TotallyHonestJohn

No...

Lawson is sorted I am led to believe!!! and it ain't Glasgow Maybe Cami Brown will now go after Claus Vissing; you know; after saying how much he loved him and how wonderful he was and how he was badly done to by Newcastle in that Speedway Star article... Regards THJ

RIP Eastie...

Honestly For the sake of everyone's sanity I am not going through this again however Visa with Travel to and from Denmark was a major issue as at first Claus said he would be residing in the UK then changed his mind and more than anything else his commitment to the club could not be guaranteed as he did not have a slot in the top league to make it truly viable for him and stated his Danish commitments would come before anything else amongst other things. As ever it is much more complicated than a throw away one line comment... the deal had been done (which wasn't cheap granted) however the other baggage that started to rack up once the deal had been done was starting to prove to be more expensive and disruptive than the actual hassle it was causing or worth but the promotion couldn't say or wouldn't say the bloke was being a tool and talking himself out of a deal now could they. IMHO I don't think there was one major single issue as such; and it was an absolute multitude of minor problems that made the promotion think again and all have been discussed "ad nauseam" on a multitude of threads on here... Regards THJ

It had nothing to do with the "Budget set out!" as has been pointed out numerous times... Regards THJ

Then I would say join the queue... Regards THJ

Think that will depend on what happens at Eastie and whether they stick or fold... Regards THJ

Honestly Like the hedgehog said climbing off the scrubbing brush... Anyone can make a mistake... To be fair mind how often will it happen seeing us on a Saturday and then Berwick on a Sunday at the same venue over the same weekend... After Arnie put that it took about 10 minutes for the penny to drop and I checked the fixtures on the BSPL site and realised I had dropped a Bolo... Never mind I now have the right end of the stick... But if I'm totally honest I even had the wrong team because it's bloody Kent who are up this Saturday at Berwick then on the Sunday at Brough... Big tea and an hour's kip and I'm all over the spot... Regards THJ

Honestly Now who feels stupid... Bob is on about Eastbourne at home... Doh... Apologies... but I still think they wont happen... Regards THJ

Think you will find those fixtures are the other way round Bob and at present I can't see either happening... Regards THJ

Firstly I am surprised you think Berwick is a trick track but never mind I will leave others to argue that... and I fully agree with you when you say you get close racing from a road block however is it not then up to the chasing rider(s) to have the confidence; technical skill and the ability to chase and pass that road block no matter where it is on the track. Clegg was one of the riders having a go on the outside line; however that outside line I was referring to is only on bends 3 and 4 as there isn't really an outside line as such on 1 and 2 and to be fair there isn't really and inside line on 1 and 2 either as the sweet spot perfected by James Greives is about 2/3rds out off the inside edge coming out of bend 2 which either gives the momentum to pass inside or outside along the back straight or to get you into position for a big push around what is the Ludvig Lindgren outside line on 3 and 4 which as stated is the outside line I was referring to and has been sadly under used since Ludde left. Clegg; Mountain and Roynon all went out wide and made passes on this outside line on 3 and 4 in this meeting and it was good to see for a change!!! and again I somewhat agree with your analogy about the Wright/Clegg pairing as James tends to like to hug the kerb line and Max will go out wide and it could be a good pairing in the making for Newcastle; Connor and Adam tend to drift all over the track and go for it to a certain extent full on the throttle; Ben Barker tends to have a bit more control and thinks more as to what his passing options are and tries to choose the places where he will try and attack for a pass; Matty when fit is another who prefers to sit on the inside line and Archie as a young kid is still finding his preferred track racing preferences and his feet to a certain extent at this level; there was passing in this meeting and it was an entertaining event and everyone will have a different perspective and view on the racing and what did or did not happen and I fully accept you last statement that it is very difficult to pass at Brough not withstanding the long and thin straights however the home fans know what and where certain riders will try things and that's where I suppose the home track advantage starts to develop... it may be perceived from away fans and away riders that there is only one line around Brough however that could not be further from the truth and once the little nuances are learnt on how to tackle the technical nature of the track (trickiness) then the rest is as they say "is mere bagatelle" For me I thought it was a good meeting with close competitive racing and not every race had a classic passing move however there was some good racing to watch and I was very encouraged with the performance of the whole team although I would add that I thought the first meeting of the season against Edinburgh was also a very good meeting to watch however the result was the the wrong way around for a Diamonds fan... It is what it is and I accept what you are saying and agree to some of it... but this is what is good about the sport and the differing opinions on what has been witnessed on the track during the days racing... Regards THJ

Heat 3 was a cracking race when Steve Worrall went off 15 and for the following reason... not one pass in the whole race yet you could have thrown a blanket over the four of them going over the line... the two diamonds were knocking on the door pushing Jensen all the way from both inside and out but neither Clegg nor Wright could switch off either with Worrall keeping both of those two on their toes and honest... good to watch and not a pass made... Plus that Ludvig outside line is coming back and a few of the guys are having the confidence to go out wide as they are now getting something out of the track and that also builds on the excitement and the quality of racing and I can remember numerous passes in that meeting... all of the Newcastle team came to the party even the guest eventually and it was a thoroughly enjoyable meeting... to which Glasgow and the referee played their parts in contributing to the entertainment... Regards THJ

But if the wages at Eastie are double of those at other clubs then the Math still wont add up will it... not that I know what Eastie are paying just to say that if the income doesn't exceed the expenditure than you end up in the Red.... Regards THJ

Is he not making Cider with their lad Henry?

Agreed but did these promoters actually think they would get more fans in through the doors than pre-Covid... they had a good idea of crowd numbers before Covid hit and they know there average cost/return per supporter yet still they offer ridiculous guarantees and points money to riders that not as long as they have a hole in there backside would they be able to cover their costs furthermore there will have been an impact on sponsorship as companies took stock on how Covid had impacted their businesses... the whole thing is a recipe for disaster... IMHO I think the BSPL have missed a chance to reset the whole sport or at least the opportunity to make some radical changes and what did we get "Rising Stars" Regards THJ

Honestly What you need are promoters who can mange a budget; build your team to suit your income its not hard; Eastie have 3 very good heat leaders who don't come cheap and the rest of the team will be at a premium too... If you get on average 800 fans through the door its no good building a team that needs 1000 fans to pay for it (unless you promote and encourage the extra crowd through the doors)… Barcelona may get away with having 103% cost against income and get away with it but unless you get a benefactor/promoter who is prepared to inject the cash difference in the 800/1000 ratio in the required numbers the figures are not sustainable... Its the nutters who are running the sport who are ruining it... Maybe the Isle of White have the right idea and kick the BSPL into touch to save costs and all it will need are a few teams to pull out of the BSPL to start a league built more on Armature guidelines... the BSPL will tinker round the edges push this ridiculous "Curry Star" "Rising Star" rating system next season to try and force more young (Cheaper) kids in at the bottom end to try and save money and its becoming an absolute joke... First off do away with that "Top" league as there is nothing Premier about it; make Mondays and Thursdays the main race nights; and if any clubs cant or wont do those days and want to be in a lesser league stop the top 30 or so averaged riders from "Doubling Down" stop the bottom 30 riders with averages of less than 4 in the upper league or 6 in the second tier from doubling up and only allow the riders who are in the middle of those averages the opportunity to double up/down. This will ensure the strength and quality in the upper tier with clubs who can afford it and it will restrict the damage of high wage riders being utilised in the lower tier which will ensure evenly matched sides and stop promoters in this lower tier trying to chase the glory and bringing in riders that the crowds just will not sustain financially and "blowing their brains out"... Cut a rider and go to six man teams possibly to save money? but at least make sure that the kids in the NDL or any rider for that matter has as a minimum an average of 6 that will convert to a 2 in the middle tier. Currently there is no disparity between the leagues and the teams in both leagues are becoming discernible from each other the championship is just a pseudo Premiership (or vice versa)… it is an absolute joke really and there is nothing else to describe what is going on... it needs to be as level a playing field as possible between teams if you want to see competitive racing and to be fair with the riders that are left in the UK that is becoming difficult as there aren't enough to go round to get a difference in/between the current leagues... Regards THJ

Ouch...

Maybe the Diamonds rode a little better this week than they did against Poole... some good strong commitment from the Diamonds that had been lacking of late... maybe the Diamonds are finding some self belief whilst Glasgow are feeling the pressure a bit of being favourites to take all before them... big slice of humble pie for supper tonight because I did not expect that result at all... enjoyable meeting with some good racing... Problem is though where do you find three other riders in this current environment That's the poorest show from Craig at Brough since he was a reserve at Workington... he's a class act and has always been one of my favourite riders but there is just something not working right for him at the minute... but he will sort it out... Regards THJ

Guest choice was/is limited due to Wethers average even with the 5% uplift for home riders plus they needed to think of next week against Kent where we will have two guests slots to fill with Archie being in that U19 meeting at Mildenhall Regards THJ

Plus you guys must be going a bit stir crazy now with the additional lock down and extended travel ban you received when the rest of Scotland was being set free; be a few with itchy feet looking for a trip away to grab a bit of different scenery just to go somewhere and get out and about... Surprised you didn't say Tigers to take 4 points as you must fancy your chances... Regards THJ

True and you don't have to be that thirsty at something like £3.70 a bottle for them to rack up their profits I would say Geoff... Might start taking my hip flask... Regards THJ

Here we go... Another tough meeting for the Diamonds with Glasgow in town... It will be interesting to see what the crowd will be like with the first football match of the season kicking off at 14:00 hours and being on the TV as well... I think the Glasgow fans will be out in force and making the trip down the road as they will be expecting their boys to bring back the points for sure... Newcastle guest for this one I believe will be Aaron Summers and Glasgow will be using Steve Worrall (who I don't think has been on a losing side at Brough yet) Newcastle: Ben Barker; Aaron Summers; James Wright; Connor Mountain; Max Clegg; Adam Roynon; Archie Freeman; Glasgow; Craig Cook; Steve Worrall; Ricky Wells; Broc Nicol; Sam Jensen; Justin Sedgmen; Connor Bailey; It will be another master class from Cookie and Stevie W; Ricky has already had a practice session guesting last week so this will be tough; Hopefully we can keep it close and the Diamonds bring their gating gloves; think the Weegies are good for the points however Regards THJ

Bags meetings televised live into every bookies in the country and many abroad... The greyhounds are very profitable for ARC Racing.... Certainly more profitable than a Speedway meeting although at this double header the Bar takings were quadrupled and it was the highest bar take in over 12 years... So I would suggest that the Speedway isn't a total loss for the stadium owners... Rent and beer must cover their staff costs... Regards THJ

No... dog track rules... Regards THJ

Partially correct... As a club Sunday does us no favours whatsoever... however even with or without a mega wealthy promoter there are British riders who don't ride in Poland and we can target those.... Remember we started on the back foot two year back when the team building process started and hopefully when Rob decides to run next year he gets his calls in early for the riders he wants... Sunday's aren't bad now I would suggest for riders who want to remain in the UK especially if they start to get Jobs and start to run semi-proffesional which could change the dynamics... Regards THJ