rider last year (he was the only one that stayed fit throughout), but he really didn't respond to the fans even when he'd pulled off good passes etc and got the response from the terraces. He struggled to lift his left hand to acknowledge the applause. Hope he does well for you as he is quite a gifted rider and will no doubt prove his worth in some of the away meetings - as long as it's not at Sheffield!

Has anyone else noticed that the 'Legends night' on 5th March clashes with England's 1st pre World cup warm up with Denmark. Think that might have an effect on the turn out. Can't understand why it's not on a usualThursday night - race night! Unless there's something else on. They put the press & practice back a week for the Cheltenham Festival.

Can't believe all this nonsense about visas for people from what is one of our 'Commonwealth Countries'. They are mostly more 'British' than those strolling into work from EU countries. We weren't bothered about all this red tape when they were coming over here to fight on our side during WW1 & WW2. It's about time we got out of the EU, mind you that'd make more money for the Chancellor with all the europeans having to pay for visas. It all seems a mess from what I've read on here!

It's always been a problem since the road was altered, but the longest wait is getting actually onto the road out of the car park. Much easier getting out of the Scunny car park, no traffic lights and not much traffic! I'm looking forward to the 1st meeting at Scunny.

So obviously born in the USA - compared to the 'not' rider from the US Ricky Wells - 2 years at Sheffield - No wheelies, no fist pumps and certainly no smiles. Struggled in his first year to get to grips with the track, best rider we had last year. Unfortunately this fella has no idea how to interact with his supporters. Gino looks like he'll have some fun at Foxhall - win or lose, seems to be a really nice guy, the kind you need to keep everybody's head up.

Apparently Josh Bates grand dad is one of the consortium, (name unknown to me!). Would agree Ian Hunter is still involved in some way, if not one of the new consortium, think he'll still be sponsoring the team, or individual riders to some extent. Not be going to Argos for a while so won't know anything more soon!!!!!

Back to Sheffield business after the interlude with our 'critic' from Somerset. My previous posts on this thread (nos 949 & 951) are now irrelevant as with Compton & Neilsen both coming in on 4.36 averages means the total remaining is only .49, so Facu wouldn't have fit in. However it did create some interest from posters far and wide. The one I particularly liked was from 'The Scotsman' and the video clips he included from Edinburgh. I was particularly impressed with the riding of Josef Tabaka on those clips, he really can handle the tight lines on their track! The race 11 which others were raving about Josh Bates, well that's down to Newman almost taking the other two riders out on lap one. Give him credit though Josh saw the gap in the inside and went for it! Having seen this and hearing of his exploits at Mildenhall last year the lad might prove his worth riding away at some of these smaller, more 'technical' tracks. The big question now is have we got an air/foam fence, or the funds to acquire one? If the new consortium haven't the funds and want assistance in raising some then (as already has been mentioned) why don't they make themselves known to the fans so we know who is running the show. It can only aid in getting things going in building a new era in Sheffield Speedway!

Like you say - Opinions they are like ar*e holes, everybody's got one!

Make your mind up!

Sorry I must have missed something especially after you posted just yesterday, 'but nearly February and team plans still up in the air'.

Thanks for your observations, seen your posts on other threads in the past. At least you're consistent! Be interesting to see how Somerset go on this year, when you've got your team finalised!

The point I was trying to make Spinny was regarding the young fella' we've got on 3 points. I'm all for bringing on young Brits, but after watching poor home sides at Owlerton for the last two years I'd like to see seven home riders that can score week in week out - from the start of the season! Josh is no doubt far better off in the Premier League than with Swindon (can't see the point of this draft business thing in the Elite personally. Think it's going to de-value the EL TBH.) Anyway from what I saw of him in the Prem last year I wasn't impressed, neither were Rob Godfrey and the majority of Scunny fans. I think it's pretty poor of the management to leave the little guy in Argentina, especially after all the time it's taken to sort out 'new owners'. This gave no time for him to be offered to other clubs, I'm sure one or two would have seriously considered him on that average! Anyway that's just my opinion. I now eagerly await tomorrows announcement.

Well if Koppe is going back to Oz and Albin doesn't return (posts by Ariel75 - who seems quite close to him- seem to suggest that the promotion haven't been in contact with him, would like to be corrected if I'm wrong) then it might be a new face, but then again perhaps another old one! If things are to be as above then if there are any points from 0.62 and over left, they will be sadly wasted IMO. (If you see where I'm coming from!)

C'mon Kieran, you should've changed your name to 'SillyKent'.

Where've you heard Albin's not coming back then?

He's not shown in any of the line-ups confirmed in Britain, but he could be referring to his Danish team, presume he's riding over there this year? His tweet was posted a month ago!