STEVEHOLS54

Any snippets or rumours knocking around last night on what might happen with Nichols or Harris ?? Nobody seemed to know up to last night if they would keep their last RH GSA or with their results cancelled, would they get a Champ 1.3 downward conv which certainly makes Nichols more attractive than Harris who would still be on his similar Prem GSA. I mention it as the lower they are the more attractive they become. Both ride Poole well and both could (or already are) be considered for Poole if Matt does decide to replace a rider or redeclare ??. Not an easy one after last night as Josh picked up but as we know Poole have been hellishly inconsistent this season and would not get carried away as we saw after KL how things could swing back again downwards.

I think Matt will decide depending upon what is agreed at the BSPA in view of what is obviously happening in British Speedway currently. I think most if not all agree that the sport in its current format is on a very slippery downward slope. I exchanged a few words with an off guard John Cook at a recent Lakeside meeting in which i said that I thought one big league was the way forward. He commented that his fear was that the big clubs like Poole and Wolves with their finance and large rider asset base would snap up all the available top talent making it virtually impossible for others to compete. We all know Matt is one of if not the top owner/promoters of recent times and it could maybe be a veiled warning to others in the sport. I.E: Speedway gets its house in order and maybe follows his vision for the sport or he and Poole will walk away from it. Now, many may not like his idea of how it should be run, but ultimately he has run a successful Club for the years he has been involved so difficult to argue with that. Consider what a so called Prem would look like without say a Poole and maybe other casualties. Basically it won't be. Speedway for sure needs to take some hard/difficult decisions, but at the same time just as in football, all cannot be equal as life doesn't work that way. There will always be the have's and the have nots. You need the Manchester City's/Utd/Liverpool/Arsenals as much as you need the smaller clubs. If a top club visits a smaller club its always a big draw when the better players come to town. Just like in Speedway POL/SWE don't have team make up points totals in their Prem/first or second divisions. They work on the fill with what you want and just make sure you have 2 Pol juniors or Swe nationals in your team. I would love to see bigger/better supported and well run clubs visit smaller clubs. I don't profess to have the answer on how you sort it, but sort it has to be done, as when the likes of Matt Ford issue warning (veiled or otherwise) that he will consider both his decision and Poole Speedways decision at the end of the season, he does not choose such comments lightly. Ultimately even he must be suffering financially after what has been a nightmare season from the start following the loss of the 70th Anniv meeting but not the expense of the big celebration, followed by many rain offs - track issues - non performing riders - Holder situation etc. Now we hear about RH closing. BSPA cancelling most Champ teams Friday meetings due to problematical rider availability. Good article from Jon Cook on Lakeside website today which I think is fair and open flwg cancellation of the Glasgow meeting. Understand a BSPA Association meeting next week. Let's hope all the promotors/owners turn up as the situation with the sport is serious and needs addressing sooner rather than later in Nov.

Another option is some of the better Champ sides step into a new set up with whats left of the Prem into a new format which allows teams to ride on nights of their choice suited best for the crowds, and if to the detrement of signing certain overseas so called stars then so be it. Either that or one big league but something has to be done to make the sport more financially viable to at least cover costs even if not profit. Thinks for certain have to change or we may not have a sport to discuss this time next year. Well not in its current format.

Bearing in mind its been a week now. Would not surprise me if the GSA discussion and new teams have already been discussed with the SCB and between riders and interested clubs. Matt Ford already made some comments in the Echo in last 24 hours as not discounting other changes maybe if it also involved current assets in the team (would seem to me to be poss aimed at Josh G ??). Would not surprise me one bit if he has already got the ok in respect of both riders GSA's and perhaps an agreement in principal for at least one of them ?? Could be wrong of course but the press release in the Echo quickly followed by the BSPA release indicates this outcome was on the cards for maybe a while despite what has said about efforts were made to resolve it.

I agree BUT.... if both Harris and Scott both now got a Champ av calculation and all Prem scores etc are canned for Rye then it indeed makes it interesting for a few teams out there and especially Poole. Nichols new GSA on a conv would be 6.07 (based on the GSA sheet of 26.6 on the 2018 team declarations which is where SGB now seem to post them),and Harris would be 6.25. Both would be options for Poole if they did drop Josh G and both ride Poole well. My preference would be for Nichols. Harris would fit on basis of a team declaration not as a straight replacement as just too high. I can't see based on this years current GSA wef 1/7 or on the starting GSA that either would get a team spot personally elsewhere. They are both a bit too high to replace others imo. Wonder if any discussions will be going on tonight as Scott is guesting for BV. He also lives South Coast now so Poole arguably more convenient than RH was. All depends on what they will get as new GSA's wef 1st July. We shall see but whatever outcome its a sad day.

By the way the latest ones are now posted on Premiership declarations for 2018. For some reason SGB not putting latest one on the GSA section. There have been 2 posted on 26/6 and 29/6.

Your right. Harris is on 6.86 wef 1/7 and Bellego is on 6.10. They can't even redeclare the team as the total sits on 43.04 above what the 42.50 team limit is. Think only Poole could get him if they drop Josh G or Sundstrom as although Harris higher they could redeclare their team as they are currently 0.75 below the 42.50 limit. Having said that unfair to come accross like a vulture picking on the bones of the recently deceased

Tend to agree. Something which perhaps engages with some or all of the Champ clubs in a new format which is not financially punishing.

So its announced Rye have closed down. On SGB site. This means we lose 4 points from our 2 RH matches but some lose 6. We are certainly bottom but the revised SGB League table not amended yet as the news is just off the press. Wonder how the new table will look. Sad day for all Speedway supporters.

Thanks Phil. Was busy typing on the Forum and just saw this so indeed you got in first Kind of confirms what we all feared and a sad day for the sport.

But it does highlight to a degree that we are an aging fan base as we are not attracting enough younger people into the sport. I ceertainly dont feel like I am 3 months short of 64 and certainly dont look it so I am told LOL. But its nice to have the memories of when the sport was at another level support wise and having witnessed the greats such as Mauger - Briggs - Michanek - Olsen to name but a few and even riders at the end of their careers when I first started to see it such as Ronnie Moore - Jackie Biggs. Those memories cannot be erased as thankfully I can say I did my bit in turning up every week for many years even when my club was not doing so well as it as the racing that was important. Well as a Hackney supporter with Len Silver was at the helm it as never going to be BIG in signings. Remember when we were promised Michanek but he never arrived a couple of weeks running and we ended up with Dag Lovaas. Not quite the same but typical of Len I suppose. Couldnt pick up the mobile in those days or email so it was all down to landline communication.

Would indeed be sad but no great surprise. We have also seen it with Coventry where we know they want to redevelop the site. Speedway will NEVER return there and personally I hope not as the stadium is now in effect a dump. You look at what's going on at Rye and you think, Jeez where will it all end.

Is there any realistic time limit on when one might expect a decision on whether there really is going to be a stadium built on or around the existing site or whether the demands of modern housing sites ultimately take precidence in overtaking situations such as this ?? I am not from the area but if the housing development has proceeded at its amazingly fast pace as most housing developments do when money is involved in changing hands on completion, then if there are resident concerns on noise levels etc (understandable if they really are that close), then surely at some stage something has to give/happen one way or the other. We all know that planning changes/objections/amendments can take forever to go through authorities, but with the new stadium having been agreed so long ago yet the housing has pressed on regardless, then surely there must be some idea if this stadium will become a reality or maybe just more housing?? Believe there is also greyhound racing ?? which if the case is it basically in a similar supportive state to our dwindling Speedway. I.E: For many it won't be missed and I don't mean that sarcastically as I would love to see a new stadium built to hopefully help save the sport in Swindon.

Well I still buy it but admit not every week. In my loft i have neatly packed away lots of SS from the early and mid seventies plus lots of programmes from the same period and eightees. I first came into the sport as a 16 year old in 1970/71. Fell in love with it and been a fan ever since . Keep saying I will open up the 2 large boxes and look back on those programs from Hackney (my home club for years before they closed) - Rye House - West Ham - White City - Wimbledon etc. Lost of happy memories when we had a much better support days way before those days of computers/mobile phones - modern technology etc.

Yes and its for reasons like this that Phil said last week that he has to go and lie down in a darkened room when he see's the current SS circulation figures. Suppose its indicative of our Sport in general in UK

Thanks Phil. Appreciate that you can't release things you don't know but the SS is a publication that many of us read (I am sure you would like more ) and anything that can at least point Speedway fans in general in the direction at least of what might be going on is better than what we have presently i.e No News.

Have got to see Starman's many posts and replies over the 2 years I have been on the Forum, and have noticed a moderation of tone since his major op. Don't want to go into too much as its personal to him but many who follow his posts know how serious it was. From a personal perspective I have found that when it comes to sensible Speedway discussion he has proved very engaging and I have NEVER had any problems or issues with exchange posts even if we don't always agree on certain points relating to the Poole Team or the Club. Let's also be honest this is a Poole Forum so I keep my comments relative to the subject matter. I think this is the thing. We can have a laugh- a joke - sometimes the odd wind up but ultimately we all love the sport and of course if we get some of the trolls or people who go out of their way just to wind up certain parties then it will cause some friction. Some may not understand that Mike had a vert serious and possibly life threatening Brain illness that could have ended his life. However he came through it (with some difficulties) and for me has been more engaging when exchanging views on our team. Never bad words exchanged even if we don't always see eye to eye (i.e Mr Sundstrom being an example - I am still not convinced but Starman has always advocated patience with him and say he is improving - the jury is still out, but we can exchange politely without reverting to back biting). I just feel that we should be a little understanding. Its obvious that Mike still gets difficult moments as he said openly on this forum a bit earlier, but I am sure if it had been me or anyone exchanging sensible discussion, that he would still have posted or replied in the same manner. He has a lot of knowledge/experience of the sport over the years and I for one feel we should embrace such fans on the forum. Mike only gets agitated with those who tend to wind up when its not necessary. In many cases he ignores a lot of it. Anyway I have never met Starman but from what I have learned since his major operation he is a decent guy who I enjoy exchanging views/posts with. P.S: Part of the reason for having not met him is because I live 3.5 hours plus away from Poole in darkest Essex

Meaning you have some news or you have nothing more than the rumours circulating ?? Don't expect you to reveal the headline of the SS article or its full content Phil, but would be good to know if SS does have access to what is going on and can at least give some insight to the fans who so far have been treated like mushrooms in a dark potting shed.

It is incredible that over 1 week since the first announcement was put out, there has not been a single statement form the BSPA as to what is/may be going on. Appreciate there may have been some internal negotiations/discussions but it just further highlights the problems at the so called top level of the sport. It also adds confusion when one reads on the Swindon Forum that approval has been given for the demolition of the current stadium but nothing is mentioned about what about the new stadium that was supposed to have been built 1/2 years ago. Comments about complaints from new residents on the new housing development about Speedway noise but not one positive comment put out that work will start on the new stadium on ???. Also one poster mentions that too long a gap between meetings and maybe the 11th July home meeting may be in doubt ???. May all be just rumour but no news coming out of such situations just frustrates things for all concerned with the clubs. Perhaps the current issues are wider reaching than just Rye House ??? Very worrying times.

Seems the SGB site threw a few of us. Decided to put the updated Team GSA's for July under 2018 Team Declarations rather than under the normal 2018 Greensheet Averages. Shame as would have preferred to have seen Woryna in their longer especially with BV coming to Poole Wed. Also most unlike Matt or the Echo to be behind on releasing the signing before it was leaked on the SGB GSA sheet yesterday. Not that it matters as important thing is Jacobsen has signed. One for next year I think and let him bed in and get used to our tracks for the rest of this season. Won't be short of rides as he also does DK & Pol 2nd Div. Only worrying thing is could we lose him on some Wed if his DK team clash with Poole. Already seeing it with Klindt.

Based on Spaniak's new GSA wef 1/7 its 4.77 or on a 1.3 conversion he has 6.2 for a Champ rider. Scrolling through the latest SGB team declaration GSA's effective july, the only rider who I can come up with who has shown some decent recent form is Mason Campton a 24 year Aussie who I got a chance to see at my local track Lakeside recently where he scored 10 from 5 incl one last place. Was easily their best rider by far and better on the night than Klindt & Bewley. Only came back from injury for first time this season I think end of May checking Workingson results and has done fairly well. Can't be any worse than Spaniak on UK form. Nobody else stands out around that mark in Champ. Unless Matt has another young Johnny Foreigner agreed at a GSA below 5 with no UK experience ??? Does he need the expense of an untried young rider even if done kind of ok abroad. Also Matt cannot change Josh G for Charles Wright as Josh starts July on 6.12 and Wright is on 6.19. Additionally if Matt tries a team redeclaration he looks stumped to me as team start July on 42.97 and need to redeclare within 42.5 (I think).

Whilst we all want to see Rye pull through, there could be one major problem with getting their way if they were to allow them to race at home on a Saturday. Some are displaying a what the hell if the odd rider is missing attitude, but let's dig bit deeper on the possible implications, as although we don't attract all the big stars now, this is the possible number of riders each visiting team could lose out of their seven current riders, as no way they will race UK on a Saturday for one reason or another related to POL as well as other continental possible commitments. Belle Vue 5 - Leicester 3 - Rye House 1 KK - Swindon 4 maybe 5 at times - Kings Lynn 2 - Poole 6 yes 6 and maybe even 7 with Worrall getting odd rides out there - Somerset 2/3 - Wolves 2 Not as easy as it sounds initially.

I suppose if you also do away with Prem/Champ double ups then this years potential League winners i.e Lakeside would be well and truly butchered for 2019 considering the likes of Morris/Lawson/Ellis/Zach W and even Newman possibly. I know any restructuring would have some winners and losers but man that would be brutal if they won the Champ this season which a distinct possibility with their big home advantage and decent riders this season. They could be left with Morley and Alfie Bowtell. Certainly any restructuring would not be an easy fix to plan.

Interesting thought based on the new GSA's effective 1st July. Amazingly and despite having no riders over a 7 point GSA the team total sits at amazingly 42.97 which is 0.47 ABOVE the 2018 starting team limit. The 2 most mentioned possible casualties mentioned have been Josh G now on 6.12 and Spaniak now on 4.77. Meaning I assume Matt can only replace with riders of same or lower GSA's OR if he redeclared the team he would have to (correct me if I am wrong here) redeclare to the 42.5 limit ?? meaning his team would have to shed 0.47 meaning if he wanted 2 riders in and he still wouldnt be able to sign a 7 point plus man without having a really weak GSA rider at reserve ?? As said I could be wrong and feel free to let me know if I am. Could this dispel any rumours about poss any released RH riders of worthy note coming in if they are not going to continue. I say IF ???

Maybe SGB should also incl in GSA as that's where most of us go first. Thanks though as it confirmed my fears about the Klindt/Woryna switch. Another telling story is Brady Kurtz. These are of course based on 20 match rolling GSA's and we know when Brady came back from injury last season and allied to the teams overall form his av kind of dropped although UNFORTUNATELY for us he still kept a shade just over 8. Now we can see what his truer av is taking those last matches and this as he has dropped on a rolling GSA to 6.97 a full point plus below his starting GSA and only keeping Worrall out of number one listing by 0.14. The stats don't lie i suppose as other than Woryna who has benefited big time also as a result of riding at reserve for a month with all the extra rides , none of the team are doing so good. Worrall I exclude as he is what he is and is doing well at 6.83 but for me will always be a 6/6.5 man overall and not as good as his twin Steve. Am still not convinced Chris Holder would have made so much difference as like last season his form has been very up and down and not the Chris of old in consistency. Take Worrall out and factor in Chris would the extra possible 2/3 points really have changed the teams position that much. I dont think it would have personally. He is way behind what Jason Doyle is now. His form in both POL and SWE also bear this out. Anyway enough aired on our inconsistent riders. The League table doesnt lie neither do the results. We just have to plough on for respectibility this season.