Teromaafan

Fair enough. Care to expand on why it would be a non starter? A team’s weakest rider having withdrawn through injury before heat 15 is an obvious flaw I suppose.

How about riders in heat 15 being nominated by opposing team managers? Could end up being a repeat of heat 2, but league speedway is supposed to be a team sport and it might encourage more balanced team building with strength in depth. Before anyone asks, no, I haven’t thought this through!

So he’s world class and is in such demand that he has an empty calendar?

I'd like to think you are right but, I'm becoming less optimistic about getting a big hitter at 5. More than two points needs to be shaved off last year's team average total and reading all the forum posts, I'm starting to accept that Howarth could be just be a swap for Lawson or Douglas.

So we’re now arguing about which club has the fattest supporters. It’s going to be a long winter😆

Regardless of who he signs for, he will have ridden for everyone before the season is done.

You can probably add heats 2, 4 & 8 to that as well.

That team wins the league for me.

Happy to have Kyle back, never gives less than 100% ever and as you say, a steal on his average (5.05 with Brit reduction).

No thanks, unless we have to shoe horn one of them in to accommodate a big hitter at 5. Would Dickson want Richie back after letting him down a couple of seasons ago?

You haven’t ‘corrected’ anything because you haven’t presented facts (not that I’m requesting you to do so). Whilst this ‘I know something you don’t’ approach might not sit well with me, I do however appreciate your apparent efforts and enthusiasm to make our club sustainable. Believe it or not, I’m on your side!

My post was a harmless and not unreasonable assumption based on the club’s statement. No, I do not have access to the facts (neither do 99% of posts on this forum) but it’s a shame that you have taken the matter personally and bitterness has spilled over. Let’s move on and look forward to next season.

Doesn't state what? Pidcock's sponsorship worth? of course it doesn't! and yes the club's statement would obviously suggest that they are financially sound (thankfully). Don't see your point.

The Lion’s web site states that the situation with Pidcock Motocycles does not affect the running of the club or its plans for next season. Suggests that their sponsorship worth wasn’t that great.

Hope you’re right. The more balanced strategy didn’t quite work this season, so a different approach next year? An 8+ rider at No.5 and an experienced No.6 please. If Hagon starts being beaten by his opposite No. at home I can’t see him lasting more than half a dozen matches, even though there appear to be no obvious replacements for that position.

Just Googled it. They went into administration yesterday.

Match day bar and drug dealers will no longer be allowed in the pits as of next season. Sorted.

Polish speedway? We’re talking about the UK here. Adopting the Poles approach ain’t the answer if the riders are not out there. The Poles have continually produced riders who improve because they are being attracted in to the sport which appears to be well run over there. Don’t tell me that the meteoric rise of Lambert and Bewley is down to British Speedway nurturing. These are riders are where they are through ability and determination to succeed where ever opportunities arise. The nearest we have to these guys is Tom Brennan (Woffy is on the countdown now). There is a big gap after Tom for the foreseeable.

Just taking stock of this whole RS thing. Trying to promote young British talent is just masking the fact that the sport in this country has failed to attract interest and sponsorship on a national scale for some time. Promoting the sport does not just attract spectators but has a knock affect for potential riders wanting to take up the sport. The RS system and protected heats (in the football world would equate to not allowed to tackle this player….come on!) reflect poorly from the outside for the top tier of this professional sport. The powers that be are kidding nobody. If the No.7s aren’t up to it, they should be competing at a lower level until they are ready (if ever) to compete. I’m all for giving youth a chance in any sport, but it if this RS system continues in this format, a few riders could decide to call it a day if their confidence is continually knocked through performances due to the positions they are put in. If there aren’t enough competitive riders to go round adopt 6 man teams? I took time out from speedway after the Lions demise in the early 80’s but always look back on the young talents of that era who weren’t wrapped in cotton wool and succeeded because of their ability. Michael Lee is the best example I can think of.

If he could bang in a few point’s I’m sure we could all absorb the shock😉

Bargain! Tickets still available range from £160 to £800. Had me running to the hills when I saw that!

Sorry to hijack the pension discussions but this topic is about the cost of attending speedway meetings. For a professional (don’t laugh) sport admission costs are not unreasonable compared with other sports. Should you wish to spend your disposable income on live music as an alternative, you could sacrifice your speedway season ticket and pay to watch a rock or pop band perform a one off gig at a stadium for a couple of hours. Life is expensive in case some people aren’t aware.

Would love Sedge back. His average with Brum was 4.79. If he could ride at 6 it would be great, but that would have a knock on affect on the middle order if the plans are to bring in an 8+ rider. If the new points limit is 39, the Lions would have to lose just over 3 points (excluding British reductions for team building) from this years team.

Quite right, sorry, was thinking of Joe!

Wouldn’t rule it out. If Hagon struggles to beat the opposing RS at home, he just might get another chance.