Terrace Grumbler

Has anyone got any details about season tickets? The only links on the tickets part of the website are to a Bach oratorio and a school reunion... Thanks.

I have no issues with the team to date. Depending on the young New Zealander 's average if the final rider were Kyle Newman or Richie Worrall I think we would win most home meetings and that's what principally counts. When (a while ago now) most years we had a team that was competitive, young overseas riders were given extended runs in the team and noone complained much. I have a great deal of sympathy with Archie Freeman, his parents and sponsors (and @Tsunami who I know has put a lot of time and effort in) but ultimately - as was made very clear to all supporters last season - this is a business. I have never run a speedway club and have not seen the break-even figures for Newcastle but from experience in running other businesses the first consideration when times are tough has to be to keep the ship afloat and that can mean taking hard decisions.

I'm very happy with these signings, really good work by the promotion. I've no doubt that BWD can be the best no. 1 we've had for a while, and I'm sure GC will get plenty of support. It may be that we will also have a young English rider, and in any event speedway in NZ needs to be supported. Those old enough will remember the time when Ivan Mauger and Barry Briggs rode for England and we shouldn't be backward in offering our help to the Kiwis when they need it. Even if they do beat us at cricket.

Where's @Dandelion? If we're talking about next year's team, she's the girl for the job!

I think an informal celebratory social at South Gosforth club would be a good idea. They serve a belting pint of Moretti (although I see THJ's on the San Miguel just now).

Brilliant, brilliant news. An immense vote of thanks from us Diamonds supporters to young Mr. Grant is called for, I think. What a cracking start to the weekend!

Fair play to you and I apologise. TG

I understand how you feel but if there is to be a team in 2022 they are the people who would have to be persuaded to come back regularly, so there's no mileage in slagging them off - it's a bit like the Prodigal Son. I am however about to make an exception to this rule... The crowd was made up of speedway supporters... I hope you've enjoyed your evening, RBFC... walk the dog, a couple of cans and watch Call The Midwife? Better than being on the terrace at Brough Park, eh?

Are we allowed a facility for Barker?

Awful news about Dave Tattum, RIP. I will keep my views on Barker to myself.

This 100%.

Wtf you on about, Ruff?

In a word, yes. TG

Tell you what, everybody. We may have months and years to rue closure. But let's start only when the season is actually over and as and when we may find there won't be a takeover. Me, I'm looking forward to Sunday and hopefully the chance to say thank you to young Mr. Grant. After that? Who knows, but let's wait and see what happens. I'm not giving this up yet.

Statler & Waldorf have got that gig in their pocket for the foreseeable. Not a patch on Millard or Lanning though. And I thought Sam might be more insightful than he has been to date. Peter Adams would be the man for that job.

I haven't been to Cambois for years but as I recall one of the problems would be that there is nowhere on the site for the supporters to watch from, except for a few round the track itself. Also there may have been an issue with disturbing a toad habitat. City stadium would be brilliant: it was half built for a Newcastle Commonwealth Games bid which failed. However it is surrounded by housing and I would think planning would be very problematic.

Gypsies Green stadium in South Shields is unused and looks almost derelict to me. It has or had a velodrome in it so might be the right size? I don't know who owns it - the Council? Outside Newcastle but good access through the Tunnel, and catchment area includes Wearside.

Come on Pinny man, you couldn't see the back straight. On the subject of weather-related call offs, at around the same time we were on holiday in the old country and tipped up at Somerton Park on a sunny and hot afternoon to see (as we thought) Newport take on Berwick. In fact the match had been called off the previous day because (if I recall) the track was waterlogged but no-one had told Michal Makovsky who was sitting outside the stadium by his van. Lovely fella, he tried (but failed) to get us to transfer our allegiance to the Bandits. Happy days...

What a sad day. Nobody could have done more than Rob Grant has; he has had a thankless task which - as it appears - may not have been made easier by various authorities. So thank you again Rob; and at the end of the season we Brough Park faithful will join the supporters of the increasing number of ghost clubs. It's a great pity but it seems that it's the sad reality.

On Sunday Barry said not. Next home meeting 12 September, if I remember right.

Dead right. Our friend should grow up. I hope we put on something of a show, both as a Diamonds supporter and for the sake of the, er, good natured bumper sun-soaked holiday crowd ((c) S Shovlar 2021) Oh, and for our own Dandelion ;-)

That's a very fair preview.

How much difference do you think he would have made? (No offence to TB intended!)

Oh, on a number of levels. (For example, he is still a very good gater).

Oh, on a number of levels. (He's still a very good gater, for example).