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But did you ask him? Stoke ran twice in 2 days in order to complete their home fixtures. Did Len?

I'm about to play football and it's raining. Why didn't Dudley make it dry, but cool?

Apologies. Tbh, I was just naming people who have ridden for the Sheffield Prowlers.

Emerson Jones I presume you mean. I have no idea how we plan to use him. All I know is that we apparently beat a few teams to his signature, and they believe he has the potential to contribute next season.

The report was taken from the Stoke website. Every Stoke rider took 3. Lee Geary took 4, and I am 99% sure the other 2 Invaders took 4 each. No-one took 5, and no race had 3 riders.

That depends. By his own admission, he lost 3k in the Glasgow meeting. If him annoying the fans has caused 250 fans to walk away, then the current plight is his fault, as with those fans he would have made a profit...

I would point out that Stokes crowds are probably less than 500, yet we made a profit in the NL. The question is how many of your 500 fans continue to turn up, and how many turn their noses up at NL racing. The unfortunate fact is that, if your promotion is not liked, fans won't turn up regardless of division.

For Stoke, everyone took their scheduled 3 rides. For LE, I think everyone took 4 rides. I remember them running R/R and there were no races with only 3 riders. Apologies I can't be more of a help!

Hang on, in that case it needs to be extended to next Wednesday so that Stoke can get their fixture against King's Lynn in. It's been moved once, if you move it again you move it so ALL fixtures get run.

Ricky Ashworth, Rory Schlein, James Birkenshaw, Lee Complin, Richard Hall, Andrew Moore, Paul Cooper, Ben Wilson, Richie Hawkins, Adam Allott, I would say that they have produced a few riders in previous seasons...

The track has the potential to be one of the best in the league, and the facilities at Sheffield are top notch. If you get 16 riders going for it, and the track is well prepared, it could be an absolute corker.

KL and Rye away if memory serves. Thankfully, we got plenty of points before our team was decimated

Stoke just weren't good enough, and haven't been for a few weeks. Birks had a nightmare meeting, Atkin was OK, Reade did well, Cockle may as well not bother at times, Rumsey battles but is inexperienced, and Carr is a shining light in a dismal end of season.

Out of the 8 teams currently, I would guess it is as follows Buxton: May struggle team wise, especially if Wright stays PL, and Felton retires (He has been threatening it for years ) Dudley: Too big for the NL, but circumstances keep them in it. I expect them to be back unless they come to a surprise deal with someone. Isle of Wight: Stated before that NL suits them, due to them being able to fit the majority of their fixtures into the holiday season. I expect them to be back. King's Lynn: Already rumblings that they will pull out due to fans not supporting the NL team. Mildenhall: Huge crowds for NL level, but availability of stadium, plus Chris Louis already owning one PL team will probably see them staying NL. Rye House: No idea, but can't imagine them leaving the league. Scunthorpe: Rob Godfrey seems to like having the NL team to bring riders through. Working well for them, so I can see them staying. Stoke: Unless a big sponsor comes in, or a change of promotion, I expect to see them in the NL again. Irrespective of what BW Double says, the crowds aren't that low (They aren't huge, but they are probably the third biggest in the NL!) Realistically, next season could see the NL down to 6 teams, of which 4 are stand-alone (I consider Dudley as stand alone, irrespective of their ground share). That would be bad for the league, as 6 teams just isn't enough. The question would be, where would new teams come from?

Simon's average at the start of the season was above 5, so he can't ride in both. Joe's is below 5, so he can.

Actually, I reckon Joe probably is averaging over 5 this season, just those pesky rolling averages. Interestingly, had there been no rolling averages, you couldn't have signed Joe. (His average this season is 5.54 according to the Sheffield site) So, I wouldn't say he is having a bad season

I have no problem with Dudley bringing someone in. They were massively unlucky in losing Adam. Had they brought in somebody who had no club, then that is one thing, but to bring someone in who, on the face of it, just wants a couple more meetings before the season ends, then that is a different scenario. Either way, I hope that Joe isn't in the NLRC, as it just wouldn't sit right. Perry and Morris should be their 2 representatives.

Or guests. Well, yes, but it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth that a guy who, at the beginning of the season, appeared to have no want to ride NL has decided to take a bit of easy money at the end of the season.

Probably that a guy who has, by all accounts, had a fantastic PL season can come in a couple of days before the deadline for changes and double up. I understand the need to replace Adam, but it does make a mockery of the sport.

Looking at heading along to this one, should be good.

Don't forget the KL v Stoke or Rye v Stoke meetings...both of these have still to be run (Stoke have re-arranged their meeting at home to Rye for this Sunday)

I'll be heading down after work. Expect to make it to the pub around 2:30 ish.

It looked better from the stands! What a good advert for the NL that was. Good track, 2 teams going for it, some good racing and the point was up for grabs until the last bend! That heat 15 was worth the admission money alone! Glad we got the points, there were times when I was worried. For Stoke, Birks was fantastic, Atkin and Reade were solid in the middle order, Cockle needs more track time, but for me, Liam Carr was the difference. Got better as the meeting went on and looked very good. Always willing to battle and rode hard for his points. For Buxton, Wright was very very good (Only being beaten by Birks), Felton rolled back the years with a couple of heat wins , but they seemed to lack support. No-one else gained a heat win, and they really miss Branford. Hope Michael Neale is ok after his heat 14 spill, and Ben Reade and Ryan Blacklock were both very lucky to walk away after their clash in 14!

Thought if you were missing 2 you had a guest for 1 and r/r for the other? Either way, can't see Buxton taking anything from this meeting. Stoke to win by about 10

Dudley, for me, are massive favourites. Their top 3 of Roynon, Perry and Morris are better than Heeps, Nielsen and Blackbird. Bekker and Greenwood probably lose out to Halsey and Jacobs, but then JWW and Ritchings are better than Bates and Graver/Terry-Daley. This league is Dudleys to lose.