21st century heathen

C'mon mate, that's a bit of a silly comment. He's attempted to set the record straight on here which is where I'm posting. I don't have the slightest clue what's been posted elsewhere. I suspect you may not know what Heathens fans have posted elsewhere on different forum's or social media sites.

Yes, there were some very unsavoury comments indeed. One particular person was most at fault, but I'm not so sure that person was actually a Heathens fan. A new account with little to identify a person on FB should really have a Troll as a profile picture. The general tone from many was one of moaning about not having Darryl and Tom rather than welcoming the others and getting behind them for the coming season. I'm sure it will settle down. I just don't think some people engage their brain before their fingers. The fact that there is something of a Heathens cull is starting to hit home I think.

On the first point - I'm not going to make a statement of fact on it as I don't have the facts. So please don't think I don't believe you - I just don't know. There are two aspects to it and I can see both sides of it. One side is that costs need to be controlled but paying out 'x' is not going to buy you the title. You have to win it on track. The other side is that if a club can afford to pay more to its riders then should it be allowed to. Ultimately we want riders to develop and improve. How often do people state young riders in other countries receive more sponsorship? If, for arguments sake, three NL clubs can afford to pay more then that's 21 Brits, mostly young riders making their way, being given a leg-up. I'm not sure I can settle on one side of the fence or the other as I really can see both sides of it. With regard to 'tapping-up' I can make my feelings abundantly clear. It absolutely should not happen. I don't care which club it is, I will not change my stance on this. However, as we've seen it's very easy for accusations to be thrown around and a presumption of guilt to take hold. It's not necessarily the case and thanks should go to Pete Greenwood for signing up and putting the record straight with regard to his son and Coventry linking up next season. There has to be a process that proves beyond any doubt that a club is guilty before we start talking about punishing any club. If Heathens were ever found guilty I would support any action that is within the rules. (I don't know if it's covered in the R&R off the top of my head) It's really whether a club makes an approach without permission from the Promoter that 'owns' the rider rather than the offer that's made in itself. If a rider is made available, such as Ritchings or Perry, then a bidding war can follow. Of course if the rider is a free agent then it's a free-for-all to snap him up.

I'm pretty gutted we will not see Tom and Darryl next season but I can see the reason for both decisions. What we all want is to develop young talent. Patch and Rosco feel a year, at least, on a bigger track will help Darryl as a rider. Tom's average is too high for whatever plan A is. For the benefit of a better balanced team he has to be sacrificed. It's not the way I'd have gone, but I can understand the reasoning. I'm also pretty disgusted by some of the comments that have been made by a few. Some have spent so much time moaning about who has not signed that they've not done enough to welcome those that have signed. A big welcome back to Ash and Dan. It's great to have the two of them back next season. I feel both can improve significantly. Also, a big welcome along to Max. Great comment by him about being told the Heathens were in for him when he came back from school. It just reminds how young some of these lads are. Ok, some are released but we have three good riders on board and a very solid looking start to our team building. Happy so far.

I have just approved a very important post (#93) in this debate. I urge everyone to read it please. -------------------------------------------- There is one thing that I think predominantly the Scunny fans here are missing. The club does do a fantastic job in giving opportunity to young riders, of that there is no doubt. But if some of those riders did not move on to other teams the whole process would grind to a halt. You can't bring in new riders every year, or two years, if some are not moving on. There's only 7 places (8 really but that seems to be ignored by most - including Heathens) available. It's unlikely many will go from 3-point reserve to PL only in just a year or two so those riders have to be accommodated somewhere, hopefully with a view to improving and coming back to you as a more rounded rider in the PL team. The statement on the Heathens website gives the impression that Clegg has not been signed on full transfer. It's likely that Heathens will go PL next season as it's the last year in the 5 year plan to acquire a piece of land for our own track. Next season is likely to be an all-or-nothing last ditch effort. With that in mind Clegg is almost certain to return to Scuuny I'd have thought. A year away for a rider is hardly something new for any club. A lot of our fans are moaning about Ritchings and Perry being made available to other clubs. If Ritchings improves with a year away on a bigger track and Clegg improves with a year away on smaller track then that will have proven to be the best thing for both riders. Ultimately what we all want is to see all the Brits improve and move on to the PL. Perhaps in a couple of years time we'll see Scunny v Heathens in the PL with Clegg and Ritchings back 'home' where they belong. With regard to the ongoing debate, or is that accusation , that the Heathens are the big hitters when it comes to handing out points money - I wouldn't be so sure that's necessarily the big draw. Last season Ritchings was in desperate need of a new engine after some problems and Morris had an engine to sell. When the management team became aware of it they were reluctant to help with the cost because of these accusations of splashing the cash. When the fans found out a collection was quickly arranged and hundreds pledged quickly. A fans collection is regularly held and a total of many hundreds/thousands is given to riders over the course of a season, and that's without some individuals offering private sponsorship to a greater or lesser extent to a rider. Dwyer, for example, was given £70/£80 when he guested for us after a collection was held on the coach. He most certainly isn't the only one. I know one rider that came to the Heathens was speechless that fans were offering him money before a wheel had been turned. One of our riders was offered private sponsorship for the cost of tyres. I'm not suggesting for one minute that the Heathens fans are the only ones to do this, far from it. I'm quite sure fans at every club do but with a large fan base it adds up quite a sum. Riding in front of a large crowd is also a draw to many a young rider. Also, there's a rumour going around that a rider the Heathens had shown interest in has been offered a bike to go elsewhere, something that the Heathens were not prepared to match/better. So is it the club's or fans' generosity that a draw to some riders? Just as a foot note - I feel Morris is a poor example of a good point. He came on loan to the Heathens when he was still 15 and was signed by CVS as soon as he turned 16. He's just signed on for his fourth season with the Heathens, and of course he is from Wolverhampton so riding locally is not a great surprise. Of course the time he got at Scunny was a vital part of his early development but the Heathens have more than played a part in his development as a rider since then. Greenwood had some experience previously but he's come back to the sport with the Heathens and there is talk of trying to make him a full asset with a view to the future. Ritchings was our number 8 at 15 and has had the last two seasons with the club. He may have had a few meetings previously but it's the Heathens that have given him a team place. Perry has developed into the rider that finished second in the averages from a new-comer to speedway in 3 years with the Heathens. So, some of the comments about developing young riders is a little unfair. The Heathens have done what they can with what they've got. For me the dream would be a track./stadium of our own with EL and NL teams. I'm sure I'll get shot down but a few points to ponder.

Dear oh dear. Don't you think every club, and many defunct clubs, would love to be able to offer training facilities, amateur league, NL and PL/EL if possible? I mentioned Stoke because it too is a stand-alone club in the NL and didn't Birks learn his trade at Scunny? If every club but those with training facilities closed tomorrow where would all the riders that would have filled positions in those clubs' team ride? Quite how acknowledging the sport is stumped without the like of Scunny, and I'll add that I'm really rather envious of the set-up the club has, could be considered arrogant I really don't know. Surely it would have been arrogant had I said something like "Well we're al right, we don't need Scunny." but my feeling is quite the opposite. We, the sport in this country, desperately need clubs like Scunny and the sooner it is back in the NL the better.

I really hope that either some investment or additional revenue has been identified to secure the long term future of the club. It's working wonders on a shoestring and deserves some reward for all the work that's been put in over the years. I'm very hopeful, having seen the Buxton name appear on the BSPA website on the National League 2013 Team Announcements page, that we will see the club compete again in the coming season.

Yep, I rate him so gotta be pleased that we have him on board. Welcome Max.

What's the point!?

Ultimately we all want the same thing so it's a bit silly arguing amongst ourselves. All the clubs at all levels need each other to survive. Few, if any, clubs can cover all the bases from someone wobbling around for the first time to becoming a world champion. For example, take Heathens and Stoke out of the NL and overnight there will be 14 riders out of speedway for the coming year. Take the like of KL, Buxton and Scunny out of the NL and where are the riders going to come from to ride for the like of Heathens and Stoke? Each club plays a role in one way or another and all require the others.

Well, the Heathens are looking for at least 6 riders on loan and Cov will almost certainly need a few. Stoke and IOW, for example, may be looking for a number 1. I'd like to think the Scunny lads will get fixed up. At least from that point of view it would soften the blow a touch. Although the NL may be changing by becoming increasingly professional and competitive one should consider that we now have the amateur league which could be argued to fill the void between newcomers and the lower end of current NL teams. It's certainly the argument I would make. Personally I think this four-tier programme for riders is very good for them and the sport. It is showing riders trying to make a breakthrough where they need to be just to compete with NL reserves. Having someone to chase is what they need to improve. Likewise, the riders a step ahead in the middle order of NL teams need strong heat leaders to chase after to gauge their progress against riders currently holding PL reserve places. I give Perry as an example. He had a super season and I believe having Roynon in the team helped him no end. The banter between them was great. Every week Perry stated he was after that number 1 race jacket off Roynon. It was, perhaps, a significant part of his motivation and it carried him to second in the averages. The coming season could be interesting in that regard as we lose a few to the PL and riders like Morris, Jacobs, Blackbird, Reade and Young could be expected to step up again to become genuine out-and-out heat leaders. 'Tapping-up' should not be condoned but without any insider information we should consider that it's possible riders may have stated they don't want to stay with 'x' and would rather ride for 'y'. I think the daft low points limit is also to blame as much as anything for the problems some clubs may have. It's staggering to think that even KL cannot keep the same 1-7. Only IOW can strengthen for next season. How do you 'sell' to you fans, potential new fans and sponsors that a team struggling in 2012 must be made weaker for 2013? There's not enough continuity or growth.

Apologies, I have obviously misunderstood the statement made today. I read it to mean the club would only run in the PL. Great news that the club will continue to run in the amateur league and stage some NL standard meetings.

Okay, so just for the fun of it let's forget the real world for a moment. Who would feature in your team if you could sign any eligible rider? Here's mine in riding order. 1. Perry - 9.88 2. Hazelden - 4.57 3. Clegg - 4.54 4. Bates - 5.30 5. Garrity - 9.42 6. Lambert - 3.00 7. Ellis - 3.00 = 39.71 A tough few weeks are possible for Bates and Clegg in the middle order, but they would soon be at reserve and free-scoring as Lambert and Ellis chase down Perry and Garrity for the heat leaders spots. Hazelden is, surely, a steal on 4½ and could easily add a couple of points (without BPs or a lot more with BPs).

What a shame. I wonder - could the club consider running meetings in the amateur league? At least it would give some of the youngsters 'proper' racing with a genuine competitive edge.

That'll be me then? Yeah, it's that and that he is not our asset and he rode for Cov in the MDL in 2012 and we can't fit all the riders in. Realistically we will probably have to choose between Dan and Darryl. My view is that I would expect Tom, Ash and Darryl to be pencilled in because of the links with the club. That effectively rules out Dan, Boris and James of this year's team. I think Tom can hold his own as a number 1, Ash will improve again, and Darryl has huge potential to improve with the right backing. I think the 3/4 position could work in his favour too. As I'm sure you've seen before I don't entirely subscribe to the theory that 5th in your averages should be at number 2 but he usually is. So where I think it may have worked against Darryl at times it could work for him if he's in the 'engine room' as Dave Lanning would say. I think we have to assume all the better young riders currently in the league will be retained. I don't think we'll get Coles (I expect Rye to be in - just my opinion), N Stoneman, Clegg, Phillips, Ellis (already signed) or Bates. The two you refer to I'm sure are Lambert and Greaves. I'd would jump up and down a lot if we got either let alone both. But I do fully expect Greaves to be at Cov and Lambert will be PL and DU EL when he comes over, assuming he comes over at all as he's doing just fine without British Speedway so far. There are a few others out there that may be in the frame but I don't know how old they all are or whether they're already lined up elsewhere. I wouldn't mind seeing Brendan Johnson and Danny Stoneman so something like the following would suit me for starters... Perry Johnson Stoneman Ritchings Morris ? ? = 33.31 (6.69 remaining) You need to wave a magic wand over the reserve positions for us to be in the mix. At least one of them would need to average 5.something+ by the end of the year with Stoneman then at reserve but also putting a point on his average (which I think he's more than capable of). If Tom decided to go PL only then the team could have a different look to it and something along the lines of the following is feasible... Morris Stoneman Ritchings Bekker S Worrall ? ? = 33.98 (6.02 remaining) Morris moves up a position to number 1, Ritchings moves down to second string rather than the old 3rd heat leader role, still strong in heats 13 & 15 and the middle order is bolstered with Bekker. If Worrall is not available then substitute in whoever Scunny or Mildenhall can't fit in as both also have to make a significant change. If Scunny keep Worrall, Young, Greenwood, Clegg and Phillips then Hart or Irving will most likely be available. If Mildenhall keep Nielsen, Jacobs, Halsey and Bates then Blackbird could be available (though his Monmore record isn't great). Depending on who this rider coming in is you may free up a point to use at the bottom end. I do feel we will be seeing something roughly along these lines.

I'm sure it would! I think you will need to make a few changes though. You aren't getting Hazelden and only the slimmest chance of getting Sarj or Lambert in my opinion.

The majority of teams lose money every year. Should any move up the ladder be postponed indefinitely? I wish my employer paid me to turn up to work! I can understand it at NL level as the riders don't really earn anything so a bit of help with travel costs is no 'biggy'. Once a rider is riding PL/EL he's a professional sportsman and should be able to factor in his travel costs to and from work. Why should the EL clubs share the money received? They are providing the product that is being sold. What could be argued is whether enough of the money reaches the clubs in the first place and then what should be done with it. In an ideal world EL would be getting more money and all of them would be running a NL team to help find and develop future talent. Forgive me if I misunderstand but I think you are suggesting that significant number of Heathens supporters are Wolves fans that attend EL on a Monday and then NL on a Tuesday. You seem to suggest that those fans could not, or may not to be more precise, afford EL admission one day and PL admission the next. If I have that right I think you've got completely the wrong end of the stick. Whilst there will always be a few floating voters here in the Midlands with so many clubs so close together each and every club can support itself with its own fan base. I sometimes see some Wolves and the occasional Stoke, B'ham or Cov jacket but I'm probably talking about 20 at the most out of around 1,000. Likewise, the huge majority (probably 99%) of Heathens fans don't regularly go to other club meetings to support other clubs. The fans have 'voted' overwhelmingly that they would like to go PL and would be happy to pay £14 for that standard of racing. If the club choose not to take that on board then that's up to them but I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of disgruntled fans and a backlash of sorts. Whatever you do don't build a business model based on away support in speedway. There aren't many away fans these days. The only time I'd consider giving it some real in depth consideration would be if and when we go EL and are racing alongside Wolves, B'ham, Cov and Lei(?). The five clubs should then work closely to make sure they maximise their potential with so many clubs so close. Something along the lines of half price for anyone producing a season ticket from the away club (and do it for every meeting not just the meeting against that club). That would tempt people to make the short journey as their travel is effectively paid for. But at the moment would a significant number more travel from Plymouth or Rye on a Friday evening than on a Tuesday evening? I can't remember if it was a thread here on perhaps on FB that I posted something about the talented youngster, some of whom you mention. The problem we've got is that we've got no way of getting our claws in to them. Greaves will most likely be at Cov. Although I suggested a year NL to learn the track would do Lambert no harm I don't think for one minute it will actually happen. I suspect he'll do PL and DU with an EL club when he comes over at 16. Even if he came over at 15 he would most likely end up at a club like Scunny that can offer him the track to practice on as often as he likes. He'd then have a route in to the PL with them too. We might have a shot with Andrews but for most of the 13, 14 and 15 year old riders out there it would be a similar story of going where they can get track time and perhaps a clear route in to the PL. I can see why so many want to change and the attitude that Dudley Council have done nothing for us so why carry the name. I would like to change to Cradley Heath 'Heathens' but I can see the reasons for sticking with the other name for the time being. Perhaps things are moving along behind the scenes?

SCB - Rarely do you say/type anything without a subtext rant or throwing an all-out in-your-face strop so I'll take that positive post mate. bruno - Not the first comment along those lines that I've seen. I actually thought that for the most part that racing was good value for money despite the score. It's rare that our boys (Royno and perhaps James apart) made consistently good starts so it made for some great action. I've dull as dishwater 45-45 meetings. Give me entertaining racing whatever the score every time. TH - I suspect a decision has already been made, despite what may have been stated publicly, but in any case we will get our answer after the AGM this coming weekend so you won't have long to wait. With regard to team building we're mostly at the mercy of other clubs making riders available to us, whether it be the rider requesting a move or the club not wanting/needing/being able to fit a rider in for the coming season.

PL for me too, though I've enjoyed and will continue to support NL. I will be disappointed if we don't make the step up now though. To dangle the carrot and then take it away would be cruel. It's like telling a child 'maybe' you can have 'x' if you are good. Well 'maybe' means 'yes' as we all know. I can understand the management being cautious and I can understand it wanting to canvas opinion. However, the management has now created a huge problem itself. It seems by far that the majority of fans want to go PL and certainly the hardcore fan base that take time to post here or on FB etc. Either the club takes the plunge or it risks upsetting a large percentage of that fan base. My fear is that more fans could be lost through staying where we are and just treading water in the NL than if the move to PL is taken. I've not heard one person say they wouldn't pay £14. If the admission cost goes up by the same percentage across the board then you could afford to lose some fans and still take more money on the night than currently. Upset fans and lose some at still £10 each (adult cost) and you've lost money. That's my concern - I'm leaning toward it could be a bigger financial risk to stay in the NL now. It's going to be very difficult to 'sell' a Heathens NL team next season after the unbelievable performances by our team this season. Despite some of the teams we've had in the past it was this team that set the record for the biggest winning margin by a Heathens team (in fact I think they did it twice, were on target to beat it when a meeting was abandoned after 12, and set the away record as well). The Heathens need to trim almost 15 points to get under the limit for next season. With only one asset to our name the task is made harder still. The top end would probably be Perry, Morris and Ritchings stepping up from reserve to 3rd heat leader. We would then need someone with a similar average to Ritchings and three 3-pointers. It will be very difficult to build a team that can challenge for honours on that type of model. We would certainly not be on our own as all teams must get under the same points limit. But a number of clubs will be able to name a 'steal' on a 3-point average whereas we would have to use virtual novices. After this season it will be tough to ask people to pay £10 a week to potentially watch that type of rider struggle half a lap behind. People want to see competitive racing and in that regard we could, I believe, build a more competitive team at PL level. I believe a PL Heathens team could have a number of riders that have some sort of link that the Heathens fans can relate to. Partly a wish list and partly a team that I think could be put together would be N Morris, Mear, Roynon (? on going EL only), Wells, Newman, Dyer, Perry with A Morris as number 8 unless another club offers him a permanent place at 7 like Somerset did with Perry. That fits under the limit. Nick grew up a Heathens fan because his Dad is one of us. He'd have ridden for us in '10 I understand but had to sort out a team place before we were confirmed running. Mear would be the odd one out, so-to-speak, as there's no link with him but I'd love to have him in my team at PL level. Roynon loves the club and fans as much as we love him - could we convince him? Wells rides Monmore every week for Wolves, hangs out with some of our boys and gets on well with them. He's even used the term 'ommer um' so he's almost had the doghead knocked out of him already. Newman rode for us last year, enjoyed his time but had to move on to PL and likewise Dyer rode for us in '10 but has moved on to PL. Tom and Ash need no introduction. So for me there we have the basis (if not necessarily every rider exactly right) of a very competitive and very entertaining PL team full of riders the fans can associate with and would be more than willing to pay to see. I know it's easy to say when it's not my money at risk but for me it's a no-brainer.

Even ignoring the Wolves bit *spits* I disagree. Tom averaged less than 4 in the PL. 3½/4 point PL riders have no place anywhere near the EL. No need to apologise mate.

I think it might be a bit early for Conor. He needs a year at MDL level with a view to NL in 2014. The Heathens have just Perry on the books. Technically Jon Armstrong is an asset but he has, unofficially I think, retired. If the Heathens go PL then I'm 99.9% he'd be with us. I would also like to see him ride NL at the out-and-out number 1, whether it's with the Heathens (if we're still NL) or another club. I think the extra responsibility of being a number 1 and the expectation it brings will be good for him. With that in mind I guess there's no reason he couldn't ride for Cov as it's just a short trip down the M6. Perry - 9.88 Sarj - 7.87 Pickard - 6.87 Greenwood - 5.90 ??? - 3.48 Greaves - 3.00 Geary - 3.00 Thoughts on that one?

Just checking! 1) Tell me why Ellis couldn't be used by the Heathens? We used Fenwick in the PO semi 2nd leg at Stoke. He's the Scunny number 8. So why couldn't Ellis, the IOW number 8, ride in the PO final 2nd leg at KL? 2) That won't happen. I agree it's annoying when there's a rider on one knee, holding the bike upright and looking the race positions. But I don't think you'll find a ref in the land that would state categorically (which he/she would have to if issuing a card/fine) whether a rider was winded, disorientated or hurt by a fall in the vast majority of cases. The only thing he/she can really do is call the heat result without a re-run if reasonable.

Rich used to practice at Cov after the EL meetings when he was pretty young and I must admit I thought he was signed as a Cov asset initially, but I'm sure I read somewhere he was an asset of a NL club.

Of course, but you're not going to name 7 riders each year that will go on to EL status. If you could then where are all the EL Brits because we've had a CL/NL for years. If you're lucky you'll find a talent for the future once or twice every couple of years or so. You need to put together a competitive team because if you don't it won't be a success. If it's not a success then people won't keep coming. If they don't keep coming the NL team will fold. If the NL team folds you won't get any talented youngsters on your books because they'll elsewhere etcetera. In putting together a competitive team you must consider all that a more experienced rider can bring to the table even if that does not include the potential to get in to the EL team one day. Otherwise what's the plan? Are you going to sign seven 15-18 years old and expect them to know everything, take on the roll of Captain and be able to hold their own at number 1 against some of the league's big names? If you get rid of everyone that won't get to the top at the level they're riding you won't have a sport left to support. The GPs have riders that won't ever been WC. The EL is propped up by PL riders. PL is packed with riders that won't turn a wheel exclusively in the EL and so on. That's a fair point but can a new club (to this level) jump in and expect to name only it's own assets every year? And the investment can't be that significant in loaning a few at this level. Heathens only have 1 asset riding for it. I think he's about 21. Perhaps. I thought he was nearer to W'ton, but yes he does (or did) live relatively local to Cov. I forgot about Sarj actually. Good shout. He was an asset so assuming he still is then there must be a good chance he'll be lined up. If the Heathens stay NL it will be a shame to see Ash or Tom go as they've been with us for the three years and it's been great to see them grow. I suspect that if it came to it then Tom would stay as he's the only active asset that the club have. Kyle Hughes did sign for Cov a few years back when they were signing up the like of Auty, Royno, Frampton, Barker, Allen & Sarj. It seemed they were on some sort of mission to snap up all the Brits as I think Richardson was still an asset and they had Nicholls and Harris too.

Gem - Yes, he turns 15 in time I believe. Vog - Why would Jaimie be in-line? Not that I think it's a bad idea you understand, but you seem to be quite convinced of it. gp - 6.87 I believe. I would expect to see Dan Greenwood and Nathan Grieves. Jaimie and Lee are a good call as well but with Greaves seeming likely two 3-pointers could be a risk. Perhaps one could be the number 8? Making the really rather wild assumption, until we hear officially one way or the other, that the Heathens go PL I would not be at all surprised if Cov try to use some of the current Heathens riders, or former riders, in a bid to try to tempt some Heathens fans over to watch. With that in mind I would suggest Darryl Ritchings above all others. You will never see a rider try harder for four laps and although not the most consistent from the tapes or on the quickest bike in the world the lad he's a very accomplished rider on the verge of a big breakthrough (needs sponsorship to really kick on). He very rarely makes a mistake and more often than not goes forward in a race not backwards. He's a very good and safe rider that is high on my 'when I win the Lotto I will sponsor' list. A heat leader, or two, and a reserve required. Mildenhall will have to lose riders. Heeps, I imagine, will go PL only. I think Nielsen and Jacobs will be retained with a view to moving up to the Ipswich team within a year or two. That could leave Blackbird looking for a place, so let's slot him in. I'd love to Danny Stoneman leg trailing around Brandon. He's never going to be a world champion, except perhaps a WC poser , but he's a great lad. He's brilliant with the fans and well-loved by the Heathens faithful still. I reckon you'd get a handful turn up just to see him!! That leaves one slot and I think I know the man for the job. 'Boris' Bekker has done a super job for us to increase his average by nearly a point given that he's been riding alongside Tom Perry who's put 4 points on his average this season. I think everyone will have to wait a long time to see another pairing put 5 points on their averages between them in just a season. So could Coventry look something like this? Bekker - 7.44 Blackbird - 7.01 Pickard - 6.87 Greenwood - 5.90 Ritchings - 5.84 Geary/Stoneman - 3.00/3.83 Greaves - 3.00 Total = 39.06/39.89 That would have a minimal effect on the other clubs and has some potential although most are being asked to step it up a level from this season.