SteveLyric2

...and there I was thinking that this new 'young British reserves' ruling was for the benefit of those 'young Brits', that had the ability and willingness to progress and improve???!! But no, its apparantly about 'being fair' or 'unfair' to clubs??! To be quite fair about it, if the PL clubs had played ball - we wouldn't be having these debates!!

Seems as though someone from Sky or the BSPA (Neil Watson?) actually takes notice of some of the comments on here!! Excellent move by whoever it was - half price (£12.50) entry for all Adults, if paid in advance - a great bit of promotion which they need to shout about!!!!!

I just think its a bit naïve to think that any EL club's reserves who may miss meetings due to PL/NL fixture clashes (hopefully not injury) will not be replaced by those currently not allocated!! And if that reserve guest happens to perform better than the rider he is replacing, then why shouldn't the club make it a permanent replacement - no matter how the team may be performing overall?! Its the club's business after all.!!! The clubs could even sign the replacement reserve as a club asset?!

Honestly don't know!! What I do know is that Smart and Newman will be given every chance to prove themselves, and if they don't perform then I expect Matt/Middlo to look at alternatives!! What I also know is that Bates is one of at least 3 British riders of similar standard/experience who have made contact with the club to 'offer their services', subject to fixture clashes - as I am sure is the case with most if not all the other EL clubs!!

You've got a terrific signing in young Piotr!!

Poole already had him!! Same as Lakeside and Ellis; Kings Lynn and Kerr!! Why would facts wind folk up???

I'm sure that Matt Ford (and many of the other EL promoters, if they are doing their jobs properly), will already have had contact with a number of NL/PL riders to cover for any future fixture unavailability by either reserve. In fact when I was in his office paying my season ticket money a couple of weeks ago, he took a call from one of them!! NB. Its a shame Robert Lambert can't be a guest reserve whilst on his 3 point average!!!

But he didn't 'renege' on anything!! The opportunity to ride at his local PL Thursday track came up and he informed and discussed the opportunity with Swindon, who correctly allowed him to gain more experience and to ride for a track close to his home by signing for Sheffield. He 'signed a contract that states you are willing to ride for the EL team that drafts you' - subject to discussions on any PL/NL fixture clashes. He did that.

Result and small report in some of the National Sports pages today!!!

Not really, although I don't think it worked out fairly for all the clubs or all the riders!! Water under the bridge now, but as far as developing riders is concerned, I'm in the camp that believes only one NL/PL Brit reserve per team should have been drafted! As the main reason was to cut EL costs, then we'll wait and see.

I think the main point here is that the meeting is still costing £25, despite Sky's live coverage!! What an ideal opportunity missed for the BSPA (and Sky) to demonstrate the best way to utilise the TV money to incentivise a decent crowd by only charging a reasonable admission fee!!

Two spot-on posts, which I hope are copied and emailed to BSPA!!

Do try to keep up Agro!!!

But Bates didn't 'refuse to sign for the team' - he signed for Swindon and was then released, with agreement, in order to ride for PL Sheffield!!

More tea Vicar??!!

Sorry no link, but then I don't think it was ever a 'rule', just announced in a press release or in the SS that was the (fair?!) way they decided to do the draft.

But it will be the same for ALL teams, so whether it happens or not, ALL teams will have the same opportunity!! As far as next season is concerned, that depends on what the team building average is for 2015?!

So now that the new Rules & Regs are out and the new Race Format Gate Positions are announced, is anyone having their own 'Harry met Sally Restaurant' moment??!! By the way, 15.11 isn't a new rule is it as its not in bold type?? 15.11 After Heat 10 in an official Team fixture, only the Team that is losing may request a track inspection, or seek abandonment of the Meeting.

Don't disagree with any of that SB - I know, surprising isn't it!!? BUT all riders are available to be signed as assets - in fact its already started, Coventry for example. Poole have the tie-up with Scunthorpe exactly for that reason I assume. Maybe some other clubs need to get off their backsides and look at similar 'partnerships'! Nothing wrong in planning for the future!

These 'rules' that you talk about, do they include the one that each EL club was supposed to 'draft' one rider from the 'A' grade list and one from the 'B' grade list!!?? I wonder if that was adhered to - and if not, by Whom?

Many people seem to be forgetting - or choosing to ignore - that when the draft was first made/announced, riders agreed to go where drafted, subject to further discussion with their EL club on their fixture availability - on the basis that the majority of the draft riders would also have NL and /or PL fixtures to comply with. Re. the Bates decision, it was known by some that the new Sheffield promotion had some family ties to Josh Bates, and as he lives very close to Owlerton, the decision to allow him to sign for Sheffield over Swindon was seen as a sensible one - no doubt to help a young British rider to progress and improve!! Nowhere has it been said (except by some ill-informed on here) that he has 'given up all rights to an EL place' - merely that he chose one Thursday PL track over a Thursday EL track - and I think you'll find that all EL clubs, if not some so-called fans, are perfectly ok with that!!

Isn't Greg going to ride for Sweden???!!!

Its 5.37 according to the SS Fantasy League list in last week's edition!!

I think any young British rider who is seeking an EL reserve place should be applauded for having the balls to ring round any EL clubs - that don't have fixture clashes with their PL meetings - to offer their services!!! For those who seem to want to have a go at Poole on this issue, there's an excellent and encouraging article on Lee Smart in the local Bournemouth Echo today!! (ps. and Smart's kevlars have been ordered I understand )

All those that are thought more highly of in speedway circles possibly!!