Steve55

You're right, we won't be able to to get Richard Lawson guesting either now he's riding for Redcar!

Rude person!

I agree with what you're saying Spinny. Including Andre in as a second string rider on a 4.36 average is really a 'no brainer'. Having seen his return at the end of last season IMO he showed enough for me that when he's sorted out his gear, what with the new silencers etc, although he'll not be the same guy we remember from 2008/9, he will surely be able to build on that average - 1.5 to 2.5 points. If not and Albin returns, with new engines and starts firing to his full potential, then he might make it into the top 5 and leave Andre as a very experienced and capable reserve.

I take it from what you posted that you're not sure if Facu is coming back, although he has got money for new engines? Think most Sheffield fans would love to see him in the team this year, so hoping everything works out ok.

As skj says Iturre would have to come on an assessed 5.00 point average and from what I saw of him he wasn't as good a prospect as Facu. He also has same issues as Facu in that he'll need sponsors and residence, plus he will need visas etc, which shouldn't be a big issue. However why have him and not Facu?

Like I said before I've got the same feeling about Albin. A report a few weeks ago mentioned him and that the club were looking for sponsorship and somewhere for him to stay. Then nothing. I would like to see him return though, he's not a quitter.

As others have already said Richard Hall started off last season in really good form, both home and away. Looked like he was going to have his best season for years, then he got injured. He then lost form and his place in the team. As I've stated on another thread I heard he was getting rid of his speedway bikes last year and concentrating on his long track racing. Unless somebody knows different?

Wouldn't mind seeing Albin & Koppe back this year. Albin for his constant enthusiasm and Koppe, well he seemed to have got dialled into the track. Not the fastest by any means, but he started gating well and once in front others seemed to struggle to get past, like he had a bike 8 feet wide! Either that or they were all scared he'd fall off infront of them!

Probably be the two riders that'll be in the reserve births. Then they'll be seeing who they can fit in. I expect there might be a delay whilst the BSPA hold their inquest into the 'Morris incident'. That's if there's anything to look into!

In which case you'll have seizures and not the aforementioned!

Anton Rosen to put two points on and Max Fricke one and half. Can't tell you about Sheffield riders yet as we've only got 2!!!

It says Poland! That's East!

Well there's only Sheffield that requires riders in British speedway and he is a Sheffield asset! Could it be he wants sponsors in his homeland if he's riding over there this year? There's been no mention of him coming to Sheffield and to be honest I personally would wish it to remain that way.

In all the press and website reports I've read there doesn't seem to be any Sheffield or independent confirmation that Sheffield are actually in negotiations with Nick Morris. They have mentioned being in talks with a foreign rider (or two)who haven't ridden for the club before. Lanham is also mentioned by name and could be a quality acquisition for this years team. Albin seems to have faded from the picture over the last week or so, which I think would be a waste of having him last year. The lads got something about him that makes me want to get him back. He's having mixed fortunes in the Argentine Championship at present, still having problems with his machinery, but second overall by one point to Covatti! There's lots of apparent hysteria surrounding the Morris situation, especially from the Swindon fans plus others who have been on the verge of libellous comments towards a certain individual, who has seen fit to post in response to those comments - and rightly so. This hasn't been helped by the wind-up posts of the Sheffield fans who have been getting some big bites! I'd love it if he ended up riding for Poole and Peterborough! But I think we all know where he probably will end up.

I also witnessed Hall senior & Joel Parsons putting Richards side of the argument over to Neil Machin in the pits that evening, whilst Richard stood outside the pit gate! It was also note-worthy how quickly Hoggy & Nigel Hinchliffe got out of the way and took no part in the discussion! Richard made a rod for his own back pulling out of the Rye House meeting like he did. He needed that 'rod' before, then he might not have hurt his back lifting the bikes out of the back of his van! He might have come out of the situation better if he'd tried to argue his own corner rather than letting others do it for him.

Don't get your hopes too high of having Nick Morris in the side this year. Sounds like there's a long way to go before that issue is settled with Swindon! Having said that rider power usually wins in the end as we've seen in previous years. Would love to see him in the team after the performances he gave throughout both leagues last year. As for the suggestion of bringing back Richard Hall, now that Neil Machin is no longer in charge that's a possibility. Not one I'd like to see happen though. Has he still got his bikes? Heard he was selling them after Sheffield dropped him last year! Not Jake Knight please. If it is a strong top 4 or 5 the team might be able to carry him to start with, however he didn't show enough improvement IMO to warrant a second chance this year. Sorry to say that, but hey that's life.

That seems a decent team. However don't expect to see Simon and Andre (if he is in it) riding around the boards next year as there won't be any with an air fence! I think that taking 4 or so feet off the width of the track on the bends will affect the heat times next season.So the 'fastest track in British speedway' won't be Sheffield.

Consortium being headed by Hoggy for the time being, why has this taken so long? And why all the secrecy about who they are? Well they'd better have a bob or two 'cos they've left it a bit late for fund raising for an air fence! They need to get things sorted for the coming year in the Premier League never mind moving up to the Elite in future, who wants that anyway?

over the festive spell. Club officials are refusing to be drawn on their identity but they’ve been forced to rethink their plans after missing out on Danish star Lasse Bjerre who has joined Peterborough." no mention of uncertainty of the club running but don't let that stop you misquoting, after all this forum thrives on it. I didn't actually "quote" what it said in the press release, but if you'd taken the time to read the previous article from the 24/12 you would have seen that it says that "Sheffield have already missed out on at least 2 potential signings due to the uncertainty surrounding the club ownership - one as recently as Friday when an international star snubbed the club because nothing was delivered in writing." That is a quote as is it is in "quotation marks"! Wonder who that international star was? You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work it out do ya!

Just read in todays Star {local paper} that Sheffield have missed out on Lasse Bjerre due to uncertainty of club running next year. Machin really needs to get things sorted ASAP!

They could put the seats along the back straight, the Rugby spectators would be nearer the playing surface then. My recollections from past days are Clive Featherby and Billy Bales!

I've heard so much being said on the terraces and on various forums over the last few weeks about how the sport its self will change (have to change) over the winter. With Sky TV withdrawing its coverage (and funding) it appears that there will not be enough money to sustain the Elite League in its present form. Air fences being another added expence to some clubs, which some cannot afford! Talk of there being two leagues next year (Elite and Premier & Premier and National) all adds to the uncertainty to the future of British Speedway. Will there be any clubs (apart from Poole) that will be able to afford to employ Grand Prix riders? All of the above makes me think if Sheffield is taken over and runs in 2014, in whatever league, we must support them, no matter what, and consider ourselves lucky to be watching the sport in this city. Like your team Spinny, but even if its one made up of new guys aged 17 to 20 years we'll have to get down there and pay our entrance fee. Keep Sheffield Speedway alive!

If you look at the weather forecast for Sunday it doesn't look like the track will be fit either! That's the trouble when it gets to this time of year. Had a better year for weather than last any way. Hope it changes, like it does from time to time, as this should be a good meeting. Looking forward to it, hope it's on.

Unless another rider had mechanical problems and started slowing down, but that never happens does it!!!