HGould

I think Colts are team to beat in NL this season.

well done Berwick, any Promotion that promotes is to be applauded.

Looking at Kerr's average could have pick of some real talented CL Heat Leaders as get 5% increase at home, so may be stronger having Guest if he is not 100% So reverse is true as backs up logic of 3 strong top 3...as you would not have to bring in 2nd strings like Brummies have b4 Adam Ellis signed for us. In fact Adam is one of a host who would qualify as a Guest. Eagles 52 - 38

An incredibly brave interview by both Tom Brennan and his mom (isn't she Martin Dugards partner??) Big thumbs up to Eastbourne to for have "Eagles TV" and the scope to have a professional media portal like this to enable supporters to see insights that many Clubs just cannot offer. Once again a sign of a radical and professional way of doing things coming out of Arlington under the new Promotion who seem to have taken their own social media and business to a new level.

Been there for Mildenhall and BV and I reckon 600-650 is about right, not as many as before standing over close to 4th bend nor on 1st turn and noticably less cramped than it has been by starting gate. That's still a good NL crowd and better than Brummies at the moment. Programme notes are very illuminating and personally I think Mark Robinson is spot on in his well documented querying of the motives of Pearson and Patchett, who now seem to have thrown in the towel in terms of locating a new venue, yet have conveniently grabbed all the money from the Trust that was always there to help cover Planning and associated costs if they found a new track. If the "one league" scenario happens and Wolves are in it, surely the death of the Heathens as won't be any Monmore dates and once they go another time, that'll be it.

been to Kent a few times and never a massive crowd there but always decent and a shame they dont close the top tier where the 500 or so who go congregate and put them lower down as every time you see pictures it gives impression place is deserted with all those empty seats down near track, 500-600 they get is very decent for NL and some CL would love that every week (including Brummies) would be good to see Kent in CL but no chance on a Monday. Does anyone know latest re Planning and request for Saturday's? Could South East though sustain 2 x CL Teams on a Saturday ??

LOL...I used my words (and my imagination) very carefully and I am sure that comparable riders to Adam are on that type of deal...so if Mr Bordeaux needs an Agent...let me know....if he isn't on that type of deal he should be...

Considered opinion seems to be around 1200. Easy to look at some tracks where all are in one stand (like Monmore) and say its a big crowd, when you have spread out like Belle Vue harder to judge. BV also have some very big Sponsors to help cover costs.

Can I suggest we all calm down a bit... I don't think we have had a crowd over 500 yet and with big rent to pay we simply can't pay (in my opinion) the £1000 a meeting some of the PL guys will want to ride in CL. I can't imagine Adam is coming for a guarantee of less that £1000 per meeting so just impossible to have 2 like that. Better to look at riders like Stoneman who are hungry and probably on 50 quid a point tops.

I said that on the basis that I thought he would be in Denmark for the next 3 weeks. If he was I don't think he would be at Brummies in 4 weeks time!

Ford moaning he lost a five figure sum v Ipswich in the Speedway Star and admitting he has tried every marketing trick he can. Eastbourne admitting they might miss out on a five figure sum if they went toe to toe with Speedway GP and Champions League Final and actually explaining the logic behind it. I'd say one Club with it's head in the sand and clueless what to do next; and one Club with it's finger on the pulse and the balls to admit they won't run knowing they will lose money but not trying to con anyone with a stupid excuse but telling it straight.

it might just rain every Wednesday

Don't be surprised if you don't see Adam again, or certainly not for the full season. As for the names mentioned, all very fine riders but on crowds we are getting I can't see us having the money to sign them.

Belle Vue is a decent track but can also be "one line" e.g nearest fence and too determined by guy with fastest bike Simple fact Belle Vue was built with a lack of vision that will stop it being a GP Track. They needed to have built it with scope to hold 20-25,000 in comfort and it will never be able to do that without further massive investment. It is an economic folly as it is now, new investment never likely. Cardiff is ideal and other than Birmingham Commonwealth Games venue (which is an existing Athletics venue being upgraded) nothing else in the UK remotely available or affordable.

most clubs would be delighted with 1000 right now, many around the 500 mark. a lot of families and kids when I was at Arlington on both Opening Night and Good Friday which was great to see. thought a couple of exciting narrow defeats better than 60+ point wins you were getting in National League?

Have started a thread elsewhere about Matt Ford article in Speedway Star this week "Matt Ford - One League" but in that article he is very complimentary about Eastbourne and what you guys are doing down there. As we (Brummies) and you moved up together yet we are struggling for Crowds, wondering what the magic formula is as Ford suggests your crowds are much higher than his at Poole?? Is it a Team more balanced to top 3, is it promoting your best 2 NL riders, is it just a novelty factor, or is there something more revolutionary happening down there we could all learn from??

May be David and Peter had a masterplan after all, or may be they just copped lucky that Ellis and Aarnio available at the right time on the right average. My only concern in terms of club is that being out of Shield and KOC means if we don't make play-off's going to be a very short and challenging season at turnstiles?

Good signing for sure.

Some interesting comments. I'd prefer 7 man teams and a 45 point limit with a stipulation of Under 21 British Reserves and help kids like Zach,Kemp; Brennan,Thomas,Bickley etc by adjusting their average down to a maximum of 4 until they are 20/21. If we have 7 in PL and 11 in CL surely we could keep 15/16 of the 18 in business and may be a couple move down to NL (Brummies most likely to do that anyway and I hear Berwick struggling for crowds too). I think most would love a 15-16 team league. I'd not want it split geographically though as that would defeat object; and would need to be able to race all 7 days to succeed as many CL are Sat/Sun tracks.

very illuminating admission on inside cover of Speedway Star. claims Poole lost a 5 figure sum in matches v Ipswich says Top Riders will never return to British Speedway suggests that One League is perhaps best way, I assume pay rates would be nearer to Championship, he quotes success of Eastbourne in that League. Question is, if 1 League delivered enough matches to sustain riders pay needs (40 matches??) 20 home and 20 away for instance, would pay rates mean Clubs were put out of business or would it put too many riders out of the sport, would there be enough riders? Is he (Ford) just marketing or is this a serious suggestion?

Agree re Kyle and ultimately disappointed he did not deliver for Brummies when with us. That though was him in a struggling side and being asked to do Heat Leader job. May be once he gets race fit he can do better for Eastie sat as a second string behind Lawson, Kennett and Kerr. He's a good lad and deserves to get on.

sorry to be a party pooper...Becker / Berge / Bach / Wilson-Dean are all good names but none of them would come cheap and crowds are abysmal. would Becker need a work permit and doesn't he ride on Continent a lot?, Berge seemed to have "lack of mechanic issues" on a Wednesday night at Somerset, Bech would incur flight fees and Denmark League races on a Wednesday night, Wilson-Dean would seem only logical shout of those therefore and would want same deal as Ellis probably? I doubt the Promotion can splash any more cash until they see Crowds markedly up, 2 home wins a good improvement but we need some sunny warm Wednesdays to see if there is any increase in sides now Ellis / Stoneman have perked the Team up.

I always felt Eastie were in 2nd gear but we gave it a good go but last few heats they made sure of no late dramas. Agree re Stoneman who looks keen to grasp his chance, Adam is top class and ability to be one of top 2-3 in this League so hopefully we have secured him for this season and beyond. Zac and Osty the worries. We have scope to make changes big question is can we afford it? The crowd was again very poor, I cannot see how birmingham speedway is sustainable on these numbers in the stadium we are in with high overheads. I don't want us to go back to NL but unless we get 300-400 more from somewhere hard to see us racing in this League next season unless Masons have very deep pockets. I think no more than 500 last night? and no increase on NL really, some weeks its lower.

Rain about but surely they have to get this Meeting over and sorted. Can see a Brummies win but not enough to overturn deficit from first Leg but a win would boost confidence. I predict 50-40 Brummies with Eagles doing enough, which is all they have to do with such a lead. Wonder if Kerr will ride if not who would Guest be?

We all know our sport is in a perilous state so why gloat in it??? It's not funny, it's serious and we need as a Sport to do something about it. Whilst my Team (Birmingham) cancel meeting with some ridiculous excuse about Power problems, at least Promotion at Eastbourne take time and effort to articulate actual reasons and give their Supporters respect all supporters deserve. No point any sensible Business opening if they know they are going to lose money so it seems that unlike most Promotions - Eastbourne actually have common sense; business sense and a glimmer of understanding about respecting their support. They have taken flak for this but if decision means they run in 2020 I applaud them as I fear we may lose a number of other clubs again this winter.