Sings4Speedway

The difference being that Poland clubs take an interest in the development of the riders that will fill the junior positions much earlier. They help them along with team places in the lower divisions, make them feel part of the club and have an active role in their development. Barring the twins who else has received that level of assistance in the UK over the past 10 years? Many promotors won't know who half the riders are on the list and yet we will soon be reading all the press releases about how they cannot wait to help continue their development.

it never rains ....

In days gone by riders learnt on 2nd hand bike and in 2nd hand kit, now many juniors turn up on new gear with personalised covers, guards and kevlars. Try telling them or their parents that they need to chuck it up the track a few times as part of the learning exercise.

Hopefully opted out and is going to make it his own way. No Connor Bailey either, Alfie Bowtell & Jack Thomas look to be the other likely decliners and if so good for them.

I cannot echo and agree with the above statements enough. Ive always felt the best approach is to get places dependant on merit rather than x criteria, ultimately if you are good enough you are in. If you cannot achieve the required level at a lower league why should you deserve a chance to move up. Like many i can see so many flaws in the new system not least that better riders could and likely will miss out on places due to complex team building restrictions all the while lesser riders will have the confidence beaten out of them being the whipping boys. When was the last time you saw a rider with no mechanical issues or falls lapped.....

With the greatest of respect its just a tombola of names ranging from those not old enough to retired riders and just about everything in between. My only hope is that PL is restricted to 3&4 star graded riders and once it kicks properly next season CL sides have to add up to 4 stars in total ( so 2+2 or 3+1) otherwise the gap in standard is going to be huge. Not knocking but some riders haven't even completed a decent season in the NDL yet (and some have had several seasons at trying to) so the fact that there is even a chance of them heading into the "professional" leagues is more than a bit concerning.

Oh sorry that seems a touch optimistic given its still sledging season

Perhaps thats the bit we are all missing....its a five year plan but only applies to one match a year....

Whilst slightly off the topic i think the above also illustrates the tremendous reactions shown by some in avoiding accidents and laying the bike down, over the years i have seen some tremendous feats of this underrated skill and big injuries prevented. Sadly in contrast i have seen riders travel significant distances and still collide with a fallen rider. It still slightly baffles me that we operate in a sport where big throttle use is often the only requirement for entry and safety/ability is not always the over riding requirement.

I agree its a stretch but there are just about that many riders knocking about. I would say 10is riders who competed in the development leagues are on the cusp of being able to step up a level and are competent enough to do so in ability and safety, there are probably the same number of riders who didn't get team places for various reasons. That said it will leave injury cover very light and if there is no cap at the top end the disparity between riders could be quite large. The league has had 10/11 teams before and currently the SGB website lists only 6.

I can't argue that another Northern side would assist the league and the teams involved, always good to have little local rivalry. Buxton, Sheffield, Scunthorpe and Kings Lynn would all be useful additions to the league and provide some derbies for closer rivals.

They couldn't possibly have done that could they? After crushing all the nomad sides and forcing good honest people out of the sport. Would make good sense. Still have some loyal NDL fans, would offer extra local derbies against Kent in two divisions and a great chance to keep developing riders ready for the next 5 years (cough cough) of rising star program.

Personally i find Danyon one of the nicest and most genuine people in speedway, thats probably why he hasn't had a decent chance somewhere, for reasons unknown those are a bit of a hole tend to get chances open up for them.

Should have been given a crack first time round.

ah yes from the person who stated the AGM had already been held. Interest from "several" Prem & Champs clubs to enter sides is encouraging (providing they actually know and care about running a 2nd team). As ever with the shockingly late NDL meetings there is limited time to prepare or complete team building before the "May start date" if the rules & entrants are even decided at the first meeting. One of the few good things about British speedway is the National League and if it is spoilt by those in higher tiers wanting it run their way such as 4 man teams run as second halves and double headers for the standalone clubs then a lot of what is good in the sport will be lost forever.

Plymouth as a promotion have every right to do what they think is best for the club. However i still feel sorry for the NL riders who are now left out, difficult phone calls have been made this week so i would say there has been a fair level of expectation from some that they were still required.

Makes sense. There are positives too as the number of options to consider is fewer so less time deciding, riders out of work at present should be more grateful for the opportunity and not ask for silly sums otherwise they risk being left on the fringes for the the upcoming season. Its just a case of picking the decent gaters out of who is leftover and keeping fingers crossed for some home results

Only the reserves look any value there and the engine room is shocking Agertoft? Really?

Charming reply bet the CL section can't wait to have you back. Riders were signed and announced for the 2020 season and most have rolled over to this year. I wish Plymouth and the promotion all the success in the CL but barring IOW i question how many will genuinely miss the treks to Plymouth.

Feel very sorry for the Plymouth riders who were signed up and have spent out ready for the approaching season. I hope all the fans who called for "superior" CL racing actually attend. Personally Plymouth have dipped in and out of the NL when it suits them and only them. I just hope for all involved theybwont be back.

No hints or updates how this will affect the NL side. No mention at all actually which is ominous

Barry isn't one for spin or skulduggery. If there was a NDL AGM he would have been invited, if he wasn't then A others would have told him it was happening and B if the IOW team are being excluded from it then count me out of anything to do with the sport in the future. These are the people who might give it a chance of having a few glory days once again, shutting them down because they possess a little vision is as unlikely as it is ludicrous

In the grand scheme of things in speedway signings one race suit is a drop in the ocean. There is a lot wrong with the decision making at PL level if a set of Kevlars is the deciding factor.

Clever business by Anders although i can't see the wage limits being stuck too or Kemp being happy getting significantly less. Fortunately there are plenty of ways round it. Strong side for the Witches once again.

Only in Speedway can there be calls for youth development and calls against the weakening of the leagues and a plan is put in place to make a right fist of both. One of the best ruling implemented for years was the minimum standard required to be a PL rider. Why is that not being used as a benchmark here? Riders who have achieved a NL average of 6+ for example are eligible for a CL place, then continue with the minimum 4.5 average to become a PL rider. Its been seen time and time again recently where teams build with 6 string riders and the cheapest 7 available gets thrown to the wolves, takes the minimum 3 rides and has their confidence hammered. Im all for British riders getting chances and creating opportunities but only for those who have earnt the right and are proving they can make the grade. Filling teams with riders just because they are cheap, local, compliant is not going to benefit them or the sport in any way.