smod

I see Glasgow's new bosses have closed down two old-established supporters groups and instigated a new one to who they appointed their own committee. Yet no-one seems to be complaining. Berwick aren't doing that, they've just created a new VIP level which offers people a chance to join in, and get benefits, if they want to.

Not exactly. He dropped his scoring for Wolves to get an average which allowed him to join a PL club. Glasgow then dropped their collective team averages (all on one night at Armadale!) to accomodate him.

Very interesting story written by Andrew Skeels in the current issue of "Backtrack" magazine, about how Glasgow Tigers were saved from extinction and totally revitalised in 1988. In view of the current efforts by the new owners to "do it again" in 2015, this might be required reading for quite a number of people.

I am quoting a senior, trusted source at Redcar. Summers fee agreed as £16,000, plus VAT. Which is £19,200. Deal was agreed within hours of the visa crisis breaking last month.

I suppose the burning question is, for how much? Workington paid £11K to Glasgow for Mason Campton. Glasgow have already paid £19K to get Aaron Summers. So what price Richard Lawson?

Doesn't matter either way. Berwick's certificate of employer status was cancelled along with all the other clubs, and their choice is clearly not to risk his not being granted a visa in time for the new season. Since we're on the subject of manning-up -- are you now going to admit you're relieved Bunyan is off the menu up there?

Redcar sources tell me Glasgow have paid £19K -- that'll be £16K plus VAT -- for the deal. Too much? Discuss.

He's OK, and fits the Berwick average needs. Still only late twenties, so not "over the hill" just yet. The reservation for any club signing him would be the need for his missing meetings to contest French national and European speedway requirements, to say nothing of grass or long-tracking, if he still does these regimes at higher level. Popular at Ipswich while there, and not too bad a shout for Bandits, given 100% attendance.

Didn't the BSPA reject signings (Ryan Douglas maybe, certainly a handful at Glasgow) and the clubs appealed, got the original BSPA decisions over-ruled?

That'll be due to Wednesday's revelations. Tigers will have panicked a bit in case they were left short-handed, so they've blinked first, and Havvy cleared the table. What price someone like Kauko Niemenin coming in now, replacing Kozza?

But only if BNP aren't standing in their constituency.

Isn't it the case the authorities have no interest in a rider's average if he meets certain requirements (state or national title, etc) but that they require he should maintain his entry standard before any renewal after a couple of seasons? The 5, up to 7 at AGM, back to 5 afterwards, now still currently under discussion, etc, all stemmed from BSPA MC moving goalposts all over the pitch this winter. Had Edinburgh (only for instance) wanted to bring in Max Fricke, Aaron Fox or whoever this year rather than 2013 or 2014, would there have been all this fuss?

Fixtures aren't on our website either, but if you are really, really desperate to know, all clubs' schedules are on BSPA (Speedway GB) website.

34 next month. Another journeyman foreigner with his best days probably behind him. Most clubs will definately benefit from having one such rider to pass on experience, etc, but at Berwick you already have Kevin Doolan to fill that slot. You surely wouldn't want another. Talk of such riders at various tracks, not just Berwick this winter (Pijper, Harrison, Bunyan, Compton and the like) is depressing for supporters at every club, who must prefer to see younger, perhaps less-predictable signings, especially if they might become club assets.

Yes. No.

In 2015, young Castagna will be almost-certainly engaged in World and European senior U-21 team and individual events, plus various other national Italian meetings. How many "Saturdays off" would that entail? Whatever the advantages (gaining a club asset, keeping in his daddy's good books and any points the lad would score) may be, the regular absence of a rider who would only be compensated by r/r (unless he's not even good enough to be in the 1-5, which makes signing him pointless in the first place) on the occasions that a facility would even be available, makes Paco an unlikely target for the Banditos. Berwick seem to be doing the right thing, waiting on a definative ruling on the Australian's average from the meeting between BSPA and visa people (when?) while presumably holding a few other cards close to their chest in case the end-result goes against them.

Glasgow offered £12K and, as you say were turned down. Redcar are asking for £25K. The deal is done, Aaron Summers is a Tiger and the transfer fee will be decided by arbitration. Presumably somewhere between £12 and £25K.

Well, you'll know. But if they don't, it's disappointing. Lacks integrity from a club that is respected for that very quality.

It's Aaron Summers. Only the fee is in dispute.

S.A. Title event, perchance?

Aaron Summers submitted a proper transfer request to Redcar some time ago. Glasgow have agreed his terms, and can have him. The fee will be decided by arbitration, presumably at a figure somewhere between their valuation and Redcar's £25K.

Surely Aaron Summers, with the only delay an argument with Redcar over the amount of the transfer fee?

Do you mean he won a World Title while riding as a Bandit, or a rider who at one time rode for Berwick but won his World title years earler or later?

A ridiculous post. Tell that to the good citizens of Wimbledon, Hull, Oxford, Exeter, Bristol, Sunderland or Ellesmere Port.

Except Theo is 35, Rusty is 33 (although both are admittedly younger than your hero Bunyan at 36) when season starts. Jorgensen is 22, Jake Allen 19 (and will be an asset to the club). Time and tide.