HGould

Haven't seen any??... You would think a BIG SPLASH signing would be announced Christmas Eve??... Obviously it might be more of a small ripple and less of a splash! Wonder it it might be Worrall and Worrall ? Nothing would surprise me... R Worrall and N Morris (dear god) ??... What's Josh Auty and James Shanes availability??..

Would imagine Trigger is a definite Wonder if to boost his track time that Joe Thompson might just do another season, he doesn't need to for development but just testing and track time between CL might make sense (would make sense for Bowtell too but he's not eligible is he?) That would use up a load of points but highest rated top 2 in terms of combined average if so! Not sure who else.. Rhys Naylor? Kai Ward? (Atkins and Andrews have retired now so not available)

Hancock doesn't exactly have a great record as a mentor! He has a great record of getting significant financial benefit from those he has mentored; with very little for the recipient of his knowledge, gained from it. To coin a phrase, no doubt he has grinned all the way to the bank. The Cairns family clearly have the means to give their clearly very talented son the very best chance of success he can have. Sport shows though that in the heat of battle, in that brutal first turn, no amount of coaching, mentoring will help you, it's brutal , its survival of the fittest and hungriest. It will be interesting to see how Mr Cairns develops.

If as many are suggesting Worky move to the more northerly based NDL and someone else moves in the the Trophy or they just leave that as 4 Clubs then YES, I'd expect VJF to ride NDL for Worky and NDLT for Kent.

The 2 Rugby Clubs whose bases might have been worth a look a decade or so ago were Dudley Kingswinford or Stourbridge. Both accessible with services and utilities in place and plenty of land around. Sadly fairly affluent areas where the noise would have been an issue even for a few hours and week. I always thought "The Dell" next to the Athletics Track in Pensnett or strips of land off Level Street adjacent the old Round Oak goods yards would have been another place. Similarly the "shelf" of land by Netherton Cricket Club opposite the Reservoir? I'm sure everyone involved looked at those areas but go absolutely no encouragement from the Council?

VJF signing for Kent though logical due to his roots suggests to me that Workington wont be in the declared "Trophy" league. If Worky have a home match on a Saturday why would VJF consign himself to being in Kent by noon the next day? Suggests that Worky will be in NDL allowing VJF to ride for Worky in the NDL and Kent in the Trophy

VJF signing for Kent though logical due to his roots suggests to me that Workington wont be in the declared "Trophy" league. If Worky have a home match on a Saturday why would VJF consign himself to being in Kent by noon the next day? Suggests that Worky will be in NDL allowing VJF to ride for Worky in the NDL and Kent in the Trophy

Its the glimmers of hope and expectation, which then fade that kills the enthusiasm. One slight glimmer long term (may be 4-5 years) Knighthead who have pumped tens of millions in to the dark side (Birmingham City) to develop 65 acres on the East Side including Wheels Site for a new 65000 seater stadium for 2030 have been announced as main bidders for a second Cricket 100 franchise to run out of Edgbaston. They also have indoor arena plan at Wheels to attract Basketball (Birmingham had very successful Basketball team under Nick Nurse (now NBL) a few decades back playing out of Aston and other locations and they also want to use it for Ice Hockey. A few rumours they are sniffing round the once legendary Moseley Rugby Club - one of the top 4-5 in UK pre professional game. They want all branded "Birmingham" Sports. Tolley and Rogers really need to get their backsides in to some meetings with these guys as no reason surely why an Oval Raceway can't be part of the plans, it's a huge site and getting bigger as they acquire more and more and Council who are strapped for cash are selling off on the cheap with provision Knighthead clear out all the contaminated land - which will cost tens of millions.

Pearson has turned down a few CL Clubs insistent he's riding in Poland where he'll live. A bottom 4 of Fredriksen, Cluff, Bowtell and Thompson ensures they always have 2 strong reserves and decent heat 8 and 14. A solid top 4 compared with several - always top end problems though? I think Barker will be 3rd highest average , he's capable of getting back up to 6.5 you'd think. Problem for him and Bowtell is lack of regular rides. Would one of Bowtell or Thompson slot in to their NDL Team just to get extra track time? Might be a canny move. If MPT is going there allows one other Heat Leader to join him and Barker. Might suit a PL second string whose average fits who is not in Polish U24 (if they ride some home meetings on a Tuesday) or Polish 3rd Div - Saturday nights and no decent flight link to POland without a very long drive (Bristol / Birmingham Airports?) Keep reading Covatti is still crocked, a shame as MPT / Covatti / Barker and that bottom 4 would surprise more than a few outside of Poole / Glasgow.

We might need this team to gve us the enjoyment of a win!

My guess-: Michael P Toft 7.80 A N Other 5.96 to play with?? (6.96) Ben Barker 5.87 Joe Thompson 5.63 Alfie Bowtell 5.07 *A N Other 5.00 / (c/b 4.00) Lasse Fredriksen 4.67 Total 39.86 Hearing something imminent! at Fans Meeting tomorrow perhaps

I wonder if the likes of Seth Norman (is he 15?) , Cooper Rushen , Billy Budd may be included. How about Joe Thompson - lives locally and give him extra meetings? William Cairns at least until he's 16?...extra track time fairly local? Long long shot if his average in CL last time he rode was under 6 -- Ashley Morris - be a great mentor? Monday nights will restrict options a little although I would expect School Holidays may be used - boost for some younger riders and parents and get some local kids in for reduced prices too.

Any news on the Brummies NDL Trophy Team? Back to PL Thorsell would be a decent second string IF he could recapture his Monmore form but not sure wheres he's at now form wise?

Answers please Clive.... When will this be announced and what is the reason??