heathen79

Seems to me that Newport were being slightly misleading with their suggestions that they would not run in 2011 and always intended to. Continuing the contradictions, despite the club saying by email that Dudley couldn't speak to Armo, Jon himself has now said that he phoned the Malletts on the same day and they told him verbally that he could actually speak to other clubs. So were they denying permission or not? Some clear intentions and straight talking would have not gone amiss in my opinion.

'History' it may be, but 'fact' (regardless of the use of capital letters) it certainly isn't. Anyway, still awaiting the full official announcement regarding the AGM. It has been suggested that this will be on Tuesday, but why the delay? Why not just confirm the rules that have been adopted already?

Yes, despite saying publicly for most of the Winter that they weren't sure. And even privately allegedly indicating they wouldn't run, they turned up at the AGM as many of us expected and declared their involvement. Newport also denied Dudley official permission to speak to Jon Armstrong in December.

I am aware that there is a replicated discussion going on here and on the Heathens Forum, but I shall post here with the intention that a broader selection of people can contribute to the debate. I have mentioned 'novices' riding in the NL, but should clarify what I mean. I am not referring to riders taking their first rides and struggling to get round the track as this would not be racing. However, I would include the likes of Tom Perry, Steve Worral, Richie Worral and Ashley Birks from 2010. All had varying grasstrack/motocross experience but were taking their first steps into competitive team speedway racing on beginner 3.00 averages. These should be the riders we are encouraging at reserve. And just look at the unqualified success of those four, for starters. The rules allowed Dudley last year to replace James Sarjeant with Micky Dyer. Now, you and I will agree Villiers, that we all loved watching Micky and getting to know him, and I am delighted that the Heathens made the move. For one reason, that some other club would have done if we didn't, because those were the rules. But surely in terms of the development of these young British riders, it would be a better situation to have a lower points limit and the exclusion of non-Brits. The likes of James and Darryl Ritchings would have more opportunities under these rules compared to a higher points limit and entry to non-Brits. When they progress up the ladder to the PL, like those four mentioned above, they can test their mettle against higher grade riders, including the young Aussies, and continue their progression. Would James Sarjeant and Darryl Ritchings have more chance of progressing under last years rules or those talked about for this year?

You're still arguing this, despite the club press release and team manager stating the average? On what basis is your doubt?!

Confirmation of a new signing to be released tonight, now that the AGM has finalised the important points. Big new signing announcement to come for the Heathens fans at the Dudley Wood Tribute night next month

Thought it would be useful to start a new thread regarding the outcomes of the NL AGM today, rather than the previous thread about if or when it was taking place! First news to come out then, Mildenhall application rejected due to uncertainty over finances. Who else is in and who is out? Points limit.. 38 or 40 being proposed beforehand I believe. Press release unlikely before tomorrow?

It will be sad if Mildenhall do not come to the tapes in 2011, but I think it would be even sadder if they were to start the season and then close half way through for a second season in a row due to financial problems. No personal bias either way here, just an understanding on the note of caution.

Some further team hints for the Heathens in this weeks Speedway Star. Nothing official can be announced of course due to the delayed AGM. Ashley Morris already signed and confirmed though. Tom Perry next likely name on the teamsheet - a Dudley asset. Darryl Ritchings a third likely addition, asset of Gary Patchett at Swindon and deserving the chance after patiently staying in the 'Number 8' role last season.

Thanks for that, it is very useful.

This could be harder than I thought. No-one here have any information on Dudley Marchant? I'm particular interested to hear from any Odsal supporters. Also anyone have an email address for Howard Jones, please PM me.

Thats a spurious claim from out of the blue! There was no problem whatsoever with Micky's eligibility, unlike Tyson Nelson. I would expect Micky to get a Premier League place in 2011 and he should be able to hold his own there. He is very talented, but was very homesick last season.

As the AGM was postponed, presumably the rules havent been decided yet! Great to see Ashley officially on board again. After a relatively slow start to last season, his average is still lower than his ability has proved. He has a fantastic second half after dropping to reserve so I think he can put a good couple of points on his starting figure in 2011.

Thanks for that

Has the NL AGM (scheduled for 7 December) been cancelled?

Our list is as follows (again losing the table formatting unfortunately): DATE MATCH TYPE H/A VERSUS RESULT/WINNER 17/03/1979 CH H CRADLEY - ENGLISH SELECT v OVERSEAS RAINED OFF 24/03/1979 CH H ENGLISH SELECT v OVERSEAS 39-39 26/03/1979 CH H CRADLEY v BELLE VUE RAINED OFF 27/03/1979 CH A Leicester v Cradley RAINED OFF 30/03/1979 CH A Wolves v Cradley 34-44 31/03/1979 BL A Halifax v Cradley 46-31 02/04/1979 CH H CRADLEY v BELLE VUE 39-39 03/04/1979 CH A Leicester v Cradley RAINED OFF 07/04/1979 BL H CRADLEY v IPSWICH RAINED OFF 14/04/1979 BL H CRADLEY v READING 40-38 15/04/1979 BL A Eastbourne v Cradley 36-41 16/04/1979 CH H CRADLEY v LEICESTER 44-34 21/04/1979 BL A Coventry v Cradley 42-36 23/04/1979 CH H CRADLEY v WOLVES 50-27 26/04/1979 BL A Ipswich v Cradley 33-45 27/04/1979 4TT A Wolves v Cradley v Belle Vue v Ellesmere Port 38-35-19-4 28/04/1979 4TT H CRA v B.V. v E.P. v WOL. 34-16-7-39 29/04/1979 4TT A Ellesmere Port v Cradley v Wolves v Belle Vue 18-30-31-17 05/05/1979 IND H WC ROUND 1/ GRANDPRIX BRUCE PENHALL 07/05/1979 BL H CRADLEY v BELLE VUE RAINED OFF 07/05/1979 BL A Belle Vue v Cradley RAINED OFF 12/05/1979 CH H CRADLEY v LEICESTER 75-33 14/05/1979 BL H CRADLEY v BELLE VUE 46-32 15/05/1979 4TT A Belle Vue v Cradley v Wolves v Ellesmere Port 35-35-18-8 18/05/1979 ILC A Peterborough v Cradley 27-51 19/05/1979 BL H CRADLEY v EASTBOURNE 51-27 21/05/1979 BL A Exeter v Cradley 45-33 26/05/1979 BL H CRADLEY v BIRMINGHAM RAINED OFF 28/05/1979 CH H CRADLEY v HULL 55-23 29/05/1979 KOC A Leicester v Cradley 40-68 30/05/1979 CH A Poole v Cradley RAINED OFF 02/06/1979 BL H CRADLEY v COVENTRY 49-29 04/06/1979 4TT A Birmingham v Cradley v Wolves v Leicester 34-34-4-24 08/06/1979 MC A Wolves v Cradley 39-38 09/06/1979 MC H CRADLEY v WOLVES 46-32 11/06/1979 BL A Birmingham v Cradley 37-41 16/06/1979 KOC/PAIRS H CRADLEY v LEICESTER/TV TROPHY 66-42 / PENHALL/SCHWARTZ 22/06/1979 4TT A Wolves v Cradley v Sheffield v Coventry 26-33-20-17 23/06/1979 BL H CRADLEY v HACKNEY 50-25 24/06/1979 4TT A (Sheffield) Hull v Exeter v Cradley v Hackney 36-30-21-8 30/06/1979 BL H CRADLEY v WOLVES 47-31 07/07/1979 CH H SUP SEL/AMERICAN ALL 26-52 11/07/1979 BL A Belle Vue v Cradley 42-36 12/07/1979 BL A Sheffield v Cradley 44-34 14/07/1979 BL H CRADLEY v BIRMINGHAM 51-27 18/07/1979 BL A Poole v Cradley 41-37 21/07/1979 BL H CRADLEY v SHEFFIELD 45-33 25/07/1979 IND H GOLDEN HAMMER BOBBY SCHWARTZ 28/07/1979 BL H CRADLEY v HULL 41-37 29/07/1979 CH A Eastbourne v Cradley RAINED OFF 01/08/1979 MC A Coventry v Cradley 46-32 04/08/1979 BL H CRADLEY v POOLE 47-31 06/08/1979 BL A Reading v Cradley 32-46 08/08/1979 MC H CRADLEY v COVENTRY 44-34 09/08/1979 KOC A Wimbledon v Cradley 54-53 11/08/1979 DWT H CRADLEY v WOLVES 50-28 12/08/1979 DWT A Wolves v Cradley 39-39 17/08/1979 BL A Kings Lynn v Cradley RAINED OFF 18/08/1979 BL H CRADLEY v WIMBLEDON 14-10 - RAINED OFF - 14-10 22/08/1979 INTER H ENGLAND v AUSTRALASIA 72-36 25/08/1979 BL H CRADLEY v KINGS LYNN 49-29 27/08/1979 BL H CRADLEY v SWINDON 50-28 31/08/1979 ILCH A Workington v Cradley 32-46 01/09/1979 PAIRS H BADGE OF COURAGE B.PENHALL/B.SCHWARTZ 04/09/1979 BL A Leicester v Cradley 41-37 08/09/1979 BL H CRADLEY v IPSWICH 52-26 10/09/1979 KOC H CRADLEY v WIMBLEDON 78-29 13/09/1979 BL A Wimbledon v Cradley 36-42 15/09/1979 ILKOCQF H CRADLEY v EXETER 49-29 21/09/1979 KOC A Wolves v Cradley 52-56 22/09/1979 BL H CRADLEY v WIMBLEDON 57-21 24/09/1979 KOC H CRADLEY v WOLVES 71-37 26/09/1979 BL A Hull v Cradley 41-37 29/09/1979 BL H CRADLEY v LEICESTER 53-24 30/09/1979 4TT A Stoke v Cradley v Belle Vue v Ellesmere Port 17-31-37-11 01/10/1979 ILKOCSF H CRADLEY v HULL 50-27 03/10/1979 BL A Kings Lynn v Cradley 47-31 05/10/1979 BL A Hackney v Cradley 37-41 06/10/1979 KOC H CRADLEY v HALIFAX 43-23 - RAINED OFF after 11 heats 07/10/1979 KOCSF A Halifax v Cradley 49-59 10/10/1979 ILCH A Nottingham v Cradley RAINED OFF 11/10/1979 ILCH A Oxford v Cradley 36-42 13/10/1979 BL H CRADLEY v EXETER RAINED OFF 15/10/1979 KOCF H CRADLEY v HULL 62-45 17/10/1979 KOCF A Hull v Cradley 19-23 - RAINED OFF 19/10/1979 BL A Wolves v Cradley RAINED OFF 21/10/1979 PAIRS A Oxford - Northern Sports Pairs / Pip Lamb Benefit B.PENHALL/B.SCHWARTZ - G.Hunter/M.Handley 22/10/1979 ILKOCF H CRADLEY v KINGS LYNN 43-35 24/10/1979 ILKOCF A Kings Lynn v Cradley 36-42 25/10/1979 BL A Swindon v Cradley 40-38 26/10/1979 BL A Wolves v Cradley 33-45 27/10/1979 BL H CRADLEY v EXETER 57-21 28/10/1979 4TT A Ellesmere Port v Yorkshire v Belle Vue v Cradley 42-22-17-15 29/10/1979 BL H CRADLEY v HALIFAX 64-14 30/10/1979 ILCH A Nottingham v Cradley RAINED OFF 31/10/1979 KOCF A Hull v Cradley 50-58 03/11/1979 PAIRS H CRADLEY - NIGEL WASLEY MEMORIAL TROPHY RAINED OFF 04/11/1979 CH A Boston v Cradley 58.5-57.5/2-2 10/11/1979 PAIRS H NIGEL WASLEY MEMORIAL GRAH/TERRO & FLAT/SPINK Differences I could see: 13/4/79 4TT 5/5/79 Individual 24/6/79 - conflicting 4TT info 13/10/79 or 15/10/79 - I will need to check on that, different date and result for KOC Final 4/11/79 - challenge at Boston?

That's quite true! Indeed, the full contents of your posts in this thread have at least put your 'review' into some further context and I feel rather better about the criticism now

Yikes! I can't compete with those kind of arguments. We must be working on some different logic. I'm going to 'do a Penhall' and quit on this debate!

I think this is well covered. Bruce felt that he had already reached the very top of the sport. His dream was to become World Champion and he did it, twice. He had an offer to appear in what was a hugely successful TV series at the time and it was an offer which had enormous appeal to him. You are clearly entitled to your opinion, but I'm sure many powerboat fanatics would say similar things about speedway.

Just wanted to respond to a couple of points on here as the author of the Penhall book. When putting anything in print such as the publication of a book which is read by thousands of people, I knew I had to accept that there would be people that liked it and people that didnt, so I'll take the criticism along with the praise. I am fortunate enough to have been able to write the book and that such an overwhelming majority of feedback has been positive. I will always be proud of the achievement of everything to do with the book and what was involved. I also concede that I feel I could improve and do a better job now than when I first started writing it seven years ago. True, I am a Bruce Penhall fan and that comes across, perhaps too strongly, in the book. I never set out or wanted it to be controversial and perhaps for that reason it lacked an edge that some people would have liked. I know I am probably never going to change the opinion of people who disliked Bruce already or disapproved of the things that he did. Harsh to criticise though in my opinion, that he chose to follow other careers, pursuits and potential achievements. Not really his fault what happened to speedway afterwards either! He had the opportunities to experience life in Hollywood, in powerboat racing (world champion again), in other glamorous businesses and was able to do things that most of us will never have the chance to do. I'd have less respect if he turned those opportunities down. I doubt however that there will be many who agree with 'dirt' that he did 'more to damage the sport than good'! In researching, I spoke to many other people who knew or worked with Bruce including managers, team-mates and rivals. I can honestly say - regardless of my own opinion - that during that process there was hardly a bad word to say about him. Some misconceptions to correct though: I started researching and writing the book first of all, and as it progressed I contacted Bruce and asked for his blessing and his help. He was exceptionally accommodating and we had many transatlantic phone calls (at 6am Californian time) where he shared his memories of the events I was researching and writing about. He was not looking for someone to write a book about him, it was something that I had endeavoured to do and there is nothing stopping someone else doing the same in the future, with or without Bruce's help or endorsement. He read the book before it was printed, but accepted it was a biography and not an autobiography. He never asked for, or received 'a cut of the proceeds'. It was one of the earlier efforts of the Speedway Books revolution under Tempus, and maybe I was naive in wanting to see the book through to print so accepted whatever was offered. The publishers made far more money than anyone out of the book. It remains a record of Bruce's achievements, albeit from the point of view of a Cradley fan and a Penhall fan. For those that didn't know him or see him ride, and for those that remember his era, there are lots of stories and details about what he did on and off track. Thanks, Steve.

Are there any old Odsal supporters or historians who can share any info on the late Dudley Marchant? Did he manage any other clubs apart from Odsal and Cradley Heath?

Dan McCormick wasn't much for a night off! I would like to compare lists with you if possible. I have an equally sad record of meeting details and have a measly 99 entries for the 1979 season

I note that Plymouth's acceptance into the PL comes with the carefully added clause of being subject to an inspection of track and facilities. Could this be enough to turn down their application? As for Coventry and Peterborough I am merely offering wild speculation and would still be surprised to see either in the NL. We heard lots about Sittingbourne getting permission for next year but nothing recently about them being in any league, so thought NL may be the only possibility for 2011. I would hope these are definites, to make eight. Two more from the other possibles would be great to get up to ten. Buxton Dudley Isle of Wight Kings Lynn Newport Rye House Scunthorpe Stoke

So what about, for my pure indulgence... Buxton Coventry Dudley Isle of Wight Kings Lynn Mildenhall Newport Peterborough Plymouth Rye House Scunthorpe Sittingbourne Stoke Looks good to me! You can keep your boring loss-making Elite League

Surely a rider in his first season can still be counted as being 'improved'. We are talking about progress during the season. Whatever the starting point in April - whether it was rookie, 2nd year of racing or whatever - these are the riders who by the end of the season have shown the most improvement. To discount the likes of Tom Perry, Steve Worrall, Ashley Birks etc is daft in my opinion. They are very much contenders for the honour.