RobMcCaffery

This is awful news for the fans and riders of Plymouth and I am so very sorry for them. If the attendance for the opening meeting was so crucial I would question the scheduling of a very cheap and nasty individual meeting format for that opener instead of waiting a week for an official team match against local rivals. Has there been a split within the promotion? Failing to achieve a low break-even point of 700 makes quite desperate reading. As ever I am sure there's much more to this than can be seen. I do hop[e that something can be done to rescue the situation - and find those 700 fans! I loved my trip there a couple of years back and was desperately frustrated that despite spending a fortnight in Devon last September there were no meetings at the SBA while I was down there!

Typical myopic response from someone wearing dark glasses in a very dark room. All leagues are in trouble, some just in less than others. Okay Plymouth have failed and Isle of Wight a few years back. What happened to Birmingham, Eastbourne, Peterbrough, oh and Oxford? The financial insanity of the EL is clear to all. Just making cheap shots at other leagues is quite frankly desperately sad. Another piece of stupid, ill-thought provocation that does f-all to solve the problems, just immature point-scoring. Sorry, I forget, you support an EL team so that makes you a superior human being ;-)

When you hear the desperately sad story of Plymouth only needing 700 to break-even and not even being to get closer than 450 you do wonder how we've been able to sustain the numbers of tracks that we have, but then I suspect that the profit expectation is vastly different. I believe we don't need to be the centre of the speedway world to revive - a bit of isolationism and a rebuild on affordable lines might be far better for British Speedway than many would think. If none of the riders here were at the beck and call of Poland and BSI and were focussed on making a British revival work in the short to mid-term I think it could be a vital way forward. It does look like we have more tracks running than the sport can afford. The trick is to increase what it can afford or make it affordable rather than watch the track numbers collapse to the late fifties crisis level.

I appreciate that and suspect that you might have been close to the deal itself or have contacts who were. It is nonetheless frustrating that a deal necessary to preserve the EL has worked to prevent its own development along with the other leagues. Was the subject of a deal without online exclusivity broached or was it 'take or leave it' by Sky? Was this aspect considered? What is frustrating is that having bought online exclusivity Sky seem unwilling to use it. Either way the sport has ended up in a stranglehold that I would suggest is extremely damaging and a repeat in the next set of negotiations would ideally be avoided. When Sky were putting serious sponsorship money in one could understand their restrictions but the most recent example didn't come with that financial cushion did it? I wonder what BT's approach would be?

I think you'll find it was 1957, but to be fair there were a few tracks also operating in the Southern Area League. The late fifties were the nadir with the onslaught of TV, the entertainment tax and the ending of rationing of food, clothing and petrol which meant people had freedom to spend on essentials rather than sport. All sports suffered with our own's volatility (a polite word for the take the money and run approach by many contemporary promoters) meaning it was hit hard. Remember, much rationing carried through to the mid fifties. Spending patterns changed hugely in the second half of the decade. Of course the Mike Parker-led revival in numbers followed - too many tracks had been abandoned prematurely and Parker proved that a new approach at a lower level could render them viable after all. There were still failures such as Liverpool though. The revival was not at the existing top level. A lesson for the future?

But they do. Streamers are continually hunted down and closed. Take this year and the much-vaunted abuse of Kodi. At the start of the football season one add-on was offering access to N.B.C. Sports Network in full HD. That has gone. Few offered links to that station which carries coverage of football's Premier League including Saturday 3p.m. matches actually now work. More recently another has been offering access to Premier League Pass which gives full HD access to all PL games. Now that is out of use more often than it is. There was a website called 'Wiziwig' that was used by many to find speedway coverage. That was closed. Live TV.ru is now blocked on most major UK isps Yes you can still find streams as new ones open. You will see several links to NSport in Poland. Few work, if any. In a small sport like speedway with the very restricted number of streamers it is far easier to make the blocking more effective. At the moment the incentive isn't really there but if speedway matches were being screened behind a pay wall the game would be a very different one.

I fully grasp the nuances of exclusive broadcast agreements having had professional involvement. The mistake made by speedway was to allow the inclusion of these choking online restrictions. Normally broadcast rights and online rights are kept separate. Yes we needed a deal to prop up the EL, just not the one we got.

Surely even you can understand that it's about how PL teams match up against PL teams, not EL. One day even the most deliberately obtuse will realise it's about close competition, not absolute strength. I'd rather watch two closely matched PL sides rather than the dying fiasco that is EL. I couldn't give a dam about the relative difference in strengths between the two leagues. That is totally irrelevant. Anyway, enjoy watching Poole run away with the title and hope you still have 8 tracks willing and able to prolong the farce in 2017. It's looking doubtful!

Somerset Speedway should start legal proceedings against Wroclaw for lost attendance revenue. It would be good to think that British supporters could stand up against yet more bullying by Polish Speedway by boycotting the King's Lynn match but sadly I can't see it.

There are obviously two fundamental aspects to online coverage: 1 - Full streaming of matches. This could be a useful source of additional revenue, if intelligently priced. With the cost of travel these days there must be many supporters who would love to follow their team away but are put off not by the admission cost but the cost of getting there. Putting such coverage behind a paywall could be a solution to getting at least some of the lost revenue back. Against that must of course be offset the risk of home fans following suit but it can't say too much for the quality of a promoter's product if supporters would prefer to sit at home watching basic, single camera coverage on pretty poor equipment, as with the sample offered from Poole. Sometimes a sport has to take risks, but obviously calculated ones, perhaps initially as an experiment featuring occasional meetings? Piracy would be an obvious problem but given that these 'services' are so widely discussed openly here and elsewhere I do not believe it would be that difficult for the BSPA or Go Speed to track them down and get them cut off. Perhaps sensible pricing (for once) would reduce the desire to 'pirate'? Just how many people were lost from gates during the Bet365 streaming in 2014 and did attendance figures leap back last year? If they did then fair enough. Do they actually know though? 2 - Clips for promotional use. This is VITAL. We live in a world where the publicity industry can see all of its expensive efforts overtaken by the amateur with the lucky clip that go viral. Supposing there's a great incident in a race, a wonderful, heroic finish, a dramatic race to the line or other incident (non-harmful) or even a star rider losing his patience and taking direct action against an opponent off the bike. Right now if anyone captures this, whether an official video crew or an amateur with his over-rated camera phone picture (hopefully landscape rather than pc or TV unfriendly portrait) if they post it they'll be in trouble. The track themselves can't say "Come see us this week - this is how good it IS - just £18 buys you your seat for the action!" Okay the price bit might be contentious ;-) It would appear that right now all of these online rights were sold in the Go Speed/Sky deal - and crucially unused by Sky. Well, you can see why Sky would want it. You can equally see why the BSPA/Go Speed should have dug their heels in. Perhaps it was a deal-breaker? Perhaps someone might clarify? (I know - April 1st isn't too far off). Last time I touched on this subject someone posted an idiotic response that I was saying we should have abandoned Sky coverage and instead have just online coverage from the small video companies. Why can't we have both? Is it simply a case of someone not being able to read or more importantly interpret the consequences of a contract? I'm relieved that the new BSPA management are aware of how the family silver was sold and that the situation will be rectified. I would gladly watch speedway seven nights a week, if I could, and watched the Bet365 coverage avidly despite its limitations. It did not affect my attendance at tracks or my willingness to attend one jot - to me it was an additional part of my speedway, just as conventional TV coverage is now. I'm sure I'm not alone. It is possible to watch TV or online coverage and be MORE likely to attend live matches. I lived the 2014 season thoroughly - the more I could see the more fascinated I was. I just wish I could have seen more PL but I was happy with what I had. Did anyone there read the contract properly rather than sudden;ly wake up to the fact that a refundable £5 deposit gave you the entire season? Not very impressive is it? What I DO want to see, and the sport deserves is hearing of a clip from speedway going viral and getting millions of views. We need people involved with vision and intelligence who can read a contract. I'm still awaiting my refund for the Polish Grand Final 2nd leg that I paid the contractors for. If cats can get millions of hits, why not speedway? Oh yes, we can't even try can we? The sport has allowed itself to be stifled just at the moment when others are leaping ahead with online marketing. In my day job I've seen the invoices sent to major businesses for online 'mentions. Next time you see a mention of a brand or product on Farcebook, Twitter, other social media or even forums just think. Is that person being paid to say that, even "It's like certain yeast-based products, you either love them or hate them". I think you'd be surprised to know how many aren't made by general members of the public. I've always believed the greatest form of marketing is word of mouth - personal recommendation by those we know and trust. It's what got me to my first meeting - pestering by a school friend. We need these forces working for US!

That may be the case and if so it's a huge move forward. The SCB Regulations used to be on sale at tracks over the years, well before the internet age. The point I was making that they didn't tell the whole story because the supplementaries were not made available. . If matters have now changed then that's excellent news.

I'd have said a demonstration ride by Chris Morton and Peter Collins (if fit enough) would have been a great way to launch the new track. I do hope it works out. As for weather, well it doesn't rain quite as much in Manchester as some would stupidly suggest. Mind you some on the south coast can't see that the sun comes from the sky, not from the promoter's nether regions ;-) Starman/weatherman? Well, you can't rely on either can you?

I'll never forget the night a referee tried to explain how ridiculous the situation was getting with the rule book. He pulled out his trusty copy of the Speedway Regulations - then pulled out a huge wad of paperwork that was the 'Supplementary Regulations'. Going just by what's in the book sadly doesn't tell the full story. It would be as useful if the SCB could release the supplementaries during the season but I suspect it might scare a few

Frankly Ben91 I don't care about your particular opinion since you are part of the problem at Rye House, along with several contributors here. I firmly stand by my comment. Now that Silver and most importantly those he surrounds himself with are gone I was planning to make only my second visit to the track in twenty years for the opener but when I look at the attitudes of several contributors here I'm really not keen on sharing my leisure time a long way from home in their company, even in the expanses of a stadium. For someone who spent 25 years devoted to Rye House, I never thought I'd have to say that. Clearly times and the people have changed, emphatically for the worst, even if this is just an obnoxious minority.

What has to be borne in mind is that BT have studio review, highlights and analysis shows during the week. It could be hoped that speedway will get a look-in even as part of the Moto GP coverage. There have been cut-backs though and a lot of the studio shows trimmed sadly. Congratulations to perkdon for posting that vitally important piece of nastiness about her. That kind of attitude will help the sport's relationship with BT superbly!

And the face of BT Sport's speedway coverage is...... Suzi Perry! Welcome back! http://sport.bt.com/more-sport-hub/more-sport/bt-sport-signs-tv-presenter-suzi-perry-S11364044894448

I find the negativity regarding Guy Martin sad, depressing and deeply frustrating. Okay, so many of you haven't heard of him or care about knowing him. Fine, you have freedom not to know people or their achievements, it's not a crime. I'd never heard of him - until he started hosting several reasonably high-profile programmes on Channel Four. It got to the point where it seemed that any programme about machines with motors involved would be hosted by him - bikes, plane restoration, general mechanical engineering. These are programmes that attract millions of viewers. Even if you haven't heard or seen them, others have and while he's no A-lister I'd suggest you're far more likely to find people who've heard of him amongst the general public than any speedway rider. It's clear he's had the services of an excellent publicist/agent, the kind of effective publicity that speedway is crying out for. If only we could get such a person interested in speedway. Oh wait........... Ultimately it does no harm and might do some good. Why not be positive for once and not just sit and bitch about previous promotions?

It would be very helpful if people stuck to the specific problem of how a UK exit would affect speedway rather than peddle their own political bigotry which really has no place in a sports forum. I really have no interest in finding out those who believe everything they are spoon fed by the Daily Mail and Daily Express. Regarding speedway, it will indeed restrict access to the UK labour market to non-UK citizens so a whole lot of work permits will be required, adding to the bureaucracy that we already face. Some will be hoping for the return of a mythical 'golden age' when white, English-speaking people would have free access to the country and remove all obstacles to Aussie and Kiwi riders. That would take a labour agreement with the countries involved. Would they want free access by UK citizens, despite historic links? Yes, it'll make it more difficult to hire Danes, Poles and Swedes to ride speedway and will open the gates to the huge pool of UK racing talent that is just waiting for its chance. In sporting terms though we'll be on the outside looking in, having to constantly negotiate agreements instead of having such matters dealt with centrally. It would, without doubt increase British Speedway's costs. Bureaucracy costs, whether you are in a free labour market or not. Can we sustain that?

Very odd how you seem to imply that the Swindon riders should have ridden at King's Lynn and ride in "a meaningless meet" when you have already conceded that the King's Lynn meeting was equally "meaningless". No point in letting honesty get in the way of a good stir-up is there? It was the Somerset fans and promotion that I was caring more about since I expect they were all looking forward to seeing Jason Doyle around the OTA again. I forget, the needs of the PL are irrelevant to you highly-superior Elite League supporters. Anyway, isn't all sport ultimately meaningless? I'd have thought a good night out seeing how your side copes against higher league opposition and seeing the former number one again would be enough 'meaning' for a first meeting of the year. "Meaningless" - the cancer of modern speedway. 'Meaningless' second halves 'Meaningless' match races 'Meaningless' pairs events 'Meaningless' fours 'Meaningless' individuals 'Meaningless' test matches 'Meaningless' cup ties .... 'Meaningless' league matches 'Meaningless' speedway? So, we gradually eat away at the sport with cynicism to achieve.....what?

Yes, instead of getting ripped-off by TV providers get ripped-off by people selling dodgy boxes that do things you can do for free if you can be bothered to find out how.

I do have a sneak preview of one of the squads. MC Piszingcashavay 1-Szymon Willpisczleicesteraroundfortwomonthsbeforegettingfiredczyk 2-Piotr Tesztingenginesonlyatlakesideworek 3-Pawel Wantedvanhouseanduseofukpromotyersdaughteryna 4-Jan Needspracticeinbritainforsixweeksinmarchandaprilthenwillpisczoffnek 5-John Bleedinghellithougtcopmingoverherewouldbeeasymoneyimoffbacktobolton 6-Shawn Imonlyinitfortheboozeandwomenmate 7-Antoni Naiveexploitedkidczak No resemblance to persons living or dead....................

Ask Virgin whether they have found Erith yet..... No such nonsense, no messing. All BT Sports channels in the XL package with all Sky Sports channels available as extras should you want them. BT set pricing simply to get people away from Sky or Vigin's broadband service. They only offer a limited number of Sky Sports channels for an unacceptable fee. When you try to add their channels to a Sky package you have to buy from them, not Sky and they again set huge prices. The ideal compromise is Virgin if you can get it, and you end up with broadband far better than either BT or Sky. You still have to pay too much but not as badly as the other options. Of course if Sky hadn't overcharged for so many years to put obscene amounts of money in the pockets of overpaid footballers and their parasitic agents the likes of BT wouldn't be trying to muscle in and undercut them.

Well, doesn't that just sum up the BSF? "Something great is about to happen" "It'll never happen"

That description applies to both matches.

Yes, we've always had an Atlantic temperate climate, chiefly governed by the Gulf Stream, helping us to avoid the massive freezes seen say in north America at latitudes far further south than ours. What we were warned about was that the rise in AVERAGE temperatures would give us milder but far wetter winters with far greater extremes than before. At no time has it been said that the unpredictability of our weather would end. I would suggest that has been borne out by the lower occurrence of snow but with the far higher incidence of flooding. As usual, it's not as simplistic as many would wish it was. Sometimes it's better to stick to speedway. On that subject, at least we have a wonderful new track to look forward to at Belle Vue. I can't wait to see it, weather permitting. (Educated, not brainwashed.)