JamesB

From the rumours that I have heard, I think it’s three back and maybe four if it’s a team with a GP No 1. I just cannot see Lambert (aka the Tin Man) at Ipswich, he doesn’t like us and it’s mutual. I would be happy with Lindgren. Also, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Scotty back.

If Jenkins is back, does that point to an SGP No 1? I would be surprised if he is in a team that is more ‘strength in depth’.

Now that is the ultimate Oxymoron.

My uninformed view is that Lindgren would be the more likely of the three. The last I heard was that there were two line ups being considered, one with a GP rider and one without. With the riders still available, I think you could build a solid team without a GP rider. Hopefully, not long until we find out.

I have simply outlined the challenges, complexities and timescales as they relate to the sale and purchase of a business. You can ignore those realities if you so choose. I assume from your comments that Louis should have been prohibited from selling his own business and must continue to own it ad infinitum - bizarre on a number of levels. I have made no reference to the BSPL or Speedway Futures, so not sure how I am giving them a free pass.

Sorry, but that’s a ridiculous statement in relation to the Ipswich takeover. I have said before that if they complete the financial and legal due diligence in 6-8 weeks, then that would be some going. Just on the legals; Spedeworth will have a head lease with the ultimate owners and a sub lease with Louis. Both leases will have required a full legal review and the head lease may have restrictive covenants about who Spedeworth can sub let to and probably requires prior approval of the ultimate owner to any novation of an existing lease or creation of a new sub lease. I seem to remember reading somewhere, quite a while ago that the ultimate owner is the original Ipswich Speedway which if true means that entity was formed many years ago and may have a complex ownership structure e.g. some form of Trust structure and be governed by a Trust Deed, etc which would complicate decisions and approvals even more. The sale and purchase of a business is a complex and time consuming process.

I have been very sceptical about the 6th team, but I heard the same about Northampton being close. I also believe that Ipswich is done and the announcement is very soon.

Maybe, the new owners plan a ‘major’ PR event. Rather than just publicising the completion of the takeover, they may also want to announce the 2026 1-7 at the same time. That approach would be understandable, hence the need for the No 1 to be signed up prior to any announcement.

…but that’s the problem. Until contracts are signed there is no sale of the club and there is no way that Louis can state that the Witches will come to the tapes in 2026 (unless he is prepared to run it in the event of the sale being frustrated). Also, the NDA will not allow him to provide a running commentary on the sale. The only thing he can say is that negotiations continue well but everything is subject to contract, which is exactly what he has said. I still do not understand how the BSPL were able to announce that there will be a minimum of five clubs including the Witches in 2026. I remain with my fingers well and truly crossed.

We are all frustrated, but to be fair to Louis, I don’t there is a great deal he can say at the moment. Firstly, there will a Non Disclosure Agreement in place which stops either party discussing the potential transaction in any detail. Secondly, Financial Due Diligence, Legal Due Diligence and the drafting of contracts all needs to happen which is normally a lengthy process. If they achieve all of the above in 5-6 weeks, which looks likely to be the case, then I think they will have done remarkably well.

I’ve said it on here before and now Louis directly references it in this latest interview. Due Diligence, both Financial and Legal is a critical element of the sale process of any business and takes place after the parties have agreed the terms of the sale/purchase. I will remain nervous until confirmation that contracts have been signed.

I have counted 14 riders (including R/S’s) in declared Premiership line ups who will be doubling up/down in 2026. There are still 14 Premiership places to be filled, so a good few still to be added. Even more if the sixth team materialises. How can speedway in this country cope without doubling up/down? Also, how could one league work if another 15/20 riders had to be found?

If it’s Mayfield then that will put a rocket up the BSPL!

Some interesting wording used in that statement; ‘a sale has been agreed’ and ‘now going through due process’. Does that mean that Financial Due Diligence has been completed or will now be undertaken as part of the ‘due process? FDD can scupper an agreed sale, so if it’s the latter, then I remain a little nervous. Hopefully, it is just referring to completion of the legals.

You’re not buying the line of a sixth team then? 😂