Terrace Grumbler

Time to move on. I'm heading for the STMP.

I haven't been to a speedway meeting since Newcastle closed, and thoroughly enjoyed this evening. Big thanks to the Redcar promotion for putting on the fixture, and assembling such a decent Newcastle team. The track came to the riders and in the second half of the meeting we saw some good racing. Also, the meeting was done in 80 minutes, which was great and a credit to all concerned. I haven't read a copy of the SStar since last summer either, so don't know how the Bears team compares with other sides in the Championship but you certainly have a top class trio of heat leaders: I wish the team every success and will certainly be back. It might take quite a lot to restore my faith in speedway but this evening was a very good start.

Helpful comment, that. I'll keep it in mind.

Thanks Steve, I do have dim memories of this, and I'm sure you're right. That said I'm not sure that rule would stick now, in the present climate... and weren't Poole allowed to run an NL team under the Bournemouth name? I wouldn't be precious about a name, anyway. The name (say) North East Diamonds and the white on black diamond body colour would do for me.

Much as I would like to, I can't see a supporters' consortium having the expertise (no offence intended, I include myself here), the time or the money to set up a track or take a lease at Brough Park, were one to be available. Also, the scope for disagreement would be endless* My thoughts are that it might be worth thinking about the possibility a third-tier team along the lines of what the late Nigel Pearson was instrumental in setting up whereby a team ran at Wolves and Birmingham under the Cradley Heath name. I don't know if there are free dates at the STMP/Arena to allow a league programme or whether there would be any support for such an idea anyway. TG * eg Bartosz or Tai at #1

If South Gosforth Club is convenient (handy for Metro if nothing else) I could ask about using the Concert Room there.

I assume we'll get hoyed off the Championship page now the season is ending. However It would be good to have somewhere to exchange views... memories are fine but a "memories night" sounded a bit final. If anyone fancies a couple of beers to talk about how things stand (even if it results in acknowledging the inevitable) I'm sure we can work something out.

Presumably the meetings will be at weekends during daylight hours... if so that couldn't be much easier for travelling.

No, thanks.

You think this is funny? Plank.

Nor did I, really. I don't think there is much to say on here at the moment and I think I'll give the whole kit & caboodle a miss from now on.

Oh, I see now.

Ruff, what are you on about, man? Nice weather today... hope it encourages the turnout.

We'll go along to see Scott Nicholls. I'm delighted to see Oxford back, I haven't been to a match there since the 1980s, Hans Nielsen and Simon Wigg, great days. If it's a staycation this year, we might take in a visit to Sandy Lane.

Especially in the circumstances of the present rider shortage, this analysis is spot on. As regards Newcastle, there have been decent crowds so far but also healthy away followings from Redcar and Edinburgh within them. Given that it became all too plain last season that the hard core support (the "through thick and thin" brigade) is not enough to keep the club's head above water, as I see it if there is any doubt about BWD's long term fitness and/or commitment and that GC will start to at least beat opposing reserves at home, then - funds permitting - hard decisions should be considered, and sooner rather than later, to give the team a better chance of achieving the home wins that might attract the less committed among the supporter base.