Steve55

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!!!

Think this is a great idea by the Bandits & Tigers. I'm sure they'll be quite a few riders wanting to be involved and here's hoping that they make a decent figure to pass onto Ricky and his family. Wishing you well Rickster, keep pushing onto the finish line and get back with us. Hope to see him trackside soon.

Here's really hoping, Robbie Kessler is apparently mentoring & helping him out, so he's got the best that he could possibly want in his corner there.Think this shows some intent for next year, so that's good news.

Think somebody better start a thread titled Sheffield 2014. Is there any one out there really bothered about anything clashing with the remaining Tigers fixtures for this year?

It would be good to see a sequence of photos' leading up to the one shown in the press. I wasn't there so have no idea of what did actually happen so cannot comment on the incident. However I have said before on these pages that Vissing is an enthusiastic rider who sometimes borders on the reckless and have seen him on two occasions on the third bend at Owlerton in circumstances that make me wonder what's going on in his head. One involved Paul Cooper and the other Ashley Birks, both of these incidents could have involved serious injuries to the named riders, but fortunately didn't. Can't comment on this occasion as I've said, but this won't have made Claus any more popular at Sheffield!

Neil Machin has no doubt been looking for replacements, but apart from the money, although guaranteed won't be the best wages in the league, why would any rider want to ride at Sheffield - No chance of winning anything and with the 'hex' that's apparently on the team, every chance of getting injured! Joking apart, at this stage of the season I don't think the management are that bothered about who the 1 to 7 or should I say 1 to 6 are. Don't think I've seen Sheffield lose so many meetings at home before and apathy seems to rule - OK! Only last night comment was made during the Peterborough Lakeside meeting that certain riders would have benefited from doubling up in the premier league, Fisher & Hougaard being two of the stand out candidates. With the points we've got to play with I would have thought we may have been able to accommodate both of them! Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong - again! As it happens our semi permanent replacement number 1 Richard Lawson had a reasonable away meeting and with him being relatively local (Chesterfield) and being a big buddy of Andre, I think he likes riding for us as his 'third team'. Although there seems to be the riders out there (for other teams at least) it appears that we can't or they can't to come an agreement for them to ride for us. So it will be a Sheffield select for the rest of the season as I see it.

Last two years yes, remember 2011, that was a good team - Parker, Auty, Ashworth! I've no doubt had it been on the play off system we would have won it that year. They were worth the entry fee then, pity Shane Parker went home.

Another one required now! What's happening to Sheffield this year? I know Joe fell off his mountain bike the other week - did he fall off the mountain as well? It's been obvious that he's been down on confidence, that seems to have been since Steady got injured, before that he seemed to be well on the pace and won quite a bit with Steady covering his back. Seems to be that all the team and anyone connected with it are prone to getting injured this year! 2013 could be our jinx! Could well be that this week as well as having A Guest at number one, we'll also have him at 6 & 7 and R/R at number 2!

To be honest Spinny for three quarters of the meeting most home riders were struggling with the track and all night it was gate and go (gone). When he got the gate in heat 12 the track wasn't a problem. The stock car meeting on the flooded track can't have helped matters and that was quite obvious down the back straight, where both Compton and Koppe both attempted passes that they really should have completed. Not a big fan of Wells myself but he was no worse than most home riders on Thursday and I'm sure he'll do better than most up at Brough tomorrow!

Only saying on Thursday how I was looking forward to seeing Ricky back in a Tigers race jacket for the Newcastle & Glasgow meetings. He was brilliant in the GB v Australia test the previous week. Back in Top form and now this. Well this guy is a real fighter on the track and I'm sure he'll be giving it 100% in hospital. Come on Rickster we need you back at Sheffield next year! Here's hoping and praying for a full recovery.

Think Stan's hit the nail on the head. It was quite obvious from Neil Machins programme notes on Thursday that he'd had a fall out with Rich Hall over his withdrawal from the away meeting at Rye House. Especially after he had a poor meeting at home against them on the Thursday before! It looked quite obvious after that meeting where Halls priorities are - a couple of laps on his speedway bike and two outings on the long track machine. Well good luck with the long track series Rich, you'll have more time to spend on it now! As for a number one, Cameron Woodward looked really good the other night - top quality - but he was riding for his country - just hope he would reproduce that week on week. Not Lewis Bridger as I've already said. MPT for Haines, could be a case of pot & kettle! Although Haines is still struggling would Palm-Toft be any better? Obviously he's not had the form he finished with last year, otherwise Rob wouldn't have ditched him. However if we replaced Haines I don't think many would be surprised or upset the way he's been riding lately, would they?

Also must add, why Lewis Bridger? Did really well tonight 4 plus a bonus point! Ok he was up against decent opposition, but as a number 1 he will be. He never looked comfortable on the track, well to be honest apart from Eastbourne I've never seen him look comfortable any where. Oh and didn't he do well in Prague for team GB. Sorry but just can't see him doing a job for the Tigers as a number one. He's got plenty of spirit and ambition, but not at Owlerton for me thanks.