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Whilst I've been arguing Morris's case, I do believe Swindon have a leg to stand on. Legally not, but by the way the BSPA operates. I'd be surprised if many riders have a signed contract at this point, but the whole structure is built around 'how its always worked'. On one hand we have Birks having a verbal agreement and then being told he's not wanted. On the other hand we have Morris having a verbal agreement and then backing out. The entire system is built on an element of trust and precedence. Assuming Morris still has alternative options, then I'm sure the BSPA will dictate a purchase on the basis of Swindon attempting to use their asset. It is possible to protect their system they will try and play hardball and refuse Morris moving or as an extreme banning him for withholding his services That's particularly dangerous to the entire structure if Morris refuses to accept that. It really does only need one rider to say sod it and bring the sport in this country to its feet. It worries and surprises me that the BSPA haven't started changing the asset and contract set-up in recent years. There have been warnings and suggestions how to ensure clubs don't lose out financially for their investments, but for some reason they choose to leave themselves exposed. I fear it has a lot to do with the sport's financial predicament in conjunction with the number of injuries that mean teams need to avoid having committed contracts with riders.

The Australian Speedway Board should be investigating the process and advising the riders. They are the rules of entry to the UK and shouldn't be an overhead to the BSPA. Obviously if individual clubs choose to invest in the process that's fine; but as a collective (i.e all Australian riders) then their own board should be making sure their riders understand the process.

Just need to practice matching them up now !!!

And the mention of "conducting themselves with decorum" sits very nicely with the Ford Sky leak. Not !!!

Like Adrian Miedzinski and Kyle Howarth? Seem to have learnt it all from Dorset !!!

Absolutely Lioness. Stead would effectively go from a likely near guaranteed season long PL job, to a potentially short term EL job.

Somerset/Kurtz/BSPA But that's where the whole asset system gets interesting (sic). He may be owned by Swindon, but unless he's under contract (a contract that actually pays as opposed to just stating we own you) then we are into restraint of trade. Whilst the BSPA can obviously create a system by which they can effectively require riders to sign up to the rules, the problem speedway faces is if anybody challenges those rules legally. In the case of Morris, if he has no current financial contract, then if forced to stay at Swindon he could challenge it legally. I have little doubt he'd win and the entire asset system would be deemed illegal. Even if he's signed a contract by which he probably won't receive a single penny until April, I'd be surprised if he couldn't give notice on that contract anyway. The fact that the BSPA contracts allow the employer to cut a rider whenever the like, even if he is over performing would suggest a clause preventing the employee from terminating his contract at any stage would be deemed unlawful. The concept of "ownership" of a person can only have any form of validity if the person "owned" is benefitting, which basically means receiving a wage, or at the very least has a guaranteed wage at a later point in the contract (i.e. next season).

Or did they ask the question that when Kurtz's turns 17 he is eligible for patriality? Somerset no doubt have written clarification that Kurtz could ride in the Danish League last year and still be eligible for a 3. I mean you wouldn't run a business based on a verbal answer (especially if you asked the wrong question). More so when there is recent history of disagreements between promoters and what they were told by the MC. Especially when last year's regulations explicitly exclude such a rider from a 3 point assessed average.

Re the asset system, is this THE ONE. Now I don't know what level of agreement was reached between Morris and Swindon for this season, i.e. is there a binding contract. However, if any attempt is made to use the asset system to prevent him moving, due to the financial implications from Morris's perspective, then Morris may be the rider to challenge the legality of the system. Not sure the BSPA as a whole would wish to reach that point, as I have little doubt the system would be found to be an unfair restraint on employment. Whilst it remains a method for clubs to exchange riders at profit but in no way prevents an out of contract rider seeking new employment, then it's (reasonably) ok. The moment it is challenged for restraint, that's an entirely different matter. The whole thing would go.

Yeah PL teams will be falling all over him when they spot the fixture clashes that will mean Swindon get first dibs. Signing now means teams can organise their fixtures to minimise the potential clashes. Perhaps if he stays at Swindon the supporters can do a whip round for every PL meeting (and earnings) he loses by waiting for a spot and then having a greater number of clashes.

You want Morris banned for pulling out (if he does) of a contract with Swindon. May I ask whether you believe Somerset should face a similar penalty for pulling out of a contract with Morris? Remember Morris probably agreed to these contracts in tandem. He potentially loses half his income. Swindon on the other other hand will be recompensed for their loss via a loan or purchase. Somerset no doubt save money as I expect Aspergen will earn less than Morris.

And if Swindon dump Klindt or Gustafsson to make way for him who should be banned for that; the Swindon promoters perhaps? I love the way a contract is viewed, its fine for a team can't dump a rider because they think there's a better option, but when a rider does the same, people want him banned.

With such limited availability due to the new double-up limits and the EL reserves initiative I'd think a foreigner may be the answer. Lukas Sowka perhaps?

And the best fit with Sundstrom would be ..... Ashley Birks !!! If Morris leaves, there is potential for this to go full circle and Birks return. The most successful 1-5's will have the best third heat leader based on our current understanding of the heat format. I suspect the perfect team will be a top number one, the best third heat leader, a strong fifth in the averages if we suspect they will be a supplementary reserve, and a strong reserve pairing. Basically I'd suggest Poole are a Lee Smart replacement away from that profile. Assuming Robert Lamber makes the expected progress, then so are Kings Lynn.

Isn't that exactly what he did though, accept a spot in the EL at Swindon, only for Swindon to change their mind ? What we don't know (I believe) is whether he has a PL spot lined up.

Doesn't the depend of the new (sic) regulations? If it is true that 1-5's are limited to two double-uppers, then if Birk's goes to Belle Vue he will be ruled out of PL racing as Cook and Worrall are already doubling-up. Now Birk's absolutely would benefit from PL racing. If he get's a PL spot, then he may well turn down the EL. From his perspective committing to the EL last year was a mistake as it removed him from the reserves scheme for this season. Now its hard to get a rule to fit all, but for one of the better up and coming Brits to be potentially frozen out by the regulations is disappointing.

By writing them !!!

I wondered that as a possibility along with THJ, but it goes 0.09 over the limit assuming Morris is no longer allowed a reduction.

TV coverage is really important to a sport, especially one where sponsorship is so core to its finances. So my only reservation is whether a long term tie-in may impact league sponsorship. With Sky no longer sponsoring the Elite League, the annual 1 million income needs to be at least partially recouped via new league sponsorship. Separating the TV coverage and League sponsorship is probably a good thing. However, if a big player like BT Sport were interested in a TV plus sponsorship deal, that wouldn't be possible. The TV coverage looks a done deal. The big challenge now is to find a replacement League sponsor. I think that could be a far harder task, particularly to get anything in the range of the current deal.

Crystal clear? Are you referring to Cook's Speedway Star interview and news item on the Lakeside website? They are the opinions of one person read by a limited number of supporters. Was there something clearer (crystal) for the league as a whole? Didn't notice anything obvious of the BSPA site. Is there anything to state that the AGM decisions were the result of cost cutting. The implications of the press releases are that it is a fast track route that may uncover future stars. Now I appreciate the danger of press releases highlighting problem areas. However I would suggest the majority of supporters aren't aware of the reasons behind the decisions. They will just see the outcome. It's the difficulty of reactive management. The BSPA need to already be looking at 2015 strategy, especially in the area of team building/averages and I mean more than the reserves where there are plans.

Gary May in his statement said: “It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do when informing Nick that he was no longer a part of the 2014 team, I had spoken to his dad beforehand who understood the reasons as to why we were letting Nick go, but that doesn’t make things any easier.” He also said that the BSPA said Kurtz could ride in Denmark and a black and white regulation would be ignored. Makes you wonder doesn't it.

Like to see this correspondence that Somerset and Kurtz senior state confirms Kurtz was allowed to ride in the Danish Elite League during 2013 and then ride in the PL in 2014 on a 3. I'd be very surprised if it exists. It will be the old 'we spoke to some guy on the phone who said yeah that's fine'. If it was verbal only, then that shows total naivety and suggests maybe Kurtz needs to change his advisers.

So if he's ridden a dozen meetings in a professional league you are agreeing that 5 doesn't fit with the rules?

That's good to hear. Well deserved. Liked the bit about the improvement from his zero podium finishes in 2012.

Ford was either going to pay what was requested or negotiate down though until the re-assessment. And in context regardless of his deal, Ford explained that no team would touch him on a 7 last season anyway. On a 7 instead of a 4 his value drops. Whilst he won't be cheap, I doubt Wolves will be paying that level as a lot of their budget will have gone on Tai. The loss of Lindgren who was potentially the biggest earner will have freed up money, as will the British reserves. Whilst obviously Holder was worth more, there were many riders being paid more than him (and Ward) anyway. Whilst you would have expected Holder and Ward to be the best paid riders in the league, in fairness to them they have put their loyalty to Poole first and taken lower pay than many of their contemporaries.