bigeddiechek

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...

Not been as consistent as Matty, but first name on my teamsheet for next season.

Matty is the only rider that has done the business this season.

The secret to the 2005 team was that we often had Wilko, Scud, Schrammy, or Pietrasko at reserve, and often two out of those four. We haven't been consistently strong enough at reserve for a long time. I agree with Taffy - - strength in depth is crucial.

Yeah, it was a great season for both teams. I wouldn't suggest anything of the kind though, Shadders

I think with regard to punching above our weight, several here have missed the point... Shadders, you went to Exeter where you were usually rubbish, and thumped them. Not that I'm insinuating anything Hey Taffy, I believe what I am told. So, I believe that you will be team manager next year.

You are quite right Shadders, anyone with half a brain cell will look at the population of the area compared to the big city teams. It's incredible that the club has for over 40 years managed to - mostly - compete at the top level. I wonder if Robin and Callum recall the years following the Terry Lindon season? The current promotion have already equalled Peter's silverware haul. Peter did, in my opinion, give us the best season on the 2000s, and in 2005 and we were robbed of the title. Some of the subsequent years were atrocious though: some really bad seasons. You need to think about what you mean by punching above our weight. Look at the leagues that the football and rugby teams are in. No disrespect to them, but speedway performs at a far higher level.

Hear, hear!

Get rid of the double point tactical rides. A friend - new to the sport this season - who has become a regular, still finds it utterly ridiculous.

I'm not worried about it Robin, I am worried about the sustainability of the sport in the area though. I'll take keeping it open ahead of silverware. In other sports you don't see Berwick competing in the same league as Hearts/Hibs, Newcastle, or Celtic/Partick Thistle. So, for the size of the town, speedway has really punched above its weight.

Well, after not having a few weeks of speedway, I do actually care about this meeting. It's a unique sport and I enjoy it the vast majority of the time. I don't much care if Aspergren is riding, he has been disappointing for most of this season. Rye might just surprise a few, especially missing Starke and Kozza. I'm well and truly looking forward to my speedway mix, unlike some. The calls for silverware and results does echo a now dead Scottish football team, I wouldn't want the Bandits to burst the bank for a brief moment of glory.