STEVEHOLS54

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 ??

So Luke Becker chose Wolves. One rider we can exclude from the name the Poole team for 2019 game. Doyle back at Swindon will definitely make them stronger which begs the question what of Morris and Batchelor ?? Let's hope Matt gives us something as a start in the near future. Sure spent plenty of time eulogising over the Abu Dhabi trip.

Nuh. This guy is arguably the next big thing we have to offer the World of Speedway after Lambert, so no way he won't be signed even if it takes a while for him to get back to full fitness. May take a while but even his POL Club jumped to make sure he is with them for 2019. Diamonds like this do not come along that often.

Yet and I bet Harris is probably pi**ed at that thought. Wonder if he knows as he was flying out today from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi for the Poole Formula one GP jolly up. Could well cost him at least in Poole (if he was even considered that is for 2019). Suddenly Morris looks the man to get as he has dropped and is a full 2 points below his 2017 finishing GSA. Who by the way is on the same jolly up thanks to Poole Sponsors etc who have paid all his expenses and was on same plane next to Kurtz and Graz. Those guys flew out of Aussie yesterday and were photographed on the plane and now also on a track walk all looking happy bunnies with the younger members of the Ford family.

Think we need to get a reality check. We all know chances are every season riders will play the situation to seek out the best deal possible irrespective of whom may own them as an asset in UK. However whether they get approval to ride elsewhere ultimately has to be down to the asset owners approval if said rider expresses a wish not to ride for his so called parent club. If for example Pawlicki said - I don't want to ride for a Monday Club because I want to ride POL Sunday - Swe Tue and then UK Thursday (mainly) as it suits my commitments and travel arrangements better, then maybe a case ??. Plus more meetings are likely to be on a Thur with Mondays limited to a few dates per season which I prefer ?? Only giving an example here as a possible argument not to ride for Wolves ??. A lot of the riders I think drive from POL and then use ferries for Swe so would not have to fly POL/UK - then UK to SWE and the Swe/POL and then POL/UK and then UK/POL. Just thinking aloud here.

As I said read the report although it was an interview. If that be the case how comes that Chris Holder who openly said he wanted to ride with young Jack at Somerset in 2018 was not allowed to unless Somerset paid for his full transfer. Matt Ford was not prepared to loan him out as he wanted him for Poole and he was their asset. Therefore Chris had to agree to ride for Poole or he would not have had a UK Team. I don't profess to be an expert on such things BUT if Matt Ford gives an interview near enough confirming that situation on a clubs rider assets, why would he be willing to go into print on it. You could argue the same for riders such as NKI/Charles Wright etc but I doubt he will want either meaning they a re free to sign for who they want in those circumstances. Of course the flip side is that IF he did want Morris (and we are jokingly commenting on it although wish it was the case) then it could be a hell of a job getting Swindon to allow it even if Morris wanted to ride for Poole. Assuming he is a Swindon asset. Similar if Swindon want Doyle back if he is their asset then surely they get first choice.

I would hope the lack of team suits would not be repeated in 2019 as don't think it looked good personally. Hopefully some deep pocketed kind sponsor will come forth next season ;-)

Maybe Matt had an idea he would end up using 13 riders in 2018 (14 if you include Chris Holder who was at the press day and practicing before fate intervened). Would have cost a small fortune in race suits ;-) Incredible how generous sponsors can be though on the back of such success. Maybe some had decent bets half way through the season with bookmakers on winning the play offs when they were nearer bottom than top and all hope looked lost ;-)

Tell me about it. Being Hackney born and bred followed the Hawks/Kestrels from 1970 until their demise. Had the pleasure of visiting all of the above incl West Ham's second attempt to try and run as well as White City which was eerie watching them win the league in a stadium almost empty. Factor also in Rayleigh and now 2 in one season in Lakeside and Rye House. Can't take away the memories but its so sad what has happened over the years. At least being in Chelmsford allows access to the 2 new clubs that have come up to Prem in Ipswich and Peterborough.

May be the one he allegedly had sponsorship and machinery all set up for 2018 down South before the one over 8 rule scuppered everything ?? Of course would not want to spread rumours as last time that happened there were alleged sighting of him in a well known South Coastal Town We may know if he were to turn up in Abu Dhabi all of a sudden but that would be pure conspiracy theory

Sorry my bad. Got caught up in the posting. Was supposed to say Sponsors rather than Promoters. (Although maybe they chipped in as well) Sorry Skidder an error as know you and many of your local biz colleagues do a great job in sponsoring the team and special treats like A.Dhabi in recognition of the teams efforts.

Depends on whether his asset owned club want him first. For those who think riders can insist on riding where they want I would point you to the Holder 2018 situation where Ford said he could be purchased for £25 k as he was not interested or prepared to loan him out as Poole wanted him that season. They could do similar with Bjerre who's a Ford Asset unless of course they don't want him for 2019 in which case he can ride where he want's to. Pls look at the latest Bournmouth Echo Speedway interview with Matt Ford on the subject of Clubs Riders Asset's, just released last day or two,

I wonder if Harris had seen his new GSA when he replied to a fan on twitter yesterday with fingers crossed he could get back into Poole for 2019. Personally think its too high now and agree he isn't getting better even though some meetings he would do well. But at 7.78 ??. Even his final Champ was only 7.71 in a weaker league. Much as its hard to forget that magical overtake of Doyle, its too high for my liking. He tends to also start the season slowly and last thing Poole need is another start like 2018. Haven't really seen any clarification anywhere about GP riders for the 2019 season and we only have Doyle as a guideline. ALTHOUGH what about NKI who is as 7.38 but was in GP last season and requaified for 2019. To me would be grossly unfair if we have one rule for one and one for another. But as said I have not seen anything to clarify if he retains his 7.16 or goes to 8 if the 8 rule even exists for this season, and there seem to be doubts anyway if he will even be in UK in 2019 if his house is now sold STC. Plus comments about Andorra as a new abode maybe. Ford also confirmed there is NO one over 8 rule for 2019 even though it worked last year to give Leicester and Somerset a chance to get an over 8 rider. The rider who surely must be on a bargain GSA (even more now than I originally thought) is Morris on 6.60 having finished 2017 at 8.87 that's more than 2 points below what he showed he could achieve. Will be in demand IF he doesn't want to stay at Swindon. Notice he has been included in photo's with his 2 Poole Aussie colleagues on the plane to A.Dhabi GP out of Aussie and also included in the track walk with same colleagues and part of the younger Ford clan. All expenses paid trip by Poole/Poole promoters. I wonder if there will be talks although of course Swindon have a say if he is their asset.

Must admit can't see how they calculate these final ones as I thought it was based on 20 match rolling av EXCL the play offs. Am I wrong ?? as previous GSA had Harris at 7.09 so perhaps becomes not so attractive on 7.78 but also Brady goes from 6.75 to 7.05 yet Nick Morris goes down from 6.91 to 6.60. Maybe somebody can clarify ??

Is that confirmed or just a rumour based on a recent post saying he was visiting Andorra recently ?? Seems a decent place to live if you want low tax though. Up to Eur 24k zero - 24001 to 40k 5% - over 40K 10% & for non residents spending less than 183 days per year 10%. Factor in only 4.5% VAT. Also no inheritence tax I am sure Holder has had plenty of discussions with the likes of Fast Freddie Lindgren and I also heard Max Frike who has allegedly done similar. Nice one if you can afford to live there in the first place. For those among us who may also be considering a move similar to our poorly paid Speedway Riders , feel free to visit https://andorraguides.com/tax/rates/#Income-Tax-Rates-in-Andorra-for-Residents

Yes but how does one prove anything ?? Plenty of comments on the Forum that Morris wanted out of Swindon and many Wolves fans were already planning him in their idea of a 1-7. It was said by some he had decided to go there although have never taken much notice as ultimately if he is a Swindon asset you would think they may have a say in the matter. Although when I raise the subject of Chris Holder many jump in and say a rider can decide to ride where he wants (after all Ford put a £25 permanent transfer only tag on his head for 2018 and wouldn't agree a loan deal). I think ultimately it will be Morris who decides where he rides and IF he chose Poole then no doubt the usual suspects will be crying foul play and illegal tapping up of a rider. Having said that there is also the not small question of what would Swindon & Rosco have to say about it even if the rider expresses a wish to leave the club. On a different note I see Chris Harris posted a fingers crossed emoji on his twitter account in last day when asked a direct question by a supporter if he would ride for Poole in 2019 having signed for Somerset. I think some may be making the association ride at Somerset Wed and stay over for Poole up the road (kind of) on a Thur. Maybe Harris is hopeful he gets a chance to extend his stay.

Nuh - Wouldn't surprise me if Matt already knows his 1-7 (or most of them) He will probably drag it out to maximise press releases in the Echo and local media. Noting like max exposure huh ?? In the meantime he has to concentrate on him and his wife's trip to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend and entertaining last seasons team with the sponsors who have helped pay for it. He could of course be using the time to also work on Nick Morris for 2019 after a few bevvies have taken effect

I thought Matt signed Jakobsen as a long term prospect being arguably the best young Dane currently coming through at still only 20. Jake is nearly 3 years older - has a lower GRA and has ridden UK 2 years longer. For that 0.5 point difference who offers arguably the most potential as a rising star in the sport ?? Jakobsen has also been signed up by a POL Nice 1 team for 2019 having ridden Lge 2 last year. I wouldn't mind seeing Allen in the side for 2019 if he could be accommodated say at reserve, if they were saving points for further up the team but not for me at the expense of Jakobsen. Unfortunately that would mean also not being able to accommodate Nielsen due to the points limit. The other 5 were in line with who I wanted to see in for 2019 with Jakobsen and one other maybe Shanes, as a young Aussie would not fit with the new overseas rider rule on allocated GRA.

Hmmm Then arguably maybe Becker/Lydsey could be better options but again would mean Matt having to jiggery poke further up the team.

Just a thought. I partly mention James because he also has a low enough GSA with the reduction to slot in IF Matt's team idea's were along the lines I mentioned. Looking at the final GSA's there is next to nobody in Premier GSA's that would fit or be ideal imo. Having said that there isn't much to set the pulse racing in the Champ either. HOWEVER I notice one young Aussie that may be of interest to put in the reserve berth and let him also double up and that's Jordan Stewart. Will be 20 in about 10 days and had his first season this year in UK with Redcar. Has a 4.09 GSA converted down at 1.5 would come in on a 3 point av. He is a young Aussie and we all know Poole's love affair with these guys and I am sure they would supply him accommodation like most/all other young Aussies they have had ride for the club. Stewart just finished runner up to Jaimon Lydsey in the Victoria Speedway Champ in Aussie and both therefore qualified for a UK Working Visa for 2019. Lydsey maybe another possibility (may also better option) as EXL Champs Leszno have also signed him as one for the future but will probably be loaned out to lower league maybe for more experience ??? Only 19 he raced in POL Lge 2 this season and was 10th in riders League av. Would he qualify on a low av like Stewart being same age and if anything at a disadvantage to Stewart having NOT ridden UK. Also as Ray says - Being Aussies they would probably be given longer ?? As said just a thought and one has to remember that Shanes first love is arguably Grass Track/Long Track and he may be happy to combine Champ with N/L but I'm just guessing on that score. Do the younger Aussies offer more potential as actual speedway riders than Shanes who will be 22 come season start so 2 years older. Still only young I know but these young Aussies who make the effort to come all the way across the World when so young to develop as Speedway riders do have a habit of pushing on even if not all actual World beaters. Luke Becker the young American is another option but would he get a low GSA or would they set him too high to fit in the rest of the team ??? Plenty of food for thought.

I think Matt Ford will consider his team carefully. Let's not escape the fact that Poole team only won 2 matches away all season - both at Leicester the bottom team who won't be there this year. Shame as think its Klindt's favourite track ;-) I think strength in depth will again be important, as we saw with all 3 leagues finishing top wins you nothing (a shame but its a reality as this is the way its set up). I am sold on Chris Holder (or Nick Morris) - Jack Holder - B.Kurtz - Woryna - Jakobsen - Klindt - Shanes (with his 2.5% reduction) and its creeps withing the 42.5 (assuming Chris keeps his 7.15/16). Last season proved that its about winning your home matches and getting important away points by staying within 6 points. It would be a team of combined youth and experience. An not convinced about Josh G and have a feeling he has reached his limit and will still be trying hard to establish himself in his adopted home nation Poland having changed teams after failures of 2018. Can see him maybe going back into Champ, although having POL Sunday may mess that up. He was better when doubling up even if an exhausting schedule. I feel there have to be some changes as we were a bit fortunate this year. Plenty of scope for improvement in the younger riders with stability from Klindt and Holder. Also have 3 possible strong reserves maybe alternating i.e Jakobsen/Klindt and maybe Woryna sharing that berth at times with Shanes. Of course I could be way off the mark and Matt may have other ideas :-)