STEVEHOLS54

I think in Poole's case don't think it matters much. If Schlein no issue as he has his Champ av - Hans A again as he arguably has a low 5.78 Prem GSA after his injuries in 2019 so arguably a bargain at 9.26 if 1.6 or 8.67 if 1.5. Bjarne P would be 10.48 at 1.6 or 9.83 at 1.5 (unless any further reduction for not riding here for over 5 years). If it's Schlein then arguably they could go for a 4 star rider as just squeezes in. Other than Perks who has stopped for 2021 & Bates nothing inspiring left on the 4 star.

That last H/L spot is the interesting one. Schlien easily fits. Have to broaden thinking to come up with anyone else currently riding (or who will ride UK) in 2021. Other interesting thoughts mentioned by a speedway friend are Bjarne P and Hans Andersen. Hans could be interesting - Why ??. He has a family and is getting older. Wants to ride as many leagues as poss at his age to maximise revenue. Now only signed in POL 2nd Div with Dauv who are in Latvia not POL. Not so many meetings in this Lge and does he at his age want to be tied to a max of 3 Lges. He could base bikes in UK and ride both Prem and Champ and still do his commitments in both DK & Swe where he has signed contracts. So 4 Lges. Has good sponsor support in Poole area so maybe they cold help in supporting him. Would only get a 9.26 converted Champ av so easily fits.Who go all the way to Latvia for say max 6 home and then 6 away in POl in a very weak looking team so doubt will make play offs, when he can get plenty of meetings in UK over Prem/Champ and use the equip two fold so base it here. Bjarne an option but would be 10.48 on a 1.6 conversion pushing Poole to the 2 star route. There is of course the possible DK fixture clash issue with both as they normally ride Wed. Anyway just thoughts even if maybe wild ones LOL.

Also think Keleher will be in main team as announced last year and Josh Mac at reserve with the rising star.

Damn it. Just announced by Redcar on their FB page and on now live. Thinking caps on again

Rory was on 8.69 last full season at Somerset. If you were (just for this exercise) to take out Cook and work on Rory/Steve W/Danny K/Josh Mac/Steffan Niel / Zane Kell you get 36.92 (after deducting the 2.5% Brit reduction). We can build to 38 plus a 3 point rising star or 39 plus a 2 point rising star. Then comes down to who do we get as that rising star ??. A number already signed up from 2020 but we went down the strength in depth Aussie route. Anders rowe I would lovew to have seen as geographically right area IF he was assessed as a 3 pointer (why not as he is only 18). Or even a 4 but rules say has to be a 2 or 3 pointer rising star. Others on the forum indicate he has already signed elsewhere but not seen any announcements. Would help if us the poor paying public who keep this sport afloat (as it cant run without supporters in UK) could be allowed to see what looks like a top secret rising stars list. Like what harm could it do us seeing it ???

My thoughts are also Ben Cook out if his younger bro also not coming with Somerset not riding. Some on here said no way Schlien coming when I mentioned on here recently (seemed obvious move with Somerset closing). You could have had Schlien/King/Worral/Nielsen/Kelleher/Josh Mac plus a 2 or 3 rising star. Problem is the top six only at 36.92 which is a full 1.08 or 2.08 below the 39 point top 6 limit. Depending on a 3 or 2 point rising star). I suppose that's where the Bjarne Pedersen idea might come into play IF they were able to get a reduction. on his last 6.55 (Elite or now Prem) GSA from his last UK season in 2015. Could be way out of course but cant think of any really good H/L out there and available riding UK in 2021 not already tied up. My only doubt on Pedersen is if he is keeping DK which is normally a Wednesday (same night as Poole) and even if DK is reduced meetings in 2021 would it still clash plenty with Poole ?? Assuming of course Poole were riding at Poole in 2021 and not perhaps having a plan B in place to race down at Plymouth for a season if the stadium discussions go ** up. Some think that would be highly unlikely but can't help thinking that after all this time why the delay in adding Plymouth when they expressed even last year they wanted to join Champ. Hope I am wrong but nothing would surprise me.

I'm not the only one then who has noticed the absence of any press releases from Danny or Matt on this subject. Am a bit surprised considering how Matt was at pains to point out in the Echo and online last year about negotiations would take place including at one stage maybe even a consortium trying to take over the stadium. Announcing the team is one thing, having a stadium to race in is something else. There were questions at one stage as to whether the main restaurant or any other food outlets would be open and even doubts if there would be staff to run the place after the greyhounds ceased and the whole operation was in effect closed. Maybe skidder or anyone else in the know may be able to enlighten us ??

So a few or at least some changes reading the article. The new young Brit rule would have meant one change, but he has himself (as I did) eluded to the POL rule. I only see one rider affected as neither King/Worrall ride POL. Surely has to be Ellis. If so going to be interesting where he conjours up a new heat leader. I calculate he uses 28.24 for 5 riders (King/Worrall/Nielsen/Kelleher/Josh Mac. That leaves 12.76. Meaning a heavy 10.76 plus a 2 rising star or 9.76 plus a 3 rising star. Thankless task imo at this late stage considering a lot of the top riders commited elsewhere as have most of the decent rising stars. This on top of those not returning. Bjarne P may not be the craziest of thoughts ?? His final Elite GSA in last season in UK in 2015 was 6.55 which at 1.6 = 10.48 less any reductions for not having ridden UK in 5 seasons. Maybe as a favour willing to help Poole out in his last season ??. Not an impossible thought even if unlikely to some. Not convinced he would be as good as having Ellis who is still on the up. We shall no doubt see in next week or so.

I think Ellis situation may be dictated by which overseas leagues he rides in. If he goes down the POL/SWE/DK route then as a POL 2nd Div rider he can't do UK. The POL rules are clear on that. Believe he has signed in all 3 of those leagues so to do UK he would need to drop one. Also if he were to get another Prem club now Swindon not riding in 2021 then he wont do Champ anyway as no way I see him dropping POL/SWE. Just my opinion. Maybe Ellis news being kept quiet while the Ford's try to resolve alternative arrangements ?? Hope not but would not surprise me. I chose Ben Cook as if his Bro not doing UK now Somerset not riding would he come over alone ??. Also Danny already advised that change/s are needed due to new rules so Ben was an easy target guest for me to choose as who makes way to meet the RS requirement. Let's hope the Fords clarify for us soon. Incredible to see how forward thinking teams like Eastbourne now look so attractive with their UK 1-7 and so many rising stars in the team. Let's hope Poole can give the fans something to look forward to.

By the way if Anders Rowe is not on the radar, then where does one think such a talent may end up as he has lost his Prem & Champ rides thru no fault of his own. Such a talent should surely be snapped up and I thought he was a Weymouth, Dorset lad so would make perfect sense to tie up with Poole. The guy has plenty of talent for sure at only 18

Well you have to admit Skidder, the Poole Forum has been a pretty dull place the last ??? months. At least it cultivates some thought provoking ideas . Would you be privvy then to some inside info on an agreement on the stadium and in the know on Adam returning then ?? Being involved as a regular sponsor you normally have your ear close to the ground on these things By the way its a large glass (or several) of Pinot Grigio. One way of keeping sane (or is it insane) in this pandemic

Just noticed the normally well informed THJ has left Ellis out of the team in the forum subject for Champ Teams for 2021 but left Ben Cook in. I assume he concurs like I that he won't be here under the max 3 league POL rule for POL 2nd Div riders. If we were to assume (just for this debate) that Ellis was not riding Champ, plus Cook left out, then if Anders Rowe as a young 18 year old Brit was reassessed as a young 3 star Brit then the points would indeed allow Schlein & Rowe in under the limit. Both just switch over from Somerset for the season. Geographically one would assume no problem for either as Rowe was due to do Swindon & Somerset and Schlein would have done Somerset for his last season in UK together with Wolves in Prem ?? More food for thought. Unless of course has has signed POL which I assume blows that one up possibly. Maybe not though if not doing SWE/DK.

My understanding is in the POL 2nd Div you are allowed a total of 3 leagues incl POL. I thought I read he had signed up in POL/SWE/DK. That would already have made even Swindon a doubt ?? before they withdrew from 2021. Had they been racing then for sure the POL rules would not have allowed 2 UK leagues even IF he say dropped DK to squeeze Swindon in as his third league. Raises various questions such as: Will he race POL/SWE/DK as his max 3 leagues. Doesn't matter what he may have signed to, POL Authorities dictate the max leagues he can race in if he wants to keep POL. Will he try and sign for another British Prem side in 2022 as surely will be in demand ?? which would mean can't race for Poole anyway unless he drops DK & SWE. Would he drop both SWE or DK to race for Poole if he does sign for another Prem team. Will be interesting to see how this develops in coming week/s. Also IF Matt/Danny had negotiated with the Stadium owners to race at the track in 2021 I am surprised not a peep out of either of them in the press. We all know the Fords are masters of spinning positive news to them to keep Poole in the spotlight. bearing in mind Matt had plenty of words in the Echo end last season about getting into negotiations with plenty of time before 2021 started after all the negative comments about possible stadium closure after the permanent removal of Greyhounds. One would have thought he and Danny would be fast out the blocks to announce the future at the track (at least short term) had been secured for 2021. Just a long shot thought BUT, you dont think that Plymouth could have a roll to play in 2021 with a switch from Poole Stadium for the team etc if there were doubts. Only mention it in view of the Plymouth situation to join Champ being under review ??. Of course one for the conspiracy theorists

I may have missed some movements but... IF Ellis was not racing UK Champ and with Somerset not riding (as well as Swindon). What possibilities of squeezing in Anders Rowe (if not already signed up elsewhere). Remember he was due to ride I believe Swind & Somerset and also what about Rory Schlien ??. Anders is arguably one of the top 4/5 British youngsters coming through. Maybe top 2/3 ?? Rider to go Ben Cook but with his brother Zach losing Somerset maybe not keen to come on his own to Uk anyway ?? Thoughts ??

So with the new rules announced which Poole rider loses his place ??. Will it be Ben Cook as Kelleher has high media profile and invested a lot of money in equip Josh Mac seems fairly settled when in UK. Also is Adam Ellis situation resolved on whether he will even be riding UK with the new Polish Rules. Isn't he committed to POL/SWE/DK ?? Wonder who the young Brit will be bearing in mind most of the decent ones were already signed up by most of the others as Poole chose the Aussie route. Finally and nobody has answered this question when I put it on the forum recently. Danny Ford has announced he intends to put a team out in 2021 BUT and it is a big BUT, has he actually reached an agreement with the Stadium owners on whether they actually will agree to let Poole ace on at the Stadium, bearing in mind the main revenue driver (Greyhounds) have stopped and most of the facilities either won't or maybe won't be available in future Main restaurant/food outlets/Stadium Staff etc. Still have my reservations on whether its the owners intentions to somehow try and get around any covenants to try and get the site redeveloped. When Matt Ford went public later part of last year after Greyhound closure he was bullish about going into negotiations with maybe consortia to maybe discuss taking over the Stadium or having positive discussion outcomes on having speedway continue there. Have seen nothing in the media to my knowledge informing how that went. Or if it was concluded.

Hi Skidder Thanks, have just read the Echo article. However he has intimated that, as has his dad for months if I recall. This at least clarifies the position in respect of fielding a team. It doesn't clarify though if he has successfully negotiated that the stadium can be used ongoing in 2021 to continue racing. Last i can remember that had to still be done as there was uncertainty on what facilities may or may not be available as also the case on staffing levels if any ?? The last article I saw said there were still many months before they had to conclude/complete that discussion. Just a bit concerned that as the stadium owners no longer have the more lucrative Greyhound racing there any more, if there may be a more ulteria motive to turn it into commercial or housing development in the long term which would be far more lucrative for them IF they could get around the covenant regarding having to offer a sports facility ?? Hopefully not, but having witnessed as a born & bred East Londoner so many Speedway venues/stadia closed over the last 50 years including my more local and last surviving Lakeside and add more recently the now bulldozing at Rye House then I am wary of all of these Stadium/Land owners.

Been quite a while since I have been on except occasional look in. If I recall, last I saw was that the Fords were supposed to be negotiating with the Stadium owners to see IF they would allow them to race on the now virtually disused Stadium in 2022 after the owners near enough permanently removed Greyhound racing. Saw comments about possibility racing may be allowed but without use of restaurant facilities etc but can't recall seeing anything definitive. Does anyone know anything definitive on the position or is it that there is still a doubt that racing will ever be allowed back with what was back then talk of possible redevelopment of the site even though there was supposed to be a facility for sporting activity allowed. Excuse if I am wrong as the only comments seen recently are from contributors who indicate as if we are going to be racing. Maybe I have missed news ??

Find it a bit of a shame that former Poole riders such as Magic/the returning Crump/Doyle plus a non Poole rider such as top performer Nicki P could not have offered their services for such a good servant of the sport. I wonder if some of the bad press on the condition of the track over the last 2 seasons has scared off some of these guys from wanting to ride in this one off meeting. Especially at the start of the season with so much at stake if one did get injured. Doyle not riding surprises me bearing in mind he has 2 spells with Poole. Perhaps like Crump does not want to risk anything 24 hours before they are both due to open their league accounts with their Prem clubs. Should still be a decent meeting though with plenty of past & present Poole riders making themselves available plus getting some all important track practice.

Be good to see if/how main team sponsor discussion may be progressing. Nice to see all the team race suits now seemingly sorted with both individuals and companies getting involved. Hopefully similar opportunities will be available in future seasons as gives a chance for all to be involved should they choose.

Whoops forgot to highlight what i wanted to ignore from said poster. Decided to block it all. Thanks to said poster for reminding me as never used the facility before

For those not in the know. I found a way to ignore certain posters. What a relief to have such a facility on the Forum which pleased to say I have activated my first ignore poster

I think Rob Ledwith will agree with you on that . Never say never. My point with Nielsen is he is still young and if you take out all the time he spent out with major injuries he is arguably speedway wise even younger. he has shown flashes and if you can keep him fit he can indeed improve.

Let's hope so as it will be proof that we did good in signing a still young Brit. Happy to see the 3 Aussies rotate in and out of reserve. Keleher MAY be the surprise package so Nielsen could still drift in there even if he ups his av a bit. Suppose it will partly come down to IF our reserves (or at least one of them) racks up plenty of points and ends up maybe with a high av come end of May. Will hopefully make healthy competition. Happy to see riders of the calibre of Josh Mac/Keleher & Nielsen drift in and out of reserve with Cook. Either combo will still be decent at reserve against most teams reserves (as currently advertised).

Well at 25 last Oct he is not old. Not for someone like me over 60 Factor in all the time lost thru injuries he is still a young guy imo.

Back on topic - I wonder when Matt/Danny will decide and announce on the final reserve pairing for 2020. I am sure there are different opinions on it, but |i wonder when they will announce which of the 3 x 4 pointers goes into the main team,