Boobs

Surely all British speedway needs is for the PL to follow the NL in restricting the competition to UK passport-holders? Or maybe to ACU licence-holders? Which, as it has been accepted for a couple of years, is presumably within the dictates of EU law?

I took it to mean that Ian Rae was using the interview as a way of canvassing local organisations for commercial support for Liam, as he wasn't able to raise funds to buy PL gear while he stayed on at school.

Sounds awfully like the con-trick perpetrated on the lower division by a failing top league at the end of 1990........

We can see from recent posts (under the Boocock Scholarship thread) it seems on the surface that, even when money is provided to give British riders an opportunity to travel to, and race in, Australia, all but one of them has decided to back out of the trip. Sometimes, I feel British riders can be guilty of wanting to have too much handed to them. The riders from overseas who come here to fill up team positions have at least made the effort, and sacrifices, needed to do so.

No, we don't. Tell us.......

Aye, there's the rub, as the Great Dane (not Nicki P) said in his soliloquy). Dogs on a Thursday means a concerted effort to set up the fence before 7.45. But it has to happen, and it will. Anyone betting against it?

This is a tragedy for British speedway, with Speedway Star this week telling us of Czechs, Italians, Swedes and Yanks -- plus Kyle Newman, who has apparently organised his own trip -- riding in Perth later this month, while the proposed winter racing for half-a-dozen of our brightest prospects has come to nothing. Allowing the prospect of further progress by GB at the top level to be further stifled. I note Gordon Pairman's explantation, but feel more could have been done to let these youngsters continue with their planned trip, even if on a curtailed basis.

But when Berwick did try (over the past four years, the period you quote)to recruit and develop new assets they were either scorned for their efforts (Franchetti, Sike, Mudgway, Edberg, Barrett)or didn't even get into the team at all (Barnwell, Albin). I agree with you (shock!) that it is better to nurture new riders and develop a strong asset base, but these days too many of our fellow 'forum fannies' demand constant change and instant success, and spread ill-feeling when they don't get it!

I feel the owners will not, cannot, continue if they have the same directors in place. Why should they -- the directors have already "spent" fifty grand they didn't have, what would happen in 2014? Thus, (1) the owners will pass control of the club to new investors, who may or may not continue to employ the current board, or (2) the owners will call an EGM or whatever, replace the directors and continue next year with new people in charge of the day-to-day operation, or (3) it's all dead in the water.

A league which, if second rate, was dragged down to that level by the actions of Coventry representatives three or four years ago.

Fair questions. Any answers?

Except Edinburgh couldn't have run tonight anyway. Rain is thrashing down all over Central Scotland.

Which might be good news, stadium-viability wise? I recall being at Owlerton when there were rugby posts on the grass, if they played rugby then alongside speedway, is there a problem? Which means nothing on a thread dedicated to the sale of the club.

Which is why Rye House will run speedway next year, and the next, and the next. You would prefer to be a Newport fan, Phil? Or are you really Doberman, rather than Bilko?

In case people haven't received the Red Alert today, here it is in full: Dear Fellow Tigers Fans, We have all been on a roller coaster during 2013 season. We believe it is your club, not ours and we promised to be open with you over progress. With the last match of the season just a few hours aways, where are we? First, the facts as we see them. On track, results have been poor. Only 1954 and 1987, when we failed to complete our fixtures and were ejected from the league, might be said to be worse. Despite a late start to planning the squad and uncertainty over the planned race-day (this left us with very few rider options during the winter), after the purchase of the club from A&S Entertainment we felt the team would gradually improve and we would benefit by rebuilding a limited rider-asset base. Early results were OK, but optimism was doused by James Wright's retiral. Despite a ridiculous amount of time and money spent on the phone we failed to find riders of the age and quality required who would commit to a Sunday race day. Yes, they all had heard good things about our 2013 set-up, but too often Poland or long-track engagements were already in place. Next year, maybe? However Anders Thomsens and Joey Ringwoods form at the end of the year provides optimism for future Tigers teams. 2 new Tigers assets with BIG potential. But we did have a positive side. Off-track, we installed the new bar and toilets, which raised the standard of facilities by a considerable margin. Unfortunately these were set on fire on Tuesday morning ..... In addition, and more-importantly, the racing on the improved Ashfield track has been much, much better than before (comments and praise from visiting riders have been music to our ears) and we feel the general level of presentation and entertainment has increased, although we would strive to make this aspect even better as time goes on. We have also provided you with a new an improved website and the best e-newsletter anywhere in world speedway. But now we have to face facts. The honest truth: Financially we knew a month into the season it was going to be very very tough. Even when we were winning we were averaging ONLY 630 spectators per match. We are very grateful for those of you who come and support the Tigers with passion BUT there are just not enough of you to sustain the club as it is currently structured.. We said before the season started we needed 800 people at each meeting to break even. Only the first match against Berwick achieved this magic figure. The result will be a financial loss of over £50,000 over the season. We said in May we needed you, the supporters to help us via a bring a friend campaign. Unfortunately very few of you did. This is really the core of this message. We, as owners and directors, cannot do any more. This year's result off track is the best we can do with the resources and manpower we have. Blood, sweat, tears and money have been poured into the Tigers throughout 2013. Unfortunately the Tigers are not viable as we stand. The previous promotion put hundreds of thousands of pounds into keeping the speedway in Glasgow going for over 10 years, and this scenario has been maintained. Therefore, unless we get more help on three fronts: A. Getting more people through the gate, which seems currently impossible. Remember, even in 2011 (title winning team), attendances failed to match outgoings. B. Increasing our annual level of sponsorship by a minimum of £30,000. C. Reducing our outgoings. We have to tell you that (unless a new owner come forward with very deep pockets and a very big heart) speedway will not survive in Glasgow. What it comes down to fellow Tigers fans is: 1. How much do WE as Tigers supporters want speedway in the city? 2. AND what are we prepared to do individually to take the speedway forward? Our concern is if the speedway closes in the city it will never re open. We need YOU to help the Tigers with: 1. The funding of a soft fence (air-fence or foam-fence) which will take a total of at least £25,000 to purchase, install and maintain. As you will be aware, without such a new fence we could not run in 2014 in any event. The fence is mandatory. End of that discussion! 2. Quite seperately, helping us actively by adding to our efforts to increase confirmed offers of sponsorship big-money sponsorship by November 14th. One big backer with £30K? Superb -- but ten new backers, each with £3K, adds up to the same total, and spreads the load. 3. Finding Individuals who would like to buy shares in the club Folks, the bottom line is we need more supporters to get off their backsides and help us. Not just by painting the fence, and volunteering on race-day, but by proving that they love their Tigers, their speedway, so much that they are prepared to pester their bosses, or give us details of the right person at the right company for us to visit to obtain further financial backing. The good news is if we can fund a soft fence and get in the necessary extra sponsorship then we can successfully run speedway in Glasgow on crowds of around 650 people. We promised to be honest and upfront with you well, now you know. Let's do it TOGETHER! P.S.: Lets give the team all your support tonight and end the season on track on a high by winning the Scottish Cup. Mon the Tigers! Alun and Gordon

Well, we are going tonight. Hadn't planned to go, but with this morning's news, couldn't miss it, just in case...........

Very interesting theory, Lulu. I understand this was a suggestion made to the new owner a year ago by a couple of wise old owls, but for whatever reason it was decided to go forward in the Premier League. Which didn't go too well.

From what I hear, Berwick may have an inside track on Jamrog. Through a former wee pal.

A week's grace might give some of Witches' disabled list a chance to recover. Weather certainly looked horrific for Thursday, all over the country, on BBC this morning.

Then I think the quote should be disregarded now, as Berwick's promotion have regularly and consistently reminded everyone they are in a minor market, and will not endanger the club's future by attemptiong to buy success. A policy which has rarely if ever worked at any level in speedway. To quote Phil now is akin to digging up past statements by Peter Waite or Dave Peet and setting them against the current financial times.

If by "The No 1 game in the world" you mean football, they have play-offs to get into every division in England and Scotland, don't they? If you mean baseball (which probably is No 1) they have had play-offs since 1903.

I'm with Paulco. He knows tosh when he reads it. He supports Glasgow, a club still absolutely flat broke despite a big cash injection, and that is mainly a result of their runaway league victory of 2011. Berwick are a minor-market club, with limited population potential. They would never survive a cash-splash to try to gain a larger support, the people just aren't there. Edinburgh and Newcastle are cities with over a million people within 25 miles of their tracks, Berwick will be lucky to find 10% of that figure within theirs. For 45 years they've got along by mostly putting teams of journeymen together, and providing fairly smooth Saturday-night entertainment. Supporters should be thankful of having such entertainment available this Saturday night.. Enjoy it, don't knock it.

Certainly a bad year, with injuries playing their part, but Ricky Ashworth's absence almost all year probably the major factor. From the club tonight: Berwick’s speedway Bandits are back at Shielfield Park on Saturday night, facing Rye House Rockets in what will be the final Premier League match of the year for the New Holland Bandits. Although the team as a unit has been inactive since racing at Somerset in the first week of this month, the Bandits’ riders certainly haven’t been idle. Matty Wethers has had recent bookings at both Edinburgh and Glasgow, while the Berwick Scandinavians have been in near-constant action at home. Frenchman David Bellego was in fine form, riding for King’s Lynn Stars in the live-on-TV Elite League title decider at Birmingham on Monday night. His impressive 6+2 scoreline included a defeat of former GP star Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris --- va va voom! A fresh face in black-and-gold will be 24-year-old Scot James McBain, who was last season’s Northern Junior League Riders’ Champion. “We have to go into the match without either Paul Starke or Liam Carr, our two regular No. 7 riders” explained Rae. “Both are on duty in the National League Riders’ title meeting down south, and cannot be recalled, even for an official Premier League engagement. “With virtually all the top NL guys at their championship on Saturday, we have elected to put James, who has always shown to advantage in our junior matches, into that slot. He won’t let us down.” The visiting Rockets will also be without one of their regular reserves, with Ben Morley also on NL duty. “So far, they’re being a bit coy over who they’ll have in his place” commented Berwick co-promoter Dennis McCleary. “But no doubt we’ll find out soon enough.” Saturday’s teams will line up: Berwick: 1. Sebastian Alden (captain), 2. Kozza Smith (rider-replacement), 3. Robin Aspegren, 4. Matty Wethers, 5.David Bellego, 6. James McBain, 7. Nicki Barrett. Rye House: 1. Olly Allen, 2. Pontus Aspgren, 3. Jason Bunyan (captain), 4. Tyson Nelson, 5. Anders Mellgren, 6. Kasper Lykke, 7. TBA JUNIOR CUP FINAL: After the PL encounter, the Northern Junior League Cup Final will be staged between Berwick’s own Northern Raiders and Redcar Cubs. The tie will be decided on the night, with trophy presentation following the final race. Teams: Raiders: 1. Stefan Farmaby, 2. James McBain, 3. Luke Ruddick Cubs: 1. Danny Phillips, 2. Kevin Keay, 3.Ben Basford PUCKER UP! There’s a kiss awaiting Berwick’s infield microphone man Dick Barrie after Heat 15 on Saturday night – but who he will get it from will depend on the match result! Devoted Rye House fan Chris Charalambous has made it known in social media that, if his beloved Rockets beat the Bandits he will run onto the centre-green and give Dick a big kiss! The Berwick presenter is confident the home team will save him from this “fate worse than death” however, but has demanded that – when the Bandits are victorious – Chris sends on his pretty girlfriend Sarah to deliver his smacker instead! SUPPORTERS’ CLUB: The popular Bandits’ Supporters Club (BSC) have a coach trip to Sheffield on Sunday (22nd September) to the annual PLRC meeting. BSC members £15.00 non-members £20.00.. MORE SPEEDWAY: Following Saturday’s final league fixture, there will be one more speedway event at Shielfield in 2013. This is to be a special support match between teams representing Berwick and Sheffield – Ricky’s two clubs. Fuller details will be announced on Saturday night. In order to maximise revenue – all monies realised by the night’s meeting will go to Ricky Ashworth, to support him during his rehabilitation – as much as possible concerning the meeting can hopefully be underwritten by sponsorship. Riders and races are available at £100 each, and a rider’s rear tyre costs £50. Anyone wish to support the event is asked to contact club@berwickbandits.co without delay. RICKY ASHWORTH - LATEST: As promised, news of changes in the condition of Ricky Ashworth will be carried by the club website, the club’s official Facebook page, the’ Black & Gold Bulletin’ newsletter and these media briefings. Ricky’s situation remains as detailed in the club’s most- recent Newsletter. Neil Machin, the Sheffield promoter, visited last week, and expressed cautious optimism in his condition. "I saw a massive improvement from the time we visited him in Hull" he said. "But he is still seriously ill. The specialist staff at Salford Royal are able to get him out of bed now, and that's good, his eyes are sometimes open but he is still to all intents and purposes asleep”. “He is far from being fit enough to leave hospital of course, and it is going to be a long, long road -- but it is great the way everyone in the speedway family is supporting him". Neil's report is, in the main, good news. As a Bandits’ spokesperson said: “Let's all keep on wearing our wristbands until he wakes up!”

And is also the day you will be hoping for a revolting kiss, according to the Berwick Newsletter!

Anyone not going to watch Edinburgh at Workington, I'm sure