Steve Ribbons

Robs worst mistake is to be on this forum at all, I remember Irs123 berating me about Wimbledon when he is in Hamberg, Hanover Berlin or wherever and is obviously a regular attendee and long term sponsor... sorry no, that's factually incorrect like most of the post on here! All you cyber warriors have big balls behind a keyboard, but nothing when it comes to real life! for example, -I gave a detailed explanation of what went on at plough lane including telling everyone that my former partner was a crook ... (since proved) and got castigated for it by people who were not even there! including from the moderators who had been threatened with Legal action! Anyway, that's why life is too short to waste time, and the skin cells on the end of my fingers typing out words of one syllable so you pond life can understand what is being said! this is an intervention so Rob,... step away from the keyboard, do not go on this forum and find something positive to do with Life, the universe and everything instead of disappearing down this black hole!! I had a very interesting meeting yesterday with you- know- who and he/they told me (speedway) things which with make your eyebrows curl! if you promise not to conduct any more conversations with these anally retentive monkeys on here i will phone you tonight and let you in on it. .....let the bile now flow forth.... Steve.

SUPER, SUPER, SUPER KELV! With respect to the many talented and brave riders who have ever pulled on a Rye race jacket, for me, Mullarkey, Fiala, Garrad and Hubbard WERE Rye House, (Those team leathers)! .. and what a team, all our own boys week in week out! No guests, no foreigners,- all who came to the ‘house’ were put to the sword! Joe Owen, John Jackson, Dave Perks and Tom Owen, all the league’s ‘big beasts’ could not live with our happy bunch... ah yes, that was a team, THE team!... all for one and one for all! ...And Kelvin was an integral part of that. But two things later on in his Rye career stand out for me, In 1989, when Ronnie Russell’s team were up against it, he answered the call to cover for injuries, despite having not ridden for three or four years,- and came straight back into the team Ah! Those infadex leathers, those wide handlebars and that trademark style, - partnered at number two with Mel Taylor his first match was at home against Poole? despite a fall in one heat he finished that comeback match with a score of 8+1 (I think?) from five rides, but in his second ride he over took one of the Poole superstars (Craig Boyce?) to win the heat, as he crossed the line the guy behind me on the terrace threw down his programme and said “ Well, I’m not worried about the result if he (Kelvin) can still do things like that”!!! He finished the year with a very healthy near six point average and showed many flashes of his old self! Next year he was not used again but, as our regular luck would have it the team suffered with injuries once again and back he came, this time in an unfamiliar set of plain black leathers but still with the open face helmet and the monkey mask, but time and equipment had moved on and that year Kelvin did find things tough and struggled at reserve scoring twos and threes. BUT, one wet Wednesday evening we (Rye) pulled off a shock win 49-47 AT Wimbledon’s plough lane track. For those of us who were there the match was exciting due to the closeness of the score rather than the racing, Kelvin contributed his normal two or three pints from reserve but in a result like that, every point counts and, meeting him in the alley which doubled up as the pits at plough lane straight after the match his first words to me were “ we’ve never won here before!!” Beaming from ear to ear his two point total was not a problem because the Rye House team had won the match! What a team man, what loyalty! Kelvin, for you, Hero is too small a word! Steve Ribbons.

I apologise unreservedly speedguy, I've worked out it wasn't you who complained about my post, (edited again) Steve

It would seem that you were the one complaining..... and so the moderators have removed my post...you can dish it out but you obviously cant take it!!!!!!!!

Because you lot moan about 'no one promotes the sport anymore' I thought I'd be honest and tell everyone that I had planned to do something about it! But then you Slag me off!! What a sad and twisted individual you are.....are you a member of the BSPA???

Its now the day after the decision to exclude Mildenhall from the National League and I’ve found out some more regarding what went on in rugby. Kevin (Jolly) went to the meeting (at Peter Morrish’s request) and he and I had agreed to agree the conditions set beforehand and to get the BSPA to put into writing just what we were paying for. - and what benefits (assets) came with any proposed licence. Whilst waiting to go into the meeting he was told that Mildenhall had lost a secret vote to be admitted to the league. As to the finance of the promotion, which has been a matter of conjecture on this forum I say they (the BSPA) didn’t even ask me, in fact they haven’t asked me anything about Mildenhall! BUT, I will tell you, because I want you to get this straight, I did not go into this knowing I could not afford it. I have had two speedway’s taken off me before so did you think I was going to open up myself to that a third time? I have a business which turned over £238,000 last year and I have just sold a property so I have also £171,000 sitting in the bank. I say this not to look flash but just to put any doubts at rest; of course the BSPA wouldn’t know that because they wouldn’t speak to me!!! Some of the promotional ideas I had included in my plan were, - team race suits harking back to the old days with the tiger stripes and tassels,- a supporters loyalty card where you pay for the first ten meetings and then get one free entrance,- a rolling one and a half for half school giveaway where the child pays to get in but mummy or daddy (who pays the bills anyway) get in for nothing,- a 30 meter long banner round the top bend hanging on the acoustic fence saying “West Row – Home of the fen Tigers” (to drive home the message that we were back) - free team poster give away- free whistles give away- and free chequered flags give away, - a weekend tour of Denmark through Team Viking for the fen tigers- re-starting the Anglia junior league,- we had agreed to a tie up with Ipswich to become their feeder club,- and one I’m particularly proud off, - a “60 second mayhem” whereby if we got a 5-1 in heat 15 everybody could get chips and a free coke or two chips for one etc. (which would round off the meeting nicely!) So I was going to be very busy while Kevin (Jolly) got on with running the meeting properly So Iris 123, or Doug, its easy to sit behind a screen and criticise but try putting in some work and you’ll soon see how let down you feel when you’ve done all the work and then to be told no, with no reason or negotiation, it just smacks of pettiness and vindictiveness. I say all this without reservation because I know the facts to be true. As to Mildenhall speedway, I don’t know now as all my enthusiasm has washed away. Steve Ribbons.

NB Just had a phone call from Kevin at the AGM...they have now rejected Mildenhall’s application because of the "insecurity over the financial affairs of the promotion after last years closure caused an ‘exceptional workload for the girls in the office and the uncertainty over the stadium due to the ongoing court case” I say,- ask me about my finances and I will tell you and the court case is due to be heard next week…some three months before the start of the season!!!!!!

Statement from the proposed promoters of Mildenhall speedway. Speaking on behalf of his co-promoter Steven Ribbons issued the following statement. – It is with regret that I announce that Mildenhall speedway will not be competing in the 2011 National development league. Despite that the proposed promotion have applied in writing to the British Speedway Promoters Association for membership and asked for an invitation to the NL AGM held at Rugby on the 25th of January 2011 we have as yet received no such invitation in writing despite my consent telephone calls to the National League co-ordinator Mr Peter Morrish. I did however, receive a telephone call from Mr Morrish late on Thursday 20th telling me that no written invitation would be forthcoming. In that telephone call he told me that the Management committee had discussed Mildenhall’s entry into the League under my promotion and had decided on a number of conditions. I can at this time say exactly what those conditions are and that they included (in my opinion) an exorbitant amount of money and they (the BSPA) demanded payment for things which, I feel are not reasonable demands or that they have asked any other club for the same payments. The terms were – A £5,000 payment for ‘League membership’ A £5,000 payment for the ‘promotional rights’ A bond of £3,500. No promoter’s licence would be issued for me for one year although my business partner (who has no promotional experience) can have a licence straight away. I have no objection to the bond and I fully expected to pay this item anyway. However, I object to the ‘membership’ fee as no other club has been asked to pay such an item, also the promotional right are only an issue if transferring an existing operating speedway from one promoter to another. Clearly, this is not the case as the previous promotion at Mildenhall has closed and it is no NOT an operating speedway. With regard to the non-issuing of a promoters licence I can only say that this is a clear indication of these conditions being a personal issue. Remarks Mr Morrish has made to other parties, which have got back to me confirm this, and the fact that my co-promoter can have a licence straight away. My partner does not have a financial stake in this operation as I have fully funded everything. Yet, according to the BSPA rules, without a licence I would not be allowed to enter my own pit area during a meeting and they would not be obliged to speak to me on the telephone if I had a query! I’m sorry, but this is not acceptable, if I am the one paying the bills! I have had a promoters licence at both Rye House and Wimbledon and have never had it rescinded, suspended or revoked! I am not invited to the AGM but Kevin (jolly) is so I cannot put my side of the case. It is not as if I am embarking on this with my eyes shut. I know there is a lot of work to be done at Mildenhall and that there is the potential for losses to occur, on the other hand, there is the potential there to revive the fen tiger’s fortunes. With that in mind I approached the stadium owner Mr Dave Coventry with a comprehensive business plan. We have discussed that over a number of months, as you would no doubt see by the press reports over this winter. Mr Coventry decided that I had the best plan for the fen tigers and, it has to be said by that time I was in a race of one as the other interested parties had dropped out. I did not out-bid anyone, In fact I am paying less rent that the widely reported figure of £1300 per meeting and I had negotiated with Mr Coventry that we could hold Monday night practice sessions, which would give opportunity for youngsters and another income stream for the fen tigers. I had a sum of money put aside for and advertising budget as I did intend to leave the running of the meetings to my partner, as I would only be concerned with promoting the fen tigers. I have built up a small but successful transport company since I was last involved with speedway and I made the original approach to Mr Coventry because I did not want to see another speedway track close. (And, for that matter neither does Mr Coventry). I have been set completely unacceptable terms & conditions that are unique to my position and I am unable to take the matter of Mildenhall speedway any further forward under these conditions until I have had, or attempted to have, negotiations with the BSPA, as it would seem that at this moment, the BSPA have denied a third club a level playing field. I am genuinely sorry for those Mildenhall fans who’s hope’s have been raised by this and for those people who I have discussed my plans with who were really excited and were prepared to help. However, all this enthusiasm will go to waste due to the actions of the BSPA and their League co-ordinator. Steven A Ribbons

Good to point this out. But I know for a fact that Roger Cearns would not consider opening his new track in the third tier. It would be PL for the Kent side. I think you may find that the goal posts have shifted on this point Derek, ..well if you speak to Graham that is.......

"On Radio WMs' speedway forum last night Nigel Pearson revealed that Bournemouth will not run next season but that Mildenhall are expected to return". How does he know that? Its a very strong statement.

LFC1892, on 04 November 2010 - 03:22 PM, said: Will, how come the NL AGM isn't the same day as the EL & PL AGM ? Because Len Silver, Buster Chapman and all the others who have teams in the Prem and National league cant be at two meetings at once!

Yes thats me, tall, dark and bad tempered!

That’s one of only a few meetings I’ve been to this year, flew out of Stanstead at 7am Sunday was in Prestwick airport at 8.30 caught the train into the city centre by 9.20 and was in my hotel room at 9.30, fantastic, (I love it when a plan comes together!) was in the Ashifeld bar at 1.30 (cause the gates didn’t open till 3) and if the three lasses from Redcar who were in the bar were wondering why a strange man was listening in on their conversation its because it was me! Five lovely Jubberly pints of Budweiser later (they had it on tap, what a great bar!) I staggered into the stadium and watched the meeting from near the start line. A good meeting in difficult conditions Jeremiah’s crash was unfortunate (he brought down Shane Parker did he not)?? But the racing was fast and I was impressed with all of the riders and their commitment to David. Nice that everyone in the programme all said the same thing, that he is one of the most decent human beings you will ever meet! BTW David where did you get that hat? (yer big jesse!) Thanks to Colin and his lovely wife for taking pity on a lone Sassenach at the party afterwards who i bored the night away talking about speedway in 'the good old days'!! Thanks also to David for making a point of coming over to talk to me and don't forget Davie, you promised to sign that framed photo. Nice suit Dave where did you rent it from? More buds later I found myself in the hotel room and crashed out till I caught the first train out'o there. (what a bloody brilliant day!) Steve.

Shaz, thanks for your support, - I shall wear it always! Mutley, nothing seems to please you, so cough up 80 grand and you can know every decision about spanish speedway as it comes, - cause you will be making them! Must (Spanish) Fly!!!! Steve