Carlislecomet2

Exactly. Someone, somewhere must have given some (retrospectively false) assurances. No doubt they are now in hiding, and Joe Public will probably never find out what has, and has not been said.

Shambles indeed. You would not think that a council could alienate so many people in such a short space of time - football , rugby and speedway fans alike, however they seem to have managed it. Well done! I can't wait to see what their Plan B entails, when (and where) it is going to be delivered .........and how much smaller can a new stadium be?

Is that with 2 r's or 2 s's? .......I guess I have just joined the club containing manse, nagy1 et al who have been Taylorj'd! 2 quotes from completely unrelated forums which I could not better: 'This was a clever way of financing something which would act as a catalyst for regeneration, community and sport generally'. 'The councillors who voted against this should hang their heads in shame. It would've been something positive for the town and crowds would've risen for both sports once it was built as most clubs throughout the land have done.'

Agree with all the above, and from what I understand that is exactly what the proposed stadium was aiming to deliver. As for the rugby world cup, so what if they were aiming to stage matches there - what better way of showcasing a brand spanking new facility and at the same time showing that this part West Cumbria means business and is determined to move with the times. This will be a huge opportunity missed, and one that probably wont happen again. As for the speedway, the public had their opportunity last year to show what interest was still out there for the sport by turning up and supporting the best and most successful team in its history. Unfortunately only around 450 or so of us could be a**ed to do so. Who knows, if 1000+ had come through the gate maybe things could have been so different!

I thought that was the point......they are both broke, and both need fixing.............................

Yes lets give the 2 s***holes a lick of paint each, and Bobs your uncle this part of West Cumbria can remain steadfastly in the 19th Century. Why would Workington want or need a state of the art multi function community stadium making use of historically low interest rates and interested prospective partners, when they already have the delights of BP and DP............ Absolutely pathetic, backward thinking idiots, and that is not just aimed at the lily livered excuse for councillors who have voted this down.

And I would by lying if I said I understand why you keep appearing on this thread. I for instance have no interest in the Glasgow 2019 thread, and find it very easy to ignore.

So are you saying that you cant tell the difference between Workington and Whitehaven...............................................................?

Exactly, and with interest rates at a historical low now is the time for the council to get a developer/NHS/Sellafield et al on board, put politics to one side, and just get on with it. Regarding Northside, it is really a chicken and egg situation - we need both a promoter/ and we need some help from Allerdale (who you would like to think feel they owe speedway something). To my mind developing Northside solely for speedway, would mean we are in charge of our own destiny ie no dodgy lease/rental/gentleman's agreement type thing. It is a far better proposition than trying to squeeze a track around a full sized football/rugby pitch which never really works. Just ask Jenga which stadium has/had the best atmosphere for watching his mighty Hammers - The Boleyn or the London Stadium. Now, where is that elusive, speedway loving multi millionaire when you need them? THJ.....Get that ticket bought!

I presume your comments are very much tongue in cheek. The question is, do all concerned carry on pumping money into decaying facilities well past their sell by dates, or do they want a state of the art facility fit to help drag this part of West Cumbria into the 21st century. Maybe part of the reason for the dwindling attendances is the state of the present facilities. Imagine also the impression prospective signings get when they turn up at DP or BP for the first time!

I am not sure what you expect the rugby club to do, they are quite rightly looking after themselves and who can blame them. The ground is a s***hole (and yes it was until last year, partly our s***hole). But there is no speedway club, it is no more, ceased to be, expired gone to meet it's maker AN EX-SPEEDWAY CLUB....... As Derwent says the pair of surviving clubs have to do what is best for them, and that obviously involved widening and relaying the playing surface. Also you have to have a bit of sympathy with them, as no-one seems to know what is going to happen regarding the stadium development. Hopefully it will go ahead....but who knows.....there's politicians involved!!!!

I may be naïve but I don't believe anyone is out to shaft anyone. Allerdale need to be commended for their ambition and creativity in putting together a plan and a sensible looking funding package by utilising historically low interest rates, to replace 2 decrepit 'stadiums' which are not fit for purpose with a state of the art stadium which will raise the profile of the area and hopefully encourage further development. You never know (with SS's rose tinted glasses on) it maybe even encourage someone to come in to develop Northside at some stage, hopefully with some help from Allerdale who you would think would feel that they owe us a little something. As regards what is presently happening at DP, it is really for the rugby club to decide as it is their stadium so I don't see the point of bleating about the shale and fence boards being removed. Harsh I know, but what do you expect them to do? I just hope that the stadium plans go ahead and are not used as a political football and kicked into the long grass. The new facilities would give this part of West Cumbria a huge lift and benefit the community. It would then of course be up to the community to support it!

Aye, he was as mad as a box of frogs but we had some good times whilst he was in charge, and it was certainly never dull. The exact opposite of what we have at present, with the 3 stooges. Even the demise of the Comets will not get me back to Brunton Park for my live sporting fix.

Well, by SS and J poking away with a rather sharp stick in his general direction THJ has put together a coherent, honest, and fairly concise (for him) explanation as to why we no longer have speedway at DP. I don't really believe we needed it to be 'honest', but thank you THJ anyway. All that was needed was to do a head count (and you could do it between heats) of the number of patrons who frequented last year (our most successful season ever) to watch a sport that all those that were there love but one which everyone knows is dying on its a**e in this country. Sad, but inevitable unfortunately, with or without the new stadium plans. PS To any North Cumbrian, speedway loving multi -millionaire, there's plenty of room at the Enterprise Zone at Kingmoor Park, here in Carlisle. Cumbria's premier business park. Just saying like.

Whether ESP was required or not EVERYONE (including Joe) knew Kyle would end up at Glasgow sooner rather than later. The alleged misdemeanour(s) from Joe have only accelerated that process. Anyway good luck to Glasgow and the Comet exiles for the season, and in fact to all speedway fans who still have a team to support. Enjoy it while you can. A jealous Comet fan.

Yes it is sad but what was Laura meant to do? Think positively and put a competitive team together for 2019 in the hope additional sponsors came forward as she was presumably led to believe they would or think negatively, wait for all the top riders to be signed up and if the additional sponsorship came through then try to put a complete team of NL riders together? If the latter had happened the sponsors would not be happy, the crowds would have dropped off even more and we may have had to pull the plug mid season. THJ has already stated that last years debts were manageable and will be sorted. I believe that Laura has gone about things in the right way, and after the sacrifices she has made over the past 6 years to keep speedway alive in Workington does not warrant any criticism whatsoever. No doubt there will be some supporters up and down the country complaining that they have paid for their season tickets and been misled out of a couple of meetings, however those people should just feel grateful that they are going to see some speedway this year, unlike those at Rye, Lakeside and Workington. As for the riders, yes it is unfortunate for them however hopefully they will get fixed up elsewhere even if some may have to wait a month or so. I cant for instance see Steve Worrall, Kyle Bickey or BWD being out of work for long, though granted they will be taking someone else's place! To speedway fans elsewhere, please make the most of what you still have.

Absolutely devastated with this news though I guess not totally surprised, it was obvious that more people were required through the gate to make it viable. There are so many reasons why we have ended up where are now, some which are endemic throughout the sport in this country (the main one being costs/riders wages outweighing income), and some which are specific to the Comets (uncertainty regarding the future of the stadium). It is a shame that last years success did not lead to a significant improvement in attendances and a stampede of sponsors beating down Laura's door, but we are where we are and it is a sad fact that the younger generations seem more interested in watching Sky/BT sport from the comfort of their armchairs/favourite bar than watching it live. It is somewhat ironic that the costs of the proposed new stadium have increased due to it now accommodating a lot of Sellafield staff, the biggest employer in the region, making the largest profits and who could probably find £50k/£100k under the cushions of their swanky leather settees. Unfortunately due to our particular circumstances relating to the stadium I fear this could be the end for speedway in Workington, though I hope I am wrong. As well as all the remaining loyal supporters my thoughts obviously also go out to the riders who hopefully can get fixed up elsewhere, however that will obviously result in others losing out. A sad day indeed.

I think Somerset Blue has summed things up pretty well. I'll go for: Leicester, Sheffield, Redcar, Edinburgh. There are a lot of even looking teams and it will be interesting to see how the likes of Glasgow perform with a big hitter at No1 as opposed to those that have gone for a more even top 5. Should make for an exciting season and I for one cant wait.

Merry Christmas to Comets fans everywhere. A Happy speedway New Year too - it will be difficult to top last year, but I am sure our new septet will give it their best shot.

That certainly looks like one of (if not the) team to beat next year. Well done to your management and good luck.

Oh dear, another weegie numpty - quadruplets!

A good, well balanced team again in my opinion. Steve was on top of his game before his injury and will hopefully get back there as his confidence improves, Tero is a real trier who could easily continue to improve again this year, BWD performed really well for us at the start of last season when standing in for Mason scoring good points home and away, Mason had a terrific season last year and had to be back after showing his commitment to the cause, Simon can score big points particularly on the bigger tracks, Kyle will continue to improve and should be one of the better 2 pointers this year, and Josh who I admit I don't know anything about, but that is in itself is exciting and I look forward to see how he goes around DP - the fact he is good pals with Mason should help him settle. As last season, we wont be one of the more fancied teams, but hey, bring it on, and see where it takes us.

I understood that Jake Allen was a Somerset asset. Are you saying he was offered a deal by a third party by any chance. I presume his parent club would have the first option to secure his services, presumably they didn't want him or couldn't fit him in. Pardon my ignorance on such matters but could someone be so kind as to explain how the asset system works in speedway as it has never made any sense to me. I would have thought that it be better that speedway riders be classed as self employed (presumably most are and negotiate new contracts each year), or had central contracts with say the BSPA. Congratulations for securing his services for 2019 by the way, as he was one of the best riders I saw last season. Hopefully you will have an injury free year this time round.

If it makes you feel better, so am I. There are ways and means of doing business - but I guess it takes 2 to tango and Rasmus could have said no. Anyway, good luck next season.

No hatred from me and I don't believe there are many, if any, who want to see any club go out of business. You are in the enviable position of having people with lots of money behind your team, and your owners and sponsors can spend their cash as they see fit. Particularly as it is unlikely that speedway have the equivalent of football's Financial Fair Play rules, which are currently being used to scrutinise the accounts of the Glasgow Tigers of football. Unfortunately this and our thread has taken on some of the traits of the Brexit debates, reams and reams of utter tosh interspersed with the odd comment which may be factually correct. Good luck to you I say, you probably have the best facilities in the Championship and will probably also be watching the best rider in the Championship again this year. Best team? We will just have to wait and see.