1 valve

Not all companies are poorly run just because they fail to turn a profit. Reddit (20yrs) Pelaton (13yrs) & Airbnb(16yrs) are three companies who have never made profit but continue to grow market share & their business with support from their investors. Unfortunately, I feel all three of those organisations will be profitable many years before UK speedway promoters can get their collective act together and build a positive future for the sport.

No didn't go bust, just that the promotion having been somewhat ambitious have now decided to focus on their two other teams. Although debatable, had the promotion gone with one senior club in the top flight and invested in the team building then the Spiers would have been a) more successful at home and b) more profitable.

Its a bit of a stretch to believe this could be the case, However as a promoter can't run two clubs in the same division and as CL has proven to be arguably the most competent of the current crop, maybe there could be some leverage going on within the top clubs knowing that a new owner & promoter for Ipswich can be found whilst he focusses attention on building and launching Northampton thus delivering a six club top flight. Interesting to see CL has resigned from the BSPL but not Speedway Ventures meaning his involvement in find a future for speedway continues and that is a positive sign.

No it doesn't. Which top flight club has gone bust in recent times? Any company can trade at a loss so long as the Directors acknowledge the matter and continue to find funding for their enterprise, avoid trading whilst insolvent and continue to develop their business. Unfortunately, for now, it appears there are insufficient promoters who are willing or able to invest in bringing some of the best riders to the UK and so the resultant mediocre (especially if there is only one league) "top flight" of speedway in the UK will be even less appealing than current to national sponsors, media.

As I said. It would very much be an option for the BSPL/ACU should the concept of a rival league arise alongside any claims for a "restraint of trade" being none applicable.

Its an absolute tragedy. What's just as shocking is there are folk on this forum justifying the direction the sport is going and (dare I say it) palpably celebrating the demise of more clubs.

Yes, absolutely. The total reason why speedway is well and truly on the way down & out in the UK. We don't want the very best. mediocrity will do so long as me/I is ok - so need for top riders, no need for national sponsors, no need for national TV - no need for ambition. Least of all no need for anybody who wants to try to make the sport better. Ok the sport wont actually grow and other countries will provide a home for any British rider with talent and aspiration to rise through the crud of UK speedway and move on from these shores - but at we'll always have somebody willing to ride around some track some where and we can still call it speedway - just.

You are correct, outside of the speedway world very few folk if any will care. But maybe that also is the same for those within the sport too. Its interesting to note circa twelve of the clubs listed were lost to development with great sadness expressed by many at the nasty workings of developers and the greed of land owners. Yet here we are with folk shrugging their shoulders at the possible demise of five, (definitely three) clubs who have perfectly good viable stadiums, two of which have been built from scratch in the last fifteen years.

Not entirely true. Granted new clubs have found it tough in the last couple of years but when in 2023 the Lions rejoined the Premier League they finished level with Ipswich in fourth place on 34 points which was fourteen & twenty four points more than established clubs Peterborough and Kings Lynn respectively.

It would be very much an option for the BSPL. As for any claims for "restraint of trade" That would be a non starter as the ACU have, like other national federations (FMN's) "legal standing" recognised by courts in countries where sanctioned events take place. By obtaining an FIM or ACU (FMN) license, riders commit by contract to a specific set of rules, which typically require them to seek "start permission" from their home FMN to compete in events abroad, even those which might be sanctioned by another FIM-recognized body. Competing in an entirely unsanctioned rival organisation's championship without any authorisation is a clear breach of these terms. Ultimately, the FIM and FMN's maintain control over the sport's structure by ensuring all participants operate within their approved framework, using the power to issue and globaly revoke licenses as the primary enforcement mechanism against rival organisations "poaching" their riders. Of course riders not holding a license issued by a FMN are completely free to ride wherever they so wish to do so, but would exclude FIM/FMN events.

If it comes to it that there is to be no Prem in 2026 but one league the general consensus is that there will be an insufficient number of riders to field a league of More than nine teams at an absolute push. No one should be surprised if none of the Prem clubs come to the tapes in 2026 especially if they are expected to make do with “left overs” for team building. Much better to spend 2026 planning ahead for a seven or eight team Prem in 2027 - if at all. Otherwise it’s a sad farewell to the Aces, Lions, Tigers, Stars & Witches with special thanks to the surviving promoters who really will reap what they sow.

ACU licenses can be withdrawn & the FIM. Would support such actions. small “ankle biter” riders and events are not of a concern. Different matter if clubs want to promote & riders want compete in significant alternative league and solo events in opposition to BSPL organisations.

As they do now.

Yes indeed, and none of the riders who ride for those teams will be able to ride speedway, grass track & long track on any other tracks anywhere in the world. Not sure the Aussies, Danes, Poles etc would like that ever mind Brits who ride abroad in speedway and similar.

And what punishment will be heaped on the said accountable’s and by whom?