HGould

It's hard to fathom but since a lot of the media has been farmed out to Mr Pearson's Company (correct me if I'm wrong but that's the way it looks) I guess that we have to wait politely in the queue and end up with something too little and too late. It's a shame that when you have outstanding servants like Brian Buck around and great support from local Radio and Press that we can't bring it "in house" and sharpen it up. The Clubs that are doing that are tending to be the ones that lead the way media and PR wise.

From my recollection Bristol wasn't proper shale, wasn't it sand based as they had used sand old dog track. Steve Gresham liked it I recall. I'm sure i went to a track at Weymouth (not Radipole Lane) that was round a footy pitch. Halifax was horrible, everything about the place was horrible, granite dust, steel fence, dangerous banking, Charlie Monk liked it i remember and the Pusey's. Paisley that was round a footy pitch early 70's? Canterbury used to love going there in days when Brummies had Georgie Major and Arthur Browning and Phil Herne.

Don't rule out Birmingham Brummies. Can't yet decide if some Teams already have too many matches to cram in (Redcar) or have ridden too many too soon (Eastbourne) and may suffer as a result. I think current top 4 Leicester / Sheffield / Somerset / Glasgow may well stay there followed by Redcar - Birmingham - Eastbourne in that order.

Doesn't read well at all, can only hope and pray that the young man pulls through and makes a full recovery.

i agree about their social media and website and TV - I watched this the other night a documentary over 30 minutes https://www.eastbourne-speedway.com/eagles-tv-trackside/ click the link under the picture to Eagles TV then go half way down page where it says Trackside - it's outstanding by speedway standards

looks like Cook's fellow Eastbourne Director and Eastbourne Management agrees with you, found this on one of many Facebook threads about the comments and was posted by Ian Jordan Eastbourne Director-: As my name actually appears on that picture as a Director of Eastbourne Speedway I feel obliged, after a lot of soul searching to comment. The comments made are the personal opinion of the person who has made them and Jon is perfectly entitled to make them as is anyone in a democracy. They are not and should not be taken as anything other than that. As a passionate advocate; supporter, watcher and sponsor of 6 current National League Riders all of whom can slide a speedway bike exceptionally well, I do not personally agree with the comments, in fact having put significant sums of my own money where my mouth is to support NL Riders and an NL now CL Team I think it is patently obvious that I do not agree with them. That does not diminish my respect and support for Jon, as we are all entitled to our opinions, and we all express them in different ways. On the vexed and un-linked situation of National League and Professional and Amateur or "not professional" as the case may be, my interpretation of the situation is this. The word "Development" is as a direct result of the Speedway Authorities desire to keep the current 3rd tier as a League predominantly for riders who are born and brought up in the UK or who have valid UK Passports or parental rights. By using very clearly the word "development" they circumnavigate very complex EU laws which without the word "development" would possibly mean the League being flooded by EU and other nationalities. I look forwards to continuing to support, sponsor and ultimately promote the CL and PL riders of the future in the National League.

looks like his fellow Director Ian Jordan agrees with you as he posted this on one of many Facebook threads about the Cook article - typically diplomatic of Jordan in fairness to him and rest of Eastbourne Management-: As my name actually appears on that picture as a Director of Eastbourne Speedway I feel obliged, after a lot of soul searching to comment. The comments made are the personal opinion of the person who has made them and Jon is perfectly entitled to make them as is anyone in a democracy. They are not and should not be taken as anything other than that. As a passionate advocate; supporter, watcher and sponsor of 6 current National League Riders all of whom can slide a speedway bike exceptionally well, I do not personally agree with the comments, in fact having put significant sums of my own money where my mouth is to support NL Riders and an NL now CL Team I think it is patently obvious that I do not agree with them. That does not diminish my respect and support for Jon, as we are all entitled to our opinions, and we all express them in different ways. On the vexed and un-linked situation of National League and Professional and Amateur or "not professional" as the case may be, my interpretation of the situation is this. The word "Development" is as a direct result of the Speedway Authorities desire to keep the current 3rd tier as a League predominantly for riders who are born and brought up in the UK or who have valid UK Passports or parental rights. By using very clearly the word "development" they circumnavigate very complex EU laws which without the word "development" would possibly mean the League being flooded by EU and other nationalities. I look forwards to continuing to support, sponsor and ultimately promote the CL and PL riders of the future in the National League.

if anyone knew Morleys ability and limitations it should be Cook, had him for years after all at Lakeside. Not sure what his gripe with National League is either he did manage Lakeside in National League didn't he?, must think its beneath him.

It's a shame Cook has spoilt the very impressive reputation the new Promotion were building with a silly and unnecessary throw away line but that's his style. The project seems to be driven more by the new bloke Jordan, who as someone has pointed out seems very un-speedway like e.g transparent and good in print and on the mike.

This is the article...quickly typed so sorry for any typos...personally I think take out the bits in italics (my italics not programmes) and it's "too the point" but not OTT...the bits in italics are OTT imho....for the record both had excellent nights!!!! "Going forward we are very concerned about the form,particularly away of Ben and George and this needs to improve if either of them are to establish themselves at this level. Whilst the same is also true of Alfie, he has the fire in his belly that all can see and has made the step up without the comfort of NL racing" "Ben also needs to realise that he has the potential to be a professional speedway rider and that's a very different animal to being a star in a League where half your opponents struggle to stay on, get their bikes to do four laps and in some cases can barely skid a bike. I've seen him have some terrific rides at this and Elite level so the talent is there. I don't think the NL comfort zone is doing him any good" "As for George this is his third attempt to crack professional racing and with the comfort of doing it at "his" track he should be cracking on now and it's a concern we are only having brief glimpses of his full potential" "He has incredible financial support from many fans and businesses and that needs to manifest itself in less engine failures and better preparation. This is his best chance; he must not blow it and he needs to give those backers and you fans value for money; too many excuses can become a default position and he's better than that". "Speedway riders do their talking on the track with points, not off it with reasons to explain a bad day. Suffice to say we are as a management team in a review position of those two spots so let's hope for an immediate positive reaction tonight"

just checked my programme and that was part of a bigger quote Cook made. Seems to be totally against the grain of what everyone and everything else at the Club is trying to do.

Been there 3 times this season and not seen or heard a word of negativity about National League, lets be honest, they have an all British Team with 5 at least starting in what is now known as National League. Great to see an all British Team. I think what you are referring to is a single and admittedly OTT comment by one of the Promotion (Jon Cook) in the programme on Saturday about 2 riders and "comfort factor" of NL.

Picture on SGB website speaks louder than words. Track flooded, further heavy rain until Thursday, no way of preparing track when so wet even if rain stopped. No complaints and prospects elsewhere must be grim until Friday (possibly) and Saturday.

Only a supreme optimist would hold out much hope for almost any meeting over the next 3-4 days if forecasts are to be believed. Some seem to think that if it's not raining at "tapes up time" all we be OK and you can just ignore 24-48-72 hours of rain and that track staff can just prepare a track at the click of a finger. I'd rather when weather is as bad as it seems in a lot of places, commonsense prevail and decisions be made the day before if the track is clearly not usable and no later than 10am on the morning as that stops all unnecessary travel and expectation. One thing you an't control is extreme unseasonal weather.

I wish UO all the best at Redcar, smashing guy and not his fault he was asked to be no 1 in a Team poorly assembled initially, like Kyle Newman I suspect he will do better at his new Club in a more suitable role/position in Team. Hope Zak is not away too long, too good a talent to be missing for long.

I don't know what it's like round Sussex on a Friday night; but Leicester do tend to have a decent away following; and surely travel is a lot easier on a Sunday afternoon (home and away) than Friday night or late on a Sunday night home if night match with school and work to come. I'm used to be pretty knackered by Friday night after a week at work too. No dust at all down there at weekend track was very good. Some dirt and no dust.

Two Saturday tracks with no free fixtures before the Cut Off Date so Eastbourne go to default back up day and Leicester who have added problem of running 2 sides go to a very strange Friday night?

I didn't read it that way at all. Its pretty obvious CL costs a lot more than NL and the explanation was very transparent. I read it that they are doing very well thank you but were not prepared to throw it away by staging a meeting that they knew would lose them a fortune. I'm not sure how losing 2 matches at home and only winning 1 away stacks with you theory as away points are paid at just the same rate as home and most clubs work on the basis of having to pay 100 points in a home and away completion?

That was a very enjoyable meeting especially as I got to see speedway with my brother who is no longer the regular he used to be. He'd not been to Arlington since the Elite days there and was very impressed as was I with the whole show. Some decent racing on a well prepared track, plenty of passing with Kennett and Lawson especially impressive. Bukhave deserved more points for Diamonds and looks worth persevering with. The announcer and meeting presentation there is top notch and I was told by locals the Cardiff GP guy Kevin Coombes. Parade at 7.25 sharp and first race at 7.30, some over fussy referring and a few falls delayed things but no tractor races and they go on with it pretty well. A big crowd by modern standards it looked like as big if not bigger than their Elite days my brother reckoned; and on a par with crowds there when I've been with brummies this season especially after the rain and it was cold. Decent grub and the only minor quibble is the 1950's toilets but you can't have everything. The best thing there though is their Community work, looked like 100 + kids there tonight being shown round and then having pictures taken before the meeting, mascots. which I had not seen in earlier visits and the impression this is a Club that is grasping the Championship and trying to make speedway popular and accessible to new fans. Well done to the promotion there and lessons others could learn. "We'll be back"

It's pouring still about 30 miles away from Leicester and as i have relatives in Kent have decided to venture down to Eastbourne instead as their website says meeting is in no danger (credit them for regular updates). If you are in South Midlands or further South and were considering one or the other tonight I'd definitely head further South to Sussex.

I think there are enough Australians already in CL in particular and some Clubs seem unable or unwilling to give British talent a chance. May be we should get all capable British riders a ride first and then seek Australian permits and then EU riders. Some clubs are bringing very young Australian riders over who have very little 500cc experience in Oz whilst some good NL lads would be far better options.

considering they are like for like swaps then likely amount guest gets will be similar to what injured rider got.

I was going to go to Leicester tonight but pouring in the Midlands and no respite due until late afternoon; I need a speedway fix so a trip down to Arlington I think and an unexpected chance to spend tomorrow with my brother in Folkestone. Weather looks fine down South - should be a decent meeting.

nearly all CL riders will be paid set amount contracted for points and bonus, highly unlikely a Guest would get paid a fee plus points. so if injured rider is on £x most likely Guest will get same deal - so no saving

I'd be extremely shocked if Adam was on the kind of deal Lawson and Kennett are on as they have far longer top flight track records. In fact take Glasgow out of the reckoning and I'd think Eagles top 3 would cost as much as any other top 3 elsewhere??..if Kerr is out think his wages would pay for most likely alternatives and new promotion at Arlington don't strike me as penny pinching amount of social media and advertising they are doing???