Terrace Grumbler

Serious question about TJ - I ve only seen him at Newcastle and Berwick and unless my memory is failing me I don't think I've ever seen him tear the track up; certainly not at Brough. Is it just that he can't get on with the track st Newcastle? I wish him well - certainly he mustn't become a latter-day Claus Kristensen.

I thoroughly enjoyed tonight- two competitive teams, a well-prepared track, a big crowd and and decent weather. I can't ask for much more on a Sunday evening! Seb Alden reminds me of Robert "the mobile chicane" Eriksson. I was very impressed by Liam Carr, and surely we'll see Theo P in a Diamonds race jacket one day.

What excellent news (disregarding BV for a mo) - EWR here we come!

We'll await confirmation of the Newcastle team before deciding whether to go. In my book it' may not be worthwhile driving several hours and then paying to eatch a Diamonds select. I may be getting jaundiced with my advancing years but the programme of junior racing afterwards doesn't have much attraction either. I'm not sure why because I used to love "stars of tomorrow "-style events.

Interesting signing - VP was always overpriced on a 7pt average but we may be getting him at just the right time, when he has seen the PL tracks once or twice and knows the ropes in this country. I certainly hope so! A big shame for Tero though. I was really impressed by him at the end of last season, especially when he saved us from indignity at the Fours final. Hopefully he'll come back stronger and I'd like to think we'll see him in Diamonds Colours again.

Er, Boxall, surely not! Katajisto might help with flattening out the third bend hole, but not much else. Is Pepe still riding speedway?

Decent meeting tonight if not quite at the level of Roy's hyperbole...I'll not forget Christian as long as we have Matej who if anything is even less of a passer than the Boomerang was(n't) Does "scouring Europe" mean An-ton Ro-Sen? I think it maybe time to look elsewhere. Anyone got an inside track on this?

I'm not sure Rosen for anyone would be a good move. I hope we don't have to make a switch but if we did, Andre would get my vote. Will Lawson was one of the most colourless riders I have seen and I wouldn't be in favour of his coming back even if he wanted to (which, from his interview this afternoon, I wouldn't be sure about anyhow. Tero for me all day if he is fit. I'm not sure Rosen for anyone would be a good move. I hope we don't have to make a switch but if we did, Andre would get my vote. Will Lawson was one of the most colourless riders I have seen and I wouldn't be in favour of his coming back even if he wanted to (which, from his interview this afternoon, I wouldn't be sure about anyhow. Tero for me all day if he is fit.

I very much hope Christian enjoyed his afternoon as much as we did. It was good to be reminded of what a cracking rider he was, and we spent some time reminding ourselves of the season when he was our #1. It was also heartwarming tosser the legends again: they all have a place in Diamonds' supporters memories. What we could not do however is name all the riders on the team photo in the photo gallery in the programme (the one with CH on the bike). In particular, who is in the no. 3 race jacket? While there may have been a heartwarming tosser or two on the terraces his afternoon I'm blaming auto spell correction and needless to say I meant to say "heartwarming to see". Sorry!

Well, I have persuaded my boys to come from London and Leeds for the day to see this - it will be brilliant to see these guys on track again and I just hope Christian gets good weather and a bumper crowd.

...is the right answer. Good luck to you all.

I was sorry to read in the SS that Daryl has sold up. His heart has always been in the right place and it's a pity his Elite League dreams of many years ago didn't come off. Nicki, Bjarne and Kenneth, what a heat leader trio that would have been. Do we have a new co-owner and if so who? I understand Ruffdiamond is loaded, and my money is on him unless Tsunami is making a shock return, of course. Anyway, thanks Daryl, much appreciated.

Well done to George and the other members of the promotion - this looks like the best team we have had in years and fitness permitting we should have the chance of a good run in all competitions.

He reminds me of Peper Franc. I hope we sign him. Most successful sided have an out-and-out gather. I just wish we could sign Robert Rooks son in his prime - now there was a class gating #1

Yup, all the best everybody. I'm standing on Durham station at the moment, it's cold enough for snow and Santa has just told us he'll be riding at #4 for Glasgow next season (only they could afford his signing on fee, apparently).

Ty Proctor would be an excellent signing: if anyone can get him back to where he was a few years ago, George can. I remember a few meetings at BP when he was Redcar's no. 1 when he was dominant and looked as though his future was at world level. Are his work permit issues behind him now?

Good question Daniel, I'd like to know too

Seems about right. We've forked out. I don't want too much - a season running from 6 March to 30 October would appear to be reasonable (!)

Season ticket wise, I cant get the links on the "Contact" page of the Club website to work, so if anyone can answer a couple of dim questions I would be very grateful...if a child under 16 and does a full time student qualify for a concession (#2 son is away at University but will be back at Easter and I the summer and likes the idea of having a season ticket - if he counts as a concession I 'll get him one, if not I 'll pa o the gate for him while he is here).

Howarth's a proper racer, I would like to see him in our colours. Has Wilko signed anywhere yet?

You are quite right and I stand corrected - thank you!

If only in the interests of having new faces in the team, and of putting up a decent show on larger tracks, I would be happy with Kus. Don't all the young Danes go straight into the EL now? Another Nicki, Bjarne, Kenneth or Rene would be great but I haven't forgotten Rene Knudsen yet.

What is that sound I hear? Ah yes, it's the noise made by the rearrangement of the deckchairs on the poop deck of the RMS Titanic...it doesn't matter where the pits are, or the two minute clock, if the product isn't good or well-promoted enough.

Sadly I think Christian may have had too many injuries now. However, may I just say, in case @ The White Knight hasn't realised the extent of the groundswell of support for this, that the return of Ludwig is essential.

Roy is the best presenter I can remember at Newcastle - he is very good indeed. Against that background, what I'm saying is that at the match in question he gilded the lily - it was clear to everyone there that it was a no-contest but he (perhaps bravely) kept on as if it were a nail biter; the problem was the same as when Sky football commentators describe a dull goalless draw as if it were the 1966 World Cup final - everyone could see that it's just hyperbole, and in that - one - instance I think that only Roy was, or was pretending to be, excited. My (entirely tongue in cheek) question was how he had the chutzpah to do it...