TotallyHonestJohn

Jesus will you stop it man lol... A was in Cumbria... stuck in the house an it was lashing down with rain an blowing a hooli... Regards THJ

Honestly Just gis a break basically and to understand with what I do financially or I have done in the past does not give me any special access into who Newcastle are signing... I just make guesstimates on potential riders now like everyone else (hopefully realistic ones and sometimes totally Waz take ones) Newcastle are not in the same boat as those you have quoted as Glasgow are sorted and have been for some time; One promoter told me he had his team sorted by the end of September and as advised from Skidder1 Poole are just toying over their final rider (Emil Grondal anyone?) and I am led to believe that Redcar are just about there and they are looking at lower order options... in years gone by like most clubs I would suggest Newcastle would have 5 or 6 riders pre signed up but maybe not confirmed and would be looking for a 5/6 pointer and a reserve... then slowly releasing the names up to the Christmas party... Oh hang on... There you go so they have sorted their little wrinkle out and have a full 7... Good News that... Newcastle; for whatever reason; seem to have always been loyal to riders and given them more time than most other clubs would to pull their form around and clubs are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't its always a tricky decision as to when a rider gets cut I would suggest... Because Newcastle weren't in the starting blocks when it come to signing riders they are way behind the game and that is why we may be struggling a bit I would suggest; but as I alluded to earlier we may start with an 8 point plus number 1 with Matty Wethers at 5 and the rest of the team all averaging around the 5/6 mark and if that's the way it pans out so be it; I'm certainly not worried if that is the situation... by the end of the second month there will be "changes a plenty" throughout the league plus as I said certain riders signed in Poland who won't be getting rides will potentially be looking for more earning opportunities. How many times have we seen mid season changes made that have transformed a clubs outlook... However it may be time to think outside the box and look away from the usuall names suggested Ondrej Smetana; Kenneth Hansen; Victor Pallovarra; Joel Andersson; Lewis Bridger; Theo Pijper; Lewis Rose; Sebastian Alden or Anders Melgren to name but a few... If Newcastle look weak at the start of the season there will be plenty of opportunity to change and hopefully (hopefully) strengthen up... (oft said Team Averages may go down as well as up) Regards THJ

Honestly Guys I would just like to get this out there.... as I have received several PM's Texts and even telephone calls over the weekend asking me what the team is and who is coming to Newcastle and what do I know with regards to incoming riders... Honestly I know nothing!!! and can honestly add the following 1. I am not connected to the club in any way shape or form other than I have invested in the club and their riders in excess of £30k in the last 10 years in the form of sponsorship either direct to the riders or direct to the club; and this does not include investing in the ridiculously over priced things like race bibs; kevlars; pictures; posters; helmets and an array of other "crepe" now hanging on my office walls picked up in club auctions and raffles; or sponsoring individual meetings; or chucking a grand into the air fence fund when that first started or the £100 max £50 paid max bonus I give to the riders when they achieve that milestone in a home match. 2. I have not spoken to Rob Grant or anyone else from the club other than Dalbers about when a group I had pulled together to invest in the club were ready to step in following suggestions that we may not run but when Rob Grant came to the fore we backed off. 3. The last Director I was involved with at Newcastle was Darryl Illingworth who left 4/5 year ago now and I gave Alan Hedley some support with phone numbers of riders some 4 year back now that proved successful for him signing a couple of riders and that was the last time I got any information on who the club were chasing. When Darryl left I gave more support to Workington and for 4 or 5 seasons I invested between 8 to 12 grand a year for these years between both clubs 4. All I am doing is responding to that clown Dandelion in the first instance and anyone else who puts forward ridiculous names and choices of possible team selections (with some added humour hopefully); however its a mickey take; fake news; and I would suggest to all the secret squirrels out there don't take things so seriously FFS it will be what it will be at the end of the day and all I would say is give Rob Grant a chance. 5. What I do know (and all I know) for sure is what we were given at the Gosforth Club Meeting by George English and Rob Grant themselves; which was Clegg and Wethers have signed on; Clegg will probably be in the main body of the team; "we won't believe who one of the signings will be" and we will be asking "how did they manage to get him" as stated by George English. We were told we will have strong reserves and that there were 6 offers out to riders (2 accepted) and one still to finalise and finally that there would be 2 or 3 riders names released this week with the other 2 or 3 released at the Christmas party. That's it... nothing that isn't already known or out in the public domain. 6. What I will add is George English has always operated a "Secret Service" approach when signing his riders and tried to lock down the process but riders (and mechanics; especially mechanics) talk and word gets out and this late in the season when the pool of available riders is looking decidedly dry it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out what the potential make up of the team will be. 7. What I will also add is I was very impressed at the Gosforth "talk in" and the vision Rob Grant has for the team; the club and and the sport going forward and I do genuinely wish him all the success in the world in his new venture promoting speedway. 8. For those who have asked where I get my selections and names from I would say the following; firstly what you must remember is Newcastle are a Sunday team which rules out a great deal of riders who have Polish ambitions; Newcastle currently do not have the relevant licences to bring in Aussies Kiwis or Americans who need work visas which takes these guys out of the equation; demographics and being in the cold North East Newcastle tend to offer "sweeteners" to attract riders however as most of the riders are now fixed up so this puts Newcastle decidedly on the back foot. Two year back Newcastle brought back Matty Wethers and this is probably where we need to look and where I have been looking for names but I am sure Rob Grant will have his own little black book of names and Dave Tatum is another who will have numerous rider contacts so there could be a signing which is definitely left of field and unexpected!!! How about Kenneth Hansen? 9. Remember its fake news or a best guestimate to be fair on my account I don't have any inside information; I do not know who is or isn't coming "its a puppet" Brian Conley alive and dangerous, Nick Frisbee and Larry the Loafer. https://youtu.be/f64H3hDa93Y 10. I hope this has clarified the position and all I do is use a technique I learnt in the RMP where I provide 2 + 2 and if you come up with anything else other than 4 then you have bought into the premise that you think I know what I am talking about... If you want to know who the club are chasing ring Rob Grant or George English who are the people best placed to tell you what is happening and no need to torture me because I don't have a clue... Also have some trust in this new promoter as I get the distinct impression that Rob Grant has his finger on the pulse and will provide the best team he possibly can under the circumstances One final thing to mention; look at the Polish sides who have pools of riders; anything between 10 or 12 riders and once the seasons starts there will be 3 to 5 riders sitting on Polish contracts but not getting rides, then we may see an early change in the team when perceived stronger riders potentially become available Regards THJ

Honestly Someone who finally gets it... and I've had to Quote it to hopefully get the message over... It's been a slow news day and a storm has rolled in.... Regards THJ

You wouldnt be able to tell who he was as he would fit right in with the rest of the crackers... It can be done to build a team as it has in the past however would anyone realistically use up that many build points on one rider... I'm hearing there has had to be a change of plans as it looks like one of the targets has backed out... Wouldn't surprise me now if Newcastle end up with two 5 point plus reserves... Regards THJ

Oh so you do recognise the process but don't get the irony.... Honestly I would call you an idiot but that would be an insult to idiot's It's a puppet man... Regards THJ

Yes Robbo has definitely ridden in this country... Pavlic would come in on 8.18 I reckon (or less) as he rode for Swindon in 2008 and 09... Hans could be an option as I pointed out weeks ago and is definely another to consider IMHO... Regards THJ

George said at the meeting that no one would guess who or which rider he has coming in and it will be a big shock and he said people will be asking how did they get him.... So.... who would be a big surprise? Well this brings me back to Jurica Pavlic.... So maybe no Smetana or Buckhave... Guessing I reckon that Pavlica would come in on a maximum average of 8.18... hopefully less... This is a total guess but it won't be an Aussie or Yank as we don't (currently) have the correct paperwork to employ guys from these countries and it isn't going to be Bjarne (at least not this year as Rob has apparently spoken to him) so it will be interesting to see who it actually is... however we are restricted in who we can get so a big(ish) European (or Brit) who is not tied to Poland? I won't be Adam Ellis as he is off elsewhere as is Danny King... Av got it.... Andre Compton is making a come back... lol... how did we get him... oh hang on Pepe Franc.... forgot a bout laal Pepe... That's it sorted Regards THJ

Because Matty is now British apparently racing on a British licence Regards THJ

No we were told Clegg would be in the main body of the team Regards THJ

What about Connor Mountain at reserve? Regards THJ

No unfortunately he was missing due to a sore throat or something... Heaven knows what he's been sucking on to get that... Please PM you suggestions for a prize... Regards THJ

Not the 90th because of the reduced rates was the craic Regards THJ

The 90th meeting on a Sunday in March with an exciting line up and no more riders to be announced tonight... But a shock or two over the next couple of weeks... Regards THJ

Might have said 29th Dalbers is on the Mic an am losing the will to live... Jesus... STFU... Talking about future... pies pasties entertainment fun fairs pyrotechnics and meat draws... Oh and I was right he did say the 28th but meant the 29th... So it's the 29th... my apologies for their mistake... Regards THJ

What Buffet? A must have missed that one... it al be a kebab on the way home... Nowt new yet Regards THJ

Aye bout 130... Regards THJ

First meeting 28th March 90th Anniversary 10 quid adults 5 quid oap's kids free... Regards THJ

Dalbers said at the start "over half" Still waiting Regards THJ

Am on me 4th pint an Matty Wethers has just been announced Like Cilla said "surprise surprise" It could be a long night... Regards THJ

Oh Max Clegg just announced... Well I never... fancy that... Regards THJ

Ave just turned up at Gossy Club an parked up a convenient back lane and low an behold Max Clegg is in the same back lane... Doh... So am guessing... Regards THJ

Well I have given up on pushing 6 man teams.... so three a side.... never say never... We had given up on 2 point reserves and regionalisation of leagues and they have both landed in... albeit the regionalisation being used in the championship isn't quite how it was envisaged but it should work and offer savings to clubs. So maybe four man teams and leagues set up on a four team tournament and round robin basis.... Hmm... now there's an idea... wonder if that's been done before... Regards THJ

Honestly I know I can be a tad long winded at times and if I went into this properly chapter and verse it would fill a page and a half however I have a busy day today so the short answer is "No; it cant be done"; (yet) the system is so complicated it borders on total madness... Certain countries carry different status look on the UK-GOV.UK web site and there is everything from Tier 2 to Tier 5 visas and all the implications that these entail. Its not the clubs or the BSPA its the Government that create the rules. Its not as easy as just sponsoring someones application. This is why some riders officially cant ride in both leagues; do individual meetings or in one crazy instance I believe guest. If you think the product is watered down now just wait until Brexit kicks in and if Europeans need to jump through these hoops and obtain visas via a complicated process it may result in these guys saying its just not worth it and not come to the UK whatsoever Visa applications; sponsors licences and the work permit system is an absolute minefield even for someone with a construction business who wanted to employ a Polish bricklaying squad it was an absolute "Bawl Ache" and they were Europeans. Regards THJ

The only thing that lets Ully down is his gear and part time mechanic... One thing for sure is Glasgow will make sure his gear is top notch.... they do support there riders... Real crafty signing this I think and Ully will end up flying at Glasgow and I reckon he will put 2 to 3 points on his current average... Shrewd move by the tigers and IMHO Ully will prove to be a real surprise package 2020 you watch... He's still a class act on a bike and well done Glasgow on his capture... Regards THJ