bigeddiechek

I think some riders didn't perform as individuals this season, and have been disappointing. That has a big dent more than results when riders are clearly not being as competitive as they are capable of.

I'll take getting the infrastructure sound ahead of silverware any day. To not get the business fundamentals in order would be plain thick. Now, if success is about winning, or even being in, say, the top 3: that means the majority of all sporting teams in a league will be failures. Success is different for every club, individual, or organisation. Putting PL speedway on at all in Berwick is a mighty success. There are not many people around with the business nous that could keep speedway going in Berwick in this day and age. Very naive folk would attempt to build a winning team, then be gone in a puff of smoke and forever vilified for busting the club. I'd love us to win the league, don't get me wrong, but I'd much rather make sure we are sustainable first. Oh, and we have had silverware as recently as last season, so it is not as if we are the whipping boys. The "follow the winning team" mentality has a distinct ring of a now defunct Scottish football club who had many fair-weather fans.

Don't worry fairplay, it's just Screm indulging himself in a bit of cyber-self-importance again. Allow him the pleasure, as this is what a forum is for. Anyway, should be a good meeting, and I'm sure it will be very well attended. There are lots of great things being organised to raise funds for Ricky, it shows the great spirit within the speedway world

It happened a long time ago, so that is OK. Hmmmm.

Nope, given special - or exceptional - approval for... He's certainly told a fair few folk that is what is happening next season. Good on him for having a go: at long last we'll find out his true expertise.

Apparently she has sanctioned a shareholding this time.

Let yourself down badly there, I'm afraid. Thankfully t has been moderated. I think some of the people walking away for the first time is concerning. I have to admit I left a meeting early towards the start of the season too. Fromafar makes the strongest case for the main cause, that being machinery is just too quick now. I also think Alden pulling out at a late point must have made things very difficult. It hasn't been the worst season of speedway that I've seen, nor the best. If the rumours coming from the local horologist are true, we'll be in good hands with Taffy as team manager next season. So, no need for the doom and gloom.

Like I said. PW was despairing at the crowd levels during our most successful year on track, and incredible racing from Makovsky, Schramm, Scud, Pietrasko, Tom P., Adrian, et al. It perhaps, isn't the real key.... Ok, sorry sweetheart x

You didn't read the post thoroughly, my darling.

It is about the complete package. Surely riders must be a variable when considering the quality of racing, or is it all down to track?

I agree with Fromafar, blank Saturdays is an absolute killer of momentum. I think overall it hasn't been a bad season. The first few meetings were awful, but from the Sky meeting onwards the entertainment has been pretty good. Our results and performances have been pretty variable, and certainly agree that some riders have been disappointing. I still go back to the year when we were robbed of the league, though, people got bored with us hammering everyone at home and the crowds were awful low. You really are being a bit of a Drama Queen with the thread title. Where is it all going wrong? A first live televised meeting that received acclaim from all parts of the speedway community. A major international meeting with many commenting that it was the best speedway that they had ever seen. Some poor individual performances, and a lower league position than some expected doesn't mean things are going wrong. There is a lot of real progress. By all accounts we were unlucky not to retain the fours title too (although I would need someone who was there to back that up). So, come on, you're into my territory of baiting with this one. Don't bring yourself down to my level

He was ruthless. Personally, I think he is one of the best team managers I have ever seen: very under-rated at the time, and - my goodness - could he not half work the system. No disrespect to Peter, but I do think the current promotion have taken things to a different level. I do also suspect that there might need to be a bit more backside kicking in the pits next season.

Yeah, Peter was an outstanding team manager, one of the very best. He had a great knack for getting the best out of riders. When he didn't, they didn't last for very long!

What a load of mince.

Not quite what the point is you're making, or even if there is one.

I think the current Promotion should adopt the Peter Waite School of Optimism. Every year our illustrious former leader would hail "We're going to win the league!", and everyone thought "No chance!" Now we have a promotion who are a bit more understated, we expect a league win every season, at the very least! Still, very entertaining some of the comments on here

Best team on the night lost, sadly. FUNTIME, HERE WE COME!!!!!

Yeah get Matty back, top of the list. A good, competitive rider like Matty is always a good starting point.

Probably not, but he's been the one rider that has been fairly predictable at least this season. Good, solid team man.

I would add Wethers: he has been very solid for us and has been often overlooked as he has delivered almost completely without fail.

I think some of comments on here about Alex are out of order. The fact that he is back on a bike after the most horrendous crash I have seen in over 30 years of watching speedway, should mean he is - at the very least - shown respect. He has talent, and with a bit more luck will develop as a rider.

It really was breath-taking. Hopefully shows a certain minority on here in the appropriate light. You know; lacking ambition, poor presentation, poor track, one racing line, nothing's ever right, brigade.

I didn't suggest he was in a bad place. I am just pointing out that to move to the next level (i.e. like Tai Woffinden has), he needs to mentally step up a level. I don't expect that he can do that: however, I would love to see him do that. I like him as a rider and would love to see him and Barker step up their games.

Good post DavyH. I'm not aware of what has gone on in previous years. Re. the Barker incident, I wouldn't be at all surprised that Barker did one heck of a lot of provoking. They both consistently do things that show a lack of focus and a lack of full professionalism. When you start to get to the top level it is all about that incredibly sharp, relentless focus on performance. Neither are ingrained in their though process. Take the Poles walking the track last night at Shielfield. They were the only riders who were continually discussing lines and the track the whole way round. They were studying every detail and visualising how they were going to ride various lines. The others were just chatting and giving the track the odd kick. To go to the next level, that is what it takes. It's all in the head.

Really nice comments to make there, and I'm sure all us Berwick fans and the Club Management appreciate this. Also, I think it is an event where Dick Barrie's experience really comes to the fore. He has so much information at his fingertips that he really does keep things moving along very nicely. I'm not really sure what some are looking for in terms of presentation. The incredible boredom of fireworks? Invest in large screens at either bend? Cheerleaders? Certainly a new PA system would make a huge difference. Presentation is clear, knowledgeable, and apposite. Just enough to assist the racing which was certainly the main attraction!