False dawn

Nah. He fancied an intelligent conversation, so he ignored all of us and started talking to himself.

Thanks Philip. I think you've just proved I was right in the first place. See. I'm only wrong when I think I'm wrong

One of my favourites is "Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please." Otherwise known as the BSPA'a Rule No.1 or, "There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded." (forumites please note) But I suspect you were alluding to, "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt". [No offence Dandelion ]

I take your point about speedway in the states but many sports have failed to gain a foothold there, including "soccer". My theory is that they have many long standing, well supported sports already (baseball, football, hockey etc.). The US sports fan is already spoiled for choice with sports they excel at. And it's a funny thing, but I've picked up a cue in my time as well as swinging my leg over a speedway bike. Both were easy to do. Getting started that is. Becoming proficient, let alone world class is another thing (I've never excelled at either btw). It takes money, backing and dedication. You said it's taken 25 years for snooker to get where it is in China and I spoke about 20 years. We'll not fall out over 5 years, will we?

My comment was an attempt at humour However, to take up your point on a more serious note. I remember going to the World Final in Poland in 1973. Although there were some good Poles riding in Britain, Poland itself could, in no way, be described as a major speedway nation. But the stadium was rammed and the media really went to town on the coverage. And look at Poland now. Arguably the no.1 speedway nation in the World. So can we make speedway more global on the back of a greater geographical coverage? I think the answer is probably a resounding yes. Clearly the cost base has to be addressed but look at the sponsorship in snooker from the Chinese as an example. Snooker was nothing in the far east until a few top players went there to play some demonstration games. Then some Chinese youngsters picked up a cue and now the sport is massive (Ding commands an audience of 500 million when he plays in the top tournaments). This doesn't happen over night, but television and now the internet provide vehicles to make this a reality in less than 20 years, maybe less. A Chinese World Champion before 2030. Now there's a thought.

Belle Vue, Leicester and Kent don't seem to feel the need to split their websites. Surely both teams can benefit from the the joint focus on a single website?

Why "would have been"? Surely, still could be?

I guess that if a club is worried about the number of meetings or the travelling distances involved, they could exclude themselves from the competition altogether. If the regulations allow for this, I dread to think what the reaction from officials and fans might be. As they used to say in exams in my day ,"Manchester United withdraws from the FA Cup. Compare and discuss!".

That's not a comment you could have made a couple of years ago when Matt Ford was firmly in control. And that's an observation from a died in the wool Bees fans who has viewed all things Poole from the point of view of bitter rivalry.

I know. There is an announcement regarding Josh Embleton if you can avoid the missing page error. But nothing reference the other 5. Still this is a new promotion and they are getting up to speed I guess. And good luck to them. Bringing two sides to market from nowhere is no mean feat. I'm just glad to see that another famous club has not been lost possibly forever.

There's no speedway in Perth these days (if ever?). Edinburgh ad Glasgow are close. If Scotland vote to leave the UK, I guess they'll be ringing Armando to get their own GP. I'll get my coat

I know what you mean. He was a top promoter when I started watching speedway. And that's a while ago!

It's on the Official British Speedway Twitter feed as shown on the www.speedwaygb.co.uk website. I quote: NEWCASTLE have completed their team-building for the 2020 National Trophy. 1. Max Clegg 2. Joe Alcock 3. Jamie Halder 4. Josh Embleton 5. Leon Flint 6. Ryan MacDonald 7. Archie Freeman

I have not the slightest axe to grind. I know nothing about Kevin Jolly's ambitions. In fact, my knowledge of him belongs in the Years Gone By section. But if you're talking about who I think you are, the possibilities for a Kent co promoter to be involved in a relaunch of Rye House looks geographically possible at least.

I'm guessing it's about a 16 hour trip (including a stop somewhere?). Is that the stadium in question behind Coty on the FB page? No gandstand(s), not even terracing.

And here's me, only just got up the courage to go to the Isle of Wight. Wonder what TP will charge for this trip? Could take in Buenos Aires (about 700 miles away). Better start saving my pennies.

If you start watching the recording about 20 minutes after the start time, fast forward through the adverts (and any other bits that don't take your fancy) you should find yourself watching in real time at about the end of the meeting. No avoiding the result, no adverts. Simples.

This is what it's like when Starry and Steve Shovlar stop posting (sorry, post less). The Poole thread just gets hijacked by all and sundry.

As we're having a bit of a lull in the silly season, I thought I'd relive a few memories. Soldier Boy was Ray Wilson's number one supporter at Blackbird Road Leicester in my memory in the early 70's. Indeed I think he used to follow Ray everywhere including guest appearances for other clubs. He was famous (infamous) and used to stand right by the starting gate at Blackbird Road. He regularly had very vocal exchanges with opposing fans. I have a vague recollection that he switched his support to Ole Olsen at some point in time (Ray Wilson retired or moved to Birmingham?). But I don't remember what became of him (if I ever knew). Any memories?

And Martin speaks so highly of you

I wish I'd never posted this. I was just a bit surprised that Crumpy suddenly agreed to ride in a test match, albeit a "friendly". That's all.

I have to say that I felt like you were almost talking to me personally. Thank you But to be honest, it took me a couple of years after Brandon closed (temporarily) to resume my former level of support for the sport. Last year I supported the auld enemy Leicester with a passion (both CL and NDL). Mind you, I might feel different if I found myself living near Poole. There are limits! Having said that, I can understand how some might find moving their long held loyalties to another club. I have to admit that yesterday, when I read that there is going to be a challenge match between Leicester (CL) and a collection of riders with a Bees connection under a Coventry banner, my first thought was, "Where's my Bees gear?". In case people don't get it, this was my attempt to lighten the mood.

That's a good question. It's a bit confusing that most clubs have announced all, or very nearly all, of their teams and then a few who have named nobody (or nearly, in the case of Kent NDL). It's the promoter's right to make public the riders he has signed in any way he wants, of course. But this lack of news is annoying to me and the clubs involved don't include my own. If it was my own team I'd be well past the daily look up routine by now. "Just let me know when the team is complete. I've got better things to do with my time" might be the fans response.

All these potential anomalies will have been thought through. Won't they?

Yes I have a deal of sympathy for you wanting to stay on track but to be fair. The discussion did go off at a tangent talking about Scott. But the fact Wolves didn't sign him (or the other way round) now means he's potentially available to the Panthers. So the discussion was relevant.