21st century heathen

You forgot to include you guys in that too. Some of the best meetings you could hope to see were some of the DWT meetings on the Aug Bank Holiday. Some of the racing was just brutal. You're right, nothing else mattered other than beating Wolves (or Cradley from your point of view). We used to count success as to who won more meetings between the two rather than where we were in the league or how far we got in the cup. Greg and Ronnie used to have some superb races. Good clean racers the pair of them back then, but Billy and Sam would be happy to knock lumps out of each other. I recall Pratt being interviewed in the early Sky Sports years, which was not too long after we closed, about the season ahead and he said then "I don't care as long as we beat Wolves". As a former Cradley rider and team manager he had his priorities right. The worst on-track incident I've seen happened at Monmore between Karlsson and Hamill. The former put the latter through the turn three fence and when interviewed after the meeting Porky put it something like that was a tough race to which Karlsson replied he should have known what I was going to do and I'd do it again. I should add that I also saw Cross put Ermolenko straight through the first turn fence in an incident that followed Cross being angry at a dangerous move Ermolenko pulled a couple of races earlier. I blame Pratt for this one though because the next time Ermolenko was out he immediately put Cross in as a tac sub when we had better options for the points. It was pure revenge and everyone knew it - the fans were chanting Psycho as he came out just waiting for it to kick off. Cross didn't even wait for the exclusion light if I remember right, he just turned around and went straight back to the pits, took his helmet off and sat down. I can also remember an incident between Stephen Morris and Scott Smith in a morning DWT meeting. For once Smith was the innocent party and he threatened to 'have him' in the evening meeting. Morris never turned up for the second leg. I always felt it was better at Monmore for the atmosphere on the terrace. This is only really because we had a very good turn out of Heathens fans, literally hundreds, and we all stood together between the tapes and first turn. The form book went out the window and anything could happen on the night. It was probably the most bizarre sense of pure hatred mixed with speedway's typical friendliness. We would all be singing and chanting at the riders or the opposition fans all night and yes there were plenty of gestures but there was never any trouble beyond people mouthing off at each other. The riders helped, or made it worse depending on your view point. From the second the riders came out on parade they were booed, with the task drowning out the Wolves fans' cheers, let alone the stick they got if anything happened. In fact I think Sam got booed every lap he passed us. And who can forget that glorious night in '93 when the title slipped through Wolves' fingers and into the grasp of the Aces. There were more Heathens fans there that night than BV fans!! Wonderful wonderful memories and I fear that's all they will ever be. Even if we returned to EL racing next season (no suggestion that it's likely - just saying if) I don't think we'd see scenes quite like those of yesteryear again. I don't think the rivalries on track any even close to those we saw back then. I don't today's riders would be able to understand what it meant to the fans. It would be just another meeting racing against, in many cases their friends or former team mates or even current team mates. In the past only the very top riders rode elsewhere and many many riders were largely considered career club riders. They felt it as much as we did and I just don't think that could be replicated these days - at least not without some considerable time of it being explained to them by the like of Hamill/Hancock/Cross/Big Al/Jan O/Gundersen etc I think you may be mistaken. I have the England vs Denmark Test from Brandon '85 on tape/DVD. I recall that in commentary the off track problems are referred to. Nielsen was not left out of the team. He refused to ride. He was named in the team as reserve and was present. But when he was called upon he refused to come out and ride. I also recall it being something of an embarrassment for England on the day. Gundersen was riding but was having appalling bike problems and with Nielsen refusing to ride the Danes were effectively without the top two riders in the world but still won.

[sarcasm]Yeah, I mean who the hell would consider making a living and paying the rent/mortgage when they have a 99/1 chance (Unibet - Pepe) of succeeding where they've never threatened to before?![/sarcasm]

WOW congrats :-)

You may enjoy browsing the youtube thread on the forum. Lots of people have posted some of their faves on there.

Next season. Yes, he looked a lot more promising than his score suggest. It would be good to see him get a place somewhere next season, at least as number 8 for back up if nothing else. Congrats to both riders on a successful campaign and good luck for next season.

Ooo no don't do that. Working out who you fancy lining up for your team the following year is always the best part of the current year.

Hmmm and I doubt those of us that pay extra for the sports package and extra for HD will get a refund!

Brits get a reduction in the higher league's but as the NL is all Brits... The averages are not quite finalised yet because there are a number of fixtures to be completed. I think the team you posted, being predominantly our current riders who have completed their fixtures, will still be over the points limit even if it's tweaked up a little at the AGM.

Bit short of time to reply properly but I think you're the best part of a couple of points over the limit with that line-up mate.

Is it just me or does anyone else love the fact that Darryl is always at the track about 6 hours early?

He's had a good season (8-point average) and been a big part of the team's success so far. Cheers. Blows my claim out of the water then. ------------------------------- I'm actually surprised and disappointed that Ben hasn't done significantly better to be honest. I saw him in a season-opener challenge at B'ham and thought he looked good. Maybe next season. I'd not mind if the club take a punt on him if we're looking for a 3-pointer.

I've been dreading someone saying that. It's been raining steadily all day. I'm sorry to say it's just one of those days mate. Either way you're taking a punt on getting here and it's off or sitting at home watching the updates come in. Sorry I can't offer something a little more definitive.

Cheers. Was that in the initial declaration and why was he dropped?

Correct but a moot point. Sarj was in poor form when he was dropped, still averaging less than 4 as his form picked up later in the season, last season and Dyer averaged 7. It was the right decision at the time. We started this season with two 3-pointers at reserve so we couldn't have fitted Sarj in this season anyway.

Why shouldn't Stoke name the best team they can? If there's an exciting rider that could come in and potentially do a better job than Ben at the most crucial time of the season then it's a good move as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunately that is swiftly followed by 17.6.5 which says they can they throw the rule book out and do what they want, not that I'm saying that happened in this case. On the contrary, Tim is the clubs number 8 as shown on the latest BSPA Team Declaration. That is effective 15th Sept as per the full rule you've partially quoted. 17.6.4 No Team changes will be allowed after 12th September with the effective date being 15th September, except for Riders returning to the Team after injury. http://www.speedwayg.../nlteams11.html I beg to differ. I quote Nigel Pearson. Apparently we'd rather lose! Tom has had the difficult 2nd season that seems to plague many rider, can't argue with that. As strong as they can be. What's wrong with that? I thought that when he came to Monmore 'Wood' for his debut. He scored 20 and dropped just a single point after a titanic battle with Tom Perry. I don't know whether you've seen him for yourself or not but trust me when I tell you he is worth being 'afraid' of. How old is Tim? Ahh you noticed that?! I do. We were top of the league at one point this season. We were top last season. How many NL titles to we have? If another team is coming on strong then with the crappy PO's in place you have to try to make changes otherwise finishing top means nothing. There does seem to be a difference between the league's regarding this. In the EL you can use your number 8 any time you like where no facility is applicable. In the PL if there's not facility you have to use a NL guest. In the NL there isn't a similar rule for 'no facility'. Instead it refers to 'any other absences', which presumably allows certain riders to go to work rather than ride or go on holiday etcetera , with the club having to use a rider on the 'emergency list. If Tim has been added to that list then surely he could have replaced Ben whether Ben was still in the team or not? You need only say Ben has gone shopping and the 'any other absences' rule can be used. If not then I assume Ben had to be dropped and now Tim becomes the teams' number 7 rather than 8? Ahh so that's where the likeness to Garrity comes from and would explain why Barker likes him. ----------------------------------- I have to say that a lot of the comments on this thread display quite clearly to me a fundamental problem with the attitude toward sport in this country. There's far to much "it's the taking part" crap for my liking. If that were the case we wouldn't be keeping score. If you are keeping score then the only aim should be to beat the opposition to a bloody pulp by any means necessary, within the rules of course. ----------------------------------- And on the subject of number 8's - how many teams named a number 8 at the start of the season? Off the top of my head I don't think any did, making all the teams illegal. Therefore I declare the results so far null and void and the Heathens as NL champions...just because I can!!

Oh don't get me wrong Todd is a great rider at this level and deserves a nod as the league's top rider, given Adam didn't do enough meetings to post a 2011 average. I never called Leigh Adams my rider of the season, or something akin to this thread, either.

Ahh but that was just Vog being as biased you mate.

Yes, but his performances to the level of a 10-point man are to be expected. Most people look for riders that have stepped it up a level.

Remember when you said you weren't sure what to expect this season Vog? Told you I thought your team looked handy. Lambert doesn't get a sniff though - he should have averaged well over 10 based on ability. Roynon is the best rider in the league, by a mile. ------------------------- Roynon has to be in any top 7 in my humble opinion, though I would accept an argument that he's a cut above and only in the NL due to an injury ravaged career. Pickard and Sarjeant are dead certs for me. Heeps is a no-brainer - he's been superb. Howarth and Garrity have to be in there. Although the latter hasn't been as good as some claimed he's certainly had a great season and had calmed down a fair bit when I saw him. Hmmm... one to go. Can I have the Worrall boys as one? Pushed to pick one I'll go with Richie. And in case anyone is wondering I'm splitting them entirely on the following and that alone! http://www.dudleyheathens.co/extras/ytm_gallery/ytm.php?view=2VRXf8JiNAg&p=1 Notable - Hazelden was superb when he scored impressively against us on our own shale.

Apologies to Lee Geary - Someone has, rightly on reflection, pointed out my comment earlier was a bit harsh. I shouldn't have singled Lee out to make a general point. I wish Lee all the best and if he's picked up the pace lately then maybe someone has noticed and he might get his chance next season. Look again mate, it's in the thread title. He was one of a handful that didn't quite make a real break through. Scott Smith was the only one to properly establish himself in the first team. He's been working with some of the lads since our return so it'll be interesting to see if he can practice what he preaches.

Never really made the grade in the first team. Better known for his 'second half' exploits with Scott Smith, Justin Walker, Anthony Body and one or two others.

Genius. Invite us along and then insult us and all in one post!! I've seen Lee ride and know him well enough to chat to when I see him at Coventry. He's older than most of our riders and not as good or he's have a job in the NL by now. That's not meant as anything other than a statement of fact. I don't see how him having a ride in our challenge would really be any different to giving Mark an outing. Of course nostalgia is the main reason Mark is getting a ride but with Ash, Tom, Darryl and Danny in the team we've got our fair share of youngsters.

GAME ON!TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 06, 2011DUDLEY Heathens are delighted to announce tonight's National League clash with King's Lynn is definately on (7.30). Monmore Green track staff have been working hard to prepare the surface after heavy overnight rain following the Elite League meeting between Wolves and Birmingham last night. Heathens chairman Nigel Pearson said: "The track took a lot of rain but we have taken another look at it and thanks to a dry afternoon it's looking good now. "It's all systems go for a meeting we are desperate to win as it's our last league meeting of the season."

We've had no rain worth mentioning since getting to work this morning, though there's the chance of copping a passing shower on days like this. The strong wind and reasonable temperature have combined to dry things out quite nicely. As per the update posted above it sounds as though the guys are going to spend the day on the track so I anticipate we'll have a nice grippy track for tonight which should promote plenty of passing (hope I haven't jinxed it). I'm not expecting anything in terms of the result. Frankly whatever happens happens (another 'ommering would at least reduce the averages further so at least we could take something from the second half of the season ). I'd like to see a season's best by Tom, for Darryl to bounce back from a difficult spell and Danny to get in the points because the lad works hard for little reward. What I really want tonight is a night of good racing and everyone going home in one piece under their own steam.

HEATHENS V KING'S LYNN - TUESDAY PREVIEWMONDAY SEPTEMBER 05, 2011ADAM Allott, who was a thorn in Dudley’s side last week, has been named in their team for Tuesday’s National League clash with King’s Lynn at Monmore (7.30). Allott scored a 15-point maximum against the Heathens when riding for Buxton last week and has agreed to stand in for the injured Kyle Newman. Newman crashed on his return to the club as cover for the injured Jon Armstrong at the Isle of Wight last Thursday and is still in some discomfort although he didn’t suffer any broken bones. It’s a meeting Heathens are desperate to win after a nightmare run of injuries which have wrecked their play-off charge. Said boss Will Pottinger: “Kyle wanted to race but he needs a few more days rest and we thank Adam for coming in and helping us out. “And it goes without saying we hope he can do as well for us as he did against us last week! He’s a real trapper. “And we’re changing the riding order to move Ashley Morris to number five with Jamie Courtney at four to see if that changes things. “It’s a big meeting for us, as our last league meeting of the season we are desperate to win it!” HEATHENS: Adam Allott, Richard Franklin R/R, Tom Perry, Jamie Courtney, Ashley Morris, Darryl Ritchings, Danny Stoneman. KING’S LYNN: Lewis Blackbird, Jake Knight R/R, Lewis Kerr, Oliver Rayson, James Cockle, Tom Stokes, Scott Campos. Tuesday morning update. RACEDAY UPDATETUESDAY SEPTEMBER 06, 2011DUDLEY Heathens are determined to beat the weather as well as King’s Lynn tonight! The former Cradley club face the Young Stars in their final league outing of the season at their adopted Monmore Green home in Wolverhampton. And work is underway on the track after overnight rain following last night’s Elite League clash between Wolves and Birmingham. Heathens chairman Nigel Pearson said: “Work has started on pulling the track back after last night and we are doing everything we can to get tonight’s meeting on. “We’re hopeful we will get a mainly dry afternoon and we can go racing. After recent results the boys are desperate to get back on track and try and get a win in the final home league meeting.” Buxton’s Adam Allott, who scored a maximum against the Heathens last week, is booked as a guest for the injured Kyle Newman in the Dudley side.