SteelShoe

Hey come on WorkyWorky none of the supposed southern softies have complained about any inhospitable elements.

I came that way monday and it was back open both ways.

The Scorpions have put themselves in a strong position for the second leg, i would be happy with an 18 point lead no doubt. The Comets have it all to do. We could count ourselves a little unfortunate not to have had a point or too more on the board last night without taking anything away from the Scorpions. Paul Starke may have scored a few more points if his starting had been better but it was poor on the night, 5 points from him would have been more than acceptable. Rasser was superb on the night and has really shown great determination in the quest to win the club its first seven man silverware. Mason Campton has improved greatly with more racing during the second half of the season and will have a huge part to play in the 2nd leg. His win in heat 12 following a second hard move in the race from Garrity after already stuffing Nicolai up down the back straight was superb and a fitting response. Rene had what will have have been a very frustrating night for him, he tried his hardest from a position of not making very good starts but just seemed to lack that bit of speed that would have brought him a few extra points. Nicolai seemed to find himself in the wrong place on more than one occasion and invariably found himself at the back when in traffic. He will have a huge part to play in the 2nd leg and is more than capable of turning last nights form on its head. Young Kyle nearly managed a second place in the reserves race and he will be looking for more at Derwent Park. Seven heat wins wasn't bad from the Comets, it was the 11 non scoring races that hurt us. Jason Garrity and Jake Allen are a formidable 3 and 4 partnership at the EWR and were responsible for 3 of the damaging 5-1's the Comets conceeded. If we can get on top of these two and make big strides into the deficit early then it will be game on and the nerves will be jangling once again. Up the Comets !!

Remember the Tigers winning it in 2011.

Yeah a lottery win would be nice .

Wow still buzzing from last night. Like most everyone else i didn't think it the least bit probable that we would overturn a 28 point deficit against a team that have ran us close at home on a couple of occasions this season. I Left Armadale friday thoroughly dejected and hugely disappointed in the nature of our defeat but i take my hat off to the whole team because they were brilliant to a man last night. Young Kyle had a big night and is clearly developing a racing edge . Was obviously detetmined to do his bit for the team and he did, his points made it possible. Well done Kyle. It was a brilliant night for the Comets fans. For those that decided Strictly Come Dancing was a better option well, you missed something special because it was one of those 'i was there nights'. You should have been there supporting the Club !. We needed a good start and we got one. The lads kept chipping away at the deficit to the point when we all started to believe it was doable at which point the seeds of doubt must have been flowing through the Monarchs side of the pits. The tension became palpable as it must have been for the Monarchs fans who probably still didn't believe there side wouldn't eventually get across the line. They must have gone away feeling like we did friday - absolutely gutted. I was so pleased for everyone concerned especially Jacko who is an unsung hero and Laura, she must have really enjoyed the performance and result. Because of the circumstances it must go down as one of the most memorable nights ever for fans of the mighty Comets. Hugely entertaining, intriguing, at times controversial and for Comets fans ultimately hugely rewarding. What more could you want for sixteen quid. Just Brilliant. Thanks to Jake Allen who seems a really grounded level headed young man who could potentially go a long way in the sport. Also thanks to the Monarchs fans that made the trip and helped boost the gate. Thanks to Hoggy who was once again brilliant on the mic. Up the Comets !!!

Think you missed Come Dancing or Strictly Come Dancing.

Well THJ i reckon after reading that depressing post of brutal reality you should change your username to THD. Total Harbinger of Doom lol. We may as well lock the gates and call an end to the season now it would at least save Laura some money she can ill afford to lose. Apart from riders getting injured the only thing that gets me down when i visit Derwent Park are nights when the crowd is poor. Poor compared to what though ?, crowd levels during the Stoney years? or to the current crowd levels of most teams in the Championship. I've visited most Championship clubs this season and doubt whether many if any teams have commanded the 850 fans you state are needed to break even. So there will be more than Worky struggling. Speedway is going through a malaise partly self created. Its contributing insidiously to its own demise, ostrich syndrome still appears to rule supreme in the corridors of speedway power. Lost fans won't come back overnight, when you have fallen out of love with something the attraction to give it another go has to be strong . Then you need to enjoy the experience and feel part of something. If we were to make the play off final and win the championship shield then that could be the catalyst. The sport desperately needs a really big sponsor but its unlikely to happen. The Comets are currently stretched beyond there means . Everyone wants an attractive winning side but the gate receipts plus additional income from sponsorship etc ain't balancing the books. So what is the answer to the problem then THJ .

Dwindling crowds are a conundrum contributed to by the amateurish way the sport has been run in recent times. Without Workington opening up their accounts no one but those very close to Laura can have knowledge of the financial structure currently in place . The club will surely have budgeted for this season based on last seasons last average gates . We do not know how crowds are doing relative to last season but i would say subjectively they are certainly no worse. We had that horrendous run of away fixtures which put a huge strain on finances but it was hoped that some of that would eventually balance out. With half as many league fixtures compared to last season one would assume overall loss potential per meeting would be lower. To quote losses of £50K to £75K if accurate is serious money and unsubstantiated. Other season losses were mooted to be around £30K. Why double with half as many league fixtures ??. The club employs a Commercial Manager whose major role is to generate income for the club. Laura quoted in a recent press article that some sports clubs generate £30-50K in sponsorship. Obviously we are not at this fairly modest looking level, a level that would surely help underpin the clubs financial security.

Just like to congratulate everyone concerned with the club on reaching our first final since 2010. That's a long time so we should all enjoy it. We should all try and encourage as many ex and new fans as possible to attend the final and lets really get behind the team. In the early stages last night i thought lady luck had deserted us but i needn't have worried. It soon became apparent that we were much the stronger. Guest Ben Barker was just sensational and fully justified his booking for Dan while we still have a facility regardless of what happened recently. All the lads made telling contributions, we looked a real solid unit without a weak looking heat on the program. Jake Allen once again caught the eye following a first ride retirement. Pulled off some stunning passes especially the pass of Rene on bend 2 when there didn't look room. Steve Worrall was solid, won well from the front but didn't offer as much when he found himself behind. Jason Garrity was well below the level he has shown in the past as was Josh Auty who unfortunately took another nasty tumble at Derwent Park. Stefan Nielsen looked to be some way off his best form following a season of injury. Gino tried while Danny looked the rider who has struggled all season. Its a tough league this. I don't know of anything that may or may not have gone on behind the scenes last night but i hope any issues can be discussed and resolved to the mutual satisfaction of all parties. I was hoping for a few more at the meeting last night and no doubt if we had been riding against one of the more passionately supported clubs many more visiting fans would have made the trip to cheer on their team in what was a nicely set up tie. Speedway at this level has financial issues and if clubs promotions and fans don't support each other then what future does the sport have. Doubling up/down put a lot of riders out of a job so talks of reducing the number of riders within thise teams lucky enough to come to tapes in 2019 will only exacerbate the relative paucity of riders . Time for astute thinking because the changes in recent years haven't improved speedway or enhanced how it is perceived by the public as a well run and entertaining product. Just the opposite if anything. Up the Comets.

Hoggy arguably the best presenter in speedway so always gonna be a miss. Thought JC done great as a stand in. As he said 'not as easy as it looks".

Very unprofessional what happened this evening. Some action needs to be taken if only to prevent this happening again in professional sport. Very few fans ever seem to make it across the 69 anyway but for the Diamonds to field such a weakened further damages the image of the sport but more importantly adds to the financial burden on the Comets promotion. Sad way for Robbo to bow out of a distinguished career, wonder if the missing riders gave any thought to this being his final meeting.

Robbo is a fine and fair speedway rider who has had more than his fair share of injuries. Just like to wish him all the very best in whatever he decides to do. A rare off night for Rasser tonight compounded by a poor show from guest Kevin Doolan precluded us getting anything from the meeting. Super show from guest Aaron Summers who had good support from Rene who was reportedly suffering from the illness that affected Rasser Saturday and also Mason who stuck at it following a sketchy first heat when he done a 360 on turn 3/4.

Maybe they realised that the rule as it stood was a load of horse pooh and was depriving the public of proper value for money let alone the loss of potential earnings for the Diamonds. Maybe just maybe common sense has prevailed but i doubt it.

Thanks Halifaxtiger . Your posts are always on the money for me. Yeah the racing not great last night but it was the result that mattered. There hax been some crackers recently though and i'm hoping we will see a few more before the season draws to a close.

Tim Hamblin reports in an article in SS that Ben Barker guests for Dan. It would appear on the face of it then that he has given backword. I await official confIrmation on this but it looks like very poor form indeed by rider and club. If you accept a guest booking then it's fair to say that should be binding. Workington forced to use NL guests for heat leaders having to ride in Poland yet the Panthers get a facility for a rider getting married during the season. Something smells somewhere and it always seems to be the same promotions looking to morally undermine the sport .

With Nicolai's Polish team riding in the 1st leg of the play-off final on Sunday 16th does this mean we are back in the NL only guest scenario again for the ttip to Newcastle ?

Fortunately the weather gods spared us after spells of fairly heavy rain earlier in the day. The double header was always going to be demanding on the lads especially so after the away meeting at Scunny the night before. Unfortunately for the Diamonds they caught the Comets at there freshest. Only Tero who was very competitive throughout and to a lesser extent Matty Wethers rode anywhere near there averages. Matty Kus in particular was very disappointing. Any Diamonds fans would have felt pretty low watching the overall team performance on what was a very good track especially so in the first meeting. The Comets were all pretty hot in the first meeting but the Bears tested us fully in the second meeting before a 5-1 from Rene and Mason in heat 14 seen us over the line and allowed the fans to relax. Ben Barker and 2017 Comet TJ were particularly strong but there was good support from Jonas Andersen and Carl Wilkinson who looked a different rider in the second meeting. The Bears definitely deserved a point. All the Comets contributed in both meetings . Big thanks to guest Aaron Summers who done an excellent job on the night and made sure it was mission accomplished with regard to getting the 6 points on offer.

That's a blow losing Ty . R/R not ideal on the night of a double header especially having a guest in already. Gonna take a determined effort from the whole team. Hope Aaron Summers has one of his better nights. Redcar in particular have riders who could make life difficult. Not a night for mechanical gremlins.

Yeah, Ty didn't seem himself over the weekend at all. His body language at Armadale in particular was not ideal from the team captain. His non appearance in heat 13 which as yet is unexplained tended to show little regard for us travelling fans whom had spent time and money to make the journey to support the team. Hope it was just a one off because generally his attitude to his racing has been excellent. Like you say it may well be some race fatigue because with all the guest bookings as well as scheduled fixtures he has undoubtedly been a busy man .

Don't think so as not guesting for injured No1.

Thanks for coming up bellevueace pleased you enjoyed it.

Entertaining meeting that was close throughout. It could have been a banana skin for the Comets with Nicolai who is usually very professional falling well short of his usual high mechanical standards and skipper Ty not at his best. The rest of the lads showed great spirit to help blunt the sharp spearhead that is Wells, Worrall and Riss. Rasser showed a fantastic attitude to his racing tonight as indeed he has all season and along with Rene was hugely influential in securing the 3 points. Huge credit must also go to young Kyle Bickley whose 3 well earned points secured the 3 match points . Great to see him on the pace and riding with greater confidence, skill and belief. Nice to see Cookie working with him on his starts after the meeting top man ! Most entertaining rider for the Monarchs was Josh Pickering who easily had his best meeting at Derwent Park. On the night the Monarchs certainly deserved a point but if all the Comets had been firing they would have been denied it. Just hope the lads can keep the racing sharpness and mechanical integrity over the remaining matches as it would be great to do it for Club and Dan. Great to see an appearance from Gary Stead who looked in great shape in spite of scoffing in Wetherspoons !. Enjoyed the music tonight keep up the good work. Thanks to the Monarchs fans who made the journey think you will have felt better than i did at Armadale last night. Up the Comets !!

Yeah but you really cannot feign season ending injury so in that respect it once again seems like speedway rules hurting speedway clubs. Just look at the issues clubs have had getting guests this season. The ability to sign a replacement rider in such clear cut circumstances is the most common sense option. Of course this depends on whether the right rider is available with an average not higher than the rider whom said rider is being brought in for as an injury replacement.

Yeah, an intransigent rule when you cannot replace a rider with a season ending injury. Not surprised it's just so typical of the apparent lack of common sense that appears to prevail. Personally i would go with guests where possible. R/R longer term could ultimately prove detrimental. Horses for courses.