Theboss

It is detrimental to the majority of clubs as their promoters have no idea on how to capitalise on the TV time. So it will nearly always fall back to making a decision on basic economics. On that basis a club will probably host 2 live TV meetings at home in 2018 which is £20k of income (a significant lose on previous seasons), this will hardly touch the sides paying a GP rider to race over a season. Therefore I can not see a deal happening.

Groundhog day!

I can confirm I have also been there on many occasions (UK and abroad) and it has been a shambles whenever it has been abroad. Too many promoters there to have a jolly and then turn up at next days meeting with a hang over. Problem is they have no one to answer to apart from themselves. Chairman is powerless to fine them. Obviously I can not talk for the current crop of promoters and how they may have acted recently and will act this year but this is definitely how it has been in the past when I was in attendance. And before anyone asks I did get suckered in to the fun and games on my first year but after that I learnt my lesson and focused on the job I was there to do. Ps at the end of every AGM the promoters vote for where the next one should be held. I always championed the UK.

Lynn may struggle to attract a big name rider if holder, batchelor and Doyle have anything to do with it.

Maybe Lynn will be going all out and getting both?

I don't wether to feel pleased or sad. If he is coming he won't be cheap, let's hope the risk pays off.

Thank you, that was a project I was enthused by and enjoyed every moment of it as much as the fans did. I was ahead of the GP's with the riders signings before meetings and the sexy7even grid girls, who in fact IMG asked me to supply for the next two Cardiff GPs (this eventually led to the launch of the monster girls I believe). Of course the inevitable happened and some green eyed monsters decided they wanted to take it over and receive the glory for it. So you don't believe the past should be used as a reference? If not then how would you suggest civilization ever evolves. I have lots of examples where using the past as a reference has improved the world we live in but would I be wasting my time in pointing some of them out to you?

The ones who don't have wealthy owners or multiple sponsors willing to bridge the gap between their revenue and expenditure which is set to increase this year due to multiple factors including a weakened currency and no financial reward for TV rights.

Sorry but so far you have said nothing to make me not think you are the one talking 'nonsense'. I believe the stars best days were in the Premier League. I can confirm we certainly had bigger crowds for what is supposedly an 'inferior product'. Maybe the secret was something to do with the lower admission prices, riders passionate about their team, regular meetings and above all good promotion including theme nights in the summer weeks. We had no sky money to inject over those years yet I can confirm the club went from making a loss in the Lawrence Rogers days to making a profit during the years I was there. It has been done before and could be done again but paying over the odds for top riders in the belief they draw in bigger crowds is not the way to go.

If that is the case then I wish every club the best of luck in keeping their finances reigned in and keeping their clubs alive for the whole season.

Please can you highlight where I have ever said prices should be put up? Also can you quantify a 'successful' club.

Just like 90% of the fans. Shame they go to the expense of running such a competition and then fail to market it.

The riders you have mentioned such as Harris and cook are amongst the ones British speedway can not afford.... FACT This should be about cutting costs and allowing speedway to cut its cloth accordingly so it can invest in marketing and growth. But you talk like it is 'jobs for the boys' .... In fact you talk just like a promoter.

According to Philip Rising, there is also one other person who thinks crowds are up this season. I can not for one minute imagine this is true but if you say it enough times I am sure other people will start to believe you... 🙄

Entitled to your opinion. Look forward to hearing your plan.

I can assure you that football does not pay its way for 95% of the clubs. Again it has allowed wages to spiral out of control.

2017 was the final year of TV money so Philip rising has informed us via this forum.

Bang on the money, best post I have read for some while.

Well said Steve, seems some are oblivious to the main issue speedway currently faces.... Spiralling costs

And how will these riders be paid assuming their is no sky TV money?

Which creates a never ending spiral of costs for riders who should be amateur or semi pro at best. Sport in UK needs to go back to basics and rebuild again.

Yes, as clearly not enough riders to make up two professional leagues

Any reason why?

If that is what is on offer than not worth doing in my opinion. No point having GP riders racing against conference league reserves.

Working on the basis that there is no £1million plus TV contract and reduced sponsorship due to the reduction in crowds (which have been reported across the country), I would estimate that 80% of all costs will need to be covered by ticket sales (ie paying public). So the reality is that if their is no reduction in costs in 2018 then to break even the top league promoters will need to double the ticket prices or hope to double their attendences overnight. Knowing the promoters as well as I do I wouldn't be surprised if they hedged their bets 50/50 and increased their ticket prices by 50% and expected the crowds to grow by 50%. And if a club goes bust don't forgot, the promoter will blame the fans for staying away.