bigeddiechek

My point is that, no matter how promptly it is reported, that uncertainty is there. I'm sure many people will go for the entertainment option that they know for certain is going to be on, rather than something that is at the mercy of the weather. We have to get as close as possible to guaranteeing meetings go ahead. Otherwise, people can't say "x" night is speedway night, and mark it off in the diary. I'm sure this inconsistency due to the weather is a big problem. Sorry, but I can't tow the speedway party line on this one. Everyone I know - apart from yourself, it would appear - thinks it is ridiculous. There are better options than this to keep meetings close.

But surely they are individual club details? You surely can't mean have all clubs under one homogeneous brand? Promotion and customer relations are certainly, at the tactical level, individual club responsibilities. Uncertainty over a meeting is being on or not due to the weather needs to be addressed, as people often plan to go to the speedway in place of another event, only to have the speedway rained-off. They are then left with nothing to do. This is a big challenge to the sport, and only something that can be taken on collectively. Either by use of technology, a change in attitude, or a mixture of both. The tactical rule has been really embarrassing as I have had to explain a few times this season. No newcomer takes the sport seriously when exposed to that. I'm sorry, but a lack of vision throughout the sport is going to kill it.

Fair enough, but what happens if the weather isn't good? Surely there had to be some sort of contingency planning for the weather? It was an opportunity to put something forward. Of course, it's not to say there hasn't. I have to say at a time when fans are clearly feeling disenfranchised, it is a missed opportunity to connect with them. You know I'm not one to be negative, but I'm not sure that they have done enough here. I hope I'm wrong.

I might have to disagree with you on this one. At the very least the tactical rule had to be dropped. It's the one thing that was noticed by the friends that I took along this year. It seriously undermines the sport. If this season has been as bad as publicised - and I've no reason to doubt that - then there are big changes required to the sport in general. Time will be the test though...

BSPA have really pulled out all the stops this time The sport needs some major changes, doesn't look like they are going to happen.

So our track isn't so bad then?

Who decided?

I wasn't talking about costs. Peter told me the crowd levels in 2005. He couldn't believe that he had put together a winning team, great racers, yet the crowds kept dropping. Or at least that is what he said to me. You just need to look at the DVD to see how quiet it was. I'm just saying that we might be a bit blind to what is actually required to get people through the gate. Teal made some very good suggestions about getting younger folk through the gate, ones I wouldn't have thought about (not saying much, mind). I think the suggestions of various promotions aimed at various groups is a good idea and far more likely to succeed than the run-of-the-mill track and winning arguments.

I'm not saying I disagree, but why did crowds drop so low when these things were right during the 2005 season?

My point is that all the calls for better track, better racing, and better results is maybe the answer for the die-hard fans: but, maybe not the answer for borderline or new fans?

Lots, and some mental racing particularly by Wilko, Schrammy, Scud, and Makovsky. The track was like a ploughed field too (I've got the GRT season highlights DVD). So, it kind of goes against us seasoned supporters' calls for high league position and home wins. Peter actually said to me that people didn't want to come along to watch us hammer the visitors week after week. Whether that is actually the case or not is open for debate. Just putting another point of view into the debate. There has been a lot of good suggestions on here, and I'm certain that they will be listened to by those in charge. The Berwick management are refreshingly good at that. I would be that they have a few ideas that none of us have thought of too. One thing is for sure, I wouldn't want to run a speedway team, far too difficult and stressful for me. Mind, the worry might help me shed a few stone...

If true, then that statement is quite revealing as to where to problem is. Another interesting point, going back to Peter's era, is the 2005 season where we finished 2nd in the league, the crowds plummeted. That was not my observation, but Peter's own words to me.

No, very sensible when you read the reasons, more so that it is their first chance to put their ideas across at the BSPA meeting. At least we have some good quality Businessmen running our club who know when to forgo a pretty fishing type of article in the name of integrity.

If the solution being put forward is to hope for a hot summer, then that is quite ludicrous! The powers that be really need to think about what they do with the sport. It looks as if Berwick's decision to abstain from passing comment before the BSPA meeting is very, very wise.

You have to admit is was more of a contradiction than opinion. Maybe an egesta sandwich for you?

Just read the reasons, makes perfect sense. A lot of integrity as well.

I have to admit I am surprised by that omission. Hopefully we will get an explanation.

I have to say that what makes a meeting less enjoyable for me is when one or more of the regulars that I stand with can't make it. Most of all I look forward to the banter with them. Something that is really worrying is a youngster I know has started getting into comments about the track, which has obviously rubbed-off on them. Imagine them going back to their mates and saying, the track was crap. Imagine someone talking about a football pitch, "pitch was really good tonight". They'd be ridiculed no end. This obsession with muck is really quite embarrassing. Plenty of good riders can ride crap tracks.

What and unusual, and contradictory post. I think Goldmember is correct, there is a lot of moaning that is always the same, but never with any solutions. The Borders folk are markedly good at that, and it is a large contributor to the area being so poor. We are excellent at complaining amongst ourselves, but far too scared to actually talk to the bosses. There are plenty of contact details on both the club website and in the programme,. To say that fans haven't been listened to is the past, I'm sorry but that is just incredulous: We have had the number one we wanted signed, With reference to the above, ambition has been shown, Which resulted in our first major trophy for 10 years, The stadium has been tidied up, The catering has been vastly improved, The track has been vastly improved from the Peter Waite era (remember the adverse camber that put everyone through the fence on the 2nd bend?), Family deals have been made available, Admission prices reduced, Meetings speeded up (apart from the hold up with bad accidents), Popular riders have been retained as the core of recent teams (again injuries had had an impact), New assets have been brought in, Safety has been improved, Bar has been opened. Now, if you can list what you would like to see in a similar way, that would be helpful. I asked Teal for suggestions, and the one given have been excellent. I would be that some of them are acted upon too. Come on, show us that you have an ounce of intellect and provide solutions rather than low level moaning.

The perception is that only strange people go to speedway, one comment made to me was "It's like some kind of social experiment." There has to be some truth in it when one reads a lot of the comments on here. Talking about muck on a track as opposed to guys hooring round a track at 70 mph on bikes with no brakes kind of sums it up to me. Sell it as an extreme sport to people who will appreciate it, let the rest join their local horticultural society.

OK, fans' personal opinons is irrelevant. Track prep, or riders? I know which one gets the most chat amongst speedways fans. I mean, it is an incredibly exciting sport, and you turn up to hear folk talking about how much muck is on the track. Therein lies part of the problem.

Some might not make much of Teal's suggestions, but they are actually very good - in my opinion - and could sow the seeds of increasing a new support base. One thing not mentioned about the younger part of the population is that they are not as restricted as us older folk. Generally, no family commitments, less financial commitments, although lower income. Good ideas, from a different perspective. Backless makes a point that is the root of the problem: existing attitudes. The amount of times I get bored of listening to folk complaining about track preparation (home and away) is phenomenal. It really is very, very boring: and a bit sad.

Just to play Devil's advocate here. Is the variation in lines ridden and the quality of racing completely down to the track, completely down to the riders, or somewhere in-between? If it is that latter, how does one quantify this?

Surely there must be people who go to Northumberland and Borders Colleges that might be enticed with student offers? Bundle them up with drinks offers, then it can be very appealing to students. I think Teal has put forward some good ideas. I also like the suggestion of opposite numbers being brought out in pairs to do a couple of laps instead of the painful parade: that is one bit of speedway that I really dislike. It is bloody hard going. I find Dennis very informative and worth listening too, not so sure about the music, Mr Barrie. Well, I respect him, but I can see that not everyone is of that view.