bigeddiechek

I agree, fans need to be proactive. Either that or just accept that we will need to find something else to do with our time.

Well, I have managed to get a few extra faces along, and been lambasted for it on here. Bringing along new faces is really what needs to be done now. Please don't let this be a cue for all the other things that need to be sorted out in British speedway, these have all been done to death (excuse the pun). We need feet through the door.

Unfortunately it can, and you under what circumstances... We need to get folk coming along to this. Should be a good meeting.

Does his bike usually pack up on the line?

Looks like we will be at full strength on Saturday. Could be close, but expect us to win fairly comfortably.

Decent meeting put on by Glasgow. Always find it interesting how many riders and ex-riders favour banked tracks, it makes sense when explained. Compton still showing he's got plenty to offer to the sport!

Thanks for the feedback folks, I'd heard it was a much better meeting. Maybe I am the one who needs to stop going!

Sadly couldn't make it tonight, due to rock 'n' roll commitments. Was told by someone who had just come back from the meeting that was a good entertaining meeting. How did folks on here enjoy it. I think we are all agreed taking 4 points to Ipswich is a tough ask, but...you never know in speedway. However, simple question: did you think it was an entertaining speedway meeting?

I think he is a great signing, expect him to put quite a bit on his average

Well done to Ben Barker tonight.

I'd like to see that. Even with helmets on, I like a few practice laps before the first heat. All adds to the atmosphere.

Completely agree, the practice laps really set up the atmosphere for the first heat.

My side of things with people locally (less so Berwick itself) is equally as valid as Taffy. It was Fromafar that pointed out the speed of the bikes to me, and I agree with him. It is particularly a factor on bigger tracks, I think. A former rider explained to me that the new exhausts do exactly as you mention Shads. Changes are needed in the sport, no doubt about it.

Taffy, you only listen to what you want to. I can tell you for a fact that some people's enjoyment has destroyed by having their ears nipped. I had to stop coming into your shop because as soon as I stepped through the door you launched into a tirade of anti-Peter garbage. I deal with a lot of people across the Borders, Northumberland, and beyond: not just a wee shop in Berwick. I meet lots who go to the speedway, lots of family and lots of friends who go to the speedway: plus a few acquaintances. One or two grumble, and I think it is just their way, but on the whole the people I know really enjoy it. None of them even know who you are, so do not presume to talk for a majority of fans. You only talk for a section. One thing you might not know is that a family member used to film every meeting (in the distant past). I can categorically say that the thought that racing was markedly better in the past has a shade of the rose tint. In terms of gate and go, there is a strong case for the quality of the riders being a critical factor. Also, as Fromafar mentions, bikes are just too fast. So if a half decent rider gets out in front, they are always going to be difficult to pass. Above all though, Taffy, you used to slag Peter rotten, it was relentless. Now with a completely different promotion you are doing the same. Some naively become influenced with you and join in. This creates a little bubble for you. Some just wonder exactly what your problem is. Some - heaven help us - will be like "minded". I will keep coming on here and supporting the club (as I did in Peter's days too, and when the Waites were involved), no matter who is in charge. The amount of utter mince in terms of "what is going to happen" that I have heard from one habitual moaner is incredible. Every single bit of "fact" that they have told me has been wrong. Without fail. From us riding National League this year, to rider signings. Every single one of them wrong. Why am I so vocal about this? Because I too (along with others) are getting fed up of this. It is starting to impact on our enjoyment. It's all starting to leave a bad taste and is becoming tiresome. The speedway I'm fine with. We have full points from our one league meeting, and a strengthened team to move on with. So, I look forward to that. Is there anything wrong with that? Do not think for a second, though, that you are an authority speaking on behalf of the whole crowd. Because, simply, you are not.

This more apposite than you could ever imagine

=D

Can't disagree with most of that. So, you are agreeing that efforts and improvements are being made. Really, the whole team looks pretty decent now. We can't really complain about how it looks on paper, at the moment. The new folk that I have brought along either get speedway, or they don't. I think we have to accept that the crowds are pretty much where they are going to be. In terms of Berwick, the crowds massively outnumber the football, so what is the football doing wrong? Or is the speedway actually doing something better? I don't know. I'm not going to argue with you as you make a lot of valid points, and put them across well, which is rather refreshing.

There has been a lot of improvement. So, we have last season's results. Pretty good for a club our size. The track is immeasurably better than it was several years ago. It's lunacy to say otherwise. It's maybe not perfect, but it is far from bad. We signed Ben Barker, pretty good, no? We have Vissing and Doolan back, good? We have competitive pricing, good or not? We have the best deal for kids entry in the UK. We have a well kept stadium that has been improved over recent years. We get a regular newsletter that is packed with plenty info. It's maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but that is why it is subscription, so the people who want it, get it. The programme is of consistently high quality, and has been changed this season after supporter's suggestions. Posters are put out every month with upcoming fixtures. We get additional national and international meetings that we never used to get. We've now had two visits from Sky. The results this season have not been great so far - for various reasons - but, this has been before the league campaign gets fully underway. The promotion have acted quickly and decisively with the team to give us a decent shot at the league (well, I can hope for the time being at least). So I wouldn't say that is sitting back and waiting for things to happen. It is plainly not the case. Nobody on here will believe me, and I think it is just because they do not want to, but there are several people I know that have either returned or become new regulars over the past 2 - 3 years. I only know of the people who have stopped coming because of the aforementioned reasons. I've also had a fair few people along who have just said it is not their cup of tea. Nothing that can be done about that. I heard someone complain last week that Vissing and TJ missing this Saturday had not been announced. It was: both at the track, and also on Radio Borders. There are some people that there will be no pleasing, and they will drag others down with them. I really just do not get the point of it?

I think it would be fair to say that last season we competed with the above four, although not quite to the heights of Edinburgh and Somerset! I don't think anyone wants the club to close, but there are only two things that will stop that. Either wealthy individuals putting the hands in their pockets, or more people coming through the turnstiles. What I am really saying is you don't know what you have until it is gone. Look at what is happening around other tracks, the sport is not in good shape, but it needs paying punters to get it liquid again. Only then will there be any point in pushing for changes. If we focus on complaining at this point in time, then it will just drive things further into the ground. I would say that everyone involved since Peter stepped aside has done a hell of lot to try and address as many issues as possible. I would also say that Peter did an incredible job of keeping speedway alive and ensuring that it was passed on into good hands. Let's face it, there are not many people around capable financially or with the expertise to run a speedway club: much as many of us like to thing we are. Sometimes it's important to step back and think.

I know it might seem daft, but they did just get absolutely scunnered by some constant nipping in their ear. It's a real shame. Anyway, the fact is it has happened, accept it or not. Moaning is fine, of course it happens, but when the same things get repeated every week then I defy anyone to tolerate it. Different people react differently, I tell folk when I am fed up with them, others are more discreet: which isn't hard! It is also normal to balance any criticism with praise. I shall give an example. Last season the Promotion were given a hard time on here for not being ruthless enough and giving Liam Carr too much of a chance. So, this season, similar position and they act pretty quickly. An experienced rider too who could potentially score well. Furthermore, the change has added a lot more strength in depth. Both things that have been suggested on here: and both very fair points. So, the Promotion have acted and done things differently this season. Not a peep from the critics to even acknowledge that. It's all one way traffic and it is damaging. I feel it is a pity that I spend most of my time on here trying to balance up the case rather than discussing speedway. It was the same in the days of Peter Waite, and it was the same people castigating him. I can't understand this incessant attacking of the club, I don't understand what the ultimate aim of it is. I'm completely open to being given an explanation of this.

Bit of denial going on here.

I'm sorry Taffy, but it is actually the case. They just got so sick of it. Don't mis-represent me by suggesting that I am saying it is the only reason, just a few people I know got worn down with it. If you like, I can ask for their permission to post their names. Phew! The track is certainly a scapegoat, the same people that were complaining about it 10 years ago are complaining about it now. The negativity is really starting to do a lot of harm. It is likely going to finish things off. It's easy to be critical, and it's usually the bottom feeders of society that become critics. That is sensational hypocrisy from you Taffy! I lost count of the amount of times I heard you tell me that "Peter's biggest problem is that he never listened to anyone". That it was his way or the highway. Talk about invalidating your opinion!

I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there is a silent cohort (please do not paraphrase me, unless done correctly) who are really fed up of negativity on the ground. In their own words, they are not the sort of people who go on internet forums, so they are unaware of what is presented on here. I can thoroughly assure you that there are quite a few people who are fed up with this. I also know of several who stopped coming because of it. It just got to them. Nothing to do with the speedway. So just take that on board as it is a fact. I'm also sorry to disappoint you in that I really do not know what has caused any discord. It's not that I couldn't ask, it is just that I am not really interested. It looks as if the sport can only continue with wealthy benefactors. The crowd levels - although very good compared to other sports in the area - clearly are not going to significantly increase. Why would anyone give up valuable time, and money to continually be told they are not good enough? Even worse to be subject to verbal abuse. You can accept that, or likely not, but will you miss speedway when it is gone?

I would imagine that assets are very much a secondary concern to that of working capital. As has been demonstrated over the past years, it would require individuals who have good liquidity. It should be noted on here, for balance, that there is also a silent cohort who are fed up of hearing negativity from a certain few. Above anything else, nothing spoils a night more than a moaner. It very quickly becomes wearing. I am not at all up to speed with whatever discord has occurred, and frankly I am not interested. I can't see what is wrong with charging £20 - to those who wish to take it up - and provide a range of thank yous in return. I also don't see anything wrong with a group of supporters raising funds and choosing to spend it supporting riders. In fact, the two approaches actually make sense to me. No matter what anyone wants to call me on here, we have seen a great deal of improvements made over the post-Peter years. By everyone who was involved from the takeover. When could we have hoped to have riders of the calibre of Ashworth, Barker, Kennett, et al.? We've won the fours, and made the play-offs last season. We've had two very commendable Sky meetings, and have also had the bonus of international events staged. The stadium is markedly tidier. The polyfoam fence has saved many potentially very bad injuries. The track is greatly improved, although we have certainly lost the considerable home advantage that used to exist. I'm not pretending that there is not room for improvement, not by a long shot. I don't think anyone is. When you have a lot of people giving up their free time, working very hard, and the Directors dipping quite deeply into their pockets each year, you have to question how long the love of the club will last when it is continually undermined and is - sadly - dropping to the level of personal abuse at times. There is an element within the Berwick "support" that is rather worryingly flying into full self-destruct mode. Will they be the only people who will not miss their Saturday night speedway?

It's strange, their eyes kind of glaze over before they launch into a diatribe that I have been listening to for the best part of a decade now. You could be right.