Roger Jacobs

There was a geezer on this forum recently who claimed that Coleman was so stretched there wouldn't be any GPs! I guess that the guy who owns Red Bull is so stretched that he can't get involved in F1, vintage aircraft, various extreme sports, etc. etc...

As far as I know, Spedeworth doesn't own the Stadium - they lease it from the owners of the Heath, and sub-let to the speedway.

How can there be a reference to 2027 when they still can’t confirm what’s happening in 2026?!

You must be delighted now it's obvious that everything has been resolved ...

The new Ipswich owner has effectively no rider assets - the promoters go to the AGM with the six/seven they intend to start the season with, but then it's down to negotiation, availability, etc.

https://britishspeedway.co.uk/player/edwards-jason/

The Press Release includes Championship info: https://britishspeedway.co.uk/miscellaneous/british-speedway-agm-statement-3/

Mainly because it was often cheaper to go there than for similar facilities in the UK - plus the promoters tend not to get much of a break during the season, so the chance to have some downtime was welcomed.

The BSPA/L meetings for several years have each been the most important in the modern history of the sport ... we've even had promises of transparency ... the regular (die-hard) fans have helped to keep the Prem plodding along, but still they are treated like third class passengers on the Titanic*. * "Titanic Sinks Tonight" is an amazing programme based entirely on witness statements and interviews, with analysis by historians and psychologists. A chastening look at human behaviour in genuine life-or-death situations.

Does anyone think that Woffinden would be interested in the extra hassle of the Prem fixture list when he's returning from injury and has a GP season to focus on? As for Lidsey, I'm not convinced. Brennan, King, Rew, Ellis, Jenkins, and Edwards + 1 seems an option ... although I have absolutely no idea how close that is, or who the +1 would be.

Premier League and most Championship footy teams are established businesses - not sports clubs in your old-fashioned sense. Even League 2 Colchester United is up for sale as a business, with actual assets.

It’s easier to sell a business that’s still trading, but a licence to run a speedway club is hardly taking over a business … I had heard even before CL’s announcement that he is prepared to put the licence on ice for a season. Trying to operate a 5-team Premiership is ridiculous - and BSPL’s statement that 2026 would include a KOC-Up is beyond laughable.

I can't believe they also want to have a KOC-Up! Shirley with only 5 teams, there will just be a play-off Grand Final between the top two ...

8 League, 2 BSN, 1 KOC-Up

The Witches have always had Thursday as their main race night, so fan loyalty is already established. If they had to change it would be interesting to see the reaction.

Why is the Championship partly to blame? With Louis walking away, it’s clearly the Prem committing self-flaggelation, e.g. Leicester saying they are committed to the Prem - without any current view of how it could exist?!

Why is the Championship partly to blame? With Louis walking away, it’s clearly the Prem committing self-flaggelation, e.g. Leicester saying they are committed to the Prem - without any current view of how it could exist?!

There have been seasons when the Witches and Stars have met many as 14 times over various competitions …

It seems they are planning for a 5 team Premiership, with teams racing each other 3 home & 3 away. However: it can only be confirmed in the New Year IF new owners are in place at Sheffield and Ipswich - so the riders are looking elsewhere for earning opportunities, in case nothing happens.

Not sure what point(s) you’re trying to make here? There is absolutely no comparison with soccer - the term “asset” is used very differently. Employment laws have changed dramatically in recent years. Speedway clubs have no employees or tangible rider assets as such - riders can be released from contracts, or release themselves from contracts, at any time.

But what makes it a successful entity to sell on? John Berry sold what would be described as a highly successful promotion to Chris Shears, who proceeded grind it into non-existence. However well CL built his promotion and the teams that achieved successes, the new promoter(s) will effectively have to start from scratch ...

So, you've got a downer on someone who has worked to bring in Doyle and Sayfutdinov, and to pay them what they're prepared to accept (I'm sure there was negotiation) - and to find ways to make it work financially, plus everything else that goes alongside riders with a thoroughly professional approach. It's not just those two riders though - the other six also say the same, down to Jenkins and Edwards, who Louis wanted in the team because of their excellent approach, and who wanted to ride for Ipswich. Brennan and Thompson are the very best examples of riders who knew that they would improve if they joined Louis' set-up - not just because Louis is thorough in his approach, but also because he demands and expects the same from his employees. There's no doubt that speedway's sponsorship finances are predominantly goodwill, rather than purely commercial - and can't be compared with multi-million pound/dollar corporations sponsoring the world's popular sports. At best we're talking about the same level as National League football, or more likely the divisions below that, and other minority sports that also rely on local goodwill. British Speedway's biggest problem is that it's got very little worth actually investing in. Despite everything that Louis has done, he can really only sell his licence to promote the sport - there aren't any major tangible assets.

The Leicester urban area has about three times as many people as the wider Ipswich area (approx 550,000 compared to approx 180,000). Leicester is in the East Midlands, with access to much more industry and business sponsorship opportunities. Interestingly, LCFC and ITFC attract very similar home attendances. To be honest, there’s no real comparison to make - very different parts of the country, with very different circumstances.

What part of he doesn't want to be the promoter anymore don't you understand? If a buyer is found it'll be up to them to decide how they want to run the club, which might include asking fans what they think.

Louis hasn't blamed anyone. He said: "Following a meeting on Thursday I have informed my fellow Premiership promoters of my intention to sell the club."