Speedtiger

Yes and I see that but again from what I’m told from a very reliable source BV, who clearly have tons of cash to burn, wanted Cook to take a big pay cut and he felt undervalued and as a loyal BV No1 rider and captain and he was treated very poorly. Lemon and Smiths management skills are really very weak and they treated Craig in a very dismissive way. The disagreement with Panthers is obvious that the bully boy Buster wanted to get rid of Cook and back out of a done deal. As I've said before it isn’t the Riders that have ruined speedway it’s the useless idiots in Rugby and at the Clubs.

Fair point bagpuss as I’m sure Craig has created some issues but he’s a loyal professional rider and has to make it pay. BV and Chapman are clearly not short of money so should pay the right points money. Screwing riders is not the way to create team loyalty..! I know speedway is in a real financial mess NOT caused by the Riders...BUT by the clueless clowns running the sport and clubs, they are to blame. The Riders put there lives on the line every race and they deserve top pay.

You can believe me or not mate but what Im saying is from someone who has worked at BV in the office for a few years and she is well connected with media side and knows whats gone on and more, a lot more. Ok it’s second hand info but I believe what she told me.

Cook was BV through and through a loyal and committed rider. The truth is Lemon and the people running BV treated him very badly and apparently messed him around in the winter and tried to screw him on money. The BV fans know what went on and that’s why he’s still popular and they get behind and support him. I have to say I’m not a fan of the way BV is run and the arrogant attitude the management have to riders ex-riders and supporters.

I never actually met Cook but he seems like a good bloke committed to the sport. Yes he has made a few mistakes but he is a top class rider and his own man who doesn’t care about what people think of him, most of which appears to be speculation and rumours. For all his loyalty for BV I think he’s been treated badly by Lemo and also by Chapman. Give him a break.

Some clubs don’t get anywhere near that sort of cash for headline team sponsorship. Shows how daft Cook is to blow away CFS money.

Agreed but he must take responsibility for the situation he has put himself in and look after his family and career. As Phil said he is his own worst enemy and he’s not showing maturity, he needs to sort himself out or he will have to face the consequences. He has had some very good people helping him over the past few seasons and they, like CFS, have walked out on him because of his bad attitude.

I’m reliably told by a mate who works at BV that CFS paid Cook a massive £30,000 a year and he didn’t show the right level of appreciation of the sponsorship and connection with CFS so they understandably pulled out. With what went on pre-season at BV and then Peterborough it seems that Cook is a bit stupid when it comes to the business side of things. He may now realise how hard it is getting that amount of sponsorship, when it’s to late. Maybe it’s CFS that are well shot of him?

There are lies, lies, dam lies and anything that comes out of TR’s mouth...this Swindon track situation is a proper farce and another shot in the foot of British speedway.

Fair point. But surely they would have put the covers down as they wouldn’t have know that for certain mid afternoon?

...thanks rob. I was just getting ready to set off. Wonder why they didn’t use the track covers?

...don’t worry the BV track covers will save the day.

Ok I can accept that but what is the problem with PC and BV then...?

You are full of crap mate...why is PC not involved and welcome at BV then?

Agreed. But the issue is the people at BV now probably don’t know the legend that is PC. Im aware a number of volunteers ex riders and helpers that don’t go to NSS because they don’t like the attitude of the people running BV as they are made to feel unwelcome.

I agree Gunner and I also been told there’s a rift with PC and BV but what’s it all about surely it can be sorted out?

Yes, a very good and interesting article by SS, reading between the lines it’s clear that Mort and Gordon, after all the hard work they put in, received some very bad treatment. Maybe there’s some more details to come out of this? From what I’m told Mort and PC don’t even speak to each other anymore.

To answer your specific points...I don’t intend to go into the details of what was said but I had a conversation with Smith in the pits after a race meeting last season. Yes, he listened, sort of....but came across as clueless and had an arrogant attitude...but he promised to get back to me, he didn’t...so I emailed him in the closed season and I didn’t get a reply.

Geoff, I'm NOT a troll despite what deluded ouch thinks, , I have been a loyal BV fan for over 40 years and the past few years a BV volunteer member of staff. As I live in Glossop I often go to watch Sheffield which I also enjoy. I have strong views and serious concerns based on facts about the way BV is run...it can NOT continue...I fear it will end in disaster. BTW what my name is on here is actually totally irrelevant.

Fair point, I agree that speedway is in a seriously desperate state. But my point is the people running the club were reported to be experienced businessmen, they were to expected to make the club successful on and off the track but they have NOT done anything to improve and promote BV and NSS, which is without doubt the best track in the UK. Fact, crowds are down from 2016. Fact, financial accounts show massive losses. Fact, BV haven’t paid the full stadium rent according to the council. Fact, no new significant sponsors or partners. Rentruck and ATP have been sponsor partners of BV now for many seasons and well before Smith was appointment. Fact, BV don’t have a long term lease and only use the stadium for speedway and haven’t created any additional income. The stadium is now operated by the council.

Well, we will see Geoff...we will see. I’m certainly not deluded, I’m a BV fan for over 40 years who pays his money and I’m being realistic, I’m entitled to my opinion. I have only stated the true facts about the current promotion. If you know or think different I’m happy to be put right.

TBH I don’t share your view of the BV promoters business ability, certainly not in the world of speedway. As I have stated the NSS is the best speedway track and stadium in the UK by a mile and they have done nothing profitable with it. As for keeping rider pay in check that’s nonsense, by all accounts they have lost a small fortune somewhere in the order of £250k-£500k to date and according to the council notes not yet paid the full £300k a year rent for the stadium and alarmingly they have done nothing to increase the crowd, in fact the crowd has halved since 2016 season, nor have they brought in new or significant sponsors or any new ideas. Lemon is just an ex-rider and has no business experience, whilst Smith is, apparently, a insurance salesman with no business or speedway experience. If you think that they are the right people to be in charge of BV and they are running and controlling finances as a priority, you are seriously deluded. Fact, good business people make a profit...if not they go bust. Good business people don’t lose money just for fun!

Cotton, Ummm! Once an Ace always (43 years) an Ace. What a coincidence, like me you live in Glossop!

Cotton, You crack on to know a lot about BV and the management for a pirate. Or are you fake fan?

Me!