STEVEHOLS54

If it was Lawson/Rowe/Cairns/Bailey/Rushen/Bowes and Kerr on his 6.77 after Brit reduction the total would be 0.83 below the 40 point limit. Would they really go that far below the 40 points ??. I know team building is a juggling act, but having to shed 4.53 points - losing Cook who av just over 8 per meeting at Poole stadium and 9 incl BP, I think Kerr inconsistency could cost Poole next season if they retained him. Factoring in we could have 3 new riders in Rushen/Bailey & Bowes. Suppose ultimately it may come down to how ambitious the Ford's want to be. I am sure Kerr would have his good meetings but it's his bad ones which would concern me. All riders have off days but with potentially alot having to hit the ground running, would it be too much. Of course none of us (or should I say most of us) know if Bailey & Rushen plus Bowes are definite or ultimately just Forum rumour

Yes its easy to forget not everyone uses the Forum so a % won't be aware of Zach not returning or Cairns & Rowe were signed on 2 years deals. As a side note i read this morning that the POL EXL squads are near enough agreed subject to ??? in some instances and Bailey is down to sign as one of 4 Juniors in the Grudziaz EXL team. Think they may allow 1 junior other nationality now but he will be 1 of 2 out of 5. Nailed on no doubt to ride in their U24 POL EXL team though which has I believe a new meeting format. I wonder if he will do UK if he does get a qualifying slot in one of the Aussie meetings this Winter. Also Kevin J Pedersen leaving his POL EXL 2 side for 2026 and now too old for the POL U24 Lge as well. No new club in POL National Lge on the horizon either at this stage so I wonder if another rider who will look to UK if he cant seek employment except maybe DK. Believe his scoring was also poor in POL hence why not offered a return.

Maybe the Fords see something in Bowes that I am missing. His POL stats are poor for 2025. In POL EXL 2 (so 2nd POL Lge) he was 55th of 59 regular riders with 4 ride av of 3.4 and won only 2 of 47 rides. In POL EXL (U24) he was 38th of 59 regular riders with 4 ride av of 5.64 - won 16 of his 74 rides. Will turn 24 in NOV and has ridden POL for about 4 years. A lot of his opposition in POL U24 was against riders a lot younger than him with less experience. Yes there are talented young rider in that Lge but he doesn't seem to have gone forward to any real degree. My personal view of this is based on his stats and time spent in POL (4 years) considering he was also based there. Maybe that one performance of 13 from 6 rides (incl one retirement) at Poole on 23rd July showed them something. Although his 2 from 4 rides guesting for Glasgow late August was not good.

Probably a sensible signing if true. They are faced with having to lose one of their 8 plus point riders (Wright or King) on top of having to shed 4.07 off team total to get to 40 points and find a replacement for Riss. He also did well there in 21 & 22 where his AV ranged from 7.51 to 8.46 plus BP. For them it would be a sensible signing probably. I think that IF we do get/have Bailey/Cairns/Rushen as our bottom 3 then we have more scope to sign a better mix/team also depending upon how determined the Fords are to invest in a really good top 4. Knowing we will have Lawsom/Rowe would give us 13.23 for 2 decent riders. That even includes possibilities from places like the POL EXL who have never ridden in UK like Hellstrom Bangs and others as well as those who have ridden in POL EXL2/POL National LGE (Div2) POL EXL U24 and SWE. I excluded DK only because of the WED race day clash. To be honest I am struggling to come up with riders from the last GSA who would fit that would have scope to improve except for the likes of Morris (obvious massive improver on his current GSA) Joe Thompson (who probably will get similar or worse GSA next season), Edwards (who I don't think will improve much), Zichke (lots of potential) but the Worky Fans are confident he will be back, Mcdiarmid (lots of potential) but maybe happy at Oxford), Luke Harrison (lots of potential) but think Scunny will do everything to keep him. As for Bowes - After what he has achieved (not much in POL)and the Worky end of season saga, I honestly couldnt have seen many fighting to sign him up but who knows ?

I also hope they don't take the easy route and sign Kerr again. Too inconsistent for me as we witnessed last season (especially that last match).

Be even better if it was Lawson/Rowe/Morris/Hellstrom Bangs/Bailey/Cairns/Rushen and still 0.37 below the 40 point limit. Morris is on a bargain GSA and assuming Cook served reasonable notice of his intention to move up/on, you would have thought the Fords would have made a big effort to bring in a third H/L on a crazy low GSA. We/They all knew the limit would be kept at 40 as it was already agreed last season for 2026 and with Promotors in regular contact as well, many would be well advanced in seeking out the best top end combinations for 2026. For me the likes of Bowes is not an upwardly thinking possible signing. Done nothing really in 4 years in POL/SWE and if anything in POL has gone backwards. Add in cannot qualify for the POL U24 anymore and unlikely anyone wants him there after his performances in POL EXL2 and open criticism from his POL Team Manager. He was also one of the lowest point av riders in both POL EXL U24 and EXL2 last season. All of that after 4 years of riding and basing himself there. No thanks not a fan of Bowes. If tapped up and accepted to me its because he will not get a job in POL so will probably be desperate to probably get a UK slot.

Bit of a random one to get Poole 2026 Forum back on track. Saw someone open a forum subject this week on young Swede Philip Hellstrom-Bangs (Age 22). Comment was that he might give POL EXL a miss in 2026 and consider riding in UK. I see he has just signed in SWE Prem last 2/3 days (Tue Raceday). He would be on a 6 point GSA due to riding POL EXL. In fact as I type this just seen an interview posted on SportFakty in last hour during which hew said. "I have a few contacts in England, so we'll see what comes of it. I'm open to suggestions. I think it would really benefit me a lot – the tracks are difficult, technical, and riding there could be an interesting challenge," he says in an interview with speedwayfans In the same interview it mentioned he may not be doing POL this year. The interview leaned towards Prem BUT could he double up if POL not happening, and if so could be a decent signing on 6 points if not looking for megabucks ?? If affordable would prefer him to the likes of Bowes on 5.63. Bangs was also top 3 over 3 meetings of the SGP2 in 2024. Any thoughts or will the Fords steer clear of investing in any of the young foreign talent with experience of riding in POL, with maybe exception of hopefully Bailey who looks a level above anything above what we have in UK at just turned 16.

i think Anders is a young rider (23) still with lots of potential. he was signed on arguably a low GSA where his AV for 6 matches for Glasgow was nearer 8 than 6. Inconsistent he was yes, but, was the groin injury a major factor in his inconsistency as I can imagine its not pleasant if you are riding in pain. In a way I hope it was a factor as would be a good indicator that there is more to come from a fully fit pain free Anders. I an glad we have him for 2026 and hopefully he will be a Sheffield again and he is signed for POL for 2026 so all signs are positive. Just the question of if he has the injury holding him back a bit can he get it treated as the question of rest not an issue with a 5 month break.

Regarding Anders Rowe. We know he will be in the 2026 side together with Cairns as both were signed on 2 season deals for 25/26. I was a bit disappointed with Anders last season as expected him to push on more than he did. I think many did. I would like to think that this was mainly down to the groin injury that he was carrying for at least part of it. Believe it needs both treatment and rest. Also in at least one match he had an arm injury. If the groin injury was causing him so much problems then it would certainly have affected his consistency especially as he is not the best gater and scores a lot of points by overtaking thus requiring more effort. Would be nice maybe if Danny Ford or Anders himself puts out a statement during the close season explaining that it was this injury that hindered his progress in 2025 which would go a long way to explaining his up and down form. Hopefully he can get it sorted with a 5 months before it all kicks off again for 2026.

As we can only guess at this stage on Poole team - points limit etc, does anyone know when the AGM is planned. Will it also be UK or Tenerife bearing in mind all the loss making comments of many teams on the forum - loss of the TV deal. One would think they will be looking to cut costs. Hopefully it's not too late in November so we the fans can get some clarity. Plus more importantly the promoters and owners.

I would go all out for Morris if Zach not returning. He is on a wildly false av of 6.86 where he is worth 8 at least. His home av was 8.24 or nearly 9 with BP and he only rode 7 matches on his return for Berwick. Some of them were feeling his way back after the long absence. Doesn't he live over Swindon way so ideal geographically. Resigning Kerr would be a big mistake with so much youth in the team (if it is Cairns/Rushen & Bailey). Plus the less than inspiring Fraser Bowes. Must admit the latest Champ GSA's hardly inspire you if you are looking in that 7 point region.

I agree hence my preference for Zischke who had his first real UK season only last season due to his horrendous injury in 2024 which wiped out his season. Chances are it won't happen though based on comments mentioned. Bowes would not be end of the World though as ultimately last season was his first in UK so maybe with the right attitude there may be more to come. Would definitely find it tough at 2 as first heat would be with Rocketman and the opposition number 1. I think Zischke would have ha more scope to improve but its just my opinion for team building discussion.

Hoped that would be the case if Bailey were also signed. Thought it might be limited space if Zach & Ben stay there next season.

On the subject of Bowes. If he does sign for Poole, I wonder if he would base himself in UK. Believe he based in POL last 4 years, but had the comfort of having both a POL U24 slot plus a Sunday POL Lge 1 or 2 slot or a combo of the 2. Plus easier commuting for SWE Lge 2. As he cannot do POL U24 next season (24 in Nov) which is changing I believe anyway to promote more POL younger riders, plus his POL EXL2 scores were fairly poor being approx 3.82 per 4 rides from 18 meetings and 55th out of 59 riders who rode regular during season. Even his own Team Manager was openly critical of him end of season in an article posted on one or both POL sites. Maybe he was upset so shortly after losing in the play offs. This means he is not even guaranteed to get any POL team spot at this stage unless he is already signed, as most riders have near enough sorted their teams already for 2026 and he won't be in the U24 Lge (I think but stand corrected). As for the SWE 2nd Div ???. No idea of his scores there. Maybe less running around Europe may help him (only guessing of course). Having also 2 possible Aussie team Mates (Cook & Bailey - Hopefully) could be a stabalising factor. Not that I am clutching at straws 😆

If Nagel does ride POL EXL or EXL2 then it will be the last season in 2026 he can ride multiple Leagues as the Poles have said in 2027 they are reverting back to riders limited to the POL Lge and just one other overseas Lge. Meaning riders of his quality and calibre will have to choose one of UK/DK/SWE/Germany. Doesn't apply to the POL National Lge (POL 3rd Div in effect). The Poles obviously keen to try and protect their main stream stars/riders. Even though those riders will take the hit from their own pockets. May change of course if pressure is applied by the riders during 2026. But the Poles did it before so ???

Must be Bowes then if SteveLyric with his inside knowledge of Poole hits the like button 😀. Don't see this as a League winning team. But we can't be greedy after the last 2 seasons incredible success which may be even better come Wed/Fri (weather depending) But the chance of having some of the best youngsters such as Bailey/Rushen/Cairns would be an exciting prospect in itself. Hopefully would win most home matches to give the Poole Fans plenty to cheer about.

May be worth a read. Posted on Speedway News.PL this afternoon. https://speedwaynews.pl/zuzel/zaskakujace-doniesienia-jednak-nie-dojdzie-do-rewolucji/ Seems the Poles happy to give fans an indication of how things look currently on 2026 UK League make ups.

Hopefully he will get both after Wed/Fri 😀. 5 months will hopefully help sort it.

Question re Anders Rowe. Was he carrying an injury for a portion of the second half of 2025. Saw various comments on the forum that he may have had a leg or groin injury that was affecting his performances in some meetings. Even saw comment/s that he had to be helped on/off his bike in one meeting due to pain/discomfort. Could that have affected some of his consistency/scoring. I also read on the forum re a food poisoning situation in a recent meeting meaning he had to drop out of his last scheduled ride. it's the injury that intrigues me. Is it still ongoing and if so is he hoping to get it sorted close season if it is.

A bit of a random one would be. Law/Rowe/Cook (or Kerr if Cook drops Champ)/Morris on his bargain 6.86/Cairns/Rushen/Ritchings (very exposed bottom end though but a great top 4.

Any thoughts on who would offer scope to improve with less risk if we did have 5.89 left available IF we signed the other 6 I mentioned. Besides Mcdiarmid has a lot of potential but still only 17. On the who's within that points range mentioned on page 1 by A Speedway Fan there isn't much that inspires me. Of course there is Kevin Juhl Pedersen who made a short visit in Oct for The Blue Ribbon plus a Worky Ind event. But he has ridden for Holsted in DK last 4 years which of course is a Wed night. His Av in 3rd tier of POL for Landshut was only 4 points per meeting from 12 meetings so arguably even worse then Bowes who at least rode one decent meeting at Poole. I think Pedersen would be a worse signing than Bowes in my opinion. Would point out we can all get it wrong. I thought when Ben Cook came over in 2020 (before season cancelled for Covid) that ba\sed on his Aussie form that he would struggle in UK. Fair to say I got that thankfully horribly wrong 😃. He av 5.31 or 6.11 incl bonus in that first season from 15 meetings as missed some with injury. The rest is history. Anyway do you have an idea who would be ideal bearing in mind that if we do sign Bailey/Rushen with Cairns they would all be very young at 16 when season starts.

We sure do. One of the most exciting youngsters around who impressed in SGP3 the last 2 seasons and now on 500CC bikes. Ran Jason Doyle close in a meeting in Germany recently before returning home. Has bags of speed and looks a real racer in the videos I have seen of him. Looks better than Cairns and dare i say it Rushen, but have to remember Cooper is not even 16 until end March 2026. When Rushen learns to gate consistently I can see him beating many a decent rider with his persistence in out battling many riders. Never gives up and battles hard even when out gated. A real racing talent. Bailey COULD be even better than Zischke and on a 4 due to no European League experience has massive scope to improve. Just like Cairns - Rushen and dare I say it, if we can get him Zischke.

Zischke would be my ideal signing. After the financial issues at Worky last season. The temp suspension and questions on what they might or might not be able to afford for 2026 could he seek guaranteed regular income from the Ford's at Poole. Was rumoured as on way to Poole back in 2023 before Ward suggested Worky would be a more ideal track to start his UK career. His Aussie accident then intervened which wiped out 23 except limited POL U24 in July then his almost career ending 24 season not long after it started, certainly hampered his development. He sits on an arguably low av IF he rediscovers the form that made Belle Vue sign him. IF Cook was leaving you would think he would announce at the end of WED Final meeting similar to what Ben did in 2024. That would get it out the way for planning in 2026. Hope not the case though. I already aired my thoughts on Bowes. Not a fan and gave my reasons on earlier post/s. Mcdermind has lots of potential at still 17 off back of his first season and may well be Leszno choice of foreign U24 rider in POL EXL for 2026. My fear is if it was with Cairns/Rushen & Bailey we could be exposed where Zischke added with those 3 is a bit more experienced with a full season in Prem/Champ.

Its a thankless task having just missed out on the league, but having to drop 5.54 points if as anticipated the limit stay at 40 points. Poole face similar but not so bad at 4.53 points but maybe softened a bit if Rushen does replace Starke which saves 2 points. It's a difficult juggling act having had 4 H/L near enough as Nagel proved a clever/shrewed signing on 5 points but a future star (when he did turn up and ride). Almost pulled it off as they did with Tarasenko a few seasons back. Personally enjoy the close season thought provoking - rumouring and forum contributors ideas on team make up for the following season. No doubt the Glasgow management are already planning &scheming for a decent team in 2026 despite the headache of building to a 5.54 lower limit than the existing teams final GSA. Must admit looking at the final Lge GSA's its a real head scratcher even as a Poole Supporter to find the right combination of riders to get to 40 points. That with knowing at least 2/3 riders who won't be there next season due to either performance or having to shed 4.53 points off the current squad. We need a strong Glasgow as its good for the support. I say that as a Poole supporter 😀

Think it was a hell of a performance considering the pressure cooker atmosphere of less than 24 hours earlier at Glasgow and the effort put in to win the League Play off. Can you imagine winning the FA Cup/Prem Lge or similar and having the players turn out 24 hours later for another final. Riders etc had little time to prepare bikes & set ups etc bearing in mind the also 3.5 hour drive from Glasgow assuming the riders didn't even touch home base most likely after the celebrations of Friday. Would have been happy even with an 8 point defeat after all that. No surprise some had a few mechanical gremlin after all that. Fortunately a good few days to recover and sort out any issues and set ups for Wed last math of the season.