SteveLyric2

Its about running a business and having a robust business plan. No point in also running NL if it doesn't at least break even!! As for training schools, its a little difficult when you haven't got full access to your own stadium facilities and anyway investing in assets and getting them trained up in competitive action at other clubs is much better planning - both financially and future team-building wise. All power to those clubs that can and do provide training facilities. Also to Neil Vatcher (part of the Poole family ) for all his work with the younger Brits. Long may it continue.

Happy Birthday today Rosco!!

Congratulations to Adam Ellis being named as the U21 Reserve for Team GB.

Very true - but you wouldn't name the SCB Chief Graham Reeve or the SCB referee Dave Robinson without being pretty clear on the facts!!!! NB. No comment from Jon Cook or Kelvin Tatum I notice........................ Probably just licking their wounds.

Bates and Harris were informed before last night's meeting that they weren't in the TEAM GB 1-5. Maybe that affected their performances worse than Nicholls and Worrall.

I've said before, Horton only signed him to spite MF as Woryna was lined up as Poole's no.8. Kacper's heart has always been at Poole due to the family connections with Poole, but felt he was ready for a full season which Poole weren't able to guarantee this year. He has a skull & crossbones logo on all is kit except his Bees kevlars which Horton wouldn't allow. However he ends this season its not the last you'll see of him in the UK leagues.

Just as well Team GB got a pass straight to the final then!!!!!!

I wonder what Bates was like on his first visit to EL tracks?!

I asked that very same question on Wednesday at Poole. MF said that 16th September was the official cut-off. There has been some debate as to whether the first leg of the Play-off semi-finals could take place as early as Monday 19th - but its doubtful subject to which teams are involved as they wouldn't have enough time to promote it. So subject to SKY I would guess the earliest the play-off semis would start would be Weds 21st and Monday 26th or Monday 26th and Weds 28th followed by the Final legs the week after.

Having said that, Lakeside can always wait til around 2.30 ish before protesting!!

Isn't it a bit strange that neither the SCB secretary, the SCB referee nor the duty member of the BSPA MC could quote the rule that Poole had supposedly broken. The article explains that Poole knew they had no facility so initially tried to book Jake Allen as cover for Ellis (PL 6 pointer). This was refused as it was claimed the replacement had to be a BRIT if it was replacing an EDR - but the rule states that should only apply if a facility HAD been granted. Hence Wright being booked as a qualifying Brit EDR replacement. Poole were not advised about Wright until 2.41 pm on the day - too late to get Jake Allen down - who should have been able to guest in the first place as there was nothing in the rules that contradicted that - as agreed by 3 officials, none of whom could show the rule that didn't allow it!!

Poole don't!! School summer holidays are packed with fixtures. Its all in the planning!!

Just to get back to reality, Poole weren't the only EL club to have virtually no home meetings in June. For example, during the Bees v Stars TV meeting it was stated Coventry's previous home meeting had been at the end of May!! Most clubs were affected to a greater or lesser degree. All promoters agreed to the fixture list and most wanted to avoid clashes with the Euros and other major TV sports.

So clearly Jon Cook doesn't want more meetings nor 6-man teams and doesn't want to move away from the Hammers Friday race night!! (Speedy Star this week!!). Unfortunately he doen't really put forward anything constructive other than disagreeing with other promoters. All augers well for a progressive AGM??!!!!

Phew, there is a god!!!

Very interesting article/explanation of the Charles Wright 'non-facility' in this week's SS!!!!

No meetings next week though. Won;t they be updated again for 1st August?!

Woffy wants King in so unless Rosco has other ideas, I expect it tobe Woffy, King, Lambert*, Cook and Ellis. (*only if Lambert is fully fit, otherwise S.Worrall)

Good meeting to watch and as others have said credit where its due - the track was in teriffic condition. Not sure why Bees fans give Woryna so much stick - he scored in 4 out of his 5 races - so much better than half his teammates!! Ellis must surely have the edge over Bates as Team GB reserve - more so if Bates is carrying an injury?! NB. Noticed the Sports hierarcy from BBC South/Radio Solent were in attendance last night so maybe some 'live' radio broadcasts on the August horizon???

The meetings need to have a point to them. The occasional friendly at the start of the season might be ok. but a smattering of meaningless 'challenge' meetings during the season - unless both sides are packed out with riders not usually seen on these shores - will not attract fans in sufficient numbers!!

Could be a bit of cloud mid-afternoon but the 'risk' of an isolated shower or storm appears to have been dismissed. Temps around 24-25 this evening so agree with SS it'll be dusty after heat 2. Also once the meeting has started you have to bear in mind what the riders want or don't want re what is done to the track!!

The Buccs didn't work for a number of reasons. Even admission prices as low as £5 on occasion did not attract enough fans. The gulf between EL and NL just doesn't suit many supporters - and branding them 'Bournemouth' didn't help with the identity either imo! If it works elsewhere then great, although I am a believer in a system that having an EL and a PL-standard team with some riders appearing in both sides together with the right pricing differential could work in providing regular fixtures.

I'd be surprised if it did!! His trip is not as long as originally intended - partly because his benefit meeting at Poole has been deferred to March 2017 when more of the top riders will be available to attend. Darcy is over for the World Team Cup matches and is doing a Q&A at Poole on August 3rd after Poole v Wolves meeting. He is also intending to fit in Poland and Sweden so don't think he'll be here much after that until next year.

If thems the rules then of course MF and all other teams will stick with their original squad - subject to injury of course.

Pretty sure the BSPA dropped their objection to Brits riding in the Euros and Pairs - hence Woffy being the 'reserve' in the Monster Pairs team. Their original objection was to try to protect British EL Saturday track fixtures - especially Eastbourne's - but that stopped when Eastie went NL. Doesn't really affect Leicester. The other thing used to be that One Sport only announced their dates after the International speedway fixture calendar was announced - but I believe that is no longer the case and the relationship between BSPA, FIM and One Sport is now much better, hence the Kings Lynn challenge meeting at the start of the season.