bigeddiechek

Looking forward to this meeting. I've got withdrawal symptoms.

My word, this really is turning into quite a thread!

Soak up the pre-meeting atmosphere?

It's depressing, isn't it.

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Why not put them in touch with the promotion?

I agree with that, but it's not what Berwick need at the moment. If an investor comes in and then changes turn the sport around, that is the only way it can work. What's done is done with regard to the sport, but it is too resilient not to bounce back. I'm sure it will, and I hope Berwick are still around to be part of it.

Well done for sticking your neck out and making a very good point Marty. Dick is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced people in British Speedway. He is also a top quality broadcaster. He is also a real gentleman. At last someone with credibility gives Dick the praise he deserves on here.

We did have, if enough of us turned up, but we didn't. Now it is down to the hope of a speedway enthusiast who wants to invest in Berwick. Could be a shrewd move for the right person.

When something is at a low it can be a real opportunity. The sport needs fundamental changes, and they simply will happen. With a good period in place to carry out all the pertinent due diligence, there is time for investors to asses the opportunities. If I had the cash, would I take a punt? Actually I would. It is a tangible business has some unique aspects. It has longevity, everything with longevity goes through cycles, but always pulls through. There are always casualties, hopefully not Berwick, but those left standing always prosper when change occurs.

Here's hoping.Recent events at Glasgow show there is reason for hope. Berwick has 50 years of history and a very loyal fanbase. It's not a bad proposition for the right person/people. Speedway will sort itself out in the long term. This might actually be a good time to come in.

Yes, and I think the fact is that most clubs either require a larger pool of investors to share the burdens of running speedway, or very wealthy individuals. It's the only immediate solution. From this thead, I don't think many people actually get that.

I agree, we are getting the same overly simplistic armchair answers to the woes of speedway. What this thread is about is the Berwick statement. Not how they can cut costs. Not how they can get more fans. Not about going NL. It is about either additional business partners, or new ownership. Spittalbandit has given the only credible reply despite all this wonderful input from business gurus. So, here is another busibessman's take. There is a going concern with almost 50 years of history and a very loyal core of fans. A business that has had Sky TV coverage three consecutive years. What is being asked is additional investors or new ownership. Plenty of time has also been allowed for due diligence. This is a serious situation, with serious propositions in place. Please can we stick to this and perhaps start a separate thread for a cure to all the ills of British speedway. Partnership, purchase, or close. That is the fact of the matter.

So NL definitely not an option, and cost cutting not the answer. I thought it was very clear in the first statement anyway, but second one really puts things into sharp focus.

I read your post as being helpful. I know plenty folk with the wealth, but no interest in speedway. Lots of other things for them to spend their money on, sadly. That is one of the reasons why I so defensive on here. Us fans in general need to support all the people that bank roll the sport. I know the damage has been done in the past, and not by the fans, but the sport is at a critical stage in the UK and it really needs a big positive approach. Constantly bashing promotions is not the way to go. £5 per month or £20 per meeting, neither are/were really that far off the mark. The Sky meetings, FIM meetings, investment at Glasgow are all things that have shown me how great the sport can be.

I'll reiterate, it was not a cheap shot. You know exactly what I meant. I'm not sure there has been much that has directly addressed the points in the statement. Spittalbandit's is the only one, really. Hopefully he's been in touch as there seems to be a 3 week window to try and put things in place. I suppose not many of us will know any potential investors ( maybe Taffy?), so we are reverting to the same old suggestions that don't really offer pertinent solutions. Either someone joining the current promotion or a completely new ownership. I don't mind as long as we still have speedway.

It wasn't a cheap shot. The statement also said it is not only the financial burden. Bad mouthing, and some pretty unsavoury, persistent stuff on the Internet is no fun for anyone to be on the receiving end of. OK if you are a PL football manager worth millions, different story then. Not when you are fighting tooth and nail to keep the club you love alive, though. NL has not been mentioned as an option, why run a lower league and still lose money (there are lots of fixed costs)?

You're missing a lot of the other contributory issues. There is more to where the club is than purely finances. You should know that better than most, Mr Monks.

We might just have to face a basic fact of economics. If there is no demand, then there will be no supply.

My point about fans paying a wee bit extra for entry was based on exactly this thinking. To ease cashflow and keep the club running. What differs is your suggestion would offer a share in the club. It could offer a return - if the fans turn out in numbers regularly - most likely not, but maybe keep the club going. It would also entail liabilities. The opportunity has been presented and I'm sure it is worth putting to John, if you haven't already done so. It's a fair size of a business to run, a few £10s of thousands doesn't go far. One of the problems lots of people have highlighted is costs are way too high. I think the horse may have bolted on this one though. Why would anyone be interested in getting abuse hurled at them every week, and having the privilege of paying for it?

Some of the action of fans towards the people who have put so much of their time and money to keep Berwick Speedway alive has been disgusting. Sadly, Peter experienced the same. I can't help but think if all that effort had been a bit more appreciated, then we wouldn't be in this position. The floor has been opened for people to step up to the mark again. Let's see if some of the clever barstewards have any substance, or if they are just sad little individuals who hide behind a keyboard and have nothing tangible to offer.

I think the statement shows that the current promotion will try their hardest to keep the club going. It also shows how difficult and stressful a task it is, on top of the financial struggle. That is why I have strongly supported the promotion (and previous) on here. It's easy to criticise, mighty difficult to run. I desperately hope someone can come in to help keep speedway alive in Berwick.

It's a good idea in principle, but do you know how long that amount of cash would last? Not very long, likely not even a month, and that would just be propping up cash flow. I feel for the guys running it. They have 2 of the top riders in the league out for most of the season, which makes a massive difference, and a small faction hell bent on giving them unreasonable grief. Why continue to bankroll something when you get a load of crap for your efforts. I'll add to that some riders letting them down too. Last night was bad, I'm not going to pretend I enjoyed that. Can excuse TJ a very rare off night. Garbage performance from guests/reserves. Two new assets looking nice and hungry. Kevin Doolan another magnificent Captain's performance. I get the feeling we need to show we support THE CLUB and show our appreciation that these guys keep speedway running out of their own pocket ( and hard work). Or it will be lost for good. It really is a position where fans can make or break the club. It's not the time for cheap shots.

The numbers never lie.

Oh yes, very clearly!