bigeddiechek

Was intended as a comparison. We do well for a sparsely populated area. Now, I am not saying that we can't do better. I also agree that speedway has big problems attracting sustainable crowds.

OK, fair enough, but it still doesn't make catchment area irrelevant. A retailer would not avoid city centre prime locations because of competition. They will choose it because of footfall. Maybe that will help get my point across? Assuming they can afford it, let's see who uses that to avoid discussing the point sensibly.

Maybe that is speedway's answer, move all the teams to rural locations? Fromafar, you're completely missing the point Certainly a lot less other attractions than in the cities.

Yeah but wasn't the point, when I referred to catchment area. It was conversion rates. Of course it is relevant. Doesn't matter how good your promotion is if you are at capacity. The fact is, the clubs that have smaller catchment areas are likely to have to work harder to get good numbers. It's lunacy to state otherwise, so stop sidestepping the point to avoid admitting you were wrong.

No, I don't, and I agree with you on your points. The catchment area was in response to the success of Edinburgh and Newcastle. You've also got to consider any form of marketing, advertising, promotion has very well established conversion rates. So, if a club with a smaller catchment area (or footfall, if you like), attracts the same crowd as a club with a larger catchment area, then that is good. No one will argue that the sport is having to work hard to attract enough fans to keep it viable. As I've argued many times on here, it is actually the fans' responsibility to support it, if we want it to survive. Fans don't support it, then it is dead. Fans support it, then it will flourish, and they will be in a position to be more reasonably demanding.

How on Earth can you say catchment area is not valid? I don't follow the logic. Crowds are much smaller than in the past, that is just because society has changed a lot, more things to spread about the public's spare time.

That's just crazy talk!

Ermm, it's hugely relevant, unless you are advocating some sort of teleportation system which makes catchment area redundant?

I know I shouldn't keep banging on about it, but we have had success, just not league success. Remember there can only be one winner of a league, you can't judge success by that alone. Taffy's example with Hull is a good one. I think keeping The Bandits alive in a tiny catchment area (compared to the two city teams you mention), is a success alone. Add to that winning the fours, and now three consecutive FIM meetings, then that is also pretty successful to me. Of course, this is not to say I don't set out every season hoping we will challenge for the league. Remember, the best fans in sport are not glory hunters, but the diehards who support their club through thick and thin.

That's what I was thinking Screm. It's clear we both know him well.

No chance someone as thick as you are went to University.

It was Peter's best season, with respect to the league, but his worst gates. He said nobody wanted to come and see us thrashing teams.

We were challenging for the title right up to the end. The crowds were atrocious that year.

Not in 2005 they didn't!

Bloody freezing it was up on the banking! Beer is always the answer, but I don't need to tell you that.

We were looking for you round the 3rd bend. Too cold for you? I have to agree it wasn't a classic, and I think you guys need to punt a couple of the riders who are over the hill. You know I always compliment your support of the riders. Never your moaning though!

Every Berwick Fan should be very proud that our club have been awarded this meeting. It's a great compliment. I certainly know the 40 or so where I was standing were delighted when it was announced last night. The past few posts on this thread have shown the troublemakers on here to have very little speedway knowledge. It's also brought out the decent posters

At last, some proper discussion! The shape restrictions due to the football pitch probably just keep it out Europe's top tracks. What you say about everything that is required to put on a quality speedway meeting is so much more than opening the gates and preparing a track. It's something that is overlooked by most fans. All the promoters around the country, every meeting they put on, have a massive amour of work to do for each meeting. This is what annoys the more rational posters on here. It is totally disrespectful to the many, many people around the country that sacrifice a lot of their time - often for free - to make sure we have speedway. I have never seen one of the moaners even think about lifting a finger. Probably incapable and too busy living in their pretend world of self-importance on the t'Internet. Taffy, I should note, although you jump and moan sometimes, you have and continue to support the riders year-after-year, so I do not include you in this comment. Very good post Halifaxtiger.

I don't know, it looked not bad any time I saw it. Like you say, Berwick was an easy choice as they have proved to be very thorough and dependable.

That's how I saw it too. Hard but fair. Berge was impressive for a young lad, and Jensen looked a lot better. One thing is for sure, he isn't afraid to ride every bit of the track. Both Liam and Steen unlucky with equipment tonight I thought. Claus and David we sensational. Now, I keep banging on about Berwick being one of the best tracks in speedway. Surely a third consecutive FIM meeting in a row is confirmation of this. Great news!

Not sure where embargo is

Wonder what the announcement will be? I'm intrigued...

Come round the 3rd bend, there's plenty of jocularity there, especially from Kenny and the boys!

What, you mean his bike is going to get a fright?