TotallyHonestJohn

Don't disagree however I have to correct you there in bold above Jenga as there was never anything in the rules to stop Glasgow signing a GP rider, what there was back in the day was an "unwritten rule" agreed by the BSPA promoters at the time "not to sign current GP riders". A "gentleman's agreement" if you will and this was to protect Workington who had Carl Stonehewer at the time. It was all a bit contrived and I won't give the full history but rest assured Glasgow didn't break any rules. Just all the old boys who had all agreed to the original request by Workington to ring fence Stoney (or GP riders) at the time; are all now long gone. Although it is a bit rich because a few years back Keith Denham tried to change his team following a few bad injuries and bring in a rider or two to re-balance his team for the old Young Shield Competition (I think) and was told he wasn't allowed to!!! when asked why he was told there was an "unwritten rule" and "gentleman's agreement" which stated that he couldn't change his team after the cut off date for matches. I believe the said "unwritten rule" was officially written into the rule books the following season. However just to confirm Glasgow done nothing wrong in signing Craig So what you need to appreciate is when is an "unwritten rule" not a rule at all? Answer... when you have enough cash to threaten to "sue" the powers that be of course!!! Roll over lads and get your bellies tickled Regards THJ

Nah nowt so gay, coming from Longbenton then moving to Byker the only pantomime I have ever been involved with was when I had my season ticket for Newcastle United which I gave up not the last time we were promoted but the time before that and vowed never to go back until Ashley had gone, unfortunately I have fell off the wagon about half a dozen times over the years as the mind is willing but the will power unfortunately is very weak... Also I remember when a group of theatrical players came to Longbenton High School to do some interactive learning and got the B'Jesus kicked out of them and that put me off the theatre "for life" Oh and a substantial squad of my year group and the one above suspended from school for a couple of weeks... Good old LBAB those were the days eh... Regards THJ

My personal opinion is this; I think we will only see one league next season unless some of the National League teams can be "Forced up" so teams will have the choice of where to sit league wise. By that I mean the first tier will be roughly at a Championship level as is now and possibly six man teams (possibly not), and a much diluted product than we currently experience in the "Top League" further the second division (if we don't have one league) will be built to about 32.5 rather than 42.5 points to thin out the higher averaged riders thus saving costs and radically restricting doubling up. (if doubling up is not done away with which I can also see happening) This week (Tuesday or Wednesday cant remember) sees a start to a series of BSPA meetings looking to put a definitive plan together to take the sport forward. One league 14/16/18 teams possibly, or 2 leagues top league 8/10 teams and 2nd Div 8/10 teams. It doesn't bode well really does it and it is a sorry state of affairs looking at it. Hope I am "Totally Wrong" but I can see much else really. Don't hold your breath and start with very low expectations then you wont be disappointed. Regards THJ

No one with any sense but when has this sport ever been run with the head, heart every time!!! Regards THJ

Think both these could be correct and Peterborough's loss is Redcar's gain as Ged has made no secret that he would like to run his home town club, I also would like to think Peterborough will be safe as they do have a strong following and there should be interest, there maybe needs to be a serious discussion with the EOS management as I do not think they have helped matters with stadium availability this season. However good luck to both clubs going forward Regards THJ

Frustration Gazc at the "holier than thou" opinions put over by some on here, you are correct I am in a fortunate position that I have had senior level contact with several promotions across the entire sport and believe me my best interests are for the sport as a whole not for a select chosen few. Personally I do not like the secretive culture adopted by the BSPA were a "Chinese Whispers" format for disseminating information is adopted. It breeds a culture of "if I don't know what is going on I will make something up" then bang it out on here which to be fair just gets everyone's "backs up" (doesn't it or is it just me?) All clubs have these types and where you have highlighted the offending line I will point out it does state "some of the most vociferous " the Tigers certainly do not have exclusivity of this in any way shape or form. Only those who can listen (or read) will really lean (some just aren't prepared to do that) and I have attended numerous meetings with regard to moving the sport forward and listened to what the issues are and I do not envy Rob Godfrey or Buster Chapman in the slightest but people have to recognise it just isn't one sides fault and no one can adopt the "it wasn't us" line, everyone is culpable in this and Glasgow need to take their share of the blame, The only way I can see any hope would be for promotions to work together but there are factions at play and a self interest and distrust culture that I feel (my own opinion) is just to vast to bridge. Also I will add amongst the snide back biting and childish dross that often rears its head on here there are some very sensible and constructive comments and ideas that quite often get overlooked. However I will say is this; that it is not any fault of Glasgow if a club is evicted from their home, or is it Glasgow's fault if a clubs fan base flat-lines, or a promotion struggles, or lives beyond their means. (Glasgow fans actively contribute across the league to other clubs as they have always had good travelling support) What needs to be looked at is the effort the Courtney Family have put in a Berwick this season (absolutely faultless) or the Newcastle promotion yet they were both slated (along with Workington) for putting out what were perceived as weakened teams. (yet none finished bottom of the league by the way and there has been some fantastic meetings at these venues, I know because I have been there to see them); I am sure these clubs would love a Bomber Harris or a Craig Cook (or in Newcastle's case a Pedersen (Nicki or Bjarne) or Kenneth Bjerre possibly; even in the twilight of their careers) but costs dictated that this was just not feasible, but its a bit nauseating when these teams (and their fans) get castigated for competing in a league which lets be fair wouldn't be there without them in it; and have to compete in what they consider as a league which is not even set up on a level playing field. (and again that could be down to envy of the financial security some clubs find themselves in) (even I get the Green Eyed Goblins at times) It isn't anyone's fault singly that the sport is going through a difficult time; as I see it there is a collective responsibility, however some clubs are taking responsibility and others are ploughing their own furrow to the detriment of all others, added to which you have the negative diatribe on here which at times can be rather obnoxious to say the least. I put a positive post up a month or two back stating I thought people would be pleasantly surprised in the direction the sport was heading in and couldn't really elaborate at that time on what was happening, and to be honest I am glad I didn't as the plan that I had been made aware of which I (me personally) thought contained some great ideas has been all but binned!!! So what do I know So I sincerely apologise if my post has offended you personally and that the point I was trying to put over has been missed as that was not my intention Regards THJ

Honestly Pleased I could find words that you could comprehend, understand and finally reached your level as some of the more subtle more well chosen jibes obviously went over your head. To be fair you come on here spouting off like you're the official Glasgow/BSPA spokesperson and to be honest you do not have a clue what the situation is, not now, not going forward, what is being proposed and the challenges clubs who can not draw in crowds to cover costs or not being bankrolled have to face. I don't think the Rye House failure sadly will be the last, the issues Workington face have been well highlighted, however other clubs are feeling the pinch, on top of financial worries Edinburgh look like they will finally loose their home with Armadale going to the developers, Redcar who have one of the best sites for Speedway in the country look like they are in trouble for different reasons, and hand on heart the whole thing is a mess. At a BSPA meeting in the none to distant past the 21 Championship and Premiership teams (as was then) were asked to be honest and raise their hands if they we making a profit and only two clubs did (and Glasgow wasn't one of them) and some of the story's with regard to losses and how much teams were having to be subsidised (or Bank Rolled) were staggering but no one seems to want to wake up and smell the coffee. I had an exchange of emails with Len Silver at the start of the season and I didn't agree with much of what Len had to say (Speedway seems to be like that with strong opinions) but I must be honest now and state that much of what he did say has come to fruition and I think much of what he was suggesting will need to be adopted if the sport is to survive and I take my hat off to him with what he has achieved in the sport and he has years of experience to call upon, as did the late Bob Duggard who was another who was a grand statesman within the sport, however look at how the clubs they are/were involved with have developed. Godfrey and Chapman (wrongly in my view) get lambasted on here at times but believe me they are realists and understand the issues within the sport better than most and they will try their utmost to make the sport viable and sustainable, but my personal view is it will be a long and hard road with a few more casualties along the way with possibly fundamental changes in the sport that will possibly alienate more fans, I sincerely hope I am wrong. Oh and as I am "King of the Dickheads" that drink and a bite is still on offer (my shout) should you travel South of the Border and I will also tell you a story about a guy who was picked on by a clown for years and to gain his revenge he went to the "School of Sparkling Wit and Repartee"; you may be surprised as to what his answer was to said clown. Finally whose Steve, as you have tried Jacko, Hoggy and one or two others, you will be accusing me of being Laura next. Regards THJ

Hahaha No Hoggy is the LFY (Little Fat Yorkshireman) I'm more the BFG (Big Fat Geordie) But Hoggy will always tell you how it is; quite honestly and forthright; and has more knowledge than most with regard to the finer points of Speedway and its promotion or lack of, not only does he have quite forthright views some of them are good ideas as well!!! He is approachable and will talk to anyone (and if you buy him a pint you will have his ear for at least oh 5 or 6 minutes) (but don't expect one back!!! Like the Scottish the kindly Yorkshire folk are not renown for splashing the cash) Regards THJ

Honestly You haven't got a clue pal, come and look me up when you come down and I will put you in the picture, and as the Workington Trust facilitator I have the ideas just not the disposable cash to put them into action, (and I am not short of a bob or two) however, you may know some of the ideas like spending £200k+ on advertisement of the sport to put an additional 64/66 on the crowd, so even if we call it 70 who then spend £25 each on a match day that's £35,000 back in the coffers over the season for a £200K expenditure, so yep that makes good business sense doesn't it? and I wont go down the salary root as that just makes a mockery of the sport when a guy makes more riding in Scotland for a championship club than Poland, or a 3 point reserve gets a better deal than other clubs No 1? so yes make no bones about it "Bank Rolling the club", (which is exactly what is happening) and that is only bad when its to the detriment of all others isn't it. (which is also exactly what is happening) I also wont go down the route of commenting on "the infrastructure" that now sees Stewart Dickson as a co-promoter at Leicester and what went on there, but they obviously went to the Mike Ashley School of Business, a case of "I'm all right Jack" "fox you" Further and for the record I am not sure anyone from the Workington promotion called anyone a "Bar Steward" and they certainly haven't upset the BSPA as far as I am aware and you have answered your own question you clown "Laura and her partners pour money (that she (nor they) can probably ill afford) down the drain that is Workington speedway." This is due to the fact that they do not have the disposable cash to "Bank Roll" the club, its got feck all to do with being good at business Speedway as a business is virtually redundant and as countless people on here have pointed out. "unless there are changes there will be more casualties than Worky " Honest Having the disposable cash to "Pish it up agin a wall" and not give a "rats ass" on what you spend; and not care whether the business is profitable or not is one thing' and good luck if you can afford to do this; however trying to run a business model where there is a culture of being shafted by your fellow competitors (not wanting to come on originally agreed dates for a start) on a reducing turnover with increasing costs is another. Oh and here's a thought; the Newcastle promotion got a parliamentary group set up for Speedway for continuous promotion of the sport at a national level so "Eggheads" is right up there with that like eh" so a can see where you are coming from!!!. I remember when a team from Carrillion were on there and look what happened to them!!! Dickheads more like; Honestly you have a cheek calling the Edinburgh lot "Smug" and to have a pop at Jenga and TaylorJ about their support of their chosen club (and I agree they can be somewhat embarrassing at times) but this when the "Tiggs" have some of the most vociferous know nothing "Dickheads" imaginable on here is also a bit rich. The offer is there come and see me before the Play off meeting at DP and I will get the beers and bites in (you can try the food at DP and post from experience for a change) or if you don't drink I can supply plenty of tea and coffee (Sorry we don't do Bucky unfortunately) but I can even supply a nice Malt, but this will be from the east coast which will probably prejudice you against drinking it. However we will depart as friends and you may learn a few home truths that open your eyes not only about our sport but about your beloved promotion that you are so "sook" about. Ask the lasses in the Programme or the 50/50 Draw Ticket Booths and they will point me out, look forward to meeting up with your good self; oh and if you go to the doctors and get a prescription for some "ursodeoxycholic acid" or ask for a "proton pump inhibitor" I think you will find it most beneficial Regards THJ

FYI So have I led a sheltered life I but love these word games From the Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © Harper Collins Publisher sook in British 1 (sʊk )noun1. Southwest England dialect a baby 2. derogatory a coward 3. New Zealand informal a calf Word origin of 'sook' perhaps from Old English sūcan to suck, influenced by Welsh swci swead tame sook in British 2 or souk (suːk )Scottish verb 1. to suck noun 2. the act or an instance of sucking 3. a sycophant; toady sook in British 3 (sʊk ) Australian and New Zealand informal verb 1. to complain peevishly noun 2. a peevish complaint As our reference is from a person North of the Border I would suggest the explanation contained under British 2. Scottish verb 1. to suck ;noun 2. the act or an instance of sucking 3. a sycophant; toady So my guess is the last one, a sycophant; toady and before you ask A sycophant is a person who tries to win favour from wealthy or influential people by flattering them and a toadie? Well that's a person who flatters or defers to others for self-serving reasons; basically another sycophant.. To be a toady to or behave like a toady Love it Regards THJ

What a load of "sanctimonious crepe" you couldn't give a "fat rat's ass" Loads of Money corrupt Tory attitude cos you have a couple of guys prepared to bankroll your club of choice Honestly am balling up and having a half day and I may have the Monday off as well Regards THJ

Awwww Man Got all the craic and emails off Jacko last night to put over once and for all; a comprehensive post with the proof and reasoned arguments with all the details as to why the Comets had blank Fridays and Saturdays and what do you know "Byker Biker" summed it up in his first post on this matter with 7 well chosen words that even a thick "Jock" should be able to understand "'cos no bstard would accept a fixture!" brilliant, concise and in a nutshell spot on. So there you have it, the "3 Glasgee Amigo's" who think we "Sassenach's" are all "Buttoned up the back" will be sitting there with tissues in hand ready to "Pull the heed af the chicken" and have a "Chug" with their "Glaikit" looks on their "Fizzogs" waiting for a response to confirm they got a bite, and to be fair they did in some respects. So these three "Merchant Bankers" who are 1st class "Pubis Mons" may think they have some "Gallus" but they are really "Boggin". Ya need to "Shut yer geggy" and "Away an’ bile yer heid" because all ya talk is "Keech" ya need to "Haud yer wheesht" as "Yer heid’s full o’ mince" so go "Bolt ya rocket" an stop ye "Greetin" ya "Bawbags", total "Nuggets" and probably "Jobby stabbers" to boot. A note to all of those who do not "Ken" the complexities of the Scottish language or had to watch "Rab C Nesbitt" with the subtitles on, if there are any phrases you have difficulty in understanding just google those in the "quotation marks" for a translation and it should become apparent as to the sentiment of the post Those of us who know our history will always wonder why "Longshanks" didn't finish the job or the "Duke of Cumberland" stepped in to call a halt at the end of the day letting far to many off the hook in his little tussle with our skirt wearing friends north of the border. However I blame that lonely Geordie fellow who once had sex with a pig! for if it were not for him there wouldn't be any Jocks anyway would there? as I am led to believe, and as I was once told; that was how they were made and where they originally came from. I mean lets face it nearly 9 million of them on the planet and only 5 million of them live up there, says it all really doesn't it and if it wasn't for the Italian Ice Cream car salesmen bailing out the Tigers they wouldn't be here either would they? What do they say about people in glass houses Regards THJ

I will come back to this one tomorrow with relish Regards THJ

I remember Scunthorpe winning the Play Off Final in 2012 after Newcastle had won the league (and both cups) and Workington were denied the chance to run their last meeting up in Edinburgh to try and get to the Play Off Final. (that was due to the weather allegedly and having no time to fit the fixture/s in, Whether that was the case and it was the weather who knows) Seems to be the same old scenario every year trying to fit fixtures in whether the weather is good weather or not. (whether weather) Regards THJ

There you go how's that for service (thought I had seen it in there) Support your Local Club shop Regards THJ

ASDA Dunmail Park and the "Luckiest Lotto Shop in Cumbria" (Think it's called Richard James Newsagents or something like that on Finkle Street) will get it in for you if you ask them. Or have a word with Liz in the track shop I am not sure but I think I have seen them on sale in there, but that might just have been the specials like the bumper edition at the start of the season and the calender's (or it could have been the Newcastle track shop! I am easily confused) Regards THJ

Just for Information It's looking like a busy month for the Comets This weekend 5th/7th October No Fixtures at present primarily due to the Internationally Famed Scottish Cup Final (all that moaning about red hot summers and not putting in important fixtures) (because the Comets are just out and out naughty! Doh!) (oh and the importance of said "Scottish Cup" so Glasgow can at least guarantee a "pot to pish in") (come on the Monarchs)(never thought I would here myself say that)(however just for Dotty) Next Weekend 12th /14th October Glasgow Twisters vs Comets; Ashfield Friday 12th October 2018 Play Off Semi Final 1st Leg Comets vs Twisters; Derwent Park Saturday 13th October 2018 Play Off Semi Final 2nd Leg Hammers vs Comets; Rye House Stadium Sunday 14th October Shield Final 1st Leg Following Weekend 19th /21st October (Bit more sketchy unfortunately) Comets vs Hammers Derwent Park (either Saturday or Sunday)(Double Header) Comets vs Hammers Sat/Sun Shield Final 2nd Leg (followed by) Comets vs Hammers Sat/Sun Championship League meeting These days/dates for the Hammers matches are a bit in flux at present and dependant on the outcome of the Glasgow/Workington play off semi finals and the Scunthorpe/Peterborough KO Cup Semi Final as there are other teams involved here and not forgetting the Hammers so with a few different outcomes possible. There are also issues over the availability of the Showground and Rye House Stadium over this weekend and the following one 26th/28th October (to be fair outwith the respective promotions hands unfortunately) So if there are rain offs or stadium availability issues it will probably result in mid-week matches having to be arranged. Furthermore if Glasgow do beat Workington they will claim their play off final takes precedence over anything Worky want to do due to their clout and self importance so Worky will have to wait until Glasgow decide (who is fit and when they are available and where they want to run the meeting home/away first with dates on vellum paper probably) before Workington can arrange their own cup finals (you know the cup competitions everyone went in for at the start of the season) (not just two teams). Luckily the Australian GP was sorted and will not impinge on anything further Glasgow will want to arrange. (now that is clout) Keep watching the usual media for the latest meeting information and just hope it doesn't rain. Regards THJ

Correct and rightly so They also deem getting these play off meetings completed more important than a Mickey Mouse challenge match. (under the guise of a Scottish Cup). Worky will be able to take the morale high ground over fixtures in the next few weeks as due to the commitments of other sides Jacko will have difficulty fitting in all of these required fixtures. Here's a daft idea! could the the BSPA not have made more than one deadline. The cut off for the league season was extended by one week to allow a couple of teams to complete their fixtures, however once this cut off date was reached and the protagonists for the play offs known all they needed to do was say from this cut off date you have 14 Days to arrange and complete the semi final and once those meetings are resolved another 14 days to arrange and complete the final. Everything done in a 4 week period. How hard can that be? Regards THJ

Honestly Dorothy do you kiss your mother with that potty mouth "an obnoxious bitter nob, away and spill your bile somewhere else" Dirty Girl First off don't come over as "Little Miss Innocent" please!!! Furthermore do you not spell Knob with a K up there in Jock-a-nory land. As the nob as you have written above is described in the English dictionary as "a person of wealth or high social position" which I'm sure this is not the context you will be referring to in my case. So if you are going to be derisory please use the correct word, unless you know me and you are aware that I am "a person of wealth and high social position" then thank you very much I accept that compliment with great humility Now we have read your posts over the last 4 years and whilst your patriotism to your club can be commended you do come across as pretty obnoxious your good self but I will let others be the judge of that, especially Monarchs fans, if they ever do a female version of Shallow Hal you will be a shoe-in for the role love honest. You even had a go commenting on the updates website on Friday night cheering on James Sarjeant hoping he'd "sock it to the comets fans booing him" Lovely Lass, I bet when you fart you blame the dog. So handing out back handed compliments is really quite disingenuous isn't it, where you state "I did congratulate the comets on their achievement and have congratulated the enemy ( monarchs) in the past , credit where credit is due" must have come through gritted teeth and clenched buttocks. So really you need to keep your pathetic comments to yourself if you can't say something constructive or criticise without the dig in the ribs don't cry foul when people respond and especially if they respond in what you consider a negative manner. I know one thing you would never make a battery as I doubt if you have a positive side to your good self Regards THJ

Sorry Dot "like the Murphy's. I'm not bitter." More your Newcastle Brown Ale Man me!!! Regards THJ

That's exactly what happens with Brough Park dogs and the crowds used to be in the high hundreds but now they are lucky if they hit a couple of hundred, however as their races are televised live into every bookies in the country and on line, the stadium owners don't care who comes through the turn-styles as they get 10% of all world wide gambling so if someone in Australia gambles $100 dollars on a dog race at Brough the company gets 10% so they don't care if only a hundred or so "live dog racing fans" come through the door as the returns must be colossal and I doubt they would let anyone in if they didn't have to do so for their licence. They also get a fee for very televised meeting they run which is streamed into the bookies nationally , its a licence to print money. It's like someone said on here recently about Polish speedway, the crowds are totally immaterial as the whole thing is sponsored and supported through national sponsorship deals with high profile television support, it's just that over their there is still a lot of speedway fans (bike riders whose first node of transport is a bike rather than a car) which I feel also helps. I doubt it would ever happen but this is the type of "soft revenue stream" clubs need. If clubs got money through the door from something like this; i,e, gambling; which then made it moot how big the crowd was; you would be challenging Poland for the top riders rather than them having sway on all and sundry. It is only an opinion but I doubt the people who run the sport would have the wherewithal to set up a deal of this nature anyway Regards THJ

Get in.... love it... PMSL.... Now known as the reverse Dick Emery 'Ooh... You Are Awful'"but I like you" So its "I like you but you are awful" "you terrible Worky lot" "you" Your fickle comments take the biscuit Regards THJ

Not wanting to be a cynic or anything!!! But whats the chances of a "Rain Off" up at Ashfield on the Friday (12th), or a malfunction with the watering equipment that unfortunately soaks the track and the meeting is called off. Maybe an underground pipe burst they have not been unheard of in the past have they? There may be trouble ahead eh! how poignant? There may be trouble ahead But while there's music and moonlight and love and romance Let's face the music and dance Before the fiddlers have fled Before they ask us to pay the bill and while we still have the chance Let's face the music and dance Soon we'll be without the moon, humming a different tune and then There may be teardrops to shed So while there's moonlight and music and love and romance Let's face the music and dance Fiddlers eh!!! Double connotations there eh! Be interesting Regards THJ

Manse Honestly Like the "Evil Dead" you have opened the book now Its getting close to "all Hallows Eve" and you are stirring up a hornets nest with these ladies my friend Take care and tread careful or before you know it one of them will have your "Liggy Bag" off and using it as a coin purse!!! Regards THJ

No you really didn't did you After all those snide comments PMSL Regards THJ