bigeddiechek

We should all get clicking on that link and get it up the most read list!

A shining example of professionalism, and what a true competitor is. A very worthy World Champion with many more to come.

An interesting few posts. The cost of the sport is clearly one of the major causes of the difficulties in the UK.

It's because you are going to be team manager next year, Taffy. Or so the word has been coming out of a local horologist's emporium. From several sources now

They need to be a bit less comfortable in their position. I've never been a fan of the laissez faire approach to managing sportsmen. Averages and too many riders who get their cash from the Polish and Swedish leagues mean they are less hungry. Just look at Ricky, Kozza, Complin, Matty, Bellego, and Starke. They were never turning up just for pocket money, it could be debated that the others were.

One thing I agree with is that there is nothing worse than an under-performing rider, and we've had too many of them in recent years. For me, that is the essential requirement for next season. Agree on this at least?

Thank you. To use Taffy's analogy, you can bet a cinema with no sweetmeats, popcorn, iced cream, or comfortable toilets would be unpopular. Still, a crap film is a crap film, no matter the cinema.

Now, I didn't say it was a thriving business. It is outperforming other sports in the area in terms of fan-base. I'm not saying everything is rosy, but greetin' faces do have an impact; not necessary online either. I still don't quite get this concept that a forum is a heavily visited place for people to have their opinions. Most people still do this in real life.

Yes, but you don't go on and on about it like some others do. We chat about a number of things: and agree on most! I don't, however, agree that the comparison to other sports is irrelevant. It is a barometer of how sport is supported in the area. It clearly is not too high up people's list. In terms of what crowds used to be, it's dangerous to use that as a comparison because it is largely a reflection of the current times. As are crowd levels today. We discussed this when talking about Once a Jolly Swagman. I'm not sure that a lot of the changes the enthusiasts want would make in difference in attracting new fans, although it might bring a few back. One thing that is for sure, people constantly picking fault will only have one effect. Fortunately, the majority of speedway folk I know don't even look on here.

It's the surface that the sport takes place on. You get some horrific pitches, usually due to weather, lots of OK pitches. It's not the centre point of discussion at the match, though. Maybe all that is left to the sport are "expert" fans, with very few who go to it because it is something different that they just enjoy. After all, there is nothing more wearing when you go along for a bit of fun and enjoyment, to get a load of greeting in your lug: it soon takes the fun away. However, one just needs to read almost every thread on here to get the picture... You're right, the problems are far less simplistic in the sport in general. You're also right about speedway thriving in Berwick. Compare it to much larger sports such as rugby and football, and the crowds are even more impressive. Most of the people I know do go an enjoy the night. Some even take the P out of the track saga comments, a few get a bit fed up. You're also right, there are less than a handful who actually find it so disappointing that they come on here to voice their discontent. The good old Internet forum is a very interesting psychological profiling tool!

Taffy, I am not getting personal. I am pointing out that Robin's arguments are often contradictory. Of course it is essential that more fans are attracted to the sport all through the country. The problem is that while soi disant fans stay away, the pot to improve the product shrinks, and it becomes a vicious circle. If the fans believe that they are the ones who make the sport possible, then it must follow that they are the ones who can make it impossible. The Sky meeting brought a few new faces along who have stuck, so it cannot be that bad. One of them is constantly boggled by people talking about the track and gets fed up with it. He wouldn't go to a rugby or football match and talk about the pitch every week. Another has been dragged in to the rut of complaining about the track every week, but has no clue why. The mindset in speedway is probably the biggest danger to the sport, not specifically fans either. I'm clear I am in the minority that I just like to go along to the speedway and enjoy it. As simple as that. So, I guess that the die-hards need to be pleased: but, many of the the die-hards seem to be unpleaseable.

Especially riders committed to the Bandits, that is something that I really want to see change next season. I would take the track from Sky meeting onward, but you know how much I know about track prep!

So you've moved away from the "winning" tack now. You have also moved away from the "entertainment" line. Interestingly - curiously - you now seem to be an advocate of the "gate and go". A classic example of why the current promotion will never win against your point of view. You don't really know what you want: do you?

You seem to have a fundamental misunderstanding of the to word "winning". Top 4-5 in the league wins diddly squat. Now: here comes the big one, neither does top 2-3. Only the top team wins (this is, of course, not taking playoffs into account...). I don't recall us winning the league in the past 5 - 6 years. In fact, the only major title we have won recently is the fours last year. Maybe I'm missing something here. What is your definition of winning?

With regard to the cuisine and facilities, it's all part of the experience, Taffy. You just need to see the queues to understand that it is important. Your numbers on track prep. are a bit suspect, a few too many % in there. I would be a bit more simplistic: 50% good, 40% not bad, 5% excellent, 5% poor (very early in the season, probably due to new material needing to bind through). I agree with the strength in depth throughout, although I would go for higher averaged reserves than you have. On the other hand, I do like having a true number 1 that you can rely on (Adrian at his best, and Ricky). I also agree that the big names have created initial excitement, but, other than Ashworth, have been a big let down. Erm, whilst I agree with the majority of your post: we won silverware last year. Remind me what we won previous to that, and when.

Classic line!

We're all doomed, I tell ye'!!!!!!!

Correct me if I am wrong, but you have support all riders at the club in various ways over the years? I maybe don't agree with you very often, but I thought the previous poster was out of order, and unfair towards you.

Jamrog would be well worth watching going by Saturday night. Tough little fella, but aren't they all!

Wasn't overly impressed with Hansen on Saturday. Beige is how I would describe him.

So did you previous post pertain to all PL clubs or just Berwick?

What a fantastic turnout from the fans to show their support for Ricky last night. Much, much bigger than a good league crowd. Well done - once again - to the amazing speedway family.

Completely agree.

It's going to be a cracker of show!

Olly gave an excellent interview at the end, and I agree, it was a decent meeting. Much better than expected. Saturdays are going to get awfully boring for a few months...