STEVEHOLS54

Sorry PB but disagree. Matt said in an article during the season that he/the club had lost six figures this season with all the problems of 70th Anniv meeting and all the cancellations. Now who lost that money - the club - Matt Ford himself ??. Matt owns the club meaning surely he didnt lose it from his own fortune. It must be the club.

If it was worth so much than I am sure Matt would have sold it by now. I saw figure of £250k plus mentioned. How true that was I don't know but for what ???. In these days where many argue the sport is on its knees and going nowhere I can't see some charitable soul paying that much money or anywhere near it. Don't get me wrong. I think Matt has done a brilliant job for Poole over the years. Many like him and some don't. He has always been one step ahead many times in team selection and we have seen some great riders at Poole over the years. But the sport is on a downward curve in most peoples eyes (except the BSPA who seem to have a rose tinted view of the sport). Ask yourself where the Prem would be for 2019 had Chapman not purchased Ips/Peter . Neither in my opinion would have come up and for sure Som/Leic would have dropped anyway due to lack of finance/losses and not having choice of race night. Would have left only 5 Prem teams with loss of the small bit of money coming into the sport from TV.

I'll take that as a given. Having said that being an Essex (Chelmsford) based Poole and now lamented Lakeside Supporter I can't say I feel overly comfortable corresponding with someone who may only be 40 miles or so up the road with your somewhat possibly strange and unusual interests By the way I was a die hard Hackney Hawks Fan from my mid teens in 1970 until demise. I only lived less than a mile from Waterden Road. For me the most competitive and hated team were in fact the Witches when we raced against them. There was always a strong will to beat them more than anybody with great racers like John Louis - Davey's electric gating. Man never saw anyone who could gate as fast as that guy could. Always brought a good core of support along and also enjoyed visiting Foxhall for away matches. Much happier days for the sport in some way.

Also if memory serves me well, when Chris Louis owned the club didn't he announce his team last season well before most others ??

Sorry didn't realise I was expanding on an earlier posting. Maybe I did see it and it turned a light on in my head to post something. Maybe there is some truth in the first part of my post as well as without the 2 clubs he purchased coming up then the so called beloved top league would have been well and truly screwed

Don't disagree. Matt can be his own worse enemy. he has become a master of playing the local media (especially in the Echo) and wherever he can to gain the widest possible audience.. He bleats loud and clear in putting Poole Speedway into the media to gain max exposure. He has to be applauded in many senses but it can also be a negative. He was open when he was only to willing to share with all that 2018 had lost him well into 6 figure well before the season had ended and I think even before the play offs. So that means well in excess of £100,000 upwards. Well I am sure all the hype and guests flown in from all over Europe for the early season 70th Anniv meeting with hotel bills/flights and god knows how many other costs related took a fair chunk of that even before season started with no crowd income to offset at least part of it. Factor in rain offs - track problem cancellations, poor match results to mid season and falling crowds and there you go. Therefore a much hyped and no doubt very expensive jolly up for the team and Manager/owner with some partners plus some sponsors with not even a mention of a thank you to the supporters via an end of season do, must have gone down well with the locals. Lasting 4 days will all expenses paid incl flights - food/drink - entertainment - in the no doubt expensive racing village with World renowned pop stars of now and the past and no doubt decent Hotel accommodation to boot. Now I know that some sponsors footed some of the bill so thanks to those guys. But even so when you consider the Club allegedly lost so much money with Matt also openly saying finance is tight also with as it stands NO main Team Sponsor signed or even in sight, then it is a bit rich that the supporters who are the life blood of the sport don't even get a celebration bevvy up in recognition. Could you imagine a Football team winning the League but not parading for the fans ?? I don't begrudge them their trip and good luck to anyone who can enjoy such luxuries, but at a time when the sport is almost potless it is a bit rich to then come back and your first real media article bestows the lack of money and POL pricing you out of the top riders. It sounded like he was letting the fans down gently on team expectations for 2019. No doubt he also wants to keep a lid on expenditure for 2019 as he is still confident/hopeful in flogging the Club after next season. Yeah fat chance at his inflated idea of what a speedway club is worth. Hopefully we will still get a competitive team in 2019 as after all he has enough team assets in riders to call upon. We will no doubt see over the coming weeks - Hopefully.

A possible theory just posted by me on the Ipswich Forum.

Of course there could be a conspiracy theory on this whole Buster thing. If Buster had not taken over both Ips/Pet then chances are maybe only 5 clubs would have been willing to stay in Prem as both Som/Leic wanted to drop down, probably & mainly due to losses and not race night of choice. Meaning Prem would have been in effect buggered. Buster buying into both clubs on no doubt some deferred payment scheme would allow a 7 team Prem thus also keeping a top League and also not losing TV rights. Now it is said Buster tends to name his team late and into the new year. Could it be that he is waiting for the other 4 teams to mop up the riders they want at whatever going rate the riders want or teams will pay, knowing that come the new year if they are done and dusted the riders left will have less bargaining power and he can then dictate terms more favorably to him for those guys not yet fixed up but who will start becoming more desperate to do so. No doubt he will protect his first love KL with Lambert and whoever he wants there, but when you think about it maybe not so daft a thought ?? As said that is of course just a conspiracy theory I do hope for both Ips/Pet that some decent riders are signed and announced sooner rather than later as it will also prove that such a theory is utter crap. Plus all of us want to see competitive teams and racing.

When I said fortunate, I meant from the current perspective. If the team has no main team sponsor - with virtually nothing from TV, having by his on words taken a massive financial hit in 2018 with the combination of the washout big Anniv meeting - other early season washouts - lower crowds due to both an inept first half of the season and the dropping of crowds in general throughout UK, then he is indeed in the fortunate position of cleverly having purchased or had passed on various rider assets that may well serve him well in 2019 in the days of having tighten the purse strings. Under such circumstances he can if need be call on such assets to ride for Poole (such as Hans Anderson/Holders etc) or as you say obtain loan fees to help finance the club in these dark times. Having said that and much as I appreciate the fact sponsors financed part of the trip, one is never going to get much sympathy after a heavily advertised and lauded over Formula 1 trip to Abu Dhabi for the whole team/manager which Matt also said was his third or fourth trip to the event in recent times. Being Matt's main source of income one has to say it is indeed a sport where finance is tight.

Indeed it does. Don't have a team sponsor - Seems very little money - Of course Uk can't compete with Poland. We all know that and yes hardly surprising most don't want to risk their lucrative POl contracts to ride here for much lower money with the inherent risks involved. Vaculik a prime example of a rider who could have lost all of 2018 with that nasty injury early doors. Am sure Gorzow were furious and it could have cost him a fortune. Sure he won't be back on these shores again. But Ford is one of the more fortunate ones even without a main sponsor currently - He has over the years obtained plenty of assets so he can still sign the riders to field a half decent team if you factor in the likes of Hans Andersen - Kenneth Bjerre - Chris & Jack Holder and others. Can even include NKI but doubt he would. I think the big bucks man he referred to was probably Woryna who is the Star in Rybnik but maybe also Kurtz is going to earn big. Let's be honest the top guys only ride here as it covers expenses and some live here. For example Doyle & NKI. If you can cover your costs and travelling expenses around Europe from what you earn from UK then the money you earn in POL/SWE is not drained by lots of expenses. Of course what we don't know is if his comments are also a veiled threat as to whether he can even still afford the likes of Woryna _ Holders etc as they are all riding POL/SWE and maybe won't come cheap. Sounds like we can discount a top 8 point plus man then. Still faces a dilemma though as he has to still shed 2.64 points from this seasons team.

Yes but something has to give as the team in its current format is 2.64 over. Say you replaced Worrall at 5.60 with Shanes at 3.31 thats only saving 2.29 which is still 0.43 over. Many said this was arguably the weakest team ever to win the league. A good chunk of luck/good fortune and a sublime one ride from Harris made it happen in 2018. In my opinion it won't happen again without some jiggery poke within the team. An example of a rejiggle and just an idea Josh Pickering 4.58 - Jordan Stewart 4.00 (both reserves) -B Kurtz 7.05 - C.Woryna 6.36 - Jack Holder 7.39 - F.Jakobsen 5.04 Leaves by my calc 8.08 for a number one. It is filled with 4 of the Worlds best up and coming young riders (excl the good Poles who won't ride here) - has 2 of arguably the brightest young Aussies coming thru at reserve - JP just turning 22 in 3 days and had 2 seasons in Champ improv GSA over the 2. JS just turned 20 only 2 weeks ago and had ok first season with Redcar. Seems to be riding well against Jaimon Lidsey back home currently in Aussie. This would leave the option open for say Harris (ok some say he should be in but I am split on it) - Chris Holder who I would have over Harris and would also be a pull to get Jack back - Or an 8 pointer which brings into play either GP or recent GP riders (of course if available). Of course that leaves out Josh G - Nicolai Klindt - Richie Worrall and MAYBE Harris but whichever way you cut it we still need to offload at least 2 riders to get within the limit. I can't see Matt letting either Kurtz/Woryna or Jakobsen not being included as all 3 have the potential to up their GSA's. Other riders who could be considered if you want to jiggery poke on the av are Morris (if he was available and even wanted to ride for Poole) at 6.60 and Sundstrom who is now on only 6.04. Matt has a an interesting headache and juggling act on his hands.

If anything Doyle has gone the opposite long term. He seems like a fine wine who has matured/improved with age. Not many in this sport have improved over 30 like he has. Unless you are Hancock of course Can't believe the rider he was at 22/25 would become what he is today. Always had the asset of quick out of the gate but got overtaken far to easily. Now he is one of the hardest riders on the circuit and not many can overtake this guy once he is in front. All down to his earlier experience at Poole of course

Uk get priority over Swe on a Thur just as Swe gets priority on a Tue. That's what the Authorities agreed who control the Sport.

Could be. Must profess it seems a maze to me how they do it when the UK fixtures have not be advertised or to my knowledge even agreed yet other than we know UK has Mon/Thur and both Swin/Poole have agreed Thur with MAYBE the odd Wed fixture when fixtures clash i.e Poole V Swindon and the repeat fixure x 2.

There are a couple of possible answers to that. 1) Swindon v Poole for example may switch in some instances to a Wed to suit one another ??. Maybe the odd other switch. I am sure Doyley would have had discussions already with Rosco on that score before signing on the dotted line 2) Tough anyway on SWE as the authoririties that be already deemed UK had priority over SWE on Thur as SWE have their allocated day on a Tue. I am sure its been planned to work out for Club/s and rider. Same applies to any other rider should they ride for a Thur UK club where the Swedes deem to want the odd Thur night. Also remember the Swedes tend to have a squad system should the odd meeting clash.

I can see you are in the keep him camp Ray, As I said my mind is kind of split on it. Suppose we have to just wait and keep playing with rider ideas as for sure changes have to be made due to the 2.64 points over the limit.

Honestly Starman riding for Poole nothing to do with it. Unfortunately Chris Harris has become a victim of the way the system is. Similar with Brady who was 6.75 on the new 1/10 GSA's but then became 7.05 on the final. So 2 Poole riders who's GSA's increased yet Morris dropped from 6.91 to 6.60. Was this due to Rye House scores all being deleted ??. No idea personally but for sure doesn't help Matt's team building with having to get rid of 2.64 points. Personally think its a difficult one and you are damned if you sign him and damned if you don't. You will always get good days from Chris as he was rider of the night several times last season (but not in the 2 meeting play off final). It's a difficult one for me but having to shed 2.64 points of the final team av and having Chris start on such a high GSA does concern me as we need arguably 2 riders on lower AV at the expense of 2 others which arguably makes the team weaker. Maybe relying too much on the younger riders such as Kurtz/Wory/Jakobsen really stepping up. If you throw Morris into the mix I would be interested of course and Holder/s. Suppose all we can do is keep playing the name the team game until Matt enlightens us a bit more ;-)

Don't disagree Gavan. I think Ford has a difficult juggling act on his hands with the points limit alone and MAYBE if the Holders are available (maybe even only one of them) on lower GSA's then maybe they are a better option for team building limit.Won't argue with you over Snrs GSA as know your opinion on it but that isn't known just as we don't even know if he is an option for racing UK in 2019. I am edging more towards team balance and maximising the team strength based on points limit and the team having to shed 2.64 points from last season

Yes and I have heard it before which is another reason for my concern. Can't say i have noticed it before but then I wasn't studying him as a rider of another team. Have heard before that he takes time to sort set ups - get proper fitness etc. After last seasons early disasters really don't want another playing catch up from the bottom situation. Maybe we have been spoiled at Poole over most years but bottom of the league was a bit scary putting it mildly. Also remember that Poole only won twice in 2018 and both at Leicester who are not there in 2019. Have my doubts Peterborough and Ipswich will provide such cannon fodder. You need wins from somewhere away to get into the top 4, even if you keep some matches to within 6 or the odd draw. Doyle proved being a proven number 1 he helped both Swindon and Somerset into the play offs. He helped win it with Swindon - was VERY unlucky with Somerset with the Holder injury and one should not be too hard on him for that Harris race which was a one off we probably won't see easliy repeated. His performances against Poole and poins scored were still good in the matches between the sides in the League and play offs.

I think opinion may well be split. Hell even I am on the subject. Just find it a worry that Matt has to shed that 2.64 which just makes things more tricky with Harris being elevated 0.69 points since the 1st Oct GSA list. Maybe how the rest of the team looks may have a bearing. I have thrown in riders such as Sundstrom and Pickering who would help drag the team GSA down a bit with perhaps scope for improvement if you also factor in Brady/Woryna/Jakobsen which gives you for those 6 a 36.85 limit leaving only 5.65 being too low for either Holder or even Nick Morris. Of course Shanes and Morris would fit. A team of potential but could it struggle without a proven out and out number one ?? No doubt Matt is working hard on it but is a bit of a conundrum.

The problem as I see it is that to get rid of 2.64 whole points from the 2018 finishing team it would mean Harris having to go in at number 1 ?? I am not convinced he is a number 1. As said I have split minds on the guy but do have BIG reservations at 7.78. For sure we know he wants back in as he can do Somerset Wed and Poole Thur so can stay overnight down South rather than driving home to Telford late Wed and all the way back less that 24 hours later. I wish someone somewhere had some clarity on the Chris Holder situation. For me if Chris was an option on say 7.16 (which again nobody knows if its that or he would go back to 8 as a GP rider for 2018 but not a GP rider in 2019 - who knows what his av will be). Would Chris be a better option on 7.16 than Harris and would that also help swing the younger Holder who is also a Poole asset. Would have been nice if Chris could have maybe made a few comments on twitter as to if he thinks he might be available to race UK in 2019 rather than the gossip about him having sold up STC and is moving to Andorra. Even if he is moving does that mean he won't be riding UK as believe Fricke who has also allegedly moved there probably will do UK. All I keep hearing on the Forum when I raise Holder Sr is forget him. He won't be returning to Poole but is that fact or again just rumour/some peoples opinion.

Matt has a possible problem anyway as the current team is 2.64 over the limit. Not helped by Harris & Brady's GSA's being hiked. Something has to give. As Lisa commented would like to see Morris come in as on as arguably false low GSA of 6.60 he arguably has maybe 2 points improvement in him. BUT maybe he feels Doyle returning to Swindon would help elevate him back to that at Swindon. For sure he would fit Poole's requirements of an improver and helping to keep the Poole team limit down. As another thought provoker further down. What about Josh Pickering ??? was menioned by Matt briefly last season. Would come in on around 4.50 mark after 2 seasons at Edinburgh. Turns 22 in 3 days. An idea for points saving in reserve slot ?? Went from 4.65 in 2017 to 6.11 in 2018 so seems to be improving. Yes he is also another young Aussie

Thought provoking comment. If Matt has to lose 2.64 from the team that won the league to get within the 42.50 limit and IF as some think Worrall may not be part of the 2019 plans (and he is only on 5.60) would Linus Sundstrom possibly be a consideration on his new GSA of only 6.04 ??? Yes it is higher than Worrall but would he be considered a better quality rider capable of improving his GSA having started 2018 on 7.17. Yes Matt would still need to change elsewhere but he is faced with changes whatever happens as he is 2.64 over the limit anyway with last years team. Also Sundstrom now riding Swe Exl next season so Tuesday and has signed for a POL Nice 1 team for 2019 so will get regular Sunday rides. Will also improve his confidence hopefully as didnt work out at Gorzow in POL Exl As said a thought provoking idea. Worth another try ??

I have a split opinion on Harris. Part of me says good team man but another part of me says will he be too up and down ?? Complicated further by his revised GSA up from 7.09 as per GSA 1/10 to a final av of 7.78 a whole 0.69 higher I assume based on deleting his Rye scores as though play offs didn't count ?? Suddenly doesn't look so good. Doyle for example is 9.80 but you know you will get 10/15 points per meeting from him which we know with Poole riders last year you could get anything from 0 to 10/12 (if you were lucky). For me Matt has to give some serious thought to the 2019 team. Yes 2018 started badly but honestly I am not yet convinced the likes of Kurtz/Josh G/Woryna/Fredrikson will improve their av big time and Klindt had a good season (sometimes) and again not 100% convinced he would improve. Having so called strength in depth is good on the one hand but for me they had a good slice of luck and good fortune in 2018 to win the League whatever some Poole die hard's may think. Yes they did the job but asking lightning to strike twice with most of the same team ??. I can't see it PLUS the team has to shed a massive 2.64 points anyway to get back to 42.5 for season start. Would you tie up Harris at a whole 7.78 out of that will he even achieve that knowing realistically he is nearer a 7 IMO. Maybe you can get a proven 8 pointer which would be better but again can the club afford such expense with no confirmed team sponsor. I think Matt is going to have plenty on his plate trying to find a decent combination for 2019 plus if he can even do it early enough IF he doesn't have a main sponsor on board. Hope it does not become a case of "Oh Well" we achieved what I wanted and that was the League Champions in 2018 out 70th year so in what may be my last year at the Club let's just go for consolidation without a large expense.

Was thinking similar Skidder while I was out last 2 hours. My other thinking was is Matt even able to sign any so called Star or high class riders until he knows IF and when a Main Sponser is going to agree a deal. Not being negative on this point but knowing the lack of finance in the sport and the fact major companies seem reluctant to get involved, one has to raise the question is anyone going to come forward with major sponsorship of the level Matt wants and to a degree got especially with Ready Power until 2 seasons ago when he had to go for the lower Volve deal which has also ended. Are we to assume Volvo were not interested in extending the deal ??. Hope they do get a decent sponsor but could it have an adverse affect on signings unless one is secured ??