bigeddiechek

Still looking good, weather wise.

We might be lucky. According to the Met Office it is to be sunshine at 19:00. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcyt62suunf3#?fcTime=1429920000

Yeah, you know what all those "official types" in uniform are like.

Have we signed a rugby player now?

I thought it was him writing programme notes?

Exactly, this sudden notion that the promotions should buy riders equipment is just loony!

No need for a debate, a reference to the pertinent legislation will suffice.

I'm not quite sure where this notion that the club should provide the riders with bikes comes from. Surely it is the riders' responsibility for their equipment? As far as I am aware, clubs pay riders a fee for every meeting, is that not only to provide a living, but also finance the "tools of their trade"? I might be getting this completely wrong, of course. One thing is for sure, riders have been remarkably adept at wooing fans for financial support, which is perfectly understandable.

It's a bit easy to overlook Claus when he's in that form as nobody can touch him! Really it was a great team effort, and the pressure on Claus and TJ was huge. The boys delivered

Quite right, Claus was out of the gate and away, untouchable!

Definitely much better racing, I think there would have been a lot more had we not had so much bad luck. The crowd didn't look to bad for a Scunny meeting? What was the attendance?

I certainly think it is. Pretty bad night in terms of machinery, but good racing and a last heat decider with TJ making a crucial pass up the inside of bend 4. As we've seen on here, we've all got different views, but I think the track and racing was a lot better for the purist. Barker's 3rd to 1st in heat 1 was pretty tasty.

I think his 3/4 paring with Doolan is one of the most solid in the league. They have been riding well together. Very pleased with him

Must say the track - to my limited knowledge - looked absolute perfection last night. The resolve of the team has to be admired too, with an incredible amount of bad luck, we were never in front in the meeting, yet banged in the wins at the business end of the meeting to get the 3 points in. The importance of winning your first home league meeting is not to be underestimated, and the riders dug deep to get it. TJ is a real star of the future. Apparently some thought he couldn't rider Shielfield. Well, if it is other tracks that he CAN ride, then we could be in for some away results!!! Oh, and he apparently only scored points from reserve. Well, apparently he can make a crucial pass in heat 15s to win meetings too Hopefully, we've had our mechanical gremlins visit for the whole year in one go!

On the way home from Berwick tonight, was chatting about how much I was looking forward to seeing Steady next week. Hope he makes a speedy recovery, great rider who is in great form at the moment.

Well, since no-one else seems to want to say it. Welcome back Hynek! Looking forward to having a full team again next week.

It's already got a few folk talking on the streets. Quite a few who are not regulars like coming to these events. We don't get many in this area, so a good wee boost.

More good news! http://www.berwickbandits.co/

Good to see the promotion acting quickly to put a full 7 back on the track after such bad luck before the real racing even gets underway. Good replacement for Matic too.

I think you can, it's the passive aggressive threats of nobody coming through the gates, plus the personal attacks on people who are giving their time and effort to try and keep the club afloat as well as trying to make sure the fans are happy. In terms of getting results for the fans, is Barker not a signing that show intentions getting results, and entertainment for the fans? The bad luck that Voldrih has had is a big knock, and the efforts that are going on behind the scenes to get a replacement are immense, as are the frustrations. It is a very difficult position to fill, especially at this point of the seasons. If you look at last night's results, considering both Barker and Jonasson are injured, the team didn't perform that badly. And, yes, I would like to see more dirt on the track, and I don't like it when it's dusty. That's about the only thing I'm not happy with. I'd also agree with people on here that would like to see Barker wait until fully fit. Overall, if we look at where the club is compared to when Peter had just had enough, then we really shouldn't complain (too much at least), and the complaints should be constructive and not personal. That's my last tuppence on the matter!!!

I'm not sure what you mean about divide and rule with supporters club? Have I missed something? One of the points I was making is that a lot of regulars (including one who has gone since the very beginning) still enjoy it. OK, they accept that there wasn't a lot of passing last night, but Cook was superb. They also accept that we have started the season against two of the top teams. They also accept that we have had a bit of bad luck with the 2 injuries. They also thought that the remainder of the team all put in a decent shift. He is a diehard, but not a glory hunter. He is also realistic about what speedway is, and his expectations. Don't be fooled by the few who come on here and regulary stick the boot in on here. They are not representative of the wider picture: look around this forum, it is generally the same types from all clubs. I don't see the point of coming on here and making passive aggressive threats about not coming back, or that people are going to walk if things aren't done their way. Why don't they decide not to go if they hate it so much? The fact is that they need something to moan about, and also an internet forum gives them an inflated sense of self importance. If I were the club, I'd invite them along to a meeting to get everything off their chest, because there will be criticisms that are fair and can be put in place. Surely that is a better way to do it? Let's just take one example. There was a constant complaint about us not having an out and out number 1 for years. So, the club signed Ricky who banged in the points and got the big wins for us. Now we have Barker, but not a peep on here about how good a signing he is: kind of says it all really. Some people must just like a good moan! Thankfully we have Robin on form with some witty posts to relieve the depression on here!

Not at all, I can see exactly where Berwick is going, and the only way to stop it going that way. I remember people complaining all the time because Peter prepared a soaking wet, deep, bumpy track. The same people are now complaining because we don't have that. Fortunately the few people who come on here to gripe are just that. Unfortunately, everyone can see it. What I would say, is all the people that don't enjoy it: don't go, then at least it is not a slow painful death for us that do enjoy it. The fact is, they will not do that as it is all bluster on here behind a keyboard. It gives them an inflated sense of importance. The thought of them announcing that they are no longer going, yet the club still surviving, would destroy their raison d'etre. They don't have the marbles to carry out their empty threats. On that note, I shall continue to enjoy speedway: while we have it, no head in sand, completely realistic about the future, and where the blame will lie if it all ceases to run.

Certainly not many on here!

OK, then I would consider myself a diehard. I'm not happy clappy, I give my views to the appropriate people, good and bad, and do my bit to help out whenever I can. What I really do not want to happen - because I really do care about the club - is a portrayal that nobody enjoys the sport via a few unhappy folk complaining almost hysterically. That is the single thing that will make it impossible to sell to new people. I really do mean it that guys who tell me they enjoy it for a whole number of reasons, not just passing, or how the track is. One thing I would say that is universal is that when we don't put out a competitive team, then that would be a disaster. We are not looking like a Plymouth at this point. If we were, then I would not be happy. What I would be furious about is not having a speedway team. I remember that in the past, and it is not a nice feeling.

Before I answer fully, could you clarify what is required to be classed as a diehard?