Devilman

Just an observation gentlemen. Plymouth Devils held a "season end" three team tournament which was quite well attended and was a great evening's entertainment. (each team had a manager listed in the programme) A showpiece challenge between ""the undertaker" (promoter and club owner Mark Phillips) and Team manager (Mattie Bates) proved great fun but the undertaker had been out of the saddle too long to make an impression. For me, and many Devils fans the highlight was there was no LR involved! I wish you all well for the close season and hope that the BSPA come up with a formula that encourages teams to sign up for the 2019 season.

In response to Halifax Tiger I will not comment on my predecessors or successors but were it not for the group that I worked with Plymouth Devils would have folded two years ago. One does not come out of administration smelling of roses with a pot of money at the end of a rainbow. Your comment reeks of saving the skin of your mate by throwing mud at everyone who has the courage to air their thoughts. There is so much more detail I could add but I think it is unnecessary, he is quite capable of hanging himself. A real mate would be taking him aside and helping him to avoid these monumental calamities.

I must confess that Laurence Rogers arrival at Plymouth totally disrupted all the commercial activity that had been developed and was a largely the cause of my standing down as Commercial Manager. He did his utmost to be seen to be the "main man" to the point I asked Mark Phillips when he might get his picture on the front cover of the programme after some eight or so meetings. Total lack of communication and a determination to change systems that were already working well without any knowledge of Plymouth Devils. At least £1600 of entrance money was lost by charging £10 "to speed up the entry" which was rarely a problem in all the preceding years. I can only recall one occasion when it was a problem but there were other factors at that meeting that caused a delay. I feel sorry for Birmingham, a shame that someone with "little man syndrome" can cause such havoc. Without doubt he seems to court controversy.

Thanks Mike, Delighted that you remain a Devil. I sincerely hope you have a great time at the SBA and your journeys away are safe and trouble free.

This evening I have had a long conversation with Ashley Taylor. In order to clarify, all moneys from the Fanzone were paid into the Penninsula Promotions Ltd account to maintain operations or payments to guest riders for fees . As stated before, the monies collected for the air fence are held by the Fanzone until clarification of ownership is complete. We are hoping that will then be able to clear this amount to be paid into the new fence fund.

The questions re the collection for the air fence has already been answered months ago on the Proboards. No matter what is thrown at the Fanzone last year, without it we would have no future to discuss now. All the supporters contributions, events and commercial revenues were handed over to the then promotion. Regretfully there continues to be the same group of malcontents who cannot move forward and cowardly hide behind keyboards to snipe.

Fine Mike, I trust you are well. You are well aware that some have a very different and apparently selfish agenda.

I have until now resisted any comment on this thread but it has to be said that certain people pledged their support and offered to help at the launch meeting. Why would you offer help and then not lift a finger? We all know who they are, they put their names down! Where was "the wall" only a few weeks before? There has been a small but hard working group at weekends and a few who have worked all week and in all weather. Their achievements are there for all to see, a real tribute to loyalty and hard work. I would also mention some brilliant people behind the scenes who have procured materials and equipment.

Really well done!!!!!

As a member of the Plymouth Chamber, well up to date with local events and opportunities. I presume you mean Donald Duck, he will have more appeal the other Donald in the opinion of many. Certainly the idea of the Dream Team that summer would be of interest possibly as a season opener.

Previous visitors to the St Boniface Arena are in for a surprise this season when they see the transformation Mark and his loyal team are working on. Still loads to do but with some good weather and a few extra hands the completion date of Friday 7th April is achievable. That night will be Meet the Riders at the Smithaleigh Hotel followed by Press and Practice on the 8th. First meeting on Good Friday 14th April opposition to be announced. New era, New look, New optimism!

Hi Barncoose boy, I am certainly not impressed with what happened to your bike, my philosophy is always to return a borrowed item in at least as good a condition as it was when borrowed. I suspect from your comment this would have been your way also. Back to CD himself, he appears to have created a very effective filter to any approach however tempting. Reference the Mayflower 400 link, I am already networking via the Chamber of Commerce but once again thanks for your ideas which are very welcome. Regards

Hi Chris, As I have said before ideas are always welcome and acted upon. Can I ask if you have any personal contact with CD? If so an introduction would be priceless. I do know of some of his haunts but I am very wary of offending and whilst I have an inkling of his former contact with the Devils I really do not know what that has left him thinking of us. I have always thought it would be a great tie up both in Plymouth and on the road with his expanding empire. I have also been in contact with over sixty different companies, large and small, national and local in the search of the right deal. So my number is 07739 729093 if you read these boards Mr Dawson, I would love to talk over a coffee, business or not.

To clarify, all I can tell folks is that prior to my taking over, an approach was made to Mr Dawson which was unsuccessful. There are stories on this but as I do not have hard facts I will not comment. All I can tell you is that I have, via a number of avenues, tried to have a face to face but this has not been possible. Other approaches via email, letters and cards have elicited no response. Whether this is due to previous contact or simply because he does not feel there would be a return on his investment is purely conjecture. Regards

Re the Range. Thanks Chris, Yes like everyone, chased Mr Dawson but he hides very well and as you say it was blown earlier. An approach in more recent times was also fruitless and seemed to have shut the door permanently. Best wishes, Roger